GAH! I feel like I should be reading more than what's written.

in order not to disturb me.  I assured them that everything was fine - to continue with settling in, after all, everyone was a bit wonky after spending 12 hours in Emergency and then another 12 hours in a hall until half a room was located; not a bed.

Instead of complaining, Twenty-six and her family essentially adopted me.  We shared our medical situations with a sophisticated short speak as I have coined it - slang and acronyms for conditions, symptoms, therapeutic interventions and meds.  We joked about hospital food and the state of our room, which is a cross between mismatched neutral curtainsand ever-so-slightly-stained linens salvaged from a DMZ which separate a room with peeling paint and poly-filla patches over most of the holes in the walls.  Graciously, they poo-pooed my apologies for leaving my commode in the washroom and quickly we moved on to other topics as Twenty-six's I.V. dripped and hummed,only occasionally hiccupping  blip-bleep, blip-bleep...

Once we were alone, she asked me if it was okay for her to remove the kerchief wrapped around her head.  She found a lump in her left breast in January.  Don't worry, it's only a cyst, she was told, all through the testing process.  Until April.  Now, two major surgeries later, radiation and chemo, she is here with me, and her current ttreatment has ravaged her immune system so that she is in a very serious condition.

Once our evening meds were distributed and dutifully swallowed and our nurse left us, Twenty-six asked me if it was okay for her to pray out loud, and if I minded to be included in her prayers.   And when I replied, of course, she cried and thanked me for making her day brighter.

So now I sit, the curtain drawn, veiling my tears that are streaming down my face as I write this, and I am uncertain, because I do not pray...but  I am compelled to ask that you  consider saying a prayer for  Twenty-six, a beautiful, compassionate, courageous woman dealing with Stage Four Breast Cancer, found only 3 months ago.  A woman who, through her faith, reached out and  embraced my weary, battered soul.

 Please, if  you belong to a prayer group add her to your list.

yup... I had a problem posting...

I'll pray for both of you!

I'm glad to hear that your roomate is bringing you some cheer (and hope?) in a place and situation that can be rather gloomy.

Oh Red - I'm left very speechless, I just don't know what to say, talk about someone tugging on your heart strings, just when your feeling a little low some comes along and gives you a new perspective.

I'm passing you a kerchief to wipe away those tears, I'm not part of a prayer group but  your always in my prayers and I will add roommate #26 as well.

Please get some rest tonite

I'll pray for you both as well.

Indeed.  Prayers for you both.

Room mate #26 and you are both in my thoughts and prayers, dear Redhead.  You are both amazing women, and will give strength to each other, as well as inspire others with your courage and grace.

Prayers and love going your way -

Redhead, you and Number 26 have my support. Love, Naman 

My prayers go out to you and room mate #26.

Feel content that God's love surrounds you both. I will pray for both of you this day.

Sounds like "26" (can I call her "Grace"?) is actually an angel and a gift, making really good use of her remaining time and that some prayer has actually been granted since you both have landed in the same room.

There is a Goddess.

Redhead ~ you know that you are always in my prayers and I of course will add # 26.

With so many difficult roommates that you have encountered, # 26 is indeed a blessing to you and as ninga said maybe "an angel and a gift." Big hugs being sent to you both.

Ninja - you took the words out of my mouth. 

Red - Prayers to both of you, wrapped in a new embrace of friendship, shared journey, and the Spirit.   I was sending  you some special thoughts today as I juggled 30 kids & various volunteers, but I'll add some extra special warm wishes for both of you to share, like a cherry & whipped cream on a wonderful Sundae.  With 2 spoons.

(((26))), (((( Redhead)))) you have been truly blessed with the arrival of #26 If you get permission please let us know a name that we can hold up. Although God knows who 26 is.

Greetings!

Saying a prayer for 26 . . . that she will be held her closely, tenderly, and carefully, in the center of God's love - and you too, Redhead.

Thank you for sharing this with us.

Hope, peace, joy, love . . .

