frequent surgery card

Patiently sitting in the pre-op cubicle, his clothes whisked off and his vitals recorded, Rich and I discussed the possibility of the hospital introducing a frequent surgery card, just like cafes, where ten cups of coffee entitles the buzzed-up drinker to an eleventh at no charge.  The temptation is to order the pricey exotic options -- supersized cappuccino, amaretto-chocolate latte.  But Rich and I almost always ask for the usual:  Cafe au lait (for me); basic black, leave a little room for milk (him).

Why can't hospitals can do the same?  Especially for frequent theatre-goers (of the cut-me-open sort).  After five surgeries (these are, after all, even more expensive than lattes), get a gratis treatment of choice, anesthesia included!

Rich is getting close to having a full card, returning to New York in less than two weeks for another hit of surgery, this one going into the dura in a chase after the wandering chordoma. 

Unfortunately, when the bonus kicks in, he can't stick his basic black, leave a little room for milk.  He may have radiation one more time, but this time the dosage formerly spread over 40 days will be shot into him in a week.  And the chemo options are even more unimaginable -- and guaranteed to give a bigger buzz -- than an amaretto latte.

For now, we're going home.  To get ready for the next time.

Candace