This past June 2021 marked my 11-year cancer free anniversary! However, because I have such a strange little case I still have to go back for an annual MRI, which after 24 MRIs, so far, it's about as routine as a teeth cleaning at the dentist. Plus,
it is an opportunity for me to meet up with my dad since he always meets me there.
Since COVID hit the hospital was shut down to patients only. No family members were allowed in, so not much fun for dad. He would be restricted to the hotel that connects
to the hospital only, and even the hotel had taken COVID matters to extremes. You could not eat inside the restaurant - it was takeout only, or you could eat at the tables outside. AND - this is where is gets really dire for dear ol' dad...... they had shut
down the bar!!!
OH, SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!! OH - THE HORROR!!!
Yes, my dear friends my father would be unable to sit, imbibe his favorite cocktail of the season, and flirt with the bartender de jour. So sad....
This year, in addition to my
MRI, I was scheduled for a fat graft procedure to reconstruct the damage on my forehead left in the wake of my craniotomy done all those years ago. Since the only thing my dad really needed to be there for was to make sure I came out of surgery okay and that
I didn't walk out with my pants on backwards, and he wouldn't be able to have any fun with the state of the COVID world anyway, it made sense that he fly out later after I went through all my other appointments and scans and just be there for the surgery day.
My procedure was setup for Monday, so he arrived Sunday night and once his bag was safely stowed in the room, we headed down to place our takeout order at the restaurant.
The moment we crossed the threshold of the restaurant entryway everything changed
around us. The lights shined a little brighter, the music played a little louder, and by the time we reached the bar to place the order the real shift had begun. The wait staff began to bring chairs and tables out from the back room for us so we could eat
inside the restaurant!
"Mr. Busch, please have a seat - the restaurant is open for you!"
The bartender immediately swapped out the plastic to-go cups for real glass drinkware.
"Oh no, Mr. Busch, you need a real glass!" the bartender exclaimed,
and she was also suddenly open, and available, for hugs!
I'm standing there watching the fiasco around me, the fuss around us, and I'm amazed. I'm surprised that there wasn't a red carpet involved!...... Or was there.... hmm........ Anyway - this drab,
COVID crushed little world was suddenly sparkling and opening up!
As we sat at our freshly brought in table an announcement was made that as of Monday morning the hospital would be open to patients AND visitors.
Coincidence that
the morning after my father's arrival the biggest cancer hospital in the world decided to change its policy and allow visitors back into the facility??..... I THINK NOT!!!
That's right - my dad, Mr. Big Deal, rolled up in there like a BOSS, and doors
opened for him. And I assure you he was completely modest about the situation...... yep, totally humble...... not a swelled head in the room.... uh-huh, not an ego in sight.... yeppers.
Must be where I get it from!