There's a certain low key camaraderie in the morning greetings exchanged as folks await their name to be announced.
Here are some things I noted;
The patient Laurie is well known and she's rail thin, two white hospital blankets cover her legs and two are wrapped around her upper body, she's in a wheelchair, has no hair and no smile.
In contrast a plump and smiley middle aged woman is wearing a striking orange outfit with cute white sandals, she's also wearing - count them, 7 silver rings, 3 silver earrings per ear, a wrist full of bangles, and a french pedicure. She greets a young man who is seated across the room, he responds with a painful crackled "hello" as his throat is damaged. He holds it while trying to talk.
When his name is called he walks past the lady in orange and reaches out to touch her hand.
Nearly everyone has a companion, not the woman in orange, but she seems confident enough, when told her outfit is pretty she replied "I just need something cheerful for this place, I'm on my 10th of 14 weeks".
Enters a man to sit down, he is breathing oxygen through tubes, a woman follows him carrying a portable tank.
Enter two more women with no hair and no hat or scarf.
Across the isle from us a handsome 80 year old man arrived in his business attire; a blue dress shirt and black dress pants. He opens his ipad and is relieved to finally do so; "There, now I can read the news, Romney is going to be at the state park today". From his tone I'm guessing he's a republican.
Whether he likes it or not he has two hovering, doting women waiting on his every need well before he asks. One his wife and one, clearly, a daughter. They have numerous snacks, they insist he put his jacket on before he falls asleep from the Benadryl drip and place an afghan from home over his legs.
These two women thought of everything!
The Word Search book, a novel, trail mix, and positive chatter.
Even though the fellow seems strong and well able to walk, when he visits the bathroom, taking his IV stand along, the women tag behind him up right to the door and wait outside to walk behind him the whole 20 steps to his chair. He is one well cared for guy! Later two sons stop in to be with their mom and sister, dad is asleep by that time. Nice family.
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| The reflection of the cancer pavilion in the beautiful children's hospital across the street. |
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| Look at this calming open 3rd floor courtyard where patients may go outside for some fresh | air. |
Also observed;
Humor.
Clipboards.
Backpacks and tote bags.
Cellphones.
Small coolers.
Colorful Vera Bradley purses and bags.
Colorful everything.
Kindles.
Ipads.
Computers.
Donations;
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| One of the patients donated an assortment of flowers to brighten up the nurses' coats. |
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| One of the many handmade afghans, it gets chilly in here. |
Tables of half finished puzzles
Oh what a cute elderly lady with an adorable tan hat covering her head, she has no hair showing, but she has the best smile! Her name is Kathy. I didn't even notice the oxygen tube right away as she's just so spiffy.
"Raymond, is Raymond here?"
"Tim!?"
"Arlene?"
"Mary Lou."
Earlier when Mary Lou's guy entered the large waiting area looking for her, he boldly exclaimed, "Is there a beautiful woman in here? Oh, yeah, there she is!". She was pretty but was she rolling her eyes?
"You're new here right?" this from the man behind us in the registration line. How could he tell we were rookies?
Fortunately we are on the third floor of the Lemmon Holton cancer building so Mr. Sideline can receive IV infusions for a low platelet count. He's doing fine as his is not a serious illness.
Thankful,
Sideline Grandma
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