Nurse's letter to her cancer patients after she is diagnosed

https://herecomesthesun927.com/2016/11/14/dear-every-cancer-patient-i-ever-took-care-of-im-sorry-i-didnt-get-it/

Here is my summary...
-actually hearing the words "it's cancer" is surreal
-your mind goes straight to very dark places
-it is awkward telling other people, but a relief too
-your nurses become your lifeline (Wil has the best)
-do NOT google, but you will anyway and it will scare the shit out of you, but you will learn reliable sources
-you will be sad ALL. THE. TIME.
-it feels weird to be called brave
-it makes you crazy and suspicious of every cough, sneeze ache and every test is questioned
-it is hard to accept help, but there is NO WAY you can get through the first months without it
-mood swings are real, one day you feel like you can take on the world, the next you are sure you are going to be one of those sad stories people tell their friends. TRUTH!
-cancer completely takes over your life
-your appearance is tied to your identity more than you'd like to admit
-it never ends. it's not just a phase, the worrying won't stop, the fear of a reoccurrence or an awful end never goes away.
-time is precious

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Breathing is NOT optional-Saturday

Saturday update: Wil had an allergic reaction last night and stopped breathing. The medical team and Kristen Josephine were amazing they bagge d him and gave him shots to open his airway. It was terrifying. He is shaken but doing ok. Very grateful for the amazing staff at the PICU.

5/25/2017 So, Wil is resting at home. It was a bit of struggle balancing him as he walked from the car all the way to the upstairs bedroom, but we made it! None of us were ready for him to leave the "safety" of the hospital. There you have a whole team of nurses with all that equipment to monitor him, so it was nerve wrecking thinking of bringing him home with nothing to help keep an eye on his vitals. After nearly a week of watching machines and carefully watching his pulse, checking his oxygen, and monitoring his heart rate it was hard to fathom going cold turkey. We joked that it was like bringing home your first baby. You can't believe they're just letting you walk out with this fragile young human. Scary. As of today, he's still in a lot of pain, his port continues to bleed, he's had a bloody nose, his bones ache, his back is sore, and is bored already :) However, sleeping in a nice big soft bed has helped...those hospital beds are definitely not built...

Happy 17th birthday, Wil!

Happy Birthday, Wil Ohler ! I am so lucky to be your mom. You fill our lives with laughter and show us what real strength is. Yesterday they celebrated with him at the cancer center when he came in for chemo. To say that you should never take life for granted has taken on a whole new meaning. I ask for prayers for the little ones who won't be celebrating another birthday. Send their families your light and energy for strength and peace. For Wil we ask that you do something today for someone else who will never be able to pay you back, spread kindness, love, and of course laughter. # wilswarriors # wilwins

ALL in for Wil

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