INGRED L. (Chile, South America)

"Last year, luckily, I found something in my left breast. It was during the first lockdown and I was a little unsure to go to the doctor, because of the Corona Virus. Finally, I went and after some test and biopsies the doctor told me that I had an aggresive form of cancer in my breast and in the lymph nodes. I eat pretty much healthy (I am a health coach), do exercise, there is no cancer in my family and 6 months previously in the mammography was all ok.

Hearing that you have cancer feels like a death sentence. My mother-in-law died by a lung cancer. So my husband was emotional devastated. I promised my son that I would be there to see him grow. I started the treatment: 18 chemo, 15 radiation and 4 surgeries.

I did all of this at Clinica Alemana, Santiago de Chile.
The Bell you donated is in the Radiotherapy area, between the 2 doors that leads to the machines.

On my 15th session, I told the front desk lady “It is my last one!” and she responded “you will find the bell”. I thought it was a metaphor. There was also a man who helped me align my body with the machine. On my least session he stopped me and asked “did you ring the bell?”He led me to the bell and explained that when they finish their treatments patients ring the bell three times.He and my sister took pictures and sent them to all the doctors and staff.

In many cultures the sound of a bell is sacred and harmonizes the enviroment. The frequency of the sound clears and unblock the chakras in the body. Ringing that bell gives an spiritual dimension to the end of the healing journey. It celebrates life and also give hope to all the patients in that waiting room.

I feel blessed for being a cancer survivor. And also grateful, because the cancer connect me with people that make life something meaninful and share love just because.

Thank you Isabella. The sound of that bell is my soundtrack, and every time I remember it brings me tears of joy”.