Chemo Daze

My No-Bell Prize

Stephanie Ortiz
My pre-celebringing!

I won the No-bell Prize Thursday on my last day of hard-core chemo! You’ve got to watch the video at the end to see for yourself.

But before I get started, I had my last day planned–down to the very word I’d use to describe it. Thanks to a friend who wrote, “celebrate ringing the bell.” My chemo brain warbled it together, and it became celebringing.

I liked that because the top contender for the number one cancer theme dance song was Celebration by Kool and the Gang, (Do you think I’d give away the winner that easy?)

I got three hours of sleep the night before in anticipation of the plans I had for the big moment!

I wore my gold pants, white dancing boots, and goofy hat. A nurse asked me, “Did you have that outfit in your closet, or did you buy it for today?” A funny enough question; either way, you answer it.

I knew family and friends wouldn’t be waiting outside to cheer for me (the way it would have worked pre-Covid)–that’s why I had my chemo board with me. You had been with me all along. I had “I love you more” dancing in my heart.

That left Alex, me, and my plans for the bell.

So imagine my surprise when the nurse casually said there was no bell. I became the proud recipient of the No-bell Prize without any fanfare. What happened to “you could ring my bell” and my dance party?

Covid wasn’t going to stop me, so I bought a 99 cent app of a bell sound to shake my phone when the time came. “I’ll show them who’ll be ringing a bell today.”

A portable bell has its advantages. I could ring it wherever I wanted. I spastically shook my phone whenever I saw someone or felt like shaking it up. Who would have known?

I called Mom on the ride home and rang the bell for her; only she couldn’t hear it. I learned the hard way–don’t talk and ring at the same time.

I went out of hard-core chemo celebringing Covid-style to a homecoming that had me leaping out of my chemo daze.

I couldn’t have dreamed up a more joyous No-bell Prize-winning moment with a hero’s welcome homecoming and a celebration party you’ll have to see for yourself to believe.

Celebringing as a proud recipient of the No-bell Prize only could!

13 thoughts on “My No-Bell Prize”

  1. I can’t believe no bell!! I’m glad you rolled with it and brought your own sunshine!

  3. I am blown away with your spirit and dance moves !!!!!!I We have been praying for you every step of the way !!!!!! More prayer and loving thoughts coming your way !!! XO Louise Nolen

    1. The Dancing Queen has been at rest ever since, lol. I’m not sure where those moves came from or how I was able to dance like that, but I was moved with such joy knowing you were with me!! xo

  6. My Dancing Queen, you did it…bell or No-bell !!! What an example you are to all. Continue your well-deserved rest because there will be a lot more “celebringing” coming your way. God loves you so!!

  7. You ARE the dancing queen, doing everything you can to make your no-bell moment special!!! Congratulations on the completion of your chemo!!! Sending healing hugs and love!

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