After we knew of the relapse and before we knew I would need to go through re-induction chemotherapy in the hospital and a second bone marrow transplant, I had told a few friends and family members that I wanted to subvert a wedding registry website to use as a cancer registry site.
We essentially eloped when we got married just outside the hospital three years ago, so no registry there; although, we got many a sweet and well-intentioned gift in the months afterwards. And for those paying attention at home to the effects of chemotherapy and total body irradiation therapy on fertility, a baby registry will not be coming in handy. But, the idea of a registry and use of a registry website is ubiquitous now. With almost every wedding, bridal shower and baby shower there is a list of gifts that the celebrant has selected to be the most useful, aesthetic, or adorable items that are needed to set forward on their new journey of sorts. So, why not a registry for someone going through treatment for cancer? And not just the person themselves, but also their ‘partner’ in care, the all-important caregiver, whoever that may be.
Turns out I was not the first to come up with this idea, and in searching/researching there is a website specifically for this purpose. I found that a mainstream site with more adaptability with gifts involving time, service and homemade items/food was easier for me to use, and it could be designated as a ‘wish list’ without it being specifically for marriage or infants on the way.
I only looked into these briefly, but a couple good places to start.
As millenials, this is one of those life events that we shouldn’t be going through, but that doesn’t mean we can’t utilize the same resources as our peers do for their own milestone markers. Everyone wants to do something to help and show they are thinking of you, and I learned the first time that one of best things you can do for them is to show how and when.