Brian's Journey

July 28, 2014: Brian's Journey

Brrrrrrrr-kthunk-thunk, Brrrrrrrr-kthunk-thunk, Brrrrrrrr-kthunk-thunk, Brrrrrrrr-kthunk-thunk, the pump pumps its liquids into his chest and he sleeps - tired, as they all seem to be. I go downstairs to get a cup of coffee and when I return he is hooked up to his dispenser. Now we wait.

The SCCA is a cheerful place outside of the bays and treatment rooms, which are not so bad given how clean they are and not sterile white. The waiting rooms have comfortable chairs, some of which are recliners that afford wonderful views of Lake Union and the blue sky that blesses us today. There is a variety of amazing art on each of the floors, from 1 to 6 that patients and visitors can access. There is a holder mounted on the wall of each floor near the elevators that have brochures, which talk about the art, with pictures and descriptions and the artist's name.

This is an entire building dedicated to treating cancer patients. So many, but then again they are concentrated into a small area. Today, Monday, is busy after a quiet weekend. I had to park lower down in the garage than Saturday or even yesterday, when I took advantage of parking outside on the street. All of the handicap parking was full also. We have a placard.

The couple with the little one are still in the infusion bay when I come back from the airport with Corey. Brian is out in the waiting area when we arrive. A few minutes later I see the husband come out of the infusion area carrying the baby in its carrier - that his how I know that the mother is still in there. There is a young lady, Hickman port clearly visible above her t-shirt - she is young, her parents accompany her, waiting for a bay. She seems to be in good spirits. She has an iPad and is showing her mother pictures. She is not a teenager, but in her early twenties - why so young?

I cannot know what they are going through, and pray I never have to.

We are home now, Corey is on his way home to Tacoma