In sporting events we are always looking for an old record to be beaten; fastest time in an Olympic event, most majors for a PGA golfer, individual career runs or goals, (and for Suzanne) highest score for a bull rider. We all have our own individual records we keep mentally or on paper; the fastest time in a marathon, the best round of golf, the time it took to mow the yard, (and for John) number of beers sampled.

Monday, Suzanne and I set a new record; the least time spent at the Rush University Hospital in a single day visit. It may not seem like much of a record to you, but for us, monumental. We arrived at about 8:30 and pulled out of the parking garage at 11:30. Just three hours in the place and most of that was wait time.

We had three things to accomplish on this visit, blood work, feeding tube check, and infusion. The blood work always happens quickly as they know the rest of the day is dependent on that. The infusion product isn’t ordered from the pharmacy until the blood work is checked by the doctor and Trial Coordinator.

Next, Suzanne had been having some issues with her feeding tube, a perpetual problem for this patient, so we scheduled a check with the staff at Interventional Services. They oversee all things feeding tube-related as well as a host of other things. After the PA tugged and pulled on her feeding tube, she determined that all was well. We then came to the agreement that the feeding tube was not part of Suzanne’s cancer treatment so it would be easier to have it managed more locally. You’ll read more about that very soon.

Finally, it was back to Infusion where we sat in the waiting room for about an hour. Once her name was called, they hook her up pretty quickly. She had lunch while the infusion took place so we wouldn’t have to do that when everything was over. That helped the half-hour go quickly and we were running out the door.

You’d think since we were done so soon, we could beat the rush hour traffic and be home by 2 pm, but you’d be wrong! Knowing how much Suzanne loves to shop for fabric, I knew there were two fabric stores nearby, so off we went. Fishman’s Fabrics was a combination of upholstery and high-end apparel fabrics where she found a couple of scrap bags and fabric to make a jumpsuit.

Then I needed lunch, which we happened to be near a Chicago icon, Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen. Opened by Jack Raskin, just after World War II, he named it “Manny’s” after his son. They are known for their corned beef, but I had to have pastrami on rye. When I told the person making my sandwich I wanted spicy mustard, she commented “you’re a man after my heart”, I knew I was home.

After lunch, and around the corner was New Rainbow Fabrics. Based on most of the clientele I saw, rainbow in the name had some implications, but not for Suzanne, just fabric and lots of it. Again she restrained herself and only picked up a few things including some nice fabric for a top.

Then it was back to the car which just happened to be parked in a Binney’s Beverage Depot lot, conveniently in the middle of all we had just seen. I had discovered this shopping area during a beer run earlier in our Rush adventure and had to share it with Suzanne. Of course, before we hit the road I had to pick up some new brews to try. Back on the road, we still beat the rush hour, we just didn’t set a new record for home arrival time

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

Matthew 6:31

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