Port Withdrawal

Port draw time has shifted from Monday morning to Wednesday morning to Friday afternoon! How did that happen? Between the TPA treatment and my crazy schedule there just isn't a convenient time for me to play Dracula's victim any more.

Today I meet a new nurse who does labs on Fridays. She is wonderfully pleasant. How does she stay so upbeat surrounded by the dying and tragic? I have wandered past the wheelchair bound and barely upright in my short trek to the infusion center. She sees them all.

The only good thing about having a port draw on Friday afternoon is that by the time I am done, there is no sense in going back to work. I would only have about ten minutes left. I have to admit that the weather is enticing me to play hooky and not head back to my office. Instead, I head to the Eastview Mall, one of the malls I seldom go to since it is on the far east side of the city. It's a large mall and there are some unique stores there.

I justify my decision by telling myself that I haven't been able to get to the gym, and I can walk here at a leisurely pace without risking direct contact with the sick and coughing. Isn't it silly how little it takes to persuade us of the right of something? I do enjoy wandering about, checking out the sales racks here and there, discovering a great bargain in cjbanks - a zippered hooded sweater for only $9! American red white and blue with stars. Nice.

Then I discover a new store called Teavana. I have been seeking a tea cup that is both microwave safe and has a lid and can be set on an electric hotpad. They have one! I am delighted to have discovered it. They hand me a brochure about tea and I am interested in their facts and explanations. I circle several flavors I would like to try, just not today thank you.

All this before the evening crowd hits. And no kids tagging along. I have not been able to be on my own shopping in such a long time. This has been delightful! I didn't need to stop every ten feet to rest, or run to the restroom in a panic. I didn't feel faint or woozy. I smiled at the antics of kids with their Moms and took the time I wanted to poke and investigate.

What a marvelous day! There is a greater 'draw' to having a port withdrawal on Friday afternoon than I realized! I shall have to try it again sometime.