Doin’ the Diva

“It takes the same amount of time to put on cute clothes as it does to put on ugly ones.”
M. Laskow

I dress up for every chemo lab, every radiation session, and every doctor’s appointment — even though, for the latter two, I’ll soon be draped in an uglier-than-ugly gown. Even if I’m so weak I can barely walk, being sick doesn’t justify ugly clothes in public. People have to look at me in the waiting room. People see me in chemo lab — and even with a needle in my arm for several hours, that’s not an excuse for ugly clothes.

For every visit to Kaiser, I wear colorful clothing, big jewelry, and eclectic head scarves. I deserve to be adorned in Diva Gorgeous. I will not use cancer as an excuse to look like crap.

On my last radiation treatment, another patient thanked me for my happy clothing. She said that even when she felt sick or depressed, my attitude and outfits cheered her, and she wanted me to know how much I was appreciated. I heard the same comments in chemo lab from both nurses and patients.

I have always had my own fashion sense and dressed to please myself, but I’m grateful Ms. Diva could bring a momentary ray of brightness into the dreary world of hospitals and cancer.

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Author: MeredithLaskow

Artist, writer, and unrepentant nerd girl.

8 thoughts on “Doin’ the Diva”

  1. You ARE diva gorgeous spreading cheer and good feelings wherever you go! You make the world a better place. Keep posting, keep fighting, keep smiling and keep moving forward towards wellness! ❤️

    1. Thank you Michaele ♥ I’m almost better 😉 The world (and many of us) need a lot of healing, and I’m glad to contribute my tiny tiny part.

      Barring a major change in my life, I have three more posts planned, and that will be it 🙂

  2. A brilliant light…you shine your beauty everywhere you go. Not just by the clothes you wear, but by your spirit and love for life that brighten the world around you. I’m so glad for being touched and warmed and changed forever by the light of your friendship.

    1. Thanks so much Sharon! I’ve been touched by your friendship, too ♥ Sometimes life is a bitch, but we need to always remember that the best we can do … is the best we can do. I choose to love life, and be grateful for the good.

  3. I have been waiting for another entry in your blog and here it is! And it is an enlightening observation about what we wear and how our choices might affect others around us, positively or negatively. I am sure part of the success of your survival (if I am not assuming too much at this point) is due to your persistent and insistent optimism, reflected in your choice of colorful, fun, and interesting attire. May you always stay true to yourself and your own style! As the old saying goes, “clothes make the man” but in your case, “Clothes make the diva!” Rock on!

  4. I’m glad to know people thank you for your colorful presence. 💜

    I get the same response occasionally and it makes me happy to put some color in the world, too. This joint needs as many rainbows and sparkles as it can handle.

    Much love from Oregon!

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