A Beautiful Disaster – Part 1
by Rachel Minion
and Jon Minion
It was an amazing day in Manhattan. I was flying high, ready to walk into that Verizon Executive Conference and rock this meeting.
While I can’t remember if the meeting was located in the Adobe or Google offices, I will tell you that it was a day I expected to be a highlight of my NYC trips. It was an honor and a privilege to be able to walk through these halls that morning and I was even more excited about the tour after the meeting.
This trip started out like any other. Disappointed that we had to spend a few days apart. But man, we were both thrilled with the opportunity she had to be part of this conference and make this trip. What a great week for our family.
I sat next to one of my favorite people and started taking in the room around me. Then it happened. I was a little uncomfortable at first. I started sweating then turned green. The smells of coffee were overpowering. Then I noticed that my comfy pair of pants went from fitting perfectly to way too tight in the matter of minutes. Within minutes, I was nauseous.
I excused myself from the meeting and did what any other GenXer would do, I Googled my symptoms. (It’s funny that I had to Google while sitting in Google.) BOOM… there it was. I’m pregnant.
You know how it is. You drop her off at the airport. It’s a short trip. She’s been texting consistently since she got off the plane in NYC. You wish her luck before she heads into her big meeting the next day and don’t expect to hear back from her for hours. And then it hits…
“Babe, I don’t feel good.” She tells you about the stomach pain. She tells you about the nausea. She tells you about how she’s going to take all the coffee out of the room. She tells you she thinks she’s pregnant… Wait. Really?? You had to go to NYC to find out your pregnant? Things are going to be different now.
This “pregnancy” wasn’t going as expected. It was a few days after the NYC trip and I’m still miserable. On top of the symptoms I was experiencing, I realized I had severe stomach pain. I whip out my phone and start Googling pregnancy and stomach pain. To summarize, I’m a wimp. Every woman is complaining about severe stomach pain. I don’t know how I am going to get through a week, much less 9 months like this.
The next morning (Sunday), we get a call at 8 am from an unknown Chicago number. The lab from the emergency clinic called to tell me they’ve never seen a white blood cell count that high. All they could tell me was that I needed to go to the hospital immediately.
Jon drops me off at the ER while he goes to find parking. The nurse at the check-in desk is cool, calm and collected as she takes vitals and then she reads the test results from the lab. She raised an eyebrow, sent me to registration and sprinted to the back to consult with a Doctor.
I had about 45 seconds with the lovely woman working the registration desk before they came with a wheelchair and took me straight to the back. Needless to say, registration would have to wait.
A few hours later and a few tests down, the doctor comes in and tells us the news. My appendix burst.
I guess he could read my face and let me ask the only question I could think of. “Don’t you die if your appendix bursts?” He assured me that I was not dead and would recover from this. Since I waited a week and a half before seeking treatment, I would need to be treated in the hospital for a few days to fight the infection. I would need to schedule a future surgery a few weeks after recovering from the infection.
It’s that moment when it hits me…
- HOW AM I GOING TO DO THIS?
- We are in a new city where we know no one.
- We have three dogs who need to be walked and fed.
- If I need surgery, what is recovery going to be like?
- How long will I be in the hospital?
- Can my husband take off work as we just moved here for him to start the new job?
- When am I going to be home from the hospital?
- Will insurance cover this?
- How do I tell my boss that I need time off (without knowing how long exactly)?
- Who is going to take care of the stuff around the house that had to get done?
- What in the world am I going to do for a few days while sitting in the hospital?
- Am I going to be alone at night in the hospital?
- Will I have a private room?
- What do I need to do in order to be released?
- HOW AM I GOING TO DO THIS?
Most of us who are in this situation experience some form of guilt or shame, which causes us to never ask our network for help. The stigma in asking for help is so great that most times, we take the burden upon ourselves, making it impossible to thrive.
HOWEVER, if our network actually knows about the situation and very specific ways they can help, they will. We all want to help each other. It’s part of human nature.
If you or your loved one haven’t been in the hospital for an extended period of time, you wouldn’t know what to do to support them. How do you support a co-worker in times of crisis? How do you support a loved one in times of need? How do you support a friend who is experiencing a medical event?
We know that after a medical event, you need help. We know that asking for help is hard. We know that project managing support can be overwhelming. This is why we founded Beyond Basic Needs.
We are a nonprofit that meets people where they are today on their cancer journey. Our Chemo Care Kit program is designed to provide support to those who need it most.
For Cancer Warriors undergoing chemotherapy, we provide Chemo Care Kits. We believe these kits inspire, uplift, and help our community thrive during this challenging time. 100% of all donations to Beyond Basic Needs go to fulfilling these kits at no cost to the recipient.
A Chemo Care Kit is designed for cancer warriors undergoing chemotherapy. Each kit contains a port pillow, comfy socks, lip balm, and a variety of goodies that these warriors deserve. A Port Pillow protects the port from the seat belt.
More from Beyond the Blog
Creating an Emotional Support System During Treatment and Recovery
Embarking on the path of cancer treatment and recovery is undeniably taxing, both physically and emotionally. During such pivotal moments, an emotional support system is an essential pillar, offering comfort, understanding, and a sense of community. Here's a guide to...
Understanding Healthy Coping Strategies for Post-Cancer Patients
The journey of a cancer patient doesn't end with the completion of treatment. The post-treatment phase, often referred to as survivorship, brings its own set of challenges and emotions. While the relief of completing treatment is immense, the shadow of the experience...
