Ringing the Radiation Bell

I am currently in the radiation phase of my treatment for breast cancer and have 7 more days until I am complete.  The process of radiation is tedious and quite boring but I recently learned something new that excited me.  After reading a tweet that said "last day of radiation today, can't wait to ring that bell!" I became curious because I remembered seeing a bell in my radiation office.  I wondered if she went to the same treatment location as me...

I know this will surprise those of you who know me or have read past blog posts, but I googled this bell thing to learn more.  Yes, I googled it and spent a good couple hours learning all about the history of this bell.  The short of the story is this:

"The now-widespread tradition was introduced in 1996 at the MD Anderson Cancer Center when U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Irve Le Moyne, a patient with head and neck cancer, installed a brass bell at the main campus Radiation Treatment Center."

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Ring this bell
Three times well
Its toll to clearly say,
My treatment's done
This course is run
And I am on my way!
— Irve Le Moyne
 


I became friendly with a woman who I have seen in the waiting room at my treatment location.  I asked her if she planned to ring the bell on her last day and she unenthusiastically replied with a 'maybe.'  But her husband said "If she doesn't ring it, I will!"  Yesterday was her last day, so I waited for her to walk out of the radiation room and then I ran to get her husband - I watched as they rang the bell together. 

The truth is that it seems a bit silly to ring a bell... nothing happens when the bell sounds so really, what is the point of this tradition? Honestly, I have no idea but I do appreciate having something to signify the end.   Can't wait to ring it!

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