Weekend Update: Chemo Angels

Since many of you had questions about Chemo Angels when I blogged about it in September, I thought I would update you on how my experience went as a Card Angel.

My tenure began in early September when I was accepted into the program. It only took a few days for me to receive an assignment by email. I was given the patient's name, address, birthday and current age, along with a list of her favorite things such as color, candy, animal, music, and hobbies. It also told me the name and age of her daughter and what she liked to do. I was given the choice whether to accept this person or remain on the waiting list for another. I can't imagine why you'd reject someone? I accepted and sent out my first card right away.

After the first card, I received an email from the administrators that my patient had heard from me and that she had a specific prayer request. (I don't think this is common.) I continued sending her cards and notes about every 5 days. I went to various dollar stores to buy about a dozen cards at a time, hoping for some variety. Here's a sample:

At Halloween, I sent her a package with her favorite box of candy. About a week later, I received a thank you card in the mail from her. That was the only time that I heard from her directly. Once a month, she was asked to check in to the administrative site and give an update on her treatment and to confirm that she was hearing from her Chemo Angel once a week or more and if she was happy with her Chemo Angel. If I wanted, I could request a patient update once a month, which I did a few times.

In early December, I purchased about a dozen small gifts for my patient and her daughter. Things like socks, paper holiday napkins, specialty soaps, and tea. I wrapped each gift individually and put their names on them and then sent the box of goodies. Right before Christmas, I received a package from Hallmark. As I had ordered a lot of Christmas gifts online, I thought it might have been a toy for one of my grandkids because Amazon purchases can come from other retailers. I opened up the box to find this:

I was confused because it was not something I had ordered. I looked in the box for a card or receipt and there was nothing. Then it dawned on me that it was an angel, so must have been a gift from my patient! LOL, I can be slow sometimes. What an appropriate and thoughtful gift!

Last week, I received an email from administration that my patient had completed her treatment and that she had graduated from the Chemo Angel program. I sent her one more card because her birthday is coming up and I wanted the chance to say goodbye and wish her the best.

I had the option to become a returning angel immediately, but I decided against it because I needed a breather after 5 months of participation. While it was during a busy time of the year, the number of holidays made it easy for me to find things to write about. However, I will admit, it was difficult to keep up the one-way communication and stop myself from asking questions that would never be answered. Overall, I'm glad I became a Chemo Angel and when I see my Thank You Angel, I will always think of my patient.

** Special thanks to my Blogger friend, Betty, for introducing me to the program**