It’s been a long process of discovery over the past few weeks to try to maintain (as much as possible) an active mind, content body, and peaceful spirit. Here’s some of what I learned:
1. Keep firmly in mind that the various systems in the hospital have “Service” as highest motivating factor-never forget, you are their reason for existence. Despite being awoken and having vitals checked/labs drawn at 9p, 12a, 3a, 6a-to say nothing of the various demands placed on you from a variety of specialists during the day (it doesn’t even surprise me any more to have at least half-a-dozen doctors/nurse practitioners/nurses, etc. peering downing my maw with a big, yellow, Ray-o-Vac flashlight, and asking me to take deep breaths and listening for “bowel signs.” (By the way, is this just a euphemism for flatulence?!?!?)
2. In between these interruptions you will have hours in which to decide whether to try to eat anything (nothing looks good, and tastes even worse the 2nd time); to lie on the bed watching the second hand pass round the clock; to try to find something on TV that won’t rot your mind; to attempt to read something, knowing that it doesn’t stick and you lose interest; or to don mask, booties, gown and gloves to walk down a very short hallway where nothing is happening and your ward-mates are all hunkered down in their rooms trying to figure out how to pass their time.
3. Some of my solutions toward sanity: get up, straighten up the room and request Atavan (for nausea) and a cup of coffee before 7:30. Order breakfast (something light and a 2nd coffee) while getting my “altar” ready in front of the window where I can have an extended quiet time. Very impt: be as friendly and caring and loving as possible to everyone-they reciprocate wonderfully! And be yourself: both humor and sincerity are appreciated. Be sure to follow all the little rules: toothbrushing and rinsing, wearing masks, being attentive. Have a plan for the day of a few little things you wish to accomplish: (exercise 30 minutes-that’s been high on my agenda); rest when tired even if you don’t nap; choose the music you would like to listen to that day; if therapy (like art or music are offered), request a session-I’ve had both now and they were terrific! After your visitors leave, be sure you take plenty of time to relax and prepare for another wonderful night’s sleep.
4. Though I can speak least about this, I think I’ve been attempting to reduce the chunks of time to stay busy from my usual 3-4 hours, to a mere 20-30 minutes. This has reduced frustration.
Thanks for listening; we serve a God who is never content with discrete or divided portions of our being; God is jealous to gain allegiance to your whole mind, body, spirit. This is a noble, tough, and worthy calling.
Hi Scott and Carolyn,
This is the first time we have accessed a blog. Please forgive us for not responding earlier. We were thinking of you both and remembered that you gave us your blog address and decided to give it a try. WOW – what you have been through…but how exciting that you are on the home stretch.
Paul’s CAT scan showed complete remission, not unexpected from ESHAP. The doctor said we gave the cancer a “good punch”. The clock has started and the question now is, “How long will it be before the cancer starts to fight back”? Although Paul can have 2 additional ESHAP treatments, the doctor feels we need a “plan B”, so he arranged an appointment in May with a doctor from Indianapolis to see what other options are available.
Scott, keep marking those days off on your calendar. It will not be long before you will be home. Unlike the unhappy faces of those getting off of the “Mean Streak” rollercoaster at Cedar Point, you both will be smiling when your “Stem Cell” rollercoaster ride at Indianapolis comes to an end.
Gail and Paul
Comment by Gail and Paul — April 12, 2008 @ 12:28 am