A Room with a View

Things always look better in daylight, and that is definitely true for us today. Yesterday turned into a rather frustrating comedy of errors. The oncology floor was completely full, and no one was checking out fast enough. This is the downside to being at a great research hospital...they see people with really complicated stuff (a medical term for sure), which means that they don't turn over beds all that quickly. Parrish and I were basically on stand-by all day long, with constant promises from the coordinator that a room was "almost ready." Finally, around 5:30 pm, the doctor's office called and said that a bed would be opening up that night and the bed charge nurse would call us, likely not until after shift change.

When the bed charge nurse finally called, she informed me that Parrish was being put in a different part of the hospital, a non-oncology floor. Not what I wanted to hear. (Parrish's doctor has told us on several occasions that he does not send his patients anywhere but the oncology floor because the nursing staff is specifically trained in cancer treatment.) So after a long, frustrating day, I didn't exactly take the relocation news all that well. In fact, my response to the bed charge nurse included a "bless your heart" which we all know is about the most damning phrase any good southern woman can use. I kindly, but firmly, said that Parrish would not be checking into the hospital that night if a bed was not available on the oncology floor. I also said that I would just give the doctor a buzz and let him know why. Miraculously, not 20 seconds later, a bed became available on the oncology floor. And not just any room, the oversized corner room with two full walls of windows overlooking downtown. Clearly it pays to be a little pushy!

Of course, Parrish didn't get in his room until 9:30 pm. And, by the time they did his admitting examination, pre-treatment tests, lab work, accessed his mediport, got his fluids running and more, it was the middle of the night. No doctor will start chemo in the middle of the night. So, the doctors rounded this morning and put in orders for his second round of chemo to begin at noon. This means that his last round of the chemo cocktail won't be completed until Thursday afternoon. Looks like we will have an extra night in this much sought-after ninth floor room...but hey, at least it is a room with a view.

Obviously, this is not exactly how we wanted to kick off round two....and despite all attempts not to lose our sense of humor (or our manners), we are both a little edgy. Lack of sleep and medical bureaucracy can do that to the best of us. So, today, I ask you to pray not only for healing and a smooth treatment, but for a renewed sense of spirit for me and Parrish.

Much love to everyone-
Molly