A few weeks after California schools shut down, Jennifer Kelly, 40, was putting her 4-year-old to sleep when she rolled over funny and her arm brushed something on her breast.
Jennifer Kelly, a veterinarian and mother of 2, was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2020, when pandemic rules limited visitors in hospitals.
(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
“I was like, what the hell is that?” she said.
On June 4 she had an answer: stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, an aggressive form of breast cancer.
Two weeks later she started chemo at a UCLA clinic in Westlake. At the time, UCLA Health had changed its protocol and was allowing new patients to bring one visitor with them on their first day of chemo. Kelly arrived with her sister, a social worker based in Oxnard.
Column One
A showcase for compelling storytelling from the Los Angeles Times.
While Kelly talked to the nurses, her sister shuffled through the packet of papers they received when they arrived. Before long, her sister was reading the letters, tears streaming down her face.
She passed the letters to Kelly, and soon she was crying as well. She felt compassion and solidarity with each opening line:
Just two years ago, I was where you are now, and I know that facing chemotherapy for the first time is frightening....
To my unknown friend on your first day of chemotherapy....
A year ago, I was you — walking into the infusion room for the first time, wondering what lay before me and how I would handle it....
I know this is probably very scary, especially right now....
On her first day of chemotherapy, Jennifer Kelly received a packet of papers that included letters from cancer survivors that brought her to tears.
(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
“They were so awesome and comforting,” Kelly said. “It’s just different when it’s someone who’s been through it. Everybody says the same thing — just be strong, you’re going to get through this — la la la. But if you haven’t been through it, it just doesn’t hold as much weight.”
There’s a whole community here for you right now and always.
You are not alone. I am with you.
Sending you a warm squeeze, friend.
The Link LonkFebruary 16, 2021 at 08:00PM
https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2021-02-16/you-are-not-alone-survivors-send-messages-of-support-to-chemo-patients
Cancer survivors send messages of support to chemo patients - Los Angeles Times
https://news.google.com/search?q=Send&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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