I asked for a cot. But I received KINDNESS.
My sister has glioblastoma GBM), brain cancer. She was diagnosed in July 2018, and after brain surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy it recently recurred, crossing over to the other side of her brain. It is now untreatable.
So, while the past 17 months have been packed with trips, long talks, literally checking things off her bucket list, telling stories, laughter, and tears – her remaining time will be spent in a hospice house, surrounded by loved ones, tenderness, and many visitors. She moved into the hospice house on Sunday and 5 family members have set a rotating schedule to spend the night with her so that she never has to be alone (her biggest fear right now).
The hospice house has a recliner in her room that folds back, but it does not seem the most comfortable way to spend an entire night. My nephew ordered a cot to keep in the room for whoever was staying over to use, but it wasn’t arriving until TUESDAY.
So, on Monday (which was my scheduled night to spend over), I posted this message in the “Buy Nothing Traveler’s Network” on Facebook:
“Is there anyone in the Omaha or Council Bluffs area that has a fold up cot or a blow up
twin bed that I could borrow? My sister was admitted to hospice today. We are going to
be spending the nights with her there, but there is not an extra bed for family members.
We have one cot that we've ordered that will arrive on Tuesday, but if I could borrow
another cot or blow up bed here then both my sister and I could spend the night with our
sick sister at the same time. We would be very appreciative.”
I had seen many wishes get fulfilled on that site, usually parents looking for things for their kids while they were traveling, so I hoped this ask might get answered.
No sooner had a posted than responses started. People from around the country replied saying they were so sorry for what my family was going through and that they sent love and would keep us in their thoughts.
Before long, someone offered a zero-gravity chair! Then someone offered a hammock!! These were TOTAL STRANGERS and they were going out of their way to find a way to let me and my two sisters have a slumber party.
Then out of the blue, a Facebook message popped in. It was from someone I had never met named Jessie. She explained that she is a nurse in Omaha and that her sister had sent her a screen shot of my request for a cot. She said, “TELL ME WHAT YOU NEED”.
And honestly, even before I replied to her I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I explained about the cot. She replied that she didn’t have a cot, but could we use a warm meal? THIS WAS A COMPLETE STRANGER!
All the while she had posted a note on her personal Facebook page asking HER friends if they had a cot to lend! (I found this out later when I friended her…) And lo and behold, one of them did, and Jessie arranged it all. She worked late and then took time to go pick up the cot and deliver it to me at the hospice house.
A complete stranger!!
And she said we can borrow it as long as we need it.
Jessie, you might not know this, but you delivered more than a cot. You delivered a renewed belief that people are good at heart. You delivered an understanding that if you are hurting and willing to ASK for help, it will come. You delivered KINDNESS. Thank you.
My sister has glioblastoma GBM), brain cancer. She was diagnosed in July 2018, and after brain surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy it recently recurred, crossing over to the other side of her brain. It is now untreatable.
So, while the past 17 months have been packed with trips, long talks, literally checking things off her bucket list, telling stories, laughter, and tears – her remaining time will be spent in a hospice house, surrounded by loved ones, tenderness, and many visitors. She moved into the hospice house on Sunday and 5 family members have set a rotating schedule to spend the night with her so that she never has to be alone (her biggest fear right now).
The hospice house has a recliner in her room that folds back, but it does not seem the most comfortable way to spend an entire night. My nephew ordered a cot to keep in the room for whoever was staying over to use, but it wasn’t arriving until TUESDAY.
So, on Monday (which was my scheduled night to spend over), I posted this message in the “Buy Nothing Traveler’s Network” on Facebook:
“Is there anyone in the Omaha or Council Bluffs area that has a fold up cot or a blow up
twin bed that I could borrow? My sister was admitted to hospice today. We are going to
be spending the nights with her there, but there is not an extra bed for family members.
We have one cot that we've ordered that will arrive on Tuesday, but if I could borrow
another cot or blow up bed here then both my sister and I could spend the night with our
sick sister at the same time. We would be very appreciative.”
I had seen many wishes get fulfilled on that site, usually parents looking for things for their kids while they were traveling, so I hoped this ask might get answered.
No sooner had a posted than responses started. People from around the country replied saying they were so sorry for what my family was going through and that they sent love and would keep us in their thoughts.
Before long, someone offered a zero-gravity chair! Then someone offered a hammock!! These were TOTAL STRANGERS and they were going out of their way to find a way to let me and my two sisters have a slumber party.
Then out of the blue, a Facebook message popped in. It was from someone I had never met named Jessie. She explained that she is a nurse in Omaha and that her sister had sent her a screen shot of my request for a cot. She said, “TELL ME WHAT YOU NEED”.
And honestly, even before I replied to her I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I explained about the cot. She replied that she didn’t have a cot, but could we use a warm meal? THIS WAS A COMPLETE STRANGER!
All the while she had posted a note on her personal Facebook page asking HER friends if they had a cot to lend! (I found this out later when I friended her…) And lo and behold, one of them did, and Jessie arranged it all. She worked late and then took time to go pick up the cot and deliver it to me at the hospice house.
A complete stranger!!
And she said we can borrow it as long as we need it.
Jessie, you might not know this, but you delivered more than a cot. You delivered a renewed belief that people are good at heart. You delivered an understanding that if you are hurting and willing to ASK for help, it will come. You delivered KINDNESS. Thank you.
Crying. Thank God for Sweethearts!!!
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