Lemons of Love Chemo Care Packages
It was April 28, 2015 and it was my third chemo treatment. My mom and aunt picked me up at my apartment as they did for my second treatment. We drove directly East from my apartment, about 5 minutes, to Northwestern Memorial where we drove to the top of the parking garage - Mom always liked when we were on Barbara Streisand’s floor! Amazing how crowded a hospital is at 9:00AM. We walked into the Arkes building where we went to the 21st floor. We sat in the waiting room amongst the others waiting for infusions. I was the only young adult just as I was the first 2 treatments. We waited for my name to be called to get blood drawn. While we waited, this very nice woman sat next to me with a bag of yellow boxes. She looked at me and handed me a box, and I really don’t remember what was said after that. You would think I would have opened it, but I didn’t. Soon later my name was called for blood work. The next step was to wait in another waiting room to meet with my doctor before going back to the clinic.
Once I got settled in my treatment chair, I looked over and saw the yellow box that I was handed in the waiting room. On the box it said “Lemons of Love.” I remember thinking, “wonder what this is?” - with zero expectation of what was inside. The bright yellow box was a chemo care package filled with very thoughtful items that I found extremely useful and practical.
After my second chemo treatment I found out how much citrus would become my best friend. The first two weeks following a treatment everything would taste like metal or melted butter. Yuck! And due to the nausea I didn’t want to eat anything, and also nothing tasted right! Citrus-lemon, lime and orange- was the only taste that I could handle. The box was filled with lemon lotion, ginger tea, lemon hard candy, lip balm, tissues, FIGHTER Silicone Bracelet, Super “woman” socks, a sweet hand drawn picture with a note and a water bottle. It meant a lot to know that there was another community out there that supported me while I was going through my treatment.
Post surgery but while I was still going through radiation, I remembered that yellow gift box. I wanted to support this organization and give back to others going through chemo treatments.
On Fri, Oct 9, 2015 at 10:37 AM, I sent a note to Lemons of Love:
Hello-
I was lucky to receive a box from a Lemons of Love Ambassador while going through my chemo treatment for breast cancer. I would love to help in any way that I can to package boxes, deliver boxes/bags or just spread the word. Please let me know how I can get involved.
I connected with Jill the founder of Lemons of Love and from then on I have been an ambassador and have sent many care packages to friends and family of friends who have been diagnosed with cancer. Lemons of Love sends chemo care packages out to all cancer fighters (not just breast cancer).
A little bit about Lemons of Love:
Lemons of Love takes inspiration from the expression: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” When the lemons are a cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy, making lemonade isn’t always so easy.
Lemons of Love is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that creates, fills, and delivers chemo care packages. We know about the little, day-to-day challenges that chemotherapy patients are faced with. We hope to provide some insight about the effects of chemotherapy and make those short-term side effects, like dry skin and cold toes, a little more manageable through the gift of a care package. Those who donate to Lemons of Love can request to have a chemo care package sent to a friend or loved-one. We will send packages two doors down, across the country and even overseas. Sometimes it’s difficult to know how to help family, friends and co-workers who are diagnosed with cancer and going through chemotherapy. Sending one of our chemo-care packages is a great way to show your support, from near or far.
Recently, Lemons of Love has open up a Resource Center were their new headquarters also resides. The newly renovated building has a designated beauty and spa area so local hairdressers, massage therapists, or makeup artists can volunteer their time to pamper a patient for the day and to allow a private space for chemo head shavings. They also have a space for cancer support groups for those going through chemo, as well as groups for caregivers and loved ones.
A few years after receiving my care package, I was asked to be interviewed as an ambassador for the organization by CBS Chicago. Here is the cli
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/07/15/organization-sends-care-packages-to-cancer-patients/
Jill and I always laugh about the day that I was given my care package, because unfortunately I don’t remember what the woman looked like who gave me the box in the waiting room, however she thinks it was her!
Please check out LemonsOfLove.org to help support your loved one!
