MDA called on 12/15 at about 4 pm. "Can you be here for your appointment 12/17 at 7:30 am?" I asked them to hold it until 5 pm so Joe & I could talk it over. We talked and decided that MDA was our pick. Knowing that Mayo is in MN and MN is known for it's lovely weather this time of year, my friend commented she knew we picked MDA because it's warmer in Houston. I replied I can see the interview and it goes like this:
Interviewer "So, tell the folks out there how you made what could be the single biggest decision of your life."
Me "Well, it's warmer there..." and I give a shrug.
Anyway, I called MDA at 5 and told them yes, then got online and started making travel arrangements. How did they do all of this before the internet??? By 6, the tickets were purchased and we were leaving for the airport at 4:30 am the next morning. Which brings us to now.
This place is HUGE. Bigger than HUGE. First, there's MD Anderson itself. By my count, a dozen or so big buildings with many stories. Also here are other huge facilities. Several hospitals, medical schools, nursing schools, pharmacy schools and the like. Go to Google Maps and check out the satellite view and get a hint of what it's like.
Interviewer "So, tell the folks out there how you made what could be the single biggest decision of your life."
Me "Well, it's warmer there..." and I give a shrug.
Anyway, I called MDA at 5 and told them yes, then got online and started making travel arrangements. How did they do all of this before the internet??? By 6, the tickets were purchased and we were leaving for the airport at 4:30 am the next morning. Which brings us to now.
This place is HUGE. Bigger than HUGE. First, there's MD Anderson itself. By my count, a dozen or so big buildings with many stories. Also here are other huge facilities. Several hospitals, medical schools, nursing schools, pharmacy schools and the like. Go to Google Maps and check out the satellite view and get a hint of what it's like.
The view from our hotel window. None of this is MD Anderson, but everything you see and plenty you don't is a medical facility of some sort.
We got in by noon and started walking around, orienting ourselves and finding the exact place, right down to the reception desk, where we report tomorrow morning bright and early. It's warm, sunny and beats the heck out of what we left at home. Got back to the hotel, Joe napped and I went for a bittersweet run. It was my last run before I officially become a cancer patient on 12/17/14 at 7:30 am CST.
Thanks to everyone back home who's offered advice, love, support and handling of all those things that must be done regardless of what else is going on. Our family and friends are amazing. Joe and I are fully focused on the job at hand. God bless!
Thanks to everyone back home who's offered advice, love, support and handling of all those things that must be done regardless of what else is going on. Our family and friends are amazing. Joe and I are fully focused on the job at hand. God bless!