I am tired of being told to be patient.

I’m pretty sure if I hear the word one more time, being directed at me in a syrupy semi-supportive/patronizing tone with a hint of caution from a person who knows little/nothing about me/Kate/or our story, I might just lose it on the next person I hear it from.

It’s been 5 months, and no one can seem to figure out how to get this GVHD under control. We’ve dealt with an 8 week BMT, a very poorly orchestrated discharge post-BMT, missed diagnosis, extremely stressful medical situations where we went unheard, mistakes were made, and Kate suffered as a result, and now the yo-yo back and forth two steps forward 5 steps back (and three steps sideways) of trying to control for a complication that wasn’t supposed to happen with no end in sight and a changing roster of people in charge of finding the solution to fixing it.

I am tired of being told to be patient. 

I do not feel patient and yet I wake every morning and focus on what needs to get done that day. What do we need to do to get Kate one step closer to home. What craft game story video iPad game sticker activity can we do that day together where I will need to dig deep to be engaged and patient within the four walls of our isolation room. What questions should I be asking? What plan can we make to get Kate better?

I am patient. I have been patient. I am patient because I have no other choice. And neither does Kate.

Being told to be patient and that ‘these things can take time’ is like telling a marathon runner that you have moved the finish line. Actually, not moved it, but hidden it and there is no MapQuest, or GPS, or map or even a damn sextant to find the finish line. (You even begin to wonder if the damn finish line even exists). Just keep running until you find it. Oh…and be patient. And that exhaustion and despair and frustration you feel? Just be patient. We have been so close to that finish line too many times.

Who ever coined the phrase ‘good things come to those who wait’ should be taken to an isolation room with an unwell child and locked in…and told to be patient.

pa·tience
/ˈpāSHəns/
noun
1.  the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.

 

As of today , it has been 5 months. Kate is up and down. Feeling well for a few days and a glimmer of hope starts to grow that maybe, just maybe our patience has finally borne some fruit – only to be dashed again by the latest set back of loose/liquid green stool, nausea and fatigue. (You know that marathon finish line I mentioned? Think about having it in your sights…finally…only to have someone steal it away and move it again.)

We’ve been patient through the post-BMT phase with trialing 4 different immune suppressive drugs. Five attempts at steroid wean. Endless imaging and tests. Different doctors with different plans. Different nurses with different approaches. And not much has changed.

Kate has been patient.

Everyday is a test of patience amidst our exhaustion and fear and stress and hope for a good outcome.

Patience is wearing thin for both of us.

Julie