Volunteering at Cancer Centre

In June 2009, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Throat Cancer and was told that I had a 40% chance of survival if I underwent both Radiation (37 days) and Chemo Treatments. The radiation treatment was brutal - I spent several weeks in hospital - and I am still suffering its effects to this day. But I am alive!

After one of my 4 month checkups with the Radiation Oncologist, I decided to volunteer at the Cancer Centre. It was time to give back. I chose Patient Support in the Chemo Treatment Room because I wanted to be a person that patients undergoing treatment could relate to - knowing that I too, was a cancer patient (you remain a patient for 5+ years after last treatment, depending on type of cancer).

I work every Monday morning from 8:00am - 12:00Noon and every other Wednesday morning the same hours. I also work every other Wednesday afternoon assisting on the Coffee Cart.

Patients receiving chemo treatments can be in the chemo room for several hours and despite the various meds for preventing nausea etc, there are no meds for the boredom of sitting in a chair while the chemo flows into your body. My duties include getting juice or water for the patients, pillows and heated blankets and/or anything else to make their stay more comfortable. I also sit and talk with many of the patients and their family members - particularly new patients. They come for their first visit with fear in their eyes and are usually stressed out. I think it comforts them when I reassure them that the treatment will not be as bad as they imagined - and often end up answering some of their questions and concerns by telling them about my treatment experiences.

I do not give medical advice or ever mention anything spiritual/religious. I cannot offer them any guarantees that they will get better - all that I can do is be there for them - to talk with and offer them my support and encouragement.

These people are not patients to me - they are family. The doctors, nurses and support staff at the Cancer Centre are also like family to me.

My biggest reward is getting a smile from a patient or a thank you nod from one of the nurses.