What NOT to Play in the Waiting Room

Well, well, well.

I’m learning quite a lot about the world of those who must undergo chemo. I'm also learning that way too many people in this country are afflicted with some sort of cancer, given the fact that the stadium size waiting room at the Siteman Cancer Center is standing room only - starting at 7:45 a.m. Mondays. That's wrong, people.

I should mention here, that the swanky auditorium size waiting area also has a lovely player piano that tinkles the ivories while one waits for their treatment. There's just one little problem. Waiting room music can be considered to be extremely important to the patient's state of mind, and there seems to be a paucity of attention to the music programming at the very busy Siteman Cancer Center. Well, it needs to be made important, since the first thing we heard playing upon arrival of my sister’s first treatment was “Memory” from CATS. Followed by the theme from “Ice Castles.” I kid you not. We proceeded to sit there and pass the time by putting together our own little death soundtrack for cancer waiting room listening that would include, “Brian’s Song” the theme from “Love Story,” “The Wind Beneath My Wings” from BEACHES, followed maybe with a little Madame Butterfly and “These are people who died died!” by Jim Carroll.

Honestly, people.