Bubble boy on the planet of the chimps

Remember the bubble boy back a couple decades? Yesterday I was beginning to feel like a bubble boy since it is so quiet here that I sometimes wonder if they decided to close the hospital while I was taking a nap. Actually, it is kind of nice as it enables me to catch up with reading and e-mail. While the bubble boy image was still fresh in my mind, the hospital chaplain (who I know only casually from other contexts) stopped by to chat. I was working on my dissertation when he arrived and since my work has a strong science and religion component, we soon ended up engaged in a wonderfully stimulating conversation* -- that is until I was struck by the fact that with the required mask on he (as well as all the nurses and visitors) looked like blue-cheeked chimpanzees! (OK, I probably have been here too long!) Needless to say, this image, made it more than a little difficult to focus on the substance of our conversation. I didn't say anything at the time and ended up with intermittent giggles all afternoon just thinking about it. Later, I did tell the tale to my evening nurse and she furthered the image by drawing a mouth and nostrils on her mask. Anyway, the whole thing really lightened my mood on what was already a pretty good day.

Had a great sleep last night and have already had my obligatory blood draw, my first IV of the day, and another blissfully aware shower. As a side note, I am finally overcoming my needle phobia which has on various occasions put me on clinic floors and recovery cots. Back to the main event, I am really hoping for some good news on my white counts since I am really getting eager to go home. I also found out yesterday that all of the bone marrow tests came back negative so that was another boost to my morale. I haven't seen James since Tuesday morning and as fast as he is changing I hate to think what I am missing. He is also starting to get pretty puzzled about 'where Dann went.' James and Lenore had a sleepover with Grandma Preece (aka Nanu) and Auntie Kathleen last night so that should have provided a bit of distraction for James as well as some relief for Lenore who is still feeling the effects of whatever bug we Siems' acquired. My parents are driving up today (weather permitting) so that should help as well and maybe even give Lenore the chance to get a full night of sleep and be back to health when I get home. /dps

*I was unable to convert him but we did concur that a good conversation made a fine prayer....