When Cassie was in treatment I had an “Always Ready” mindset. I knew, and we’d experienced, how quickly a day could pivot from mundane to chaotic. Very easily, and unfortunately often, Cassie would walk down the stairs saying “Mom, look at this.” Or worse, there were nights when her pain was uncontrollable. A quick call to the oncologist and we’d jump in the car and race to the hospital praying the skilled team there would process us through the busy ED and admit her to a room where they could manage her emergency.
The “Always Ready” mindset flowed into my life too. Laundry caught up, plenty of toilet paper and pantry staples to go along with an abundance of sauce in the freezer (long before meal prepping was a thing). I had a well-stocked hospital bag with my Crocs, phone chargers, Kleenex, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste and of course, floss! One never knew how long a hospital visit could turn into.
Planning a Base2Summit often has me reflecting on that time in our life.
When we sift through applications for camp and make calls to potential participants part of the process is a medical review. We have a retired oncology nurse, Nancy, who volunteers to pore over applications, doctors’ notes, and lab reports making sure, to the best of our ability, each person is healthy enough to fully participate in the adventures planned.
Before anyone arrives at B2S, we have already begun building a relationship. It’s a chance to calm anxiety, answer questions and get to know one another. There is also an opportunity for everyone in the house to meet before arrival during a virtual call.
Let me give you a peek behind the curtain. It can take about 50 applications to fill a 12-person program. Some can’t make the dates work. Some are back in treatment. And unfortunately, some will never be well enough to come.
Almost every program week, we have someone who has been admitted or just discharged from the hospital and have to cancel their spot at the last minute. They had to use their “Always Ready” bag. Something they were hoping for was taken from them by the cruelty of cancer—that’s their reality. We have B2S alumni that will be in treatment the rest of their lives, and some applicants who have passed away before they were able to become alumni. Again, reality for these young adults.
When I get to meet the people who walk through the door at Base2Summit, I do not take it lightly that they were able to experience what Cassie envisioned for them. For that week they can unpack more than a suitcase. Maybe they can put down their "Always Ready” bag for a while. Cancer may still be waiting when they return home. Some will still have treatment ahead. Some will still have uncertainty. And we know all too well that we cannot promise anyone what tomorrow will bring. But we can give them today. Maybe that’s where hope lives. We can’t pretend cancer isn’t present, but we can find joy in a fresh Base and look toward a new Summit.
That is what Cassie envisioned. And every time someone arrives at Base2Summit and gets the chance to experience it, even for a little while, I am reminded that her dream is still doing exactly what she hoped it would do.
As I'm writing this, our August B2S is enjoying a sail on the NautiCat—It was almost cancelled because of a passing storm. Maddy, our program lead, had her “Always Ready” bag packed for Plans A-E. I’m sure there were lots of phone calls and game-time decisions but at the end of the day, they will find joy.
Find your Joy!
Peace, Love & Kayak
Karen
“You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try” -Dolly Parton