How Non-profits are Making a Difference in the Lives of Those Battling Cancer
In the face of a cancer diagnosis, patients and their families often grapple with a whirlwind of emotions, medical decisions, and financial challenges. Amidst this tumultuous journey, numerous non-profit organizations have emerged as beacons of hope, providing...
The Power of Community Involvement When Someone is Fighting Cancer
Fighting cancer is a challenging journey that requires a lot of strength and support. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it affects them, their loved ones, and the entire community. This is why community involvement can significantly support cancer warriors and...
How to Create a Positive Mindset During Treatment and Recovery
Dealing with cancer is never easy. Not only is it physically exhausting, but it can also take a toll on your mental health. The anxiety and stress of treatment can quickly become overwhelming if you don't have the right mindset. But how do you create a positive...
Tips on Managing Stress and Anxiety During Treatment
A cancer diagnosis can not only affect the physical health of the person but also their mental wellbeing. Treatment can be a long and stressful process that requires immense strength and courage. Along with medical care and support, self-care can be crucial in...
Making an Impact During Women’s History Month
“March is the month of expectation.” - Emily Dickinson What can we expect from this March? For starters, it is a very important month for women worldwide as we commemorate Women’s History Month. From Beyond Basic Needs, we are dedicating this month to supporting women...
Giving Tuesday: Time To Give Back
Generosity is often thought of as a simple act of giving. But it's so much more than that. It's about being kind and caring, lending a helping hand, and making a difference in the lives of others. Generosity is one of the most important virtues we can aspire to...
Chemo Care Kits: Behind The Scenes
Chemotherapy can be a tough road to travel, but our Chemo Care Kits can help make the journey a little bit easier. We want to share more details about us and the beginnings of Chemo Care Kits, so we went straight to the source of the idea: Michelle Long, a breast...
What People Are Saying About Our Chemo Care Kits
Cancer is a tough battle to fight alone. At Beyond Basic Needs, we do everything in our hands to support cancer patients and their families so they don’t feel alone in this journey. We understand firsthand the challenges of a cancer diagnosis and are dedicated to...
How Can I Start a Fundraiser To Benefit Beyond Basic Needs
At Beyond Basic Needs, we believe no one should go through cancer treatment alone, which is why we work daily to provide a better today for cancer warriors undergoing chemo. But we can't do it without your help. Today is the perfect time to start supporting cancer...
What You Need To Know About A Chemo Care Kit
For many of us, cancer is a scary word. We never want to hear it, and we pray it never affects our loved ones. However, for far too many people, cancer is a real part of their lives. In the U.S. alone, it's estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed...
Giving Back with the Winn-Dixie Community Bag Program
Have you ever wished there was an easy way to give back to your community? Well, there is with the Winn-Dixie Community Bag Program! Not only does this program help out local non-profits, but it also helps to reduce single-use plastics. So you can feel good about...
Beyond Basic Needs: Supporting Cancer Warriors One Chemo Care Kit at a Time
It's hard when your doctor starts the conversation with "you have cancer." No one wants to hear that. Unfortunately, cancer is a reality for many people. And, once you get that diagnosis, everything changes—your focus shifts from living your life to fighting for your...
How Can I Support My Friend Who Was Diagnosed With Cancer?
It can be tough to know how to show your support for a loved one with cancer. You want to do everything you can to support them, but it's hard to know what to do. You may feel like you need to tiptoe around them or avoid asking specific questions. You may also feel...
Partner with Beyond Basic Needs
We spend hundreds of hours with our coworkers. We know about their families, their hobbies, their pets, and now we see what the insides of their homes look like. However, it’s my experience in a corporate setting; the minute a medical event happens, we freeze. Team...
How to Setup a Fundraiser on Instagram
Did you know you could set up a Fundraiser on Instagram to benefit Beyond Basic Needs in less than 2 minutes? 1. To get started on Instagram, click Create a Post or '(+)' in the top right of your screen. 2. Tap 'post' and select a photo (images are available here) 3....
How to Setup a Fundraiser on Facebook
Did you know you could set up a Fundraiser on Facebook to benefit Beyond Basic Needs in less than 2 minutes? To get started on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/fund/beyondbasicneeds/ If this link isn't working for you, please visit Beyond Basic Needs in the...
From Darkness to Light
by Mikaela Rossman Clark There are firsts in life that you always remember. Your first kiss. First pet. First roller coaster ride. The first time you hop on a plane for an epic adventure. And for me--the first time I heard the word ‘cancer’ from a doctor...
How to Help Your Coworker After a Medical Event
It’s almost astounding, but the data is there. Pre-COVID, we may have spent more time with our co-workers per week than with our families. Working 40+ hours a week with 80%+ of your time in meetings, you get to know these team members personally. Once COVID hit, we...
How Not to Tell Your Support Network You Have Cancer
by Rachel Minionand Jon Minion In theory, there is no right or wrong way to tell your support network you have cancer. In reality, there is a 100% wrong way. Going back to my appointment, I was seen late, my appointment took forever and now it’s about 4:30pm. I shoot...
A Beautiful Disaster – Part 2
by Rachel Minionand Jon Minion Fast forward to a few weeks after my appendix burst. I’m sitting in the surgeon’s waiting room. It’s a Friday afternoon and I’m excited for the weekend. Things were on the up and up. I had a successful surgery to remove my encapsulated...