So! What a surprise that I find myself at Barnes Jewish Community Hospital being treated for AML. I must start this blog by thanking my friend Joe who shared so much through his Blog and inspired much strength and courage in all who read his posts; I can only hope that our postings will be as inspiring.
It is a surreal world in the hospital; as Joe so aptly put it, you are on "hospital time" which is a 24 hour clock that knows not the normal delineations that keep our lives structured and running "like clockwork."
I have rationalized that there are many patients that need help and attention, you may wait a long time until your turn, but when it arrives the caregivers are there for you and you alone 100% - it is worth the wait.
Transport. People come to pick you up and bring you to places where procedures take place. They drop you off and then when you are done they pick you up and return you to your room. My first transport person walked so fast I could enjoy the recycled hospital air blowing through my hair, not quite as fast as when riding a bike but exciting all the same. I mentioned to him that I felt like Danica Patrick in her "Go Daddy" race car and that we might be able to get local car companies to sponsor the wheelchairs so we could all enjoy races in the hallways.
Don't worry about being inspiring — who needs that pressure? Just write. Your friends just want to know how you're doing. Also, I found that the writing was good for me. That readers got something out of it was a happy side effect.
ReplyDeleteDon't ever lose your sense of humour, Deborah
ReplyDeleteThe scene you painted was so vivid, I could even see your infectious smile. Spread it around, girl.
Boo
Your good spirit and humor are wonderful, Deborah! Keep it up! Thanks to Tony for posting this link on Facebook. You are in excellent hands at Barnes. Bill has had great success there more than once.
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