My Daughter to My Mom!

This was written by my wonderful Daughter about my wonderful Mother! I wanted to share this as an indication of what love and inspiration my family has brought to my life...One of a hundred reasons that my life is so great right now...(even in the face of adversity.... it is how you choose to react to the situation that makes all the difference in the world) This is about the "Never give up" attitude my Mother instilled in me and how it has crossed generations to her grandaughter...My Daughter!! Named after the famous Fleetwood Mac song by Stevie Nicks..."Rhiannon", I gave some of my musical legacy in that moment of inspiration when she was born. From that day the world was her oyster and she has been a force to recon with ever since.  Here is her offering;

My grandmother, Doris Winkelman, completed her last radiation treatment this morning.

To clarify. that's Monday, April 4th, at 10am.

She walked in armed with three platters of cookies and a brilliant smile. I couldn't help but smile too, as three other patients said hello and asked how she was. They all knew her by name. They all knew it was her last day, and they each asked her questions about her personal life, as if they'd known her for years. Seems like they have, since they're all at ProCure for the same reasons that Grandma is.

The receptionist knew her by name, and knew that I was her grand daughter. Moments after she clocked in with her badge, the radiology tech came out and grabbed her. Grandma knew her, as well. They exchanged smiles as the young woman escorted her charge back to the treatment area.

That tech had reason to smile, as does Grandma. So far, Proton Therapy has been wonderful. Nothing like the radiation she received last winter. A bit of a sore throat, a bit of fatigue (mostly due to the travel for twice-daily treatments), but no pain or nausea. Dr. Prebula, Grandma's primary radiologist, was so caring and careful. She made sure to check and recheck everything that crossed her desk concerning my grandmother, even before the two of them met. Dr. Prebula was immersed in Grandma's treatment from the beginning, taking every step she felt necessary in order to ensure that Proton Therapy achieved the results it was intended to.

Thus far, the experience has been positive, and I can't say that it's all thanks to the technology. It's thanks to the people, too.

ProCure really seems to pride itself on being a family. Patients and staff alike are treated as though they're attending a family event instead of a treatment. It shows in the faces of each staff member, and in their voices, as they greet the patients. They hug, they smile, they joke, and they treat each person who walks through the door like they haven't seen them in years. The waiting area is tastefully and comfortably decorated, with beverages and snacks for the waiting patients and family members. Large windows look out over the Oklahoma landscape, and local artwork and photography adorn the walls. This is all very different from the picture I had in mind, you can be sure of that. Instead of scary and confusing and sterile (you know, that sort of stereotypical imagery associated with cancer treatment), Grandma's experience has been bright and happy and uplifting. There's something to be said for the mentality of a patient undergoing cancer treatment, and ProCure seems to know that. 

Grandma checked out of ProCure just a few minutes ago. She wasn't able to walk out the door for all the hugs and well-wishes she received. This is just another part of the pattern of friendships she has a habit of spontaneously forming. You see, she checked out of the temporary housing complex she's been staying at on Thursday, March 31st. When I arrived, one of her many new friends was just leaving. She made Grandma promise to come back and visit. Ten feet down the hall, we met a couple at the elevator who made her promise to visit. At the door to the parking lot, an older woman made her promise to come back and visit. At the front desk, the receptionist, along with three or four other volunteers and staff members....made her promise to visit.

She seems to have made friends all over Oklahoma City, and I think the city will honestly mourn her when she leaves today.

As you've all read via Grandma's updates (on Facebook and the FUMC newsletters), you can tell that she has enjoyed the people, but she's ready to head home to Perry. Please rest assured that whatever the next hurdle is, Doris Winkelman is going to jump it like a six-foot tall Olympic champion---without breaking a sweat. And carrying a platter of cookies, too.

Rhiannon Nicole Winkelman