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Monday, June 14, 2010

The Waiting Room

It was all like some movie completely shot in slow motion. I entered the sterile smelling waiting room, seeing possibly the largest collection of anxious and high emotions.

Relatives were in the room talking, but I was only listening to enough to get by. Instead I watched as one by one people were called on the phones sitting next to their chairs with news of their loved ones.

A 96 year old man had no issues and the lady that brought him in jumped into the air yelling "Wahoo!" Others we're calmer, but making jokes the lighten the mood, not ashamed of their smiles.

One by one, everyone was getting called, and from what I could tell it was all good news.

Then we were called in. Sallie's surgery was just about perfect. She's expected to make the quickest recovery (still probably 3-4 weeks) and there was no cancer. Me and the moms immediately went outside to spread the good news. I didn't think I could smile any larger I wandered into the restroom where a 30 year old man was wiping tears from his eyes with a papertowel from the automatic despensor. He kept staring in the mirror as if asking what else he could've done for his loved ones.

That was it. I was quickly reminded that in that waiting room everyone was about to hear the greatest news of their life or the worst news of their life. That's why everyone was looking so anxious. They didn't know that was the reason, but deep down they all knew it. That's what the movies are missing. But I'm not calling Hollywood out on it. Its something that should never really be documented. The waiting room and prep rooms are a sacred place where a camera has no place. (Unless of course for a documentary where its a key scene)

Thanks everyone for your support, prayers, and positive well wishes. It really has helped us through this far.

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