Bell of Hope

When Penn would receive radiation treatment, we would take the elevators to the basement and check in at the reception desk. Beside the reception desk hung the Bell of Hope. The bell symbolizes a celebratory milestone for cancer patients who have completed their cancer treatment. Every day, we would hear the Bell of Hope followed by an applause from hospital staff and fellow cancer patients.

“What’s that mommy?” Penn asked after hearing the bell for the first time. I replied, “Someone just like you has cancer. And when they finish treatment they get to ring the bell letting everyone know they are brave and strong and they don’t have to go to the therapy centre anymore. One day, it’ll be your turn. You will get to ring the bell.”

Penn finished her 33rd radiation treatment on Friday August 13th. My Penny finally got her turn to ring the bell. We are so proud of her and how far she has come. We celebrated by taking a trip to the mountains.

After seven weeks of radiation treatment, I found myself lost, not knowing what I was supposed to do next. Every day, even though it was hard seeing Penn receiving treatment, we had our routine and I personally felt like I was doing something meaningful.

Never in a million years did I think the end of treatment would trigger another wave of anxiety. Because now we wait. We wait to see if treatment will work. And while we wait, our family decided to make the most of our time together. We will continue working on Penn’s bucket list.