Howdy from Texas

Today was our first day at MD Anderson. First of all, let me just tell you that this place is crazy huge. MD Anderson is comprised of three buildings, but is part of the bigger "Texas Medical Center," along with 40 other institutions! Everywhere you look there are hospitals . . . the Methodist Hospital, Shriner's Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Children's Hospital . . . on and on it goes. It's a city of hospitals within the city of Houston. As if MD Anderson wasn't big enough itself!

Needless to say, we barely made it to our first appointment by 8:00 despite thinking we had given ourselves plenty of time. (Parking, by the way, is nuts. Valet at the hotel was $21.75, valet at the hospital is $15.00 and all the area parking garages are between $9.00 and $12.00.)
We hurried to our first appointment only to have to wait. And that began the theme for the entire day . . . "hurry up and wait." New patient registration . . . followed by a long wait . . . vital signs . . . followed by a long wait . . . meet with the nurse . . . followed by a long wait . . . meet with the physician's assistant . . . followed by a long wait. Are you catching a theme here?

Eventually we did in fact see the doctor. He had reviewed most of E.'s medical history prior to our arrival, but we had to bring additional films and reports with us as well. Pretty much the first words out of his mouth were "you should have surgery." He stated that radiation wasn't the answer as E. has already had almost the maximum amount of radiation. He also said that with most cancers, a group of cancer cells will survive the radiation, which is exactly E.'s case. More radiation could cause organ and tissue damage and besides, there is a high probability that this group of cancer cells would still survive. He did not feel that additional chemotherapy was the answer either as it would not be currative.

The doctor explained that it was a life-altering surgery, but a life-saving surgery. There is no question for E. . . . he will alter his life to save his life. When we asked about the cancerous lymph nodes, the doctor affirmed what we were hoping - lymph nodes can be surgically removed as well. Of course, we have not yet met with the surgeon and he will need to confirm that surgery in this case is appropriate and worthwhile. The doctor explained that his staff would be referring us to a surgeon and would be calling us with a consultation appointment.

We then rushed to another part of the hospital for lab work . . . followed by a long wait . . . chest x-rays . . . followed by a long wait . . . a quick bite to eat in the hospital cafeteria . . . followed by a long wait . . . prepping for at CT scan (remember that yummy barium he had to drink?) . . . followed by a long wait . . . the actual CT scan (nothing like a little barium up the butt to cap off the day). It was after 5:00 when we finally left the hospital and still no phone call about the surgeon. So we wait.

E. is tentatively scheduled for some more procedures on the 19th and another endoscopic ultrasound on the 22nd. The doctor wasn't sure if the surgeon would still want those procedures performed since E. recently had them done in Reno, but we won't know until we meet with the surgeon. Our follow-up appointment on Monday also hinges upon what happens with the surgeon. Hopefully we'll know more soon.

As a side note, there are many portions of the hospital where children under 13 are not allowed. Funny, a dear cyber-friend of mine told me that exact same thing but when I called the hospital and asked about it, they assured me that the were willing to work with families and especially those with new babies. Thankfully, MD Anderson does have a complimentary day care (I'm not even sure I can call it that as it is essentially a large closet) in two of the hospital's buildings. There's only two criteria . . . 1. the child must be related to a patient and 2. the child can only be left for two hours at a time (two hours in and then two hours out . . . then can come back for another two hours . . . and so it goes). Today E3 had the pleasure of being loved on by two wonderful women for less than two hours, but I'm not sure how that will work out in the days (and/or weeks and/or months) ahead, especially if E. has to have surgery. We'll have to figure something out.

It is hot here. And humid. In the 90's with 70% humidity. The kind of weather that as soon as you step out of the building, you feel sticky. I constantly feel like I need a shower. People have a sheen about them and women's hair is either flat and stuck to their heads (like mine) or frizzing out in all directions. I think I prefer the dry heat of the high desert myself. Inside the hospital though, it is downright chilly. We had been warned and brought jackets, which we both wore in the building, but it really does seem excessively cold. We literally saw folks with turtlenecks and vests on in the building, only to strip to tank tops as soon as they walked out the door. Oh well, I'd much rather have it cold than hot. E., not so much.

As always, E.'s been a trooper. We've managed to find humor many times throughout the day and have really made the best of the moments, even while sitting in waiting rooms and lobbies. It's been a long day and I'm off to snuggle my men before we see what tomorrow brings. I just know it is going to be good.

S.