A Day in the Life

Most frequently asked question: What do you do all day? (I'm sure friends really mean "What the h*** do you do all day?") Everyone expects me to be bored and antsy, but I'm not.

Before I check out, I thought I'd take you through a day in the life at Hotel Hope.

Monday, November 27
7 am to 11am: Met with Dr. Forman, ate breakfast (tea and fresh orange), watched the Today Show, entered blood counts in spread sheet, posted blog, took meds and Benadryl, received platelets, took nap. I discovered that the oral form of Benadryl leaves me much less groggy than the drip. Received at least ten visits from nurses and PCA to check vitals, share blood count results, give meds, change IV bags, calm beeping IV pole, administer platelets, check toilet contents, etc.

11am to 11:45 am: Hematology patient exercise class. This was a blast. While we worked out, we shared laughs about the many indignities of being a patient.

11:45 am to noon: Pole danced.

Noon to 1 pm: Visited with Dave, my mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) mirror image. (We're both one-in-a-million MCLers with the disease manifesting itself around our eyes - his left, my right.) He's now two years post transplant and was at CoH for his six-month CT scan and blood test. He's a funny guy and had me in stitches with his "war stories."

1 pm to 2:00 pm: Ordered and ate lunch (patient-made tuna salad: tuna, boiled egg, relish, mustard, mayo on saltines). Watched the Food Network. Checked email and favorite blogs. Talked on phone. Received multiple visits from nurse and PCA.

2:00 pm to 2:30 pm: Napped.

2:30 pm to 3:05 pm: Got unleashed from my dance partner. Did a 1.5 mile walk. I found out last week that I'm allowed to enter the door that says "Authorized Personnel Only," making it easier to make a big lap around the entire floor. If I throw in a mini jaunt around the lobby, ten laps equals 1.5 miles.

3:05 to 3:30 pm: Showered, groomed, changed clothing.

3:30 to 3:45 pm: Received an in-room haircut. Got rehooked to dance partner.

3:45 pm to 5:00 pm: Watched end of Oprah and all of Ellen Show (I love Ellen) while catching up on email.

5:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Read NY Times online. Fixated on article about over 50's volunteering for the Peace Corps. Talked on phone.

6:00 pm to 7:00 pm: Ordered and ate dinner (hamburger patty with grilled tomato and onions, carton of milk).

7:00 pm to 8:00 pm: Tired. Watched mindless sitcom reruns. Didn't attempt to multi-task.

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Enjoyed Christmas Caroling by the City of Hope Singers. Surfed food blogs and worked on my list of "things to eat" when I return home. Caught up on email. Talked on phone. Revised IWOSC's evite for holiday party.

10:00 pm to 11:00 pm: Watched Seinfeld reruns while reading LA Times.

11:00 pm to 11:30 pm: Contemplated the many things for which I'm thankful; fell asleep.