June 29, 2006 - Day 2 - Week 13 - Round Four Continued

The usual hug from Nellie began the day at the clinic.  Old familiar faces showed up and the five lounge chairs were filled by 9:00 am. Larry fighting colon cancer and Jim battling another type of lymphoma, two of my new buddies, sat opposite me as I prepared my corner to receive my good friend 15-2 for a little cribbage.  Chair secured, table well positioned, the large cribbage board in place I waited in anticipation.  I have not played cribbage in a long time and it is a wonderful way to pass the time.

Jim and I chatted about our respective progress, but were mutually annoyed at Cecile (not her real name) who used her cell phone to inform everyone in the clinic about her tribulations.  She then turned her attention to Fred (not his real name) who quietly goes about his routine with barely a whisper.  She informed him she was a writer writing a book about her experiences.  She wanted to interview him and he politely declined.  This did not deter her as she proceeded to ask him a series of questions as if he were having a press conference.  All Fred wanted to do was sleep.  Thankfully, Cecile’s time at the pump was only for one bag of fluid and she exited quickly.  Jim and I turned to each other and honored her with the award.  You can fill in the blank as to what the award was for.

The clinic is sacrosanct.  It is a place that puts stranger next to stranger, but within minutes or hours there emerges a mutual respect and bonding; often unspoken, but nevertheless real.  Certain protocols exist and most everyone, if required to talk on the phone, does so quietly and quickly.  The double Q is the rule of thumb for cell phone use in the clinic. When someone violates the oath all are affected.  Another of life’s lessons clearly demonstrated.

Rules and regulations are designed to help us govern our behavior.  In a place like a chemo therapy dispensing unit quiet is cherished, sleep is often necessary, and unruly self serving behavior is frowned upon; cribbage noise exempt, at least during one of my eight rounds. Above all mutual respect rules the day.  Each patient is challenged in their own way and the journey of each demands honor.

The day proceeded as planned and I lost at cribbage as expected three games to one. Mike always goes away from our games feeling better.   It is probably a good thing that neither of us likes to play for money. Also, the shuffling of cards is perhaps annoying to my clinic mates, yet the relationship that has developed seems to preclude their annoyance from being shared, at least overtly. However, the new guy on the block, a bit of a curmudgeon to begin with, sat down in his chair next to us and promptly pulled the curtain shielding us from him.  He continued to order the nurses around in his gruff style so we did not take it personally that the first curtain pull of my 10 visits was aimed to cut me off.  Oh well, be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle, and his battle may be particularly grievous.  One day I may engage him in conversation.

On schedule, the round was completed and I met Katy at St. John’s hospital for our daughter Jennifer had surgery today. Mark, Jen’s husband, and Katy and I broke bread together while Jen was in the recovery room.  All went well and she goes home Friday. We did not schedule our respective days to coincide, it just happened this way. 

It also happened that I came home and napped from 2:15 to 5:30.  Chances are that I probably won’t get to sleep until midnight tonight.  Sleep is important in the wellness program.  I think that is the longest daytime nap ever.  The lesson is clear.  Make sure that the body when it speaks to you is that you are willing to listen.  I did not listen to my body and what it was saying this winter and I kept pushing past the limits.  Not a good idea. When I need to rest now, I rest.  I even have an excuse now for napping during sermons, lectures, Hollywood Bowl concerts, movies, and boring dinner party conversations.  Just as long as Katy is around to kick me under the table I will be ok.

Round four over, four more to go, and then we evaluate, reflect and re-order priorities. The months of Aug. Sept. Oct. and Nov. will see me back at the clinic.

Back to Week 13