Christmas Behind White Walls

Loud bellowing laughter is not a common sound that can be heard through the hallways of any hospital corridor, especially during Christmas day.

Plain white walls can do many things to a person when they find themselves confined behind them for too long. These walls contribute to the many reasons as to why people prefer to steer clear of hospitals. But what happens when your loved ones are forced to call these walls home for extensive periods of time? How do you find the light in such straining circumstances?

It all started with a text message, phone call, a minor favour…. But we all know that when Natalia requests a favour of you, it would never be an average kind like, “Hey, can I please borrow a cup of sugar?” And for those who know her well, you will have all learnt by now that it is very hard to deny the ‘Smiling Assassin’ of any favour.

In 2015, our dear friend Natalia spent a large portion of her life behind the white walls of Peter Macallum Cancer Centre, fighting a disease (Ewing Sarcoma/Cancer) that should never be fought alone. Sadly, her stay extended right through to her birthday, which also happened to be Christmas. What should have been a time of celebration and heaps of laughter amongst family and friends, she spent many hours turning to the wonderful hospital staff who roamed the wards at all hours of the day and night, lovingly tending to patients like herself.
When darkness finally fell, her friends and family had dispersed after visiting hours had ended, and the hallways grew quiet, Natalia once again turned back to her white walls. “It was the loneliest time” said Natalia, “that is why I want to do something about this Christmas. There will be a lot of people who will be feeling the same way as I did.” And that’s when the favour entered the conversation. “Will you help me?”

For the next few weeks, Natalia’s circle of friends spread the word through our network; family, friends, colleagues and Facebookers were all asked to contribute in any way that they could to help with our Peter Mac Christmas Cookie Drive. The goal was to get as many homemade cookies as possible, all gift wrapped, accompanied with a Christmas card, and to be hand delivered to hospital patients, their visiting families and nursing staff on Christmas morning, 2016. The challenge sounded easy, but logistically, it was in actual fact, a challenge indeed. The main ingredients to the projects success had to do with an immense amount of time, love, and community spirit.

Each person who had a hand in the project came with an inspiring reason as to why they were generously contributing. We had people who had previously been affected by the disease, to family members who wanted to show gratitude to the staff who had once looked after their loved ones, to individuals who just wanted to pay it forward simply because they could. All, however, had one thing in common, they all had belief in the cause to spread happiness. The most wonderful reason of all, would you agree?!

Laughter Rids Loneliness

It was an extremely hot day in Melbourne, 38 degrees as a matter of fact. The question in our heads were: “Are these cookies going to survive this heat?” “Are WE going to survive this heat?”

All fourteen of us headed into the wards of Peter Mac on Christmas morning, with loads of baked goods. We tip toed through the corridors, conscious of just how quiet the place was. The nurses stations were decked out with colourful tinsel, and Christmas cards were displayed across the counter. The staff themselves were in high spirits, some dressed in Christmas themed scrubs, or otherwise adorned Christmas lights along with their uniform attire. It was beautiful to see such humility and joy in those looking after our ill community. What we need to remember, is these Doctors and nurses have given up time with their family on Christmas day to look after other peoples loved ones, and that’s what makes them great human beings.

Room after room, Natalia and her crew delivered gifts, conversation and laughter. Many patients welcomed the company, grateful to not have been forgotten by Santa on Christmas morning.

Along with the joy and laughter, there were also tears in some cases. Sometimes, you just don’t realise how lonely you really were until a visitor walks through your door, or in this case, when they part open your curtains.

Some patients were lucky, their Santa Clause came in the form of family and friends who dropped in sporadically throughout the day. Some patients received long distance calls from their Santa via a Skype or telephone. And some were pleasantly surprised by unexpected Santa’s such as us, the Christmas Cookie Patrol, brought to you by none other, The Smiling Santa named Natalia.
Overall, it was a Christmas to remember and be extremely grateful for.

We’d like to take this opportunity to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the volunteers who were involved in our Peter Mac Christmas Cookie Drive. We could not have done it without you.
Thanks to your generosity, we were overwhelmed by the volume of homemade baked goods, which fortunately, we were also able to use to gift many homeless individuals (many of whom were disadvantaged families with young children) during Christmas day dinner. (Hosted by The Big Umbrella, Docklands, Melbourne)

Special Thank You’s to:

• The patients at Peter Mac, who welcomed us warmly into their rooms and for being such gracious hosts even though most of whom were experiencing pain and discomfort from their treatment.
• The wonderful and dedicated Peter Mac hospital staff, the Doctors, the Nurses, the Receptionists, the hospitality staff and the Custodians, all doing their best to look after our ill community, and for letting us in to crash their show on Christmas Day. We admire and thank each and every one of you for your services.
• To our volunteer bakers who kindly donated their ingredients, skills, and time: Tarsh Russell, Amanda Antonellos, Jennifer Lau, Ollie Day, Kirsty Price, Janice So, Kate West, Kath, Lee-Ann Hawe, Angelique Ford, Zachary and Kristy Lohrisch, Theresa Galea and Family, Nicole Rooks and family.
• To our other doners who delivered Christmas chocolates, Bon-Bons, Gift Cards and Inspriational Cards: Clare McCleod, Courtney Hickleton, Ollie Day, Tahnee and Aaron Cumming.
• To our Christmas Day Elves who assisted with the personal deliveries:
  Kim, Jennifer, Genevieve, Lee-Ann, Zac, Kristy, Theresa and family.

It doesn’t take much to make a difference. Positive impact only requires you to WANT to make the change you WANT to see in your world. Where possible, consider taking others on the ride with you. Remember, strength and community can only be gained in numbers.

Follow Nat’s journey via her FB page, Laughter with Cancer. And watch out for more interesting and adventurous “Favours” to come!

By Natalia and Hong