For example, we have learned that for trips to the clinic you can pretty much anticipate a little bit of a wait, especially when you have afternoon labs. You can also expect to see a pretty diverse group of people in the waiting room... the young, the old, men and women. Cancer does not discriminate. It's hard not to think about what each person might be experiencing at that moment. Is this their first visit? What kind of cancer are they fighting? What kind of prognosis have they been given? Do they have family support? Some patients like to chat and visit while others keep to themselves. Sometimes the faces and body language of those who remain silent speak volumes. My prayers go out to all that find themselves in that waiting room.
At the hospital our family has become 'old pros' so to speak. We have the registration process down to a science. I pick dad up Monday morning and take him to the hospital while mom takes Cameron to school for me. She meets us there and if it's a good day we are already in the room when she arrives. (Today the registrar saw dad walk in and had his forms ready for me when I came through the door...how is that for service?) We make our way to his assigned room and the 'normal' routine begins. The nurse and tech make their introductions, they ask the seemingly endless intake questions and then dad gets settled into his pj's. I might add that they are much more stylish than those flimsy hospital gowns! Our newest normal includes a MRI scan prior to chemo treatment. This allows the doctor to review the progress. Once MRI is completed it's just a waiting game before the drugs begin to flow. In the meantime, mom has settled in with rolling suitcase and pantry along with some of the other comforts of home...phone, laptop and reading materials. Seriously if we have to do many more of these trips I think we should consider bringing in some nice colored throw rugs, a cute decorative lamp and some throw pillows to make the place really homey! For the time being we will instead make due with moving furniture as we see fit, requesting a roll-away bed and de-pillowing the place. Today's room had 7 extra pillows!
As you see today marks the beginning of a 'normal' week at the hospital. Mom will stay with dad night and day because that is who she is....the ultimate caregiver! She will be keeping up with the labs and results in our own 'Medical Record' binder, making frequent trips to the ice machine because she is that familiar with the layout of the floor, and strolling out for an occasional trip to the car to grab a new outfit. The 'normal' also includes Amy and I making daily visits to love on our mom and pops and make sure they are both being taken care of properly. Who can do that better than daughters right? Bringing food, movies and stories from the workplace...trying to keep things normal.
While four months seems like a short time it also can seem like a lifetime when learning to live with the new normal. And really who wants to celebrate this kind of anniversary right? Well let me answer that for you....Me! I want to celebrate that we have had another four months. I want to celebrate how far we have come. I want to celebrate that as a family we have stuck together and somehow forged a new 'normal' life. But mostly I want to celebrate the love I have for my dad and the rest of my family. My love is one thing that didn't have to change to a new normal!
The love of a family is life's greatest blessing!
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
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