For Dr. Howard & Staff Oncology/Hemotology VA Med Cen, Syracuse, NY Once a month I journey three and a half hours to the VA Medical Center at Syracuse, NY and three and a half hours back home. This always means very early rising, which I am not very good at, and I often nod off while receiving treatment at the infusion room or while waiting for an appointment at some clinic at the hospital. As I sit in any hospital waiting room and look around at all the faces, I see many emotions, mostly bored expressions, like 'when am I ever going to get to see the doctor?' We patients are quick to forget that the doctors and their staff can only do so much, and our turn will eventually come. I curb my boredom by napping. Other than the seven hour journey, I do not mind so much my monthly appointments. The early rising often tires me, and I suppose a tired vet can sometime equate to a grumpy vet. I try not to be that way, for I have never ever had real grounds to complain about anyone within the whole hospital. You understand my difficulties, Dr. Howard, and I wish to thank you very much for your understanding and help. I have been 'incarcerated' in Ward Four South several times, and before the first day has ended I am bored completely out of my mind. Incarceration is rather a harsh word to use, but that is how I feel, no matter how I try to adjust my mental attitude. I try not to grumble or complain, but sometimes I turn into a real rat bag. Being such does not help matters, and is very unbecoming of a King Honey Bee. I will try to improve in that area. While on the subject of being a rat bag - and probably the real reason why many people squirm at the thought of hospitals, doctors and nurses - is some of the horrendous medical procedures one can be subjected to. Like a huge needle cork-screwed into the back of my hip bone (had that many times - YUK!) or a tube stuck up my butt to investigate my intestines. I nearly freaked out a couple of months ago when Pam mentioned tube-feeding when I was severely underweight. Tube-feeding certainly is horrendous - but that wasn't my problem - I was worried it would effect my very sensitive appetite problem. Well, I am happy to say that I have managed to adjust my attitude regarding the 'horrendous medical procedures.' I will never ever like them, but if they are needed, I will not put up a fuss. I have a very strong sense of self-preservation, and with an affliction such as mine, one must do whatever is required. There are things I wish to do before I expire, and people who need me, and I intend on sticking around for as long as I can. Thanks to caring and concerned doctors such as yourself, Dr. Howard, I am adjusting to my circumstances. You and your staff try their best, and if I don't do likewise I only have myself to blame. I am trying my best and striving to do even better. Please do not take offense at my terminology, such as 'horrendous medical procedures,' for it is not intended. I am only trying to explain how some patients might feel. Some things take considerable adjustment, and some of us are rather slow in that area. But, hopefully, all of us will eventually get there. PS: Having spent almost 26 years of active service duty in the USAF, I learned a good way to beat the 'hurry up and wait' game - simply by nodding off to sleep. I have slept literally everywhere - from the cargo section of C-130 aircraft to concrete floors. I even managed to nod off to sleep standing up while waiting for a train in Reading, England! It is a great way to pass time while waiting. I put this PS in here in case there are some who think I am a dopey old crock for always nodding off. *'That is the best excuse I can give right at the moment,' he says to himself while trying to keep a straight face.* I keep myself very busy writing. I have written much on many web sites, but still haven't written all that needs to be written. Beate and I grew weary of free web sites with their advertising banners all over our pages so we purchased our own web site. Our web site is growing nicely - and I thoroughly enjoy making each and every page: Our New Beehive Web Sites

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