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Finally - Volunteer for Lynn Sage Breast Center

Different Ballgame
Different Ballgame CSN Member Posts: 868
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Don't know why it takes so long when you apply to become a volunteer, but it does. Finally, I am a volunteer in the Lynn Sage Breast Center of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. NMH is the hospital where all my doctors are associated. Wednesday, October 13 was my first day. I greeted those frighten women with a big smile and a warm voice. First words out of my mouth, "Hi, I'm Janelle." I have to escort them to the locker room which is referred to as a suite, give them a dressing gown, etc .,etc., and bring their paper work to the technicians. I am in the section where there needs to be confirmation with further testing as to whether there is cancer in the breast or not in the breast. It was great to see the smiles and relief when they were finished with the testing, but breaks my heart when I see their faces with no smiles and worry. It breaks my heart further when I see young woman. The volunteer woman Joan who trained me was closer to 80. Joan is a very energetic breast cancer survivor and donates 2 days a week as a volunteer.
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Comments

  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow CSN Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #2
    Janelle, that is awesome and
    Janelle, that is awesome and I would like to thank you for doing this. I am sure you will be a comfort to these ladies that are scared and anxious. I remember all to well how I felt in the beginning stages. To have come across someone like YOU would have somewhat calmed me. Thank you for your commitment to such a wonderful cause. You rock!!
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  • Ritzy
    Ritzy CSN Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #3
    That is great!
    Janelle, this is so wonderful that you are doing this! I applaud you! It is so great to be able to give back, and, you are doing just that! I know it must be so wonderful to see, as you said, the smiles and relief on their faces when they are done and don't have to come back for more testing. And, I totally understand how it must hurt to see the ones that have to return and are scared. You, as a bc survivor, certainly understand that.

    Try to focus on all of the happy faces and just know that you are helping other women just by being there!

    I thank you and applaud you Janelle for volunteering your time at the cancer center!


    Sue :)
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  • chenheart
    chenheart CSN Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #4
    WOW! I am not at all
    WOW! I am not at all surprised , but extremely happy that you are volunteering at a breast center! I know that you will bring all of the empathy you have, and will be such an asset to the women you are helping. Bless your heart~and thank you for Paying It Forward!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥
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  • jnl
    jnl CSN Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #5
    chenheart said:

    WOW! I am not at all
    WOW! I am not at all surprised , but extremely happy that you are volunteering at a breast center! I know that you will bring all of the empathy you have, and will be such an asset to the women you are helping. Bless your heart~and thank you for Paying It Forward!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥

    How generous for you to
    How generous for you to offer your time to work at the cancer center Janelle. I think this is just so wonderful! I need to do something like this too. I know it must feel good to be helping others that might have to go through what you did.

    Thank you,


    Leeza
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  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl CSN Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #6
    Congratulations!
    What a wonderful thing to do! During the very earliest days of my own diagnosis - nothing provided me with more HOPE than to meet survivors.

    I'm sure your presence will greatly comfort others.

    Kind regards, Susan
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  • fauxma
    fauxma CSN Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #7
    Christmas Girl said:

    Congratulations!
    What a wonderful thing to do! During the very earliest days of my own diagnosis - nothing provided me with more HOPE than to meet survivors.

    I'm sure your presence will greatly comfort others.

    Kind regards, Susan

    Janelle,
    I think it is great
    Janelle,
    I think it is great that you are giving back this way. What a wonderful to thing to do.
    Stef
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  • GayleMc
    GayleMc CSN Member Posts: 311 Member
    #8
    fauxma said:

    Janelle,
    I think it is great
    Janelle,
    I think it is great that you are giving back this way. What a wonderful to thing to do.
    Stef

    This is truly a wonderful
    This is truly a wonderful thing to do. So may women are going to have an easier time dealing with you on their side.
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  • elm3544
    elm3544 CSN Member Posts: 748
    #9
    congratulations on your very
    congratulations on your very important and meaningful volunteer work! I know it is going to prove to be very rewarding and these women will remember the kind and wonderful woman who was there!
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  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom CSN Member Posts: 2,413
    #10
    How wonderful to donate your
    How wonderful to donate your time, compassion, and strength to women in emotional turmoil. I still think very fondly of the two nurses who assisted with my original biopsy, they did so much to distract me and keep me from 'falling apart'. I am sure you do the same for the women you encounter.

    Hugs to you,

    Linda
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