The days I worked at Trivandrum Cancer Center flashed by. Before I knew it it was the last day and I was so sad. I brought some American chocolates and perfumes for the people I worked with and took pics with them. The pharmacist said that he just wanted me to teach him how to tie a tie, so I brought one of mine and showed him.
The last day all the social workers demanded that I showed them all the tricks I learned to entertain the kids while I was there otherwise they would be so bored. So I showed them all how to make all kinds of things like dogs,chickens, crow, flapping bird, frog etc. and a couple of magic tricks, not that they were any good :) Then I did my last work routine around the hospital. Some of the kids had received there chemo and left by this point, but there was still about 4 that I saw from the first day. Najila, the girl who I gave a snowflake was very sad that I was leaving and said I had to play the harmonica for her. I did, then when I was about to leave, I realized that my phone, my hat, my harmonica case, and papers were all missing. One of the moms said the kids somehow found my stuff and stashed it around so that I couldn't leave :'( I played along and searched for all my things with the kids giggling and when I finally got the last thing, 3 kids latched onto my legs and literally were hanging on my pants, crying lol. I picked each of them up one by one and promised them that I would see them again and to keep smiling and loving their parents. I smiled and waved at each of them and the rest of the pediatric ward knowing it was very unlikely to actually see those kids again. The main doctor said that she would extend my plane ticket if I stayed. Her name was Dr. Kusamum, which meant flower. I made a giant flower and we all signed it to put in her office.
Thinking back over this experience, I do not think it was the origami, harmonica, or magic tricks that these kids and their families loved so much. It was the fact that someone was there-- other than nurses and doctors. Someone that did not represent their time at the hospital, someone with who they felt normal. I hope this blog and many of the experiences I have shared lead more volunteers to go where they feel needs help. I cannot explain how much it opens your eyes. I am trying to set up a couple things up to ease the chemotherapy process in RCC Trivandrum and will update on how it goes.
The last day all the social workers demanded that I showed them all the tricks I learned to entertain the kids while I was there otherwise they would be so bored. So I showed them all how to make all kinds of things like dogs,chickens, crow, flapping bird, frog etc. and a couple of magic tricks, not that they were any good :) Then I did my last work routine around the hospital. Some of the kids had received there chemo and left by this point, but there was still about 4 that I saw from the first day. Najila, the girl who I gave a snowflake was very sad that I was leaving and said I had to play the harmonica for her. I did, then when I was about to leave, I realized that my phone, my hat, my harmonica case, and papers were all missing. One of the moms said the kids somehow found my stuff and stashed it around so that I couldn't leave :'( I played along and searched for all my things with the kids giggling and when I finally got the last thing, 3 kids latched onto my legs and literally were hanging on my pants, crying lol. I picked each of them up one by one and promised them that I would see them again and to keep smiling and loving their parents. I smiled and waved at each of them and the rest of the pediatric ward knowing it was very unlikely to actually see those kids again. The main doctor said that she would extend my plane ticket if I stayed. Her name was Dr. Kusamum, which meant flower. I made a giant flower and we all signed it to put in her office.
Thinking back over this experience, I do not think it was the origami, harmonica, or magic tricks that these kids and their families loved so much. It was the fact that someone was there-- other than nurses and doctors. Someone that did not represent their time at the hospital, someone with who they felt normal. I hope this blog and many of the experiences I have shared lead more volunteers to go where they feel needs help. I cannot explain how much it opens your eyes. I am trying to set up a couple things up to ease the chemotherapy process in RCC Trivandrum and will update on how it goes.
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