MISSION: Rest and Unwind

Several years ago, I found a lump in my breast.  It was pretty scary.  I had ultrasounds and doctor exams, all of which told me it was a cyst.  But after an excisional biopsy was done, it turned out to be an atypical papilloma.  It was benign, thank goodness, but it's since increased my risk for breast cancer by five times. I see an oncologist now twice a year, and let me tell you: waiting in the waiting room for those appointments makes me tense and anxious.

Affiliated Agent  KR from Florida is such a kind soul, because she knows all too well the tension associated with waiting around in medical facilities.  Her mission reflects that kindness, and I'm delighted to share it with you all here.

Date: Thursday, 23 August 2010

Location: Osceola Regional Medical Center; Kissimmee, Florida

Time: 2:46 p.m.

She shares her first mission with us:

This was my first mission. YAY! A few years ago, when my mother was in intensive care, I remember spending hours in the lobby ,along with other anxious people, worrying about my mother and watching tired doctors and nurses run up and down hallways.  I know what it feels like to wait in a lobby for hours before visiting a loved one so I decided that I would spread some cheer in a hospital lobby. 

After picking my target I visited my local craft store. I had so much fun picking out the notecard, magnets, chocolate and matching box and ribbon.

I took the goodies home and assembled them into a neat package.

I decided to write a message about relaxing.  It's easy to lose sight of one's needs when a loved one is ill. 

The next day, I went to the hospital and decided to leave the package in the third floor lobby bathroom. The lobby is close to the neonatal unit and the labor and delivery ward.  

I hope that whoever found the package enjoyed it.  They deserve it. 

I'm sure they did, Affiliated Agent KR.  I'm sure they did.

MISSION: Chemotherapy and Caring.

When I discovered a lump in my left breast four years ago at the age of 28, I was definitely scared. When the surgeon removed it and the pathologist reported that it was an atypical papilloma, I was even more scared. When I took my first trip to the Hillman Cancer Center here in Pittsburgh to get a mammogram to see if there was anything else bad going on in my breast, I was Officially Scared. And when the radiologist brought me back to her screening room after my mammogram, showed me the linear-shaped calcifications that often indicate cancer and said I needed to have another surgery right away, I was at Level Defcon 5 of Terror. I couldn't fathom the idea of cancer in my body. Not at the age of 28. Not ever.

Luckily, the second surgery showed no cancer, and now I just go to the Hillman Cancer Center every 6 months to be watched like a hawk in case The Big C does decide to show up. But still, I live with the fear that cancer will ultimately take up residency in my body some day.

So, when I received a mission today from Affiliated Agent J from right here in Pittsburgh, I knew I had to post it right away. While I don't have cancer, I, like many, have been touched by it in some way--either through a friend or family member, or, of course, through my own too-close-for-comfort experience.

Grab your tissues, dear readers. This is a powerful mission.

Date: Friday, 27 August 2010

Location: Allegheny Cancer Center; Allegheny General Hospital; Pittsburgh, PA

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Affiliated Agent J shares with us the amazing experience she had on her mission today:

My older brother has brain cancer and he has been fighting it now off and on for almost four years. There have been times during this four year period where he has been cancer free and has been fine, but during the times he's been in treatment he gets chemotherapy at the Allegheny Cancer Center at AGH. These days, he is there for a chemo every other Friday. My parents and I go with him and sit in the treatment room and talk to help pass the time.

I am always struck by the mood in the infusion room; it's not grim and sad like you might think, but rather it's kind of a cheery, hopeful place. There have been times when we've been there that small groups of friends of family have gathered around someone to laugh or play cards.

The nursing staff is so overwhelmingly kind and sensitive and inevitably there are homemade pastries or other goodies that someone has brought to share with the patients, families and staff. I thought this would be a good place to do my first mission because I just wanted to add to the feeling of hope and kindness in that room.

When I arrived in the infusion room today my brother was already in a chair and a nurse was getting is IV ready and strangely enough there was only one other person there for a treatment. Usually the place is rather busy. But, I figured that this was my chance to put my card somewhere where someone would find it easily find it, and I wouldn't get caught.




I put the card on one of the infusion chairs and snapped a quick photo before almost getting caught by one of the nurses! Then I casually walked away to see how my brother was doing.

Not 5 minutes later one of the nurses found my card, read the front and figured someone had accidentally left it there. She then gave it to the one other patient in the treatment room, an older woman who was receiving chemo and her daughter who was sitting with her! I was so excited that I would be there to actually see someone open my package!

The woman opened the card and read it aloud and her daughter said she had heard of people doing these random acts of kindness before and couldn't believe that they were the recipients of such a thing! I had to pretend that I wasn't listening, but really I was so happy that they liked the card and gift!

Affiliated Agent J: we say prayers for your brother, for you, and for your entire family. We send love and comfort to you all and to every person who has been touched by cancer in some way. And because of your mission of kindness, we are reminded that we are never, ever alone. Thank you, dear friend.

{To see another mission completed at Allegheny General Hospital in honor of all those affected by cancer, click here.}

MISSION: Bellefield Towers Intensive Outpatient Program

Today's mission holds a special place in Secret Agent L's heart. As a person who has volunteered to bring awareness to and erase the stigma associated with mental health issues, Secret Agent L applauds her newest Affiliated Agent for her extremely kind and thoughtful mission she completed today for the women of the Adult Intensive Outpatient Program run by the University of Pittsburgh's Behavioral Health Program.

Affiliated Agent Z, it's an honor to have you on the team.

Location: Bellefield Towers, Intensive Outpatient Program Meeting Room

Date: Wednesday, 7 April 2010

Time: 7:30 a.m.

Affiliated Agent states:

As you know, there are many people who receive treatment at Bellefield. Adults, teenagers, and the elderly. My specific target was the Adult IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) Morning group.

I assembled small gift bags for each group member (about 12), plus two special gifts for the therapists.

Each gift bag contained:

- A notepad and pen

- fruit scented bubbles (because who doesn't like bubbles?)

- aromatherapy candle

- chocolate bar that says "thinking of you"

- some chocolate eggs

- a card with a special message

- the secret agent L business card

As you may see, the chocolate was in a ziploc bag until the very end. That's because it started to melt in the gift bags! When I noticed this, I quickly transported it to the freezer overnight before the mission. I never thought I would have to do that in the early days of April! Crazy Pittsburgh weather.

At any rate...

The cards read:

Dear lovely lady in Bellefield Towers, Hello! As a former member of morning group, I know how far away happiness may seem. Stick with it! EVERY woman matters, especially you! I hope this small gift brings a smile to your face.

-Affiliated Agent Z

I snuck in super early, around 7:30am. I know that the groups don't start until at least 9am. I placed a gift bag and card on each chair, and then left a note on the white board.

(a thoughtful gesture for a patient who Affiliated Agent Z knows can't have sugar: a box of sugar-free treats)

Mission Accomplished. Not the grandest or most creative of missions of course, but if even one of those women has a better day for even one moment, then I have accomplished my task. Bazinga! (Best. Word. Ever.)

There's no doubt, Affiliated Agent M, that you touched the heart of more than one woman in that room this morning. Bless you, sweet soul. Bless you.

And well done!