Bluebonnet memories

Hi!

Hello!

I see their faces, but forget a lot of their names.

They have hair now! And a bright face and cheerful smile.

These are the "counselors" for the next Bluebonnet Retreat. Twice a year Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford holds the only adult cancer camp in Texas. Each fall and spring I prepare to head to the retreat as camp nurse. (For more information on the camp, click here.)

Yeah! Many of them were "campers" last camp, last year or so ago. And of course there are the "regular" counselors- that core of returning folks to help lead the way. Many have really been cured of cancer but they still identify with it in some way.

They can relate to the first-timers at camp. They are all asking themselves, "Why did I sign up for this?" "Do I really want to go?" "Is it going to be a downer?" "Everybody is here because of the "C" word" "Is that all we are going to talk about all weekend?"

I see the faces here tonight and I remember some of the faces not here- and I suddenly feel heavy with the reality of life. But then I join in and smile and laugh- I am in the moment for now.

Check back next week for more my recap of the spring retreat!

Jenny Ellis, RN, MS, AOCN
Oncology Nurse Specialist
Texas Health HEB