Waiting

It is about 10:45 on Monday, April 6. It has already been a long day as I have been up since 4:00 AM. We arrived at the hospital by 5:15 to begin the waiting we are destined to face today. We waited in admissions. We waited in Nuclear Med. We waited in the pre-op area. And now we wait in the Patient Liaison area.

We met Kelly's breast surgeon who is performing the mastectomy as I write this note. We met her plastic surgeon and the resident who will do the reconstruction surgery. We met the anesthesiologist and his assistant. And we met the nice lady who came to perform Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. (http://www.reiki.org/FAQ/WhatIsReiki.html ). It seems to be a good team of very caring people.

Kelly was calm and feeling secure when we left her. I, on the other hand, felt the need to give that knowing "mother's look" to each staff member in turn, indicating that they had best take good care of our daughter. It must have been evident because I had several pats on the shoulder and words of reassurance (and a box of kleenex).

When we transferred to the waiting room in the Family Liaison area, we were given a beeper. There are a team of people here whose job it is to make us comfortable and to be sure that we are kept up to date as regards to Kelly' progress. They will direct us to private phone lines for calls with the surgical staff as they have things to report. No word yet, as it is much too soon to expect anything. Be we will wait. We are in a comfy little nook with soft chairs, outlets for our computers and free beverages. There is a TV nearby. Today is opening day for the Boston Red Sox and the game will be played (if not rained out) just a few blocks away. For now, the TV will have to satisfy Eric, who is an avid fan.

If you check the CaringBridge site you can follow Eric's postings. He is a much more succinct writer so if you don't have the time to listen to my ramblings then that is the better site for you to check.

Till later.....