I’m a patient,patient
I’ve worked in IT too much
And customer service too
To know that the best laid plans
Sometimes get messed up too
Chemo ran late but got me out the door
I yodled quietly for Heidi
My smiling nurse of the day
How her attitude was positive
I read her poem number three
The dexamethasone injection
Kicks in at night
And wakes my brain
And makes me talk lots
Sometimes insane
Along with the hot flashes
At least I’m not in any pain
No nausea
Hungry all the time
Craving protein
We talk about food
The cinnamon rolls I make
Gluten Free and Monk fruit for sugar
Protein powder
An excuse to tell me they’re good
A doze in the chair
While waiting for chemo
I find I relax
After my blood work is done
And I’m told chemos okay
And I don’t have to wait
For another day
So even if things are late
My body and mind are mellow
And I can take a nap
Like a relaxed fellow
All of the nurses I have met
Attitudes are so great
Their smiles
The conversation
They’re noticing I’m in the chair room
Even notice my
Totoro sticker on my water bottle
And my Unicorn
Scrub cap
Even if they’re not
My nurse
And just cleaning the chair
In the next chair room
I really feel the effort
Of all the people there
Making chemo
Feel more normal
While I sit in a chair
With lots of others
Getting there own chemo
The nurses
Answer my questions
And listen to my words
And maybe even a pun or two
They help my positive attitude
Knowing they are there
I feel their positive attitude
I know their job is tough
Sometimes rough
I can’t imagine
All the things they must see
They all seem to know their stuff
Again their attitude makes me smile
So much knowledge they have
Explain and share
Which such grace
And a smiling face
A joy to hear
I ask why they wear gowns
When they handle the chemo mix
Education I get
So well explained
Such thought
In the process
I now remember so well
Then on to learn more
Why getting my chemo took so long
I learn what went wrong
What part was missing
To get from the pharmacy
I know what to put in MyChart
And do
To resolve for next time
The ok was there
Just a signature missing
Somewhere
As always everyone responds
Apologies for the length of time
And again I’m so relaxed
The time still flies by
All the pre chemo medicines
Injections
Still need the woosh sound
For the flush
Before my chemo starts
I have time to get up
And thank goodness go pee
For with all the fluids
And then the Chemo too
All I can say is
Whoo hoo
First chemo an hour’s gone
Second chemo half an hour is gone
I feel like singing a little song
Now on to the growth factor
The blinking green light
Blinking throughout the night
Like an airplane life jacket
That blinks every 10 seconds
In event of a chemo landing
You will be found in the water
My growth factor install is done
Waiting 27 or 28 hours later
Until
The injection is done
It’s funny how in the process
I find myself so relaxed
I talked to others about it
They get upset about the delay
My lack of sleep
I just know it’s a process
Glad that I chose OHSU
All the people I have met there
Make me feel so grand
Their caring I feel
I thank you all
For being there
Making the process
As good as it can be
Making me feel cared for
As I try to go back to sleep
I only slept for two
So far tonight
But looking for more
I’ll send this poem off in a while
But I think of all of you
And how you make me smile
And take care of me so well
I can see it
And feel it
How wonderful you all are
If this was a phone app
You get one million stars
Thanks again
Back to sleep I go