As you walk, as you walk

The universe is walking with you

In beauty it walks before you

In beauty it walks behind you

In beauty it walks below you

In beauty it walks above you

Beauty is on every side

As you walk, you walk with Beauty.
 

This is a slight modification of a traditional Navajo prayer it is one of my favourites and if you wish to give yourself strength, substitute the word you for me/I.

May the beauty of peace stay with both you and your new roommate.

Thank you everyone for your immediate and caring responses to my request; I am very grateful. 

I will be holding you both in my prayers.  God bless.

Hello Redhead..God bless you..

Your  in my prayers...

IJL: BJ

So sorry redhead. I didn't know you were ill.

Sending positive prayers for good health to yourself

and number 26.

May God renew your  strength and energy and  give you both fresh hope and courage that all is going to be well.

May God's angels surround you every minute and watch over and protect you always.

We join together and ask for healing in Jesus Name. Amen

Redhead -- the days do drag on, and sadly, you know all to well the rhythms of the hospital.  

Thank-you for both accompanying 26 on her journey, and to share witness of her strength to us.

Life sometimes sucks...and then it sucks some more....yet somehow, you keep your humour.

You have an amazing inner strength.  May it continue to keep you well.

Prayers for you both.  What an awesome thing that the two of you have connected.  I sense that you will bring each other comfort, joy and amazing friendship.

Hugs to you...

Hey Red, letting you know I thought of you today.  Hope your sleeping comfortably

Sorry I didn't see this until now.  Both you and room mate #26 are in my prayers. She is very lucky to have you as a room mate.

I hardly ever disagree with Pinga except over matters of style (but certainly not of substance) but I'm going to disagree today.  I think that life never sucks and that if you think about the story that redhead has related that it is a memorable, once in a lifetime, remember forever moment that is so poignant and moving because it affirms how light and life will always spring forth to affirm even as the darkness seems deepest that life definitely does not suck ... and that love will win out.

aaah, well said, qwerty.  I stand corrected

It is equally fair to point out that sometimes it is difficult, if not impossible, to see past the current suckage.  Even knowing that, ultimately, you are right, qwerty.

Still praying.....

Continued sincere appreciation for all the prayers and thoughts for  streength, better health and our well being - and whatever else you deem approriate.   As I said before, I felt that  I  must share this experience with everyone here in the WC, and I am overwhelmed to be included in my request for prayers for Twenty-six.  I am pleased to report that she went home yesterday afternoon, although, as always, I am concerned that my roommates are released a few days too soon.   We have made plans to meet on Tuesday, when she returns for her second last chemo treatment for this round. 

I told her about this thread, and she is in awe of the response by strangers, and grateful for the caring shown here.  She took a look at this site and is amazed by the depth and breadth of the conversations taking place within so many categories.  It is her opinion that the WC  IS virtally a congregation.  Thank you for answering my cry for help - your replies really do lift me up as well and I feel comforted today, as I sit here resting and getting to know #27.

Redhead, you pop into my head often - especially since the party at Five Oaks.  I know how much you must have wanted to be there, and how much I would have enjoyed meeting you.  I pray for you - and I'll pray for your room mate.  Not as part of a prayer chain - just my individual prayers.

I've been in hospital often enough, for long enough periods of time, to know that roommates are important.  I'm glad that you and 26 are able to relate to one another and bring some joy and laughter into your room.  I've been lucky in most of my roommates - especially the long term ones.  And I hope that I have been as helpful and supportive to them.    I'm sure that you are a blessing to each other.

You've had a lot of roomates is this is #26.  I hope that you two can share your room for awhile longer than some must have. 

Good luck with #27 and hope for #26.

I'm with Qwerty though, life is filled with moments, even fleeting, that are miraculous enough to hold onto and give strength during those dark sucking times.

On a happier note I spent the day gardening - the first real chance all summer.  I'm so tired I'm going to have ice cream for dinner and collapse in front of some mind numbing television.

