Thursday, February 18, 2010

Bells for Barry

My blog friend Barry is having his last chemo treatment today for esophageal cancer. Barry is an amazing man - when you have a minute you should check out his blog, An Explorer's View of Life. He's a gifted story-teller - whether he's talking about his dog Lindsay, or the woman in the chair next to him who is getting chemo too. He has taken us on this cancer journey with him. I've laughed & cried, shaken my fist at the air & jumped up & down with joy.

At Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto it's a tradition that patients ring a bell in their lobby after their last chemo treatment. Everyone who hears the bell stops and applauds. Today, when his treatment is finished at 2:00 pm eastern standard time, Barry is ringing that bell. And hundreds of his friends all over the world are ringing bells too in celebration with him. Mine will be the bell on the front desk of the office next door (They won't be surprised. They know me well, that Bug is always doing something strange!).

If you'd like to check out Barry's blog and all the other folks ringing bells, just click on the bell on my sidebar. And if you have even more time you should definitely check out Ruth's tribute to Barry on her blog synch-ro-ni-zing.

15 comments:

  1. I'm going to ring my Tibetan singing bowl. Very excited to think of hundreds of us all around the world ringing bells all at once.

    That can't help but put a good vibration out into the world, not just for Barry, but for all of us.

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  2. I have my bell at the ready! Three hours ahead, right? Hmmm, so then I would rind my bell at 11?

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  3. Yes Kim - 11:00.

    Reya - oh I wish I had remembered our singing bowl! Although I don't know that we've unpacked it since we moved. Hmmm. But ringing the bell in HR next door will be fun too.

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  4. I'm so happy for Barry. I read Ruth's post yesterday. I'll be ringing.
    Bella

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  5. I love that idea of ringing the bell when chemo is over. Yay for Barry ringing the bell!

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  6. What a great idea...I am a music teacher I think I could find a bell in here somewhere. I can't wait to check out his blog.

    Amy

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  7. The manor bell will be ringing, too!

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  8. Heard your bell, ringing with you. Blessings.
    QMM

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  9. I was late on ringing mine, but did it anyway. Can't believe I was late! I've known for days, I put it on my computer's calendar, I used a computer sitcky note as a reminder too, and somehow I was still almost ninety minutes late. Shoot.

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  10. I know 2 people right now with this type of cancer. I will say a prayer and ring a bell for all of them.

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  11. I am completely over whelmed by the support my Bug friend.

    And totally humbled by Ruth's post.

    Thank you.

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  12. I felt the movement and connection around the world, it was stunning.

    Thank you for the link too, Dana.

    Much love, and hope.

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  13. I worked in an Infusion Center for a short while and was always amazed by the strength and attitude of the patients there. Three cheers for Barry!

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  14. I rang my bell too for dear Barry. all the way from our little village here in the Linclonshire wolds north east of the UK. I have enjoyed my visit to your lovely blog - I will return again if I may.

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Thanks for stopping by - I'd love to hear what you have to say!

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