Christmas candy well received at BMT clinic today

I spent most of yesterday making one batch each of the two candies that I make before Christmas every year for giving to neighbors, friends, relatives and to take to the Infusion Room at the clinic for the nurses, PAs, nurses aides and anybody else who happens to pass through the Infusion Room.  I have taken it to the clinic for 5 years, but sometimes I turned it over to someone at the registration desk and on those occasions I didn't know how it was presented or whether anybody appreciated it.  I decided this year would be different so I put a plate of candy in a plain white box; closed it with some scotch tape and put mailing labels on it with our names and carried it with me until Craig came to the hallway waiting area to take me for vitals.  He wanted to help me by carrying some of my load so I gave him the box and asked him to take it to the counter in the Infusion Room. When I got to my chair Laurie told me the "toffee" is delicious.  I call it almond-butter-crunch, which is a more descriptive name, which I got along with the recipe from a pamphlet-style cookbook that I got with the Salt Lake Tribune in the summer of 1950 and made it for Christmas that year and every year since.  If anybody asks I tell them the fudge is made using Mamie Eisenhower's recipe, a memento from our 2 years in Washington, D.C. I don't remember when I have been so profusely thanked by so many friendly workers in the clinic.  It certainly made the all-day effort yesterday by both of us worth while.

Today is a beautiful but rather cold day; the inch of snow we got overnight remains on the garage roof but the roads are completely dry and there were no traffic problems going to the clinic even though traffic was heavy. The parking garage was almost full and all the handicap spaces were occupied so my walk to the elevators was long enough that I was happy to have my cane.  Both waiting rooms were full and I waited 15 to 20 minutes before Craig took me for weighing and vitals that were completed with me seated in the extension of the Infusion Room.  Nurse Rebecca told me she had ordered my Velcade when she saw me coming and inasmuch as no blood would be drawn they would have me out soon.  Didn't happen; it was 11;23 when a gal came taking orders for sandwiches and the Velcade was not in sight so I ordered a ham sandwich, which I brought home because the drug came immediately afterwards.  Emma shared the sandwich with and when she got back from her appointment for another nail job I told her about the enthusiastic reactions to the candy and how it contrasted with some previous visits.  She then reminded me that a number of other visits have been a week before Christmas and the clinic has been overwhelmed with goodies on those occasions and my contribution was not as noticeable.

My schedule is such that I don't return to the clinic util the first Monday in January and I was able to tell those people who wished Merry Christmas that I will see them next year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and HAPPY NEW YEAR.