Yesterday I saw signs it was going to be a special day, even before arriving at the Hospital of Central Connecticut's National Cancer Survivors Day event.
Cancer party?
Later, after delivering the keynote address, "Happiness in a Storm," the emcee presented me with a Key to the City of New Britain, handsomely framed in a glass shadow box.
I was speechless.
Keys have always held special significance for me. My maiden name (now my middle name) comes from the German word for key: Schlüssel. I have a few key pendants. But a 4" x 10 " solid bronze engraved key to the city?
Back at the hotel, it took 20 minutes to pack, fitting my clothing and other items like puzzle pieces around the key so I could close the suitcase.
At airport security, my suitcase set off alarms. As a TSA agent unzipped my suitcase, everything spilled out like Jiffy Pop. She picked up the bubble-wrapped box.
"What's this?"
"A Key to the City." Everyone around stopped to listen, as if I were E. F. Hutton.
"What city?"
"New Britain."
"No kidding! Whaddya do to get a key to the city?"
"Survivorship work."
"Wow. Cool," she said before turning her back on me to send my discombobulated belongings through security again.
While repacking, I found myself wishing Bradley airport was in New Britain, and not Windsor Locks.
I didn't know you were so close, Wendy! Sorry I missed you.
Posted by: Felicity Lenes | June 06, 2011 at 12:21 PM
OMG!! THIS IS AMAZING!! wonderful and so deserved.
Posted by: B | June 06, 2011 at 01:39 PM
There was more joy in the giving of the gift and in knowing that the memory of this special day will forever be etched in both our hearts. May your worry cup be lighter with each passing year and may the happiness in your storm be a constant umbrella. With heartfelt gratitude and appreciation, Marcia.
Posted by: Marcia Anderson | June 06, 2011 at 09:36 PM
Wonderful post - however the airport is in Windsor Locks,not Hartford
Posted by: sercala | June 07, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Congratulations! That's quite an honor and I love that your middle name means key in German. How appropriate! Jan
Posted by: Jan Hasak | June 07, 2011 at 01:49 PM
Great article! Your blog is your key to the hearts of all people on their journey to healthy survivorship and those that love them. Keep opening all those doors for us.
Posted by: Mara Bywaters | June 08, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Sercala, I appreciate your pointing out the error, so I could correct the post.
Posted by: Wendy S. Harpham, MD | June 08, 2011 at 08:51 AM
Wendy - I so enjoyed your presentation and it was very meaningful to me. I am a five year Stage IV lung cancer survivor who has been on chemotherapy for 5 years (went thru 5 different drugs and now on a clincial trial for the past 3 years). Trial is keeping me stable; however my oncologist has given me another option - a more radical one with radiation and chemo combined with the possibility of putting me in remission. My choice is to remain on the trial (which is still keeping me stable) or go for the more radical approach which might (no guarantees) put me in remission. How to make such a decision?? -- I'm reading your book "Happiness in a Storm" and just hope I can be as brave as you in making the right decisions!!
With prayers, and always with hope -- Pat Johnson
Posted by: Pat Johnson | June 10, 2011 at 04:38 AM
Dear Pat,
I can emphathize with the challenge you now face, because I faced a similar decision in 1993.
You might want to skip ahead in HAPPPINESS IN A STORM to pages 188-189, where you'll find the Harpham Decision Tool. Filling in the boxes with the assistance of your oncologist may lead you to a sense of the best decision for you. It puts all important points of consideration on one page (in order of priority for most people).
Wishing you serenity, courage and wisdom. With hope, Wendy
Posted by: Wendy S. Harpham, MD | June 10, 2011 at 06:07 AM
Thank you Dr Wendy. I told you I gave away my copy of Happiness in a Storm to a needing friend. I checked out the book again for the tool you mentioned above.
Remember that gifts are about the giver mostly and I agree with the comment above about how deserving you are of the key. You have help a lot of survivors by sharing your wisdom. I feel the path that God must have had for your life.
All of my friends, mentors, family and loves in life own chambers in my heart and I am sure that many others will agree, you have a key to a chamber room in there. (I'm a poet. lol)
Keep it up! By the way, funny ending.
Jonnie
Posted by: Jonnie Hickman | June 30, 2011 at 01:54 PM