So today I had a bone scan. Out of all the scans this one is the most pleasant. I can't believe I just used the adjective pleasant to describe a scan. It must be the drugs. But really with all the scans I have gotten in the last few months let alone the last year this one gets a B+. I arrive at 9:30 A.M. where I waited. I am then shuffled to another room where I waited. Then a tech (usually one of "my boys" as I like to call my handsome studs that scan me for all the odd ball scans I need to get) injects me with some type of radiation thing. I wait three hours for it to get to the bones or kill me whatever comes first. Then the scan begins. You are told it takes about 30 minutes but for me it always takes over an hour or so because of the number of metes (never got why they call tumors metes) that I have.
Today I decided to observe some of the things that are going around me in a room full of cancer patients waiting to hear their destiny. Mark, was cracking up at me because I was sitting with my little "notebook" laptop jotting down everything I saw. He leaned into me and whispered, "you always come in here with blinders on. Now what are you doing?". I told him I was living. I am no longer ignoring what is going on in this world of cancer.
This is what I observed:
1. Rude secretary completely clueless that each person she is snapping at have so much more going on in their life then hating there job. God help her.
2. Worried elderly lady holding her husbands hand as he sits in a wheelchair with an IV in his arm and a smile on his face. She is thinking of her future without him, he is looking at the young Drug rep sitting across from him that is wearing a short skirt and sitting with her legs uncrossed. Sorry Mark pointed that one out to me.
3. Mother and Daughter sitting very close to each other while surfing the web for wedding gowns. Mother wearing a beautiful red scarf on her hairless head and daughter hugging her so tight. They are so happy despite the battle.
4. Mark sitting next to me telling dirty jokes to another elderly man. The man is laughing so hard I am scared he is going to fall off his seat. However, the snotty lady in the J. Crew cashmere sweater, I know that because I just got the catalog yesterday, is giving Mark looks that are dirtier then his jokes. "Get I life lady". I just smiled at her and she looked the other way. She must waiting for someone because she's to mean to have cancer.
5. Several names being called out at one time by the mean secretary. The patient jumps up with excitement because it's finally their turn. They quickly lose that excitement when they are asked to stand in line and then follow the nurse into another room to be injected. Like a group of cattle being herded to the next step of their fate. I've been there, done that.
6. Automatic doors opening and closing with patients and their cancer buddies coming and going. Coming with anxiety and leaving with exhaustion.
7. Three Television in three different corners of the large pen all with different stations and volume turned down. WTF are they doing to these patient. Just teasing them. I decided to walk over to one and turn the volume up. Now I see a bunch of happy faces.
8. A husband and wife dressed in designer clothes sitting prim and proper. They are not wanting to look around for fear of what they may see. They are also afraid to get comfortable because they think that they don't belong here. Probably cancer newbies. Reminds me of Mark and I way back when. Not sure which one has the affliction. I would like to see them a few months from now to see how they change.
9. A young girl with a beautiful face but tears in her eyes. She is bald and scared. She is sitting next to me all by herself. I decided to reach over and tell her it will be okay. She puts her hand on my arm and shakes her head. Me in 1995.
10. Oh my favorite nurse just walked in. She has that smile of peace on her face. She shoos Mark to the next seat and sits down next to me to give me a hug. I pull out the big bag of lemon candies that I bring for her other patients. With Hillman's cut backs they discontinued that treat for the chemo patients who have mouth sores. She sneaks the bag in her lab coat like it's a drug deal or something. We laugh.
11. That same nurse moves down next to the young girl who is next to me. She starts to explain the scan to her. I am so relieved that this girl has her today. However, I want her too.
12. A middle age man, okay my age, sits across from me with his brother. He is wearing a black Under Armor running suit. He is fit and looks perfectly healthy. He is drinking that nasty crap they make us drink for some kind of scan that I try to forget. I am lucky that I am small so I only have to drink two bottles....he has three, yuk. He is making faces and gaging. His brother is laughing, but I can see the pain in his eyes. It's that kind of laugh that you get when you are really nervous and don't know what else to do. He asked me if I have ever had to drink it. I shake my head yes. Mark adds, "They should serve it with Jim Beam". God sometimes he is so embarrassing.....he got a big laugh today. I told the gentleman to hold his nose and just suck it down. He tries and spits it all over his black jacket. Oh well! Mean secretary is coming over. Oh no!!!!
13. A family of brothers and sisters from Ohio. I know that because they asked the brothers across from me how to get on the PA turnpike and conversation went on. They are sitting close while they take turn pacing back and forth. Each one of them catering to their mothers every need. One brings her a snack, another a drink, another holds her hand, while the youngest boy hands her a magazine. She hands him back the magazine and tells him it's from May of 2007. He apologizes and tells her he will go to the news stand outside to get her another one. He wants out, but buddy there are no news stands outside. Kinda of cool to listen to the stories. There mother looks tired and worn out but she is happy to have her kids with her.
My name is being called. It's time for me to get herded with the rest of my cancer posse to the next room....to wait.
To Be Continue for another day.
Sunny
SUNNY CARNEY After a courageous 10 year fight battling Carcinoid Cancer, Sunny Carney, of Plum, passed peacefully on Saturday, November 3. She was married to her devoted husband, Mark; and was a loving mother to Austen, Logan and Nolan; daughter of Patricia Jennings and the late James J. Jennings; daughter-in-law of Dale and Dottie Carney; sister of Judy Phillips (Ray Jr.), Lynn Pesta (Teddy), Michael Jennings (Vicki Lynn), James Jennings (Sue), Joseph Jennings (Elizabeth), Sheila Fortes (Jim); sister-in-law of Craig Carney (Julia). She is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews, and was a true friend and inspiration to many.
In addition to being an inspiration to family and friends Sunny inspired carcinoid cancer patients across the globe through her blog, and then her book "The Sunny Side of Cancer. She spoke at numerous cancer events locally sharing stories of her journey which led her from Basel, Switzerland to all of the top Carcinoid Cancer specialists here in the states. She was an advocate for better diagnosis of the disease and for insurance coverage of treatments. She fought with grace and dignity, never letting the pain inside challenge her faith or diminish her love for life.
Memorials may be made to "Carney Family Fund", c/o S&T Bank, 2190 Hulton Road, Verona, PA 15147.
Friends received Monday 7-9 p.m. and Tuesday 3-8 p.m. at Unity Community Church, 215 Unity Center Road, Plum, PA 15239.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Unity Community Church with Rev. Frank Deluce officiating. Arrangements entrusted to CHARLES W. TRENZ FUNERAL HOME, INC.
VIEW GUEST BOOK Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
