Beit Natan Winter Retreat (2010) -- An Open Letter of Thanks

To Whom It May Concern,

Three years ago, a friend dragged me to my first winter retreat with Beit Natan.  I was amazed and impressed with the program and the participants.  I left the retreat feeling supported and encouraged.

The next year, I persuaded other cancer patients to attend. "You will be glad you went," I assured them, confidently.

This year, Beit Natan's winter retreat was fantastic.

The content was relevant and interesting.  The lecturers and discussion facilitators were professional and inspiring.  And the participants were warm and accepting.

The atmosphere created at this retreat is exceptionally powerful.

The dynamic between the staff, the vatikim (return participants), and the first-timers was harmonious and empowering.  Over the course of three days, relationships were built and solidified.  Women who arrived, feeling confused and isolated, left feeling connected and informed.

For the past five months, since I learned that my metastasis spread to my brain, I have been struggling to maintain my positive outlook.  I came home from this retreat feeling strong and invigorated.

I connected with several other women who, like me, are living with cancer, and will be, for the rest of our lives.  What a special gift, to be able to provide and receive support, at the same time.

What is most striking about this amazing gathering of cancer patients and survivors is the incredible happiness that is exuded by so many of the participants, including those struggling with cancer on a daily basis. 

One would expect, rightly, that we would cry together.  We do.

But we also laugh together.  We laugh about the silly advice that well-meaning friends (and strangers) offer, we laugh about all the ironies that life has shown us, and we laugh about nothing at all.  We laugh, and laugh, and laugh.  And we feel good.

Not only does the laughter strengthen our immune system, it strengthens our faith, and it strengthens our spirit.

I am grateful to Beit Natan for all the wonderful work they do during the year, and especially for the winter retreat, which is an incredible gift to me, and all the other wonderful women who attend.

Sincerely,
RivkA
http://coffeeandchemo.com/


Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

Thank You!! (to everyone who made my 43rd birthday so special!!)

So, I'm still on the birthday theme because, to my surprise and joy, birthday gifts keep popping up!!

I'm still getting letters! (we're not in college anymore; there is no deadline!!)

I also received a box of Godiva dark chocolates!! (I am in heaven!!)

THANK YOU!!!

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I really wanted to do something special, at the hospital, to mark my birthday. I have been in treatment for over a year and a half, and I wanted to share my celebration with these people, who have become a part of my life. I am at the hospital every single week -- I see the people there more than I see anyone else!

I knew I should bake a cake.

The problem is, I really hate baking.

I did not manage to bake in time to bring a cake on February 12th. I did not feel too bad about it, since that was only after my "loazi" (secular, Gregorian calendar) birthday. I could bring a cake the following week, after my "Ivri" (Hebrew, Jewish calendar) birthday. After all, the 22nd of Sh'vat is my real birthday.

Of course, by the following chemo day, I still had not baked a cake.

Have I mentioned that I hate baking?

Thursday morning, finding nothing, to grab on the way out, and not wanting to be late to chemo, I determined to bake a cake next year!

I arrived at chemo and plopped my coat and sewing bag on a chair next to LS, who, as usual, arrived earlier than I and saved a seat for me. Then I went about my business, registering, opening my port, getting blood tests (I have so much more to write about this, but not in this post!), meeting my chemo-date (who came, by bus, from Ginot Shomron!! and brought candy!!!), etc.

When I finally went into the day room to sit down and relax, LS surprised me with a birthday cake!! Wow!!

LS made a really large and delicious chocolate cake!! I was able to share with everyone -- doctors, nurses, secretaries, researchers, patients, et al!! I had so much fun bringing around cake and inviting people to share in my birthday celebration!! I just felt great!!

Without knowing it, LS answered my inner wish! Her gift to me enabled me to share my birthday the way that I wanted!

As I entered the day room, after delivering the last of the cake, one of the nurses was ready to hook me up to the IV with my chemo.

I had a big smile on my face as I took my seat and settled in for my next treatment.



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

On The Flip Side

I missed it!

I wanted to post something meaningful and moving on my one-year cancer-versary.*

If not a major post, then at least a THANK YOU to all my "coffee and chemo" dates!

But.... I forgot!

The day came and went!

Then it was time to get ready for school... then dealing with school... then preparing for the holidays...

Then, without meaning to, I sort of wrote about the cancer-versary as an aside.... (I was writing about Rosh HaShanah, and it just came up.... )

So, though it's a bit late, here is the flip side to my cancer-versary:

I want to thank all my friends who came to hang out with me at chemo this past year!

You guys took what could be a real drag and turned it into fun!

I really looked forward to my coffee-and-chemo-dates!

It was so great to spend time with each and every one of you!!

A few of you came on really crazy, stressful days. We barely had a chance to sit and talk. I truly apologize for that. (most days were not like that, really) Thanks so much for being understanding!!

Some days, I had so much fun, it was..., well..., it was rather strange.

I mean, how could I have such a good time at chemo?

But I had to be there for the chemo!

Why not make it fun?

So, thanks for the company! Thanks for the support! Thanks for the snacks/lunches! Thanks for playing games with me! Thanks for the amazing conversations!

Most of all, thanks for hanging out in the chemo ward, when you could have been anywhere else!

You made this year a good one!



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.


With love and optimism,
RivkA

*cancer-versary -- great expression coined by Noa!