Inside the Treatment Hall

 

Inside Treatment Hall

Walking into the treatment hall at my center is like stepping into a maze of boxy hallways, each lined with rooms numbered 1 through 19. Most of the time, these rooms are occupied, but the nurses know
me well enough by now to try and set me up in one of the corner spots. They do this for a reason—they know I come prepared. I always bring my speaker, ready to play music, joke around, and make the best of the time with the friends and family who come to visit.

I try to keep my room high on positive energy. Sitting in a chair for hours on end isn’t exactly thrilling, so making the space feel a little more alive helps time move faster. I know the nurses appreciate it, too. Now that I’ve been through two full rounds, I’ve built a great relationship with most of them. They’ve labeled me the jokester of the floor, and I think they enjoy the change of pace. Most of the other patients are older, more reserved, and understandably not as talkative. So when I come in with music playing and laughter coming from my room, I think it breaks up the routine for them.

This round felt a lot like my first—good for the most part while I was in the chair but completely drained by the time I got to leave. The exhaustion hits hard once I’m back home, but at least while I’m in the treatment hall, I do what I can to keep my mind occupied. This time around, I had a new way to pass the hours. One of my coaches gave me access to Synergy, an app that lets me watch all of my college games. That was a game-changer—literally. I spent a lot of time breaking down film, watching plays, and analyzing things I hadn’t noticed before. It made the hours feel productive instead of just something to get through.


Now, I’m officially halfway done. That’s wild to say. When I first started this process, I wasn’t sure how my body would handle it, but I’ve surprised myself with my strength. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve kept my energy, my spirit, and my drive intact. Two rounds down, two to go

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