Session 8 March 3

Every day has its joys and its challenges. Today’s routine with a 9:20 appointment involved dropping Cherie off and going to a 9:20 appointment. We were late starting so when I got to Sunnybrook I dropped my original plan to return to CNIB parking and opted for the $8 an hour lot. I gave the meter $9 which gave me an optimistic 70 minutes. I got in, not immediately, but in good time. I’ve been refining my technique for changing and it is easier now that I leave more clothes in the locker before I get to the change room. I was pleased for him but disappointed for me to hear that one man I liked to chat with will be done tomorrow. I was scanned and irradiated and decided to put my question about the treatment with no scan to the technicians first. I started feeling that taking it up with the doctor first was a little bit like ratting them out.

The explanation I got was reassuring but still left me thinking they could improve their protocol to be more respectful of patients. They said they knew treating without the scan increased the risk a little but a single treatment was not a big risk since it isn’t very intense radiation. They said if it came up again the doctor would probably say not to treat that day. I thought that they should have shared the pros and cons and given me the option rather than assuming that it was more important to stay on schedule. I decided that since I had talked to them I could now take it up with Dr. Szumacher since she apparently calls the shots.

I went out and headed for the waiting area for my meeting with the doctor. She was actually fairly quick to see me but in the interval I had a conversation with a staff or volunteer in the area who told me a horror story about a $50 ticket for being overtime in the lot. When I sat down with Dr. Szumacher I had about 5 minutes left on the meter and it took precedence over everything else. I did not plan this reaction but it was strong and I went with it. Apparently that pleasant young woman in the parking office does not mirror actions of the attendants who have been trained by ruthless capitalists to squeeze out every penny. I started off my review with the announcement that I was practically done on the meter. The doctor was sympathetic. I informed her I still felt good and had no questions. We ended and I rushed out without a word about treatment with no scan. The conversation about protocol can happen next week

In the parking lot I had no ticket and the attendant was arguing with someone else who was waving one. I left feeling pleased with myself and went to work. In the afternoon I took a lunch so long with old friends I will be taking half a vacation day. We wound up talking about our personal religious histories all of us having ended up as non-believers. One of them I hadn’t seen socially in nearly 40 years and hadn’t known him well. Notwithstanding that, our conversation was open and reflective. I really enjoyed it. I felt shy about sharing my treatment story and didn’t do so. I’m glad about that. I’ve had more than enough of those conversations for now.

Tonight I took Cherie to choir practice at Roy Thompson Hall for the concert Amadeus is doing with the TSO and Patrick to his old apartment to pick up a few things and clean the room. I got to hang out with Gus, Suzi and Carmen while I waited for Patrick to bring the car back and pick up Cherie for the ride home. Gus and Suzi have read my blog and liked it. That felt good. I got a great email from another old friend, Diana, to whom I had sent the link. It's been a good day.