There are many things that just work here in Houston, especially for people with medical issues. First of all, the medical facilities themselves are unlike anything we have ever seen in the world. There is something like 50 different medical buildings downtown – I mean big, multi-storied, multi-building facilities. The fact that US News & World Report has listed MD Anderson as the number one cancer hospital again, well, that is not lost on us either. It is a place of remarkable care, although we have seen things that are simply beyond explanation, especially small suffering children.
Then take into account the hotels and extended stay complexes that serve those who are in these medical facilities, and you begin to see just how amazing this community has become. They know whom they are serving and aim to do the best job possible. We can personally put in a plug for the Comfort Suites Reliant/Medical Center Hotel located quite close to Reliant Stadium. Mr. Patel runs this place very well. It is so clean, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to meet the needs of his guests. One afternoon I returned to the hotel to try to rest a bit. I stopped at the counter to extend our reservation, and Mr. Patel came out to inquire about T and told me that he was ready to provide whatever special help we needed, just say the word. He is a wonderful man! His hotel also offers a medical rate that is half the cost of many of the hotels in the area. He has such a good heart!
There’s a lot to see around here. I can tell T is feeling better because he’s surfing the web to see what we can visit. He’s especially irritated to know he missed the annual Gun and Knife show on the 17th and 18th. He’s such a hoot!
Today we had a doctor appointment with the primary surgeon, and he is as pleased with T’s progress as everyone else has been. Pathology is not yet completed on the section removed so we don’t have anything definitive on that as yet. We are praying that it will all be negative, as we would really like to avoid further radiation, if possible.
After the appointment, we went to Physical Therapy where a team of two created a splint for T’s left arm, protecting the underside of his forearm and his wrist area (flap site). That took a while. He was instructed to wear this splint when he sleeps so he doesn’t do anything inadvertently that would harm the flap. He was also told to wear it when he does anything active, but he could take it off to sit on the couch. I wanted to laugh out loud! The only couch sitting he does is if he has a pile of books he’s reading, something he does enjoy a lot.
We are heading out to run a few errands. T’s energy level is returning, slowly but surely. Actually, it’s more exponential – doubled day-to-day. He is still not allowed to lift anything and that infuriates him. I brought a case of water up to our room, and he had to go on ahead of me, couldn’t stand to think that I would do that while he stood by and watched. I could see his jawbone protrude as he clenched his teeth over