Cupcakes and chemo

Today is my birthday. I turn the grand old age of 29. And guess what I got to do today? That's right, Wednesday is chemo day.

When I first saw on my treatment schedule that I had to go to chemo on my birthday, my heart fell. For the last 10 years, I haven't even worked on my birthday! I always take annual leave and spend the day doing fun things. Over the years I've been to the movies, art galleries, day spas, delicious lunches, the beach and even to Africa. So, the thought of going to chemo on this day of celebration got me down. I considered asking my oncologist to move my session to the day before or day after, but Nik and I were fearful of rocking the boat. Cancer is a big thing and we didn't want to mess with it.

Resigned to the fact that I'd be going on my weekly excursion to the oncology day centre instead of somewhere fun, I decided to make the most of it. So I made a big batch of chocolate cupcakes and took them to chemo. I made enough so every nurse, patient and their partner (most people take a friend, family member or partner with them to sit with during treatment) could have a tasty cupcake for morning tea.

When I arrived the beautiful nurses wished me happy birthday. Then they gave me a pretty pink rose (very fitting for a breast cancer patient), then they hooked me up to my chemo drugs as nicely as they could! They are wonderful people, kind, caring and they always bring sunshine to my day.

When it was time for morning tea, I got out of my chair (it's like a big, cosy recliner) and Nik pushed my drip machine around behind me (the medicine is administered through an IV) and I wandered around the room offering everyone a birthday cupcake. The other patients sung me 'Happy Birthday'. It was nice. People smiled and laughed and got to eat cake (and that's always a good thing!).

Although spending the day at chemo wasn't my ideal birthday plan, it's what I had to work with. And you know what, it was actually fun. It just goes to show that you can take happiness anywhere.