Peace be with you all.

LB

Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: I am with you kid. Let's go. 

Maya Angelou

I do hope it wasn't too soon for 26. I lost a friend that maybe did leave a hospital too soon. Hopefully that's not the case. I'll continue praying for both of you.

Thank you, qwerty, for reminding me of my experience of visiting my husband when he was in hospital.

No matter how ill he was, he would always give me a smile and say, "It's the highlight of my day when you walk through that door."

Love does indeed win out.

I pray that people will walk through your door, redhead, with love in their hearts. You deserve nothing less.

I do believe that life is a string of moments, tied together by what we call time.  It is becoming evident that the first evening I experienced with Twenty-six, those touching moments I have recounted here, have  sparked memories of your own experiences, and sharing these stories gives us all more to take in, to reflect upon. 

I am grateful that so many of you are sharing precious stories with me, with all of us - it gives me a great sense of loving and being loved.  Thank you for offering these gifts.  Perhaps this thread is about more than my original request; I certainly hope so.

redhead,

I'm in awe of your wisdom, particularly seeing that you are facing many challenges at present. As one who doesn't possess your courage, I feel you have an understanding of life that some of us lack.

If you feel well enough, could you perhaps reflect on the nature of your wisdom? Were there wise relatives or teachers in your background? Have you learnt from past lessons in life? Do you have a strong faith?

Coming in late here - but wanted you to know how much I think of you redhead. And my arms are reaching across the country sending my support and care to both you and 26!

Hellooo Redhead - this thread feels like a pile of us sitting on the end of your bed,, hanging around the curtain, sitting up on the window sill, just hanging out with you letting you soak up some love & hugs.  We could all stand to comprehend your struggles more, and deeper compassion for people around us would be the result.  The other result would be laughter & complete giggles because you are so wonderful to laugh with.

We'll just make the circle larger for #26 if she cares to visit, and for #27 if they're interested too. :)

And I have to agree with Matt - yes, sometimes life does suck - maybe not 100%, maybe not if we have the capacity to look beyond what is right in front of us, but it does, through pain & anxiety & lack of answers... we have to walk in each other's shoes and when their lives suck, we have to be the safety net that holds them & loves them until they can see something other than hell.

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin to Pooh”

Red - hope you have that visit with #26 today and that all is going well with #27 as your roommate. It would be nice if you could get out to enjoy some beautiful sunshine today, as the sun I believe,  lifts our spirits and gives us hope for what lies a head. Think of you often red.   pm

Thoughts and prayers from sunny NB on New Brunswick day.

redhead, I'm here to pour you a glass of water from that jug beside your bed when you need it. (Well, from this distance it'll have to be figuratively, but you know what I mean!)

Red - I'm with Birthstone - chatting with you has become like  being with you shooting the breeze, telling funny stories, sharing serious moments and even just sitting idle pondering the moment.

It was nice today, so I do hope you got to see some of it. 

Lots of  Love

hi red - hope the sun today is sending  warm rays in through your window. It is so nice to have a sunny day  after the storm of last evening. Hoping that your day will also be 'sunny'. Don't forget that we are still chatting to you in 'redhead's group'.

Love & Hugs...pm

*The Squirrel sends a prayer and a hug

i think EZed was doing this for you and your roomies, redhead.

*The Squirrel thinks the marshmallow and the nuts are too close to the fire.

LOL! you guy/gals are too much.

Wishing you all the best Red.  Your probably out reading enjoying the day.

Take Care

Hi Redhead

I admire your talent as a writer and artist, your warm heart and especially your courage in face of a very difficult situation.We can all learn from  your strength. Keep writing. Best wishes to you and #26.

cheers

Thank you Easydoesit.

I will let you know all hnow how she is  doing  when  I  hear from  her.  I am having  trouble typing now, so keeping this short I say thanks to all who keep me in their thoughts and prayers, I believe in the power of your faith.

on another note, i have not had a bunkie for an entire week!