the lobby

We woke early an Monday and had a good breakfast, which was included with the hotel rate. It was like being on vacation. Nothing to be afraid of today. Just consultations and tests. First up was an MRI. The medicals wanted new pictures of the brain, to help confirm, what their treatment proposal would be. Marie had so many MRI's in the past that this was no big deal for her. Just a new hospital. The difference between Sunday and Monday was the amount of people. The place was a bustling metropolis. The front entrance was lined by cars for valet parking. It wasn't just cars, it was shuttles, limos, and handicap vans. This wasn't a vacation spot, it's a refuge for people with a serious disease. People that need help. People that travel from all over the world looking for hope.

As I looked around at all the people, it didn't take me long to realize that cancer affects all people. Everyone was represented there. Men, women, and children. And there are all kinds of cancer. Brain, breast, liver, blood, and on and on. I felt like they were all there in the lobby, on a Monday morning. All kinds of people, with all kinds of cancer, in the lobby, all at once. Marie was oblivious to all this. She wanted to get to her MRI on time. Like other patients going through the lobby, trying to get treatment. Not paying attention to anyone else. They were there for a reason. They were there for help.

The MRI area was full. We went to the desk and checked in. We filled out the standard MRI forms and the lady at the desk asked us to have a seat. It seemed like most of the patients were not alone. Family and friends, caregivers of all sorts were in that waiting room. Cancer affects more than the patient. But not everyone had someone. Occasionally, a person would come to the counter alone. I wondered how they had the strength to do this by themselves.