Awesome Day!

Today was awesome! I awakened with just enough time to shower, dress, and shove a PB sandwich down for breakfast before heading off to the hospital/cancer center for what I thought would be an hour or so of "orientation." Not so. I got the low down on what the volunteer department at XYZ Cancer Center (XYZCC) is currently doing and what is planned. I am so psyched. Apparently, it was not difficult to pinpoint me in a heartbeat as someone who would work well in a new program for patients that is in development. More specifically, a handful of specially trained volunteers will be working with newly diagnosed patients to walk them down the road of what to expect in their treatment. Totally up my alley! I was really flattered by the how stoked they seemed to be to have me there. I mean, could they gush any more? It was so awesome and made me feel wonderful. I thought the volunteer coordinator was literally going to spin out when I told her that I was returning to school in prep for med school. Honestly, I am not sure why. I was already an adult volunteer in her eyes, so that indicated long term commitment, but now she was dealing with someone who had a deeper interest in the patients and the happenings of the hospital. Seriously, it was almost embarrassing.

I partnered with a woman who was in charge of the hospitality cart this morning. Nothing glamorous (I'm not there for glamour anyway..so who cares!), but a way to get acquainted with the layout of things and the staff. It was wonderful. The patients were wonderful. I really enjoyed getting to do that little thing for them. I mean, I poured soft drinks and juice and handed out crackers and hard candy to these grateful people in such horrible circumstances...I don't know that I could have had a better day. The smiles I was able to exchange. The brushes of the hand that I shared...I was able to bring a tiny bit of joy to these people. It was awesome. I am so thrilled that I chose to volunteer in the cancer center. There is something different there that isn't found in the hospital. I could speculate as to what exactly it is, you know, attempt to put a philosophical label on it, but somehow that would seem disrespectful.

I am scheduled to return Thursday afternoon. I can hardly wait.