After a less-than-stellar dining experience several years ago, my friend Jane said, “I come here for the friendship, not the food.”
That’s how I feel tonight. I’m only one week past my last infusion, my stomach is still cramping, and I can barely eat — but my friend Charlotte, who moved to Oklahoma three years ago, is in town for a few weeks, and this is the date she chose.
Charlotte and I were diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and met at the support group at St. Jude’s. We lived in the same town and were friends throughout our treatment. She was one of the original members of my Breast Cancer Survivors Exercise Class. The exercise class was canceled but the women still meet every other month for dinner.
Since she’s the guest of honor this month, Charlotte selects the restaurant, The Olive Garden. We try different eateries every time, and a restaurant usually doesn’t get back into rotation for several years, if ever.
It’s a great evening and I’m happy to not be the sole center of attention. I nibble two bites of a bread stick and decide that any more is pushing my luck.
It’s the friendship, not the food.
Left to right: me, Linda, Vicki, Charlotte, Jane, Nadine and Barbara.
My fashion details: vintage (I owned them since they were new) Indian tie-dye shorts, rose print scarf (1950s?) from Chez Mom, and this jewelry:
https://www.amazon.com/Bugle-Graduated-Collar-Statement-Necklace/dp/B016VATJVI/
To have good friends you have to be a good friend.
I agree absolutely. We attract the people who mirror our values.
I remember my brother Gary was in the middle of his chemo treatments, and really wanted to go back to his favourite Thai restaurant. I was wary, but he really wanted to go. He felt cheated, because his chemo had started with less than 24 hours warning, not enough for him to go out for one “last good supper”. So we went. He had about three, maybe two, sips of his favourite soup, and he knew he couldn’t handle another bite. So we took him home, along with what part of the order they had already prepared. He did manage to get out for a few friends’ gatherings, and was glad to be there, but could never eat while out.
I’m glad you have good friends to gather with, enough energy to get there, and those amazing tie-dye shirts!!
I meant shorts.
You are a very special group of friends…all supporting each other .I look at the picture and wish I was with you all to tell you I respect your group spirit…
Eunice, I wish you could be here, too. Ahh, maybe one day I’ll make it to Scotland!
I started this group sixteen years ago. When I stand back and try to see this objectively, I’m a little amazed that I set this in motion, and such wonderful people joined, and we’re still together.
Sharon, I knew what you meant! and it’s actually a set (shorts and shirt) but it was a hot day so I wore a tank top. If you look at my previous blog post, the black tie-dye set is from the same Indian store, and I also bought similar shorts in turquoise.
I was lucky to have a week’s notice before chemo started so I could have a few favorite meals (and also clean my bathrooms.) Even on days when I can eat a little more, food doesn’t have much appeal because everything has that weird chemo aftertaste.
Our next meeting is mid-August, after I’m done with this chemo. I hope my taste buds are back! — although it may take a while.