Day 2... 1. I am grateful for the Cancer Center at Missouri Baptist Hospital, and the nursing staff of the 5th floor at Missouri Baptist Hospital. Those folks not only kept me alive, they did so in moments when I mutely wished for a painless death. They treat me as if the world itself would end if I werent in it, and they did it in such as way as to lead me to believe that they werent making a fuss. Im a terrible patient. I nod and smile and crack wise, but they always, ALWAYS knew when I was about to run (and tracked me down when I did) or pop off or lock myself in the bathroom to waste time on useless tears. Im especially grateful to Kim Fontana-Oreskovich, who nipped my fears before they could bloom into full panic and hysteria, to Keely Walerius, who never once fell for any of my cancer cards: But I can skip chemotherapy just once, cant I?; But I dont want anyone staring at me; But Id rather have it in my vein than my portocath; But I have cancer so I dont want to (fill in the blank.) Keely...magnificent, persistent, snarky, beautiful Keely -- she treated me as one of my sisters would, with straight talk and that hint of loving condescension that only family can use successfully to set you straight when youre behaving like a snot-nose baby. 2. I am grateful for Dr. Paul Schultz. Ive written of my gratitude and debt to him before, but too many times saying thank you and Im grateful for you simply isnt enough times. Dr. Schultz retired in November, so he no longer practices. He doesnt have to practice anymore, I now realize. Hes an expert now, totally ready for Carnegie Hall and for every single medical question I continue to lob at him. 3. I am grateful for every patient I ever met in the cancer corrall, the open area where we all received our chemotherapy treatments. I always hated getting hooked up in the open because I didnt like seeing all the other people in various stages of various cancers. I saw what I might become, and it was terrifying. But in retrospect, Im glad they didnt draw their curtains and hole up in private treatment rooms as I did. I got to witness their courage. I got to see people who kept on fighting for their lives even as I hid my fight and tried to pretend it was nothing. Im grateful that their temerity and mettle rubbed off on me, rather than my dumba$$ery rubbing off on them. 3A. Im grateful for Katie Heidbrink-Stafford and Rosie, the nurses whove set my appointments since 2008. They treat me the same now as they did when I first met them. They listen, they advise, and mo matter what Im saying or doing, no matter my mood, they always treat me the same. The time I wrestled Henry L Robinson Jr. to the ground behind their counter, they didnt bat an eye. They let me be my often ridiculous self, and for that, I am so very grateful...
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 22:25:15 +0000
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