A New Camino: Memories Without Photos

No Pictures

Many cancer patients document their journeys either by writing in their journals/blogs or by taking pictures of themselves while going through treatments.
An ex-boss of mine always used to say "document everything because if it is NOT documented, it did not happened."

Well, I have to say, I didn't do neither. I didn't write about it nor I took pictures of myself while in treatment. Yet, I know it did happen. I have the memories and the scars.

Until recently, I didn't think about it. It was until my friend, Rebecca Aguilar, asked me if I had pictures of me at the hospital while getting chemotherapy and radiation. I had to think for a second, and it dawned on me that I had none.

Three Photos

Picture #1~ Wristband

I went through my photo albums and I found only three pictures documenting the most horrible dark time in my life. I found a picture of the wristband that was given to me every time I had to get radiation treatment, which was everyday for seven weeks. I have exactly 35 wristbands.

The second picture I found really warmed my heart. It was a picture of my husband in the waiting room of the hospital, where he sat everyday for 35 days waiting for me to get my radiation treatments.

Picture #2 ~ My husband Freddie

The third picture was of the office of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the NY Presbyterian Hospital. A place that became like my second home for 35 days. I got to know every doctor, every nurse, every receptionist and every technician.

Memories for a Lifetime

I guess these three pictures tell a story, but memories of my journey are embedded in my mind and in my heart. I remember what it took to get out bed every single day, I remember every machine used on me, I remember every needle that went through my body.

Picture #3 ~ Dept. of Radiation Oncology

Looking back now, I kind of regret that I did not take any pictures, but at the time it wasn't even a thought. I was fighting a battle. Pictures, journals, blogs can be destroyed or lost, but your memories will live with you for a lifetime.

"For some, life lasts a short while, but the memories it holds last forever." ~ Laura Swanson

4 comments:

Melanie bowenApril 4, 2012 at 3:11 PM
Melanie here! I enjoyed this piece, please email me--I have a question about your blog. MelanieLBowen[at]gmail[dot]com
MelanieLBowenApril 4, 2012 at 4:13 PM
Melanie here! I enjoyed this piece, please e-mail me -- I have a question about your blog. MelanieLBowen[at]gmail[dot]com
PattiApril 4, 2012 at 4:27 PM
Thank you Melanie for your comment. I'm glad you liked this post. :) I will be e-mailing you soon. Much Health, Patti
Ann BorreroJune 6, 2012 at 9:06 AM
Once again, you are not alone. I did not take a single picture.... same as you, it never dawned on me. I was at a different place in my life, not so open about it at all, like I am today. I don't regret not taking pictures, because it shows how much I have grown personally. But your post inspired me to write a post about the people that were there all along. So thank you for that, and I will let you know when it's ready to share.
Blessings to you.