TUG

TUG

At the hospital and cancer treatment center the system uses robots to deliver medications from the pharmacy to the nurses station. One realizes from witnessing the operation of the robots that a lot of human time is saved by utilizing these amazing machines. They zip up and down the hallways, ride the elevators, avoid collisions with people and they are actually quite cute.

One of my friends had christened the robots Rosie.  The next day I noticed TUG proudly displayed on the robots anterior so the name became TUG. The nurses actually call them TUG. It’s obviously part of the brand name, but it works as a proper noun.

They are more efficient than people for delivery. They don’t stop and chat with others on the way. They have one job and that is get the goods to where they are supposed to go. It’s fun to watch what happens when they encounter an object in their path.  They stop in good time, wait a bit (to see if said object will move, I assume) and if necessary navigate around it.

At the end of May

July 3

Friday, my nurse told tales of an errant TUG that had a propensity for visiting patient rooms and going down a little hallway that contains the scale for weighing in and a couple of restrooms.  That TUG got retired.

The week was spent going to and from the Prairie Center for chemotherapy. 

The five day everyday regimen of chemo is my current thing.  The infusion is only 30 minutes but there is prep time (vitals), accessing my port, waiting for TUG to bring the medicine, the flush at the conclusion, de-accessing the port, answering the questions, etc.  One day this week I was in and out in 55 minutes. I think that may be a record. It’s not bad time spent.  I finally finished Ken Follett’s three volume historical fiction work! I’ll have to find another opus to tuck in my bag for the next round.

Going for chemo is a chance to get out of the house! The going and coming can be interesting if one want to take a drive and check out some of the parks. One can actually get out and walk around a park with minimal danger because there is a lot of space! It’s sad to see the swimming pools closed with the beautifully warm and sunny days we’ve had the last few weeks.

At the end of May

July 3

It’s amazing to see what that warmth, water, and occasionally some fertilizer does for the plants. I looked at the pictures from the time the pots were first planted and then those that were taken yesterday.  June did a nice piece of work on those growing things.  June also provided an opportunity for the weeds to grow in any available space, no matter how small! The rabbits continue to feast on the hostas. There was a baby bunny in the front garden one day this week.  I gave him a lecture on finding another place to feast.  I don’t think it has had any effect.

Pets and fireworks at this time of year pose a problem. I’ve had some cats who get extremely upset at the noise. Sophia seems to be fine with it. She’s not exactly pleased, one can tell, but at least she’s not frightened.

Probably the best way to deal with fireworks according to Sophia.

Fireworks are illegal within the city limits. That does not seems to stop some from discharging them anyway.  In my imagination I think they are the very same people who refuse to wear a mask and thereby put other people and themselves at risk of infection when they go out in public. It comes down to respect for others or me and my rights only.

It’s been another good week for which I am grateful.  Thanks for reading and thoughts and prayers. As always, I am grateful.