Perspectives

So, how is it two people can go to the same places, talk to the same people, and come away with completely different perspectives?  Well, I guess my perception would be skewed if I had poison pumped into my body on a regular basis at this same location, by those same people. 

Forrest absolutely detests the cancer center.  I have to drag him there each and every time he has an appointment.  Literally.  And yet, I look forward to it!  I love going there.  Forrest walks in and the smell gives him an instant headache.  Smell?  There's a smell?  Hmmm...  He looks at the cookies the sweet old ladies bring around and has to fight the urge to throw up. 

I look at the cancer center as a chance to meet with friends...  I know the nurses by name and have become good friends with a few over the past 5 years.  So much so, that we make a point to hang out with each other outside the office!  :)  And these ladies all adore him!  They cater to his every whim!  The doc's assistant will bring him suckers.  One of the nurses found Jelly Beans a month ago and brought him a little baggie the day of his appointment, just because Fo said he was craving them.  He seriously has them wrapped around his finger.  The crabbier he is, the harder they try!  It's crazy!  Even the doc has warmed up.  He understands and doesn't question Forrest's decisions.  He respects our opinions and cracks jokes along with us at the office.  I mean really, what's not to like?

Today, Forrest was exceptionally crabby.  I started getting texts from the nurses saying he wasn't even smiling.  I laughed and said beware.  When we get called back to the little room to wait for the doc, a nurse says she's going to keep guard on the door to make sure he's not sneaking out.  5 minutes later, a note slides under the door.  It says, "I'm watching you!  Smile! :)"  I giggle.  Forrest takes the paper and writes, "I'm not here anymore."  He tells me to shove it back out the door.  They proceed to pass notes back and forth.  I'm giggling every time I read a note, and we can hear the nurse giggle in the hall when she reads Forrest's notes.  How do you not love this? 

And, Forrest can get away with ANYTHING!!!!  A while back, one of the ladies gave Forrest some Nerds to munch on.  Left over candy from something...  He starts throwing Nerds at the nurse.  Really, I'm not kidding.  Any time the nurse came within range, he threw Nerds.  And how did the nurse respond?  When she found out he was craving chocolate chip cookies (apparently the Nerds weren't enough), she roamed the hospital looking for cookies.  She brought him back two packages and asked if that was enough! 

I wonder how Forrest is not loving this?  How can he possibly not want to come here?  Oh yeah...  He's having chemo pumped into his body this whole time!  :( 

I know we're lucky to have the quality care we get.  I know it's not the case for everyone.  It's not even the case for everyone working with these same nurses and doctors.  Perhaps it's that I waddled into the offices every two weeks when I was pregnant...  As my belly grew, the nurses became more enamored.  They nicknamed the baby.  Woody, of course...  If Daddy is Forrest, they figured we needed a Woody.  We still get Woody toys (from Toy Story).  So, there was this young guy coming in for treatments.  He didn't talk much to anyone, but his wife blabbed non-stop.  Giggling at silly jokes in the office and laughing at the nurses as they tried to get Forrest to smile.  Eventually, my belly grew so big, the baby had to come out.  The nurse's affection only grew as a 2 week old baby came to visit the cancer center!

Anyway...  My point.  I know we're lucky.  Incredibly lucky to have the care and attention we get on a regular basis.  If Forrest is particularly sick, the nurses will call to check in on us at home.  We can call or text anytime.  Whether to discuss results, appointments, or to make a ladies night date for dive bar night!  :)  Always a silver lining, right?  Crappy treatments, but cool people!  :)