Thursday, July 14, 2011

Patient-ly waiting

You know, I am all about mindfulness and yoga, and living in the moment, and all of that good stuff.  But I really don't like this: "If you get lemons, make lemonade."  I get it, of course...but I just don't like it. If you spend a ton of money on a used car and it is a lemon, not much you can do.  And if you get cancer, well, cancer-ice tea is not happening.  I recognize the limited benefits of cancer - parking in front with my handicapped tag, not having to shave my legs due to hair loss, and finding out how amazing your family and friends when you need help. But still - there is no delicious lemonade from all of this.  Not even close, so I am not going to pretend to make some. 

I was recently at my monthly appointment at my hospital.  I see my oncologist, then go to the treatment area for a shot in my stomach (which hurts) and then wait for pharmacy to bring me by drugs.  Well, this past visit cost me SEVEN hours of my day. SEVEN.  There is only so much 'living in the moment' can do to help when you are stuck in the waiting room for that long.  After close to six hours, a group of women started gabbing and it was almost like a support group, but like a really annoying one.  Sorry to say this, but you know, it was the "if you get lemons, make lemonade" attitude and oh, the "our fear is worse than the disease."  Yikes.  Luckily, a nurse who I have now seen monthly for 2 and  a half years saw my tortured face, made some calls, and moved me up in the line and got me out.  I mean, I had already been there close to 7 hours, but it could have been even longer and with that group of women...So I have another thank you card to make soon for that nurse. 

At some point in my waiting, I decided to play with my camera and the mirror in the patient room.  A friend of mine has been working on some self-portraits, so I thought I could do something like a self-portrait.  It is called: 
Patient-ly Waiting. 




2 comments:

Holly Hagins Gilmore said...

Crappy situation. no excuse. but you did make a kick-ass self-portrait. Love it and you! P.S. we are coming to jersey even if we have to saddle up bleeker and ride her all the way there....

kay said...

that would be hillarious!!