All of a Day

Today I took the shuttle over to the hospital. I wasn't worried about catching it just recognizing the right one to ride back on in the afternoon. Tons of shuttles are picking up and dropping off all day. Luckily I recognized the driver, Isaac, and he seemed to remember me from that morning. Now riding the shuttle to the hospital was uneventful. We went straight from the apartments to MD Anderson. On the way back, we drove by all the other pick up/drop off spots. It was kind of neat to be able to see things that I never get to notice. I did though get to laughing on the inside about our conveyance. The shuttle doesn't look old, but as we drove through the streets around Texas Medical Center campus, it rattled and groaned like a jalopy on its last legs. There is so much construction around TMC that the streets are often not in the best shape. At one point I wanted to look behind us to see what all had fallen off the bus as we turned a corner!

I can tell my attitude has improved by the way others begin to interact with me. You'd be amazed at how we sometimes send out signals to the world telling people to steer clear. I met a nurse named Audrey in the elevator today. In the course of our elevator ride and a walk to the coffee shop, I learned a lot. Her church, Palmer Episcopal, maintains four apartments to help families receiving treatment. Many of their congregation work at TMC and see the needs of families. She was a joy to talk to and I shared a little of the past week with her. I told her of my struggle over this relapse and how I "came around". She thanked me for sharing. You know I always feel like I talk too much after sharing something so personal. But maybe there is a great purpose?

So now I'm sitting in the apartment waiting for Kristen's blankie to dry. I told her that he needed to be washed. I'll make her some mac n cheese and take it up to her for supper.

Until tomorrow...