I’m not sure how you guys are keeping up but I often find myself reading my own blogs to know what’s going on! Yesterday was yet, another busy day. I found out I got a 106 on my exam I took Tuesday! Yes, I rock! Lol! Thursday’s exam didn’t go so well, it was a tough one and I didn’t have time to study. Probably a low B, we’ll take it! I also finished my blood work and CT Chest exam. Then I spent the rest of the day chasing down my medical records, biopsy slides and images! Oh ya, I ended the day hearing how Elena is doing at school. Let me sum it up: she likes to observe, likes artsy stuff and is opening up a bit! Yup, that’s our Laney! :>) I just wish I had her teachers; they are so sweet and full of love! My mom would have loved to hear that about me at any conference! Hahah!
Well, I told you to hold that thought about surgery next week and now I ask you to erase that thought. I decided to not have surgery next week. I know a lot of you are concerned with my decision but this is not something I can rush into and hope for the best. Of course, I can’t wait and hope for the best either.
Instead, I am getting the best opinions next Wednesday from a sarcoma center medical team!! I hoped to see MD Anderson but they can’t see me until Nov. That’s just a consultation and then I’d still have to wait for surgery. Bummer, but…another blessing in disguise. My great buddy at MD Anderson, Ms. Janice gave me some alternative sarcoma centers. One was University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor!!! YES, Ann Arbor, like 30 minutes from my family!! My youngest sister, Sonia, has been offering to keep the kids during surgery & treatment or for however long we may need. She’s literally crazy and temporarily insane…soon to be insane and wearing a straight jacket!! She has three toddlers of her own! However, she has a very caring and understanding husband (no, we don’t share Mike! Lol!...he's the guy in the picture, always working!) and a great support system as well. Her mother-in-law sends food over “just because!” When I’m in town, she even calls to see what “we want her to cook!” Not to mention, my brother-in-law’s Subway Sandwich shop is near the hospital I’d be at!! Yummy, no hospital food. (Although, I was thinking this could be a good weight loss plan!) My father lives fairly close as well and he is retired. I know he would love to have something more to do and take care of!! Last but not least…my older sister also lives there. She knows the medical world due to her business. She’s the one who promises me the best, stylin wheelchair our there! Mag wheels, spokes, shimmering lights and all! She also has dogs, from what I understand, they can even smell cancer now! No kidding! I know the rest of my family as well as Mike’s will also be there to help any way they can!! So how can we pass it up!
You Memphians don’t think I’m not taking you up on your help! We have so much still! We are only staying in Michigan for as long as truly necessary hopefully weeks. Then we need all the help we can get here. We’ll be calling you!
US News ranked this hospital #21 for cancer and it does have a sarcoma center! This may not sound high to you but I looked at the big picture and they are one of the best…
173 hospitals ranked top out of 5,462 hospitals. Of these 173, they were graded in several areas and ranked again. That’s where the #21 comes in. When I looked at the grading, I compared them to the top such as MD Anderson (who is #1) and Dana Farber and etc. Univ. of MI ranked as high or in some cases even higher than the top 5. The nurse to patient ratio was promising too! It was 2.4 here and 1.9 at MD Anderson and .6 at Dana Farber. We know my patience, the last thing I need is a hospital with low staffing. (Although, this is one of my lessons I am working on as a result of this!) haha!
They are a gem hidden in all their snow.
Also the link to the top hospitals for cancer: http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/best-hospitals/search.php?spec=ihqcanc Look for #21~
I have spoken to some team members there and they are very informative, patient and respond to my calls. From the time I called an Assistant to the Physician (by chance), a doc herself, (Who never cut me short and never said I need to call XXX number, rather took my message and said Matt would call me!) to the time their Admin guy, Matt, called me back, the staff had already met , discussed my case (the few details they had) and had a plan. When I come for oncology consultation they want me to also have a surgery consultation. Wow! Impressive! Not just another patient!
So this is firm:
Tuesday, Sept. 25th I am flying to Michigan
Tuesday, Sept. 25th I am flying to Michigan
Wednesday, Sept. 26th I meet with the Dr. Chugh @ 12:30 (yahoo, I get to sleep in!) and at 3:30 (or sooner), I meet with Dr. Bearman for the surgery consultation!!
Docs profiles: http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/cancertreat/tissue_bone/the_team.shtml
Wednesday night I will visit all my friends on Simone Street! Haha ( I met a lot of my sister’s neighbors this summer and I know they miss me! ) Maybe even convince my sister to celebrate my nephew's bday, then I can eat some cake too!lol!
Thursday, I’ll fly home with some news!! I feel I can focus on the problem & recovery now that the decision making in regards to the hospital and care is done!
