8 Things to Do While in the Hospital for Cancer Treatment

I had acute myeloid leukemia twice. Each time I was diagnosed, I was immediately hospitalized to begin induction — a treatment plan that consisted of receiving chemo for 24 hours over seven days. I then had to stay in the hospital until my neutrophil (white blood cell) levels came back up to normal — which for me was another three weeks. Neutrophils are an essential part of the immune system, and they were depleted by chemotherapy.

After the second diagnosis, I not only had induction but four months later, underwent a bone marrow transplant. Again, I spent weeks in the hospital.

Now, I want to preface this blog by saying that I spent most of my time in the hospital doing whatever I could to improve my physical discomfort. I spent considerable time on the toilet. I made efforts to find positions that took away the cramps and nausea. I often had a visitor from my Gemeinschaft (Fancy word for close family and social inner circle. You’ll understand later.). Doctors and nurses constantly attended to my needs. I slept a lot. I tried to eat. I cried. I mostly rested.

But when I was alone and awake, I had my thoughts. I wanted to do something that would alleviate the boredom, assuage my anxiety and lift my spirits. Surprisingly, I don’t think I turned on the TV once! That’s extra good since I am an ex-smoker. Watching TV made me crave a good cup of coffee and a cigarette. Keeping busy with my hands helped.

My matutinal (fancy word for morning ritual) would be to call for coffee and yogurt. Both tasted like metal (a chemo side effect), but “mind over matter.” I then consented to all the Aesculapian directives (relating to medicine and physicians), proffered by my physicians and let the nurses and doctors do their thing.

Next, do something to make the day not so miserable. As a matter of fact, make it as enjoyable as possible.

It started with water coloring. But I ended up with omnifarious (fancy word for all sorts of varieties) creative outlets that took my mind off cancer. I thought I would share some with you.

• Painting: I went crazy with watercolors. I never painted in my adult life. I was gifted an armamentarium (fancy word again) of watercolor sets and brushes. I wasn’t very good, but I became obsessed.I have two brothers and two sisters, but I focused on the girls. I started “The Sister Series — The Early Years.” Now my siblings all have a piece of art framed in their home!
• Write: but don’t just do gratitude lists and journaling, although that is important and helpful. I subscribed to Word of the Day. One great way to actually reify (make something more concrete or real) your new vocabulary words is to try and write a fictional short story. Mine was hilarious. I subscribed to a pleonasm style (using too many words to describe things.)
• Self-interview: it was a fun exercise that reminded me that I was more than a patient with cancer. It also afforded me to do some self-exploration. I made up some questions. See examples at the end.
• Play with your maquillage (fancy Word of the Day for makeup.) I always did the same makeup application. I thought, what a better time to see if I should mix it up? I found out that “cat eyes” are not a good look on me. I got a little blush-heavy and sometimes ended up looking more like a cartoon character. Nurses were very amused when they came into my room. But I will tell you, putting makeup on when I was sick and bald helped my spirits.
• Knit: I didn’t do this but it could be fun!
• Macrame: I didn’t do this but it could be fun too.
• When I was out of the hospital recovering, I was a little sharper and had a bit more energy, so I took an online Zoology class. I love animals.
• Learn how to Vlog. I’m not a good editor, though.

Here’s an example of my self-interview.

1. What would you do if you won $10 million?"

Put $5 million aside for taxes and enjoy the surplus — if any — later. I would give a specific amount here, but at least $2 million divvied up between family, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, NDMP (bone marrow matching), Moffitt Cancer Center, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Borneo’s Orangutan Foundation International and the best institution to support whales. For fun, one mega vacation and a great wardrobe. Bank the rest to decide later.

1. If you could communicate with a wild animal, which animal would you choose?

Elephant. Gorilla and Orca are right there too. I’m fascinated.

1. If you could pick an album that you wish you could hear for the first time – what would it be?

U2’s Joshua Tree. I was never so moved by music in my life until I first heard the album. (Do they still call it an album?)

1. A song/music video or movie that makes you cry?

Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” or Prince’s “Purple Rain.”

1. If you were given the option to travel to one destination, first class, with all expenses paid, without losing your job, where would you go?

To see Orcas in the wild. Ideally, I would travel the world with a National Geographic whale scientist to see all the types of whales on comfortable safe yachts and in calm seas.

1. What’s the weirdest dream (sleeping dream) that you can remember?

Elephants in the middle of the ocean flinging me with their trunks into outer space where I had to save my cousins. If I flew past them, I couldn’t save them. I had to stay beneath them.

1. What’s your favorite meal?

My dad’s scrambled eggs — he adds a little cottage cheese, chives and bacon bits and doesn’t overcook them.

1. What’s your dream job?

You would think it would have something to do with animals, but I would love to be a choreographer or fashion designer. I’d get involved with wildlife sanctuaries.

1. If you could take one thing to a deserted island where you would have to live alone for a year, what would it be?

Everything I needed to survive happily and comfortably. One could argue that this is “one thing.”

Make up your own interview questions!

Wishing everyone peace and happiness.

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