I was granted a tender mercy as I began radiation treatment. It was disconcerting to have my head in a stiff mask snapped securely to a table with a large machine whirring about me for several minutes. The radiation technicians were really amazing, always very friendly and making sure I was as comfortable as possible. They always offered me a warm blanket and allowed me to listen to my choice of music via Pandora. Jacob suggested that I request Louis Armstrong, which I did. The very first song that played for me was "Summertime" sung by Louis and Ella Fitzgerald. My eyes filled with tears of comfort and relief right there on the radiation table. My sister has always been an Ella fan and I have memories of her singing jazz tunes in her rich soprano voice as she got ready in the morning or went about family chores the afternoon. I would try to match her in alto harmony, but often it was nice to simply listen and enjoy her.
My dad plays the guitar and I would often fall asleep in the evenings listening to him strum on the back patio in our California home. But even more often my sisters and mom and I would join him and sing along. One of our favorites (especially if it was the correct season) was Summertime. So, as I lay on the radiation table undergoing the first of many treatments, I felt my sister's and dad's comforting presence through the music. What a gift!
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December 2020
About MeMy name is Andrea. I'm a Mormon mom in my 40's and I am fighting a rare type of brain cancer: Anaplastic Astrocytoma. |