“Let’s get this party started!” A bubbly nurse broke the rather awkward silence of the full yet tiny waiting room . . .

It was about 10 minutes to 8:00 this morning when Linda and I found our way to the infusion center at UW Hospital where Linda would spend nearly 6 hours having her stem cells collected.  We were uncertain of where to go or what to do, so we attempted to open the door multiple times to no avail.  We swiped our hands over the hand swiper, we pushed and pulled on both doors, we jumped up and down while looking through the window (we didn’t actually do that one).  It was at this point that a kind man, who either had been a farmer for the last 50 years (or just really liked the Red Green Show) told us that the infusion center didn’t open until 8:00.  Of course we didn’t feel awkward as we made our way into the waiting room to find only one available seat and 6 other people wondering why we had just been jumping up in down in front of two unopened doors. The awkward silence was broken as one kind women offered to squeeze next to someone else allowing Linda and I to sit down for the duration of our wait, a wait that ended up being short lived.  Another new comer to the infusion center quietly whispered to her neighbor, “Was I supposed to check in before coming in here.”  While having only whispered, all eight of us sharing this elevator sized waiting room were able to overhear.  Mr. Red Green offered to take the woman downstairs to the registration kiosk . . . and off they scampered . . . Linda and I tagging behind hoping to not miss their elevator.

After having settled back into the waiting room ambiance, the a fore mentioned bubbly nurse made her grand entrance . . . And I immediately realized I felt like most new comers to church.

She had greeted me with the equivalent energy of a church greeter, but I realized I had no idea how to start the party.  Of course there were a few regular attenders who quickly jumped up and briskly walked to their normal post.  Yet, Linda and I were left with the apparent expectation that we would know where to go next. It didn’t matter at that moment that a large sign hung 30 feet in front of us that read, “Check In.” We had already checked in, so was this an additional check in?  We tentatively approached the desk and the “head usher” warmly greeted us, “What’s your name?”

Being ushered to the bed in which Linda would spend the next 6 hours brought a sense of relief.  At least we didn’t have to wonder where we were supposed to go anymore. It was there and then I realized that if we could offer a church visitor a curtain and their own TV, their comfort level could be increased, although that could be awkward come time for the worship service.

Moral of the story . . . I intend to start every church service with, “Let’s get this party started!”

Stem Cell Summary:

“You were a dream collection.”  Her stem cell collection began on a high note when, following her blood work, they told Linda that an  acceptable stem cell count for collection was 20. Linda was at 90! This means that she should have more than enough stem cells collected today and won’t need to come back tomorrow.

After all her blood was cycled through the machine twice, millions of stem cells collected, and two cups of chocolate milk (for both of us) to help with her depletion of calcium – Linda was done.

In about two weeks we will come back for the next phase.