Sometimes it sucks to always be right

Part of the MD Anderson Campus

I spent yesterday at MD Anderson. All yesterday. I arrived at 8:30 AM and didn't leave until after 4 PM. During that time, I saw at least 4 doctors and about half a dozen nurses and technicians of some sort.

There's a reason for the reputation this hospital has. It's clear that this place is the best at what they do. For example:

• My oncologist wanted blood tests and another ultrasound. Within 15 minutes, I was scheduled for both with a printed "appointment calendar" and directions on how to get to the various departments. By the time I had the tests and a quick lunch in the cafeteria, the oncologist had the test results.


• I can't tell you how many times I heard the phrase "don't worry--you're at MD Anderson" said with complete conviction.


• I know it's anecdotal, but a doctor I don't know actually talked to me in the elevator. In my experience, doctors avoid conversations with patients they don't know like the plague. (wouldn't you? you have enough to do without hearing other's patient's problems--that's why they have their own doctors) To me, it was just another example of the patient-centered culture.


• On my way out the door, I filled-out paperwork to sign-up for their online patient-management site. Before I got out of the parking garage, I already had an email confirming my login information.


• Within 10 minutes of walking out, they had already scheduled me for half a dozen follow-up appointments on Monday.

As everyone knows, I've seen enough doctors and hospitals to know what I'm talking about. These people are damn good. Really damn good.

Of course, they confirmed that I do have cancer. I'm scheduled for surgery on Tuesday. But no worries--apparently the surgery is so simple and relatively risk-free that they aren't even going to keep me overnight. Just wake me up and kick me out with a prescription for pain meds.

Part of my schedule on Monday is to get a CT scan so they can look to make sure it hasn't spread. (I've got no reason to think it has)

So, I'll be in for surgery some time Tuesday and be back home Tuesday night. Easy stuff. One of the doctors actually told me "nobody likes to get cancer--but if you do, this is the one to get". There's no reason at all to think this will be part of my life for much longer.

I really appreciate all the well-wishes and phone calls. There's not much anything better in life than knowing people care.

So, rather than leaving this on a crappy note, I'd like to take a second and identify a few good things that will come from this:

• This reinforced that I must get a job working in a hospital. You wouldn't believe the "pull" I feel. And I may have even found the hospital.


• This serves as a not-so-gentle poke in the arm to remind me to focus more on the "important" things in my life and spend a little less time on the useles and mundane.


• I gotta move out of the "burbs". A little time in that part of town reminds me that there are all sorts of cool people in Houston. I've just got to leave the SUV-infested suburbs.