Shopping at Costco is one of the things that has brought me so much joy in the midst of dealing with cancer. You may ask why? Well, there are a few reasons.

Reason number one is that taking a stroll around Costco reminds me of my old self before cancer. There aren’t very many things that I’ve felt I have been able to do while fighting MM. Seeing what’s new on the shelves, sampling what everyone else is buying, or simply someone saying “Hello” to you with a smile on their face brings a little bit of normal to my life. That slice of normalcy has been so gratifying to my tired soul and proves an excellent tonic for boosting my spirits.

Reason number two for my love of Costco is that my creative juices are unlocked and start flowing while I’m there. Seeing the new products inspires me! It makes me want to buy a few new things and create something delicious for my family to eat at home.

Going through cancer treatment can leave you feeling out of sync with the rest of the world. When you can find something that brings you a little taste of normal, it is something that I’ve learned to hold onto!

Costco has been a place where I know I can go and find healing. I’ve been sick as a dog, feeling nauseous, and trying to process so many emotions, thoughts, and feelings while going through my cancer journey. The moments when someone stops to say “hi,” or I have a random conversation with someone about something on the shelf that we both find interesting are so gratifying for me.

There is a lot to deal with when going through cancer treatment. For me, making a trip to Costco can bring a little peace, healing, and comfort to what I’m going through. It’s a moment of my time that makes going through this all the more bearable. A diagnosis with rare blood cancer has encouraged me to look for the things that help me to embrace the healing moments where I can. And strangely enough, a trip to Costco proves to be just that.