Preparing for the round of appointments last Wednesday, a nurse called in advance to ask how Suzanne was doing; some loss of taste has occurred, nausea, morning sweats, congestions, cough, and throat pain. All these symptoms are very consistent with where she is in her treatment plan. They also fall right in line with COVID, UGH!

So we knew somehow that her appointment that day was going to be more difficult. Knowing a COVID test was 1st on the agenda with all the new rules and even though I have an exemption to be with her, it wouldn’t surprise us if things became different.

Well just as we expected. When we walked into registration on the 10th floor and Suzanne gave them her name, the attendant looked at her and said ‘you need to go to triage’ and whisked her away to another wing of the Cancer Center where she was assigned a private room for the day. No pool, no lounge chair, and the parking lot for a view, but it was hers.

As for me, it turns out, there is room for all of us potential COVID stricken assistants to sit together, socially distanced of course. Down on the fifth floor was a meeting room with chairs twelve-foot apart in all directions. About a half dozen or so individuals of all ages busy on their electronic device of choice. Many frustratingly talking to their loved ones, trying to figure out what was going on and when they could resume life together.

After administering her COVID test and accessing her port for the day, she then had an appointment for a CT scan in another department down on the 4th floor. So she contacted me, back up to 10 I went and then escorted her to the imaging department on 4. No special gown, no special mask, and I was able to tag along through registration. Suzanne went off to a new waiting room to sit with all the other patients and I went back to the 5th floor waiting area.

After her scans, I then brought her back to the triage room (from 5th to 4th to 10th) where she was placed back in private isolation without me. I questioned why I couldn’t join her. Apparently, the protocol became important again. Everyone who dealt with her had to gown up, face shield & gloves.

I argued the point that I spent 2 hours in the car on the way here, escorted her to her appointments, and will be in the car with her for 2 hours home. After discussing with management, common sense prevailed and I was able to join her in the private suite.

We are used to being at Rush for 3-4 hours tops but today’s new protocols added a whole new realm of sitting around. At one point, Suzanne needed to use the restroom which was across the hall. Nope, protocol says she has to stay in her room and use the commode even though she used that same restroom coming back from CT earlier. Luckily, one of her doctors was passing by and told the nurse to take off the shackles for this.

All the Doctors finally began to make an appearance. There was Chemo, Radiation, Speech & her Dietitian. Did I miss any? Some in full garb, some with just a mask, but they all recognized that Suzanne was probably safe. Now 4 pm and one doctor decided to order a round of drinks for Suzanne, another hour on an IV for us.

When it was all over, the halls were empty, out the door we went, down and round through the place, elevator and out to the car. I realize that COVID is a messy deal right now, but somehow common sense is being overruled by fear. Oh yea, she was negative.

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
Proverbs 28:26