Touching so many hearts, that's Corazon!

Our third visit to the oncology radiation and chemo areas today. We've met so many people from all over the United States. They may come from different areas, but all have the same look of fear, pain and confusion on their faces. Cora has a unique way of bringing everyone together as one. When we first entered the room everyone was sitting with their eyes down and very quiet. One by one newspapers dropped on laps, books closed and smiles surfaced. Conversation was shared around the small group about their own dogs at home. Cora showed off her "achoo" trick grabbing tissues from the box for anyone that faked a sneeze. There were stories about a favorite pup in Michigan waiting for her best friend to return, a Colorado canine that loved the snow and memories of a Pittsburgh gentle giant that loved to babysit. Laying across the feet of her new friend, it was clear that the belly rub Cora was receiving was just if not more therapeutic for him. A small woman who sat silently off to the side of the room watched with tears in her eyes. A few minutes later we were alone with her as everyone else was undergoing treatments. She held back the tears as she reached out to pet Cora and told me that she was there today for her first series of treatments. She was there alone, her family back in the northern part of the state. I could tell she yearned for someone or something to cling to and for that moment, it was a small dog. Job well done Cora.

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Puzzle

Today when Cora and I arrived at Mayo, I was struck with the similarities between staff and patients. In the radiation waiting area we met with a woman sitting patiently trying to put a puzzle together. With one hand on Cora, she studied the small puzzle pieces to see if they fit the pattern. After a bit, we walked down the hall, where we met with our friends in Radiation Dosimetry. Wikipedia describes it as follows: "Radiation dosimetry is the measurement and calculation of the absorbed dose in matter and tissue resulting from the exposure to indirect and direct ionizing radiation ." Simply said, they put together a sort of puzzle at their computers for the patients radiation treatments. Both the patient and staff focus intently on small pattern pieces, retracing their moves until the pieces fit. When the puzzle is complete there is a feeling of hope and accomplishment! Cora sits patiently outside of Mayo Clinic Hospital today.

Team Work!

Cora and I had a busy 2 days at Mayo this week. It's always brings a smile to my face when I see the positive reception that is given to us by the patients and their families. Today brought not only that big smile, but also, filled my heart with pride. A gentleman that was waiting for his radiation treatment had several questions about therapy dogs and how they functioned in the medical setting. After several minutes of telling him about the training involved and how we volunteer our time with the dogs, he looked down at Cora who was stretched out across his feet and said, "You are heroes, to be sharing in our moment of weakness"! Wow, I never would have imagined anyone calling us a hero. Looking up the true definition, it states, "a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act". Strange thing is that I look at these patients and draw strength from them. They stare cancer in the face, ...

New Horizons

Cora really never stops spreading that "magic" that comes when a person needs that little bit of special healing. We've been busy for the past few months settling in our new home in Florida. While in New Jersey visiting with Pop Pop, we met a wonderful young man that didn't allow his disability to interfere with him getting a hand and even a foot on Cora. The interaction between the two of them was priceless. It reminded me that we have to find our "spot" here in Florida to continue "heeling to heal" asap! We'll let you know soon.

Cora's Magic

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