Originally published January 22, 2012

In June 2009, I was diagnosed with stage 3 throat cancer. I was only given a 40% chance of surviving if I underwent both radiation therapy (37 days) and three rounds of intensive chemotherapy treatments.

The radiation treatments were brutal – I spent several weeks in the hospital – and I am still suffering their effects to this day.

I had to spend three days in the hospital for each round of chemotherapy treatments.

However, I didn’t receive the last series of chemo treatments because I was too weak. My body had begun to shut down, so I was admitted to Surrey Memorial Hospital.

However, I survived!

In 2011, after one of my checkups with Dr. Karvat, my radiation oncologist, I decided to volunteer at the cancer center in Surrey.

It was time to give back some of the love and support I received during my treatments.

I chose to volunteer because I wanted to be a person that cancer patients could relate to, knowing that I, too, was a cancer patient (you remain a patient for several years after the last treatment, depending on the type of cancer).

I volunteer every Wednesday morning and assist with chemotherapy teaching (orientation) for new patients.

Then, I do patient support on Thursday mornings in the Chemo Room.

The shifts are from 8:00 AM to noon.

Patients receiving chemo treatments can be in the chemo room for several hours.

Despite the various meds for preventing nausea, there are no meds for the boredom of sitting in a chair while the chemo flows into your body.

My duties included providing juice or water for the patients, as well as pillows, heated blankets, and any other items to make their stay more comfortable.

I also speak with many patients and their family members, particularly those who are new.

They arrive for their first visit with fear in their eyes, and they are usually stressed out.

I think it comforts them when I reassure them that the treatment will not be as bad as they imagined, and I often end up answering some of their questions and concerns by telling them about my treatment experiences.

I do not provide medical advice or mention anything spiritual or religious.

I cannot offer patients any guarantees that they will get better.

All I can do is be there for them—to talk, offer my support, and provide encouragement.

These people are not patients to me – they are family.

The doctors, nurses, and support staff at the Cancer Center are also like family to me.

I bought a complete Santa Claus outfit and became Santa Danny.

Each week during December, Santa Danny visits patients in the cancer center and the adjoining Surrey Memorial Hospital.

Santa Danny also raised several thousand dollars for cancer research at the University of British Columbia Oral Cancer Prevention Fund.

My greatest reward is receiving a smile or a hug from a patient or one of the staff members.

Dedicated to my supervisor and friend, Ellen Suarez 

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

Oh, baby, I found heaven when I found you
And this heaven is somethin’ I don’t wanna lose
I only know that if you ever said goodbye,
I couldn’t stand the pain
These eyes would cry, cry, cry like the rain

And the sun would have nowhere to shine
And the stars all fall from the sky
Baby, please
Don’t take away my heaven, oh, no

‘Cause this world would stop turnin’, I know
And I’d lose my whole world if you go
Baby, don’t
Don’t take away my heaven, oh, no

Ooh, baby, I saw forever when I saw you
And if you left me, I can’t imagine what I’d do
Now that I’ve gone and built my world around your love,
I couldn’t let you go
Don’t ever say goodbye, no, don’t, don’t, don’t ever go

‘Cause the sun would have nowhere to shine
And the stars would all fall from the sky
Baby, please
Don’t take away my heaven, oh, no

‘Cause this world would stop turnin’, I know (Yes, I know)
And I’d lose my whole world if you go (If you go)
Baby, please
Don’t take away my heaven, oh, no

‘Cause you might as well take my life from me
What good would a life without you be anyway (Anyway)
If you go away

Well, the sun would have nowhere to shine
And the stars would all fall from the sky (From the sky)
Baby, please
Don’t take away my heaven, oh, no

‘Cause this world would stop turnin’, I know (Yes, I know)
And I’d lose my whole world if you go (If you go)
Baby, don’t, no
Don’t take away my heaven, oh, no

Don’t take away my heaven, don’t take away your love
Don’t take away my world ’cause baby, I need your touch
Baby, don’t
Don’t take away my heaven, oh, no

Please don’t take away my heaven
Please
Baby, don’t, oh, no
Don’t take away my heaven, ohhh

Don’t take away my heaven, don’t take away your love
Don’t take away my world ’cause baby, I need your touch
Baby, don’t, oh
Don’t take away my heaven…

Songwriters: Diane Eve Warren

Here are other songs I’m listening to: These Songs Will Make You Smile Today.