Anywhere and anytime

After our spontaneous performance in the apheresis unit

Our new singing motto seems to be: “Anywhere and anytime” — including the apheresis unit of UC Davis Cancer Center!

When you’re sitting around for five hours hooked up to a blood separating machine, there’s lots and lots of time for chatting with the nurses who are watching over the process. By the end of two days they knew that we were musicians and that we direct the music ministry at our church.

As we were preparing to go, we thanked them all for being so kind and upbeat, while they assured us that we had been the perfect patients — all in all, it was quite the mutual appreciation society.

So, when — in the midst of all the thanks and laughter — they asked us to sing something before leaving, we didn’t hesitate. Of course I wasn’t in full voice, but it felt like a perfect opportunity to share some of the blessings we were feeling.

One of the nurses grabbed her phone and took the video; unfortunately it ended up sort of blurry and sidewise, but you can still hear the song — “Make Us Channels of Thy Peace” by Swami Kriyananda.

Update to the update

Day 1 of stem cell collection accomplished!

Ramesha took this photo at the beginning of the process. I was on the machine for five hours. They harvested about a third of the necessary stem cells, so we’ll be returning tomorrow to do it all again.

As has been the case throughout this entire journey, the nurses and attendants are all exceptionally competent and caring. Such a blessing!

Since I’m just sitting in the chair the whole time, it was an opportunity to catch up on a number of emails and text messages…until the nurse suggested that I lay back and nap (reminding me yet again about resting).

My instructions were to go home, take it easy, and eat a good dinner. So, I just ordered Mexican food to be delivered to the house (one of the perks of being in the city!).