The dark-haired fellow, Tom, I owe a huge debt of gratitude. He's the one who first did my telemetry for radiation and was there for most of my treatments. He set the tone-- light, funny, friendly -- for the whole experience. He always looked happy to see me and I enjoyed his company thoroughly. It helped that he's from a small town in Southern Missouri that I know very well and we know some of the same people. But even if we hadn't, I know he'd have made me feel right at home anyway. In a radiation room, that's quite an accomplishment. (Jodie, the lovely redhead on my other side is a sweet, gentle soul. Liv thinks she looks like Ariel.)
Anyway, by the end of treatment, Tom and Brett (hope I get a picture of him for the blog by the time I'm done on Tuesday) had been declared my "little" brothers. We teased each other and laughed uproariously like the best siblings could be-- it was a joy to see them every morning.
The sweet, blonde nurses are two of my infusion nurses-- Keely and Christine. They were always good for a smile and a laugh, even when things were horrid in chemo. That, too, is a feat.
And Nancy. God bless Nancy. Even when my veins were torn up and insanely difficult to puncture, she took her time (sometimes a very long time) and didn't stick me until she was sure she'd hit the vein. Speaking as a woman who's had her arm mangled frequently over the last six months, I am telling you this woman is a national treasure. We should decree a holiday in her honor.
I am surprised at how emotional I am about leaving all these wonderful folks.
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