The New Digs

Joanie is settling in to her new room tonight. It's a large room--at one time it had three beds but now houses only two. The other bed is empty at this time. She has had several visitors, so many in fact that the nurses began trying to limit visitors because she was getting tired. I was in her room watching her eat with many words of encouragement thinking how our roles have reversed. Several years ago, it was Joanie watching me stare at my food after my BMT. She was trying everything to get me to eat! After helping her continue to take bites of pureed food, she finally said in her new monotone voice, "Meal time should be a pleasant time. It is good for the digestion!" After she finished eating I left to grade more papers. When I returned at about 8:00 PM her door was closed. The nurse said she was exhausted and had fallen asleep.