Beautiful and so relatable! I was diagnosed on the first day of summer in ‘24 and I pined for real summer days from the inside of my chemo center. After finishing treatment and surgeries, the summer of ‘25 felt just like what you’re describing, a return 💗
There’s never a good time to be diagnosed, but the first day of summer really sucks. I’m so happy you got through it. Here’s to us savoring many more summers in our future💛
This is so beautifully written. I finished treatment around the same time as you. I felt passing of the seasons and the hope in your writing. Hope is what gets us through 🤲🏼
Two years ago post chemo my husband built us a dream of mine, a bio pond, a swimming place for me and gathering place for the family. I swam all summer with my new body in the sun, under the barn swallows dipping and frogs along the edges coming alive at night. Last spring was another large surgery and waiting to get into my pond sustained me. This year I have another challenge but as the days grown warmer the dream of gliding around in my space is keeping my spirits going. I totally related to your yearning for the sea. Thanks for this, happy swimming for us both.
You described this so clearly, I felt like I was there! I’ve always loved the idea of a bio pond. It sounds like you’ve found your healing place. Wishing us both a summer of magical swims!
Beautiful! I'm so glad you got to have that swim. I was in high school when I went through chemo, and my friends and I were entranced with the book "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse, about Gautama Buddha. As the meds went into my veins, I imagined I was Siddhartha, meditating by the stream. I never became enlightened, but it did calm me.
What a moving story, Alison, and so beautifully written. How amazing and wonderful that your daydream helped you through all your pain, and it then came true. I will have to try it next time I have a hard treatment or time. Thanks and love.
Your story reminded me of a time some years back when I was hospitalized with double pneumonia and sepsis. One evening I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. It was a strange feeling, not so much fear as the darkness and emptiness of the room closing in. Then I looked out the window and the setting sun filled it with a luminous golden-orange glow. I was mesmerized, and watched the light move through the trees, suffusing the leaves and turning them into amber medallions that glimmered against the deepening sky. I watched it gradually fade, like a mosaic of memories, until it passed. I couldn't help but feel the presence of the life force telling me all would be well.
What a moving story, Alison, and so beautifully written....love your vivid descriptions. How amazing and wonderful that your daydream helped you through so much pain and came true almost exactly as you had dreamt it. I will try that next time I'm going through a hard treatment or time.
Beautiful and so relatable! I was diagnosed on the first day of summer in ‘24 and I pined for real summer days from the inside of my chemo center. After finishing treatment and surgeries, the summer of ‘25 felt just like what you’re describing, a return 💗
There’s never a good time to be diagnosed, but the first day of summer really sucks. I’m so happy you got through it. Here’s to us savoring many more summers in our future💛
What a beautiful soothing image to carry with you.
This is so beautifully written. I finished treatment around the same time as you. I felt passing of the seasons and the hope in your writing. Hope is what gets us through 🤲🏼
Thank you, and yes, we must always keep the hope alive.
Really felt this one, my friend. Love you.
Love you back❤️
Two years ago post chemo my husband built us a dream of mine, a bio pond, a swimming place for me and gathering place for the family. I swam all summer with my new body in the sun, under the barn swallows dipping and frogs along the edges coming alive at night. Last spring was another large surgery and waiting to get into my pond sustained me. This year I have another challenge but as the days grown warmer the dream of gliding around in my space is keeping my spirits going. I totally related to your yearning for the sea. Thanks for this, happy swimming for us both.
You described this so clearly, I felt like I was there! I’ve always loved the idea of a bio pond. It sounds like you’ve found your healing place. Wishing us both a summer of magical swims!
Beautiful! I'm so glad you got to have that swim. I was in high school when I went through chemo, and my friends and I were entranced with the book "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse, about Gautama Buddha. As the meds went into my veins, I imagined I was Siddhartha, meditating by the stream. I never became enlightened, but it did calm me.
I love this image, Helen, it’s so grounding. Also sending a tender hug to your high school self going through treatment💗
😭😭😭😭
What a moving story, Alison, and so beautifully written. How amazing and wonderful that your daydream helped you through all your pain, and it then came true. I will have to try it next time I have a hard treatment or time. Thanks and love.
Your story reminded me of a time some years back when I was hospitalized with double pneumonia and sepsis. One evening I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. It was a strange feeling, not so much fear as the darkness and emptiness of the room closing in. Then I looked out the window and the setting sun filled it with a luminous golden-orange glow. I was mesmerized, and watched the light move through the trees, suffusing the leaves and turning them into amber medallions that glimmered against the deepening sky. I watched it gradually fade, like a mosaic of memories, until it passed. I couldn't help but feel the presence of the life force telling me all would be well.
What a moving story, Alison, and so beautifully written....love your vivid descriptions. How amazing and wonderful that your daydream helped you through so much pain and came true almost exactly as you had dreamt it. I will try that next time I'm going through a hard treatment or time.