On May 1, 2026, I received some life-changing news. I was in the ER for a really distended stomach, and shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with colon cancer that has spread to my liver and abdominal wall. Little did I know that was the start of a new “journey” and a new way of life.
The next week, I had a colonoscopy among other appointments. The oncologist and colorectal surgeon both suggested second opinions if I desired. I was told that the best way to get second opinions is to go straight to the ER. That was how I ended up at Mass General Hospital…for 20 days.
Being in the hospital for 20 days was very hard on me despite the excellent care that I received from all of the staff at MGH. It was hard to be away from my son and husband and out of my normal routine. Laying in bed for significant amounts of time is not my usual lifestyle.
I realized that I needed to do what I could to maintain my mental and physical health during this lengthy hospital admission.
Advocating for myself
Being attached to an IV pole was something that felt very foreign and constraining to me. It was challenging to navigate a hospital room with curtains and furniture, and using the restroom with the IV pole. During the times that I did not need any meds, I would ask my nurses to detach me from the IV pole, which made me feel much more “free.” I also took advantage of this time by getting dressed and showering without having to worry about all of the cords. In addition to the IV pole, I also had to advocate that I didn’t want certain medications, but the nursing staff would just offer them, if I needed them.
Meditation
Among the many channels on the TV at MGH, the channel that I tuned into the most was the “CARE” channel which had mindfulness music and pictures. I watched and listened to this channel while I was sleeping and had it on for background noise during the day. Listening to the music deepened my sleep and drowned out the hospital sounds.
Visitors
I was very fortunate to have many visitors come. They brought games, books, coloring books, and Lego sets to pass the time.
Getting out of my room
Getting out of my room was also a crucial part of my self-care routine during this admission. I was able to walk up and down the hallway, and I enjoyed sitting in the open space room with my visitors and other patients. On nice days, we visited the Healing Garden, which provided a gorgeous view of Boston from the 8th floor of the Yawkey Building. Getting outside was definitely the reset that I needed on those particularly challenging days.
This is just the beginning of my new lifestyle, but I know that it is important to continue to take care of myself, both mentally and physically. It is also essential to have a strong voice for yourself, when it comes to your care.
