For months now we have been anticipating the day I would get to Ring The Bell!
In the main waiting room of the Radiation Oncology department at Penn Medicine, there is a large stand with a shiny silvery bell. Here are some photos of it--
The plaque at the bottom of the bell stand says,
"The Bell Ringers. As the sailing ships of another generation relied on their ship's bell to signal their position in a fog, may this bell enable you who ring it to navigate your way to a life free from cancer."
(Generously donated by Frank McKee, Grateful Patient)
My own personal Liberty Bell! Liberty from being at the hospital for hours EVERY day, liberty from lingering cancerous cells in my brain, liberty from being states away from my marital home! Liberty indeed!
Some of my radiation therapists came out from the back to watch me ring the bell. One of them took this video (below) for me, hopefully you can see it...if not, I can email it to you :-)
Here is the YouTube link:
http://youtu.be/naPpuU6cnTY
The bell is loud, but my voice is pretty quiet. I said something to the effect of, "I started this the day after our honeymoon, which was like the worst thing ever. But now I can finally move in!"
Yes, I cried when I got on the elevator to leave, but don't ask me about it! :'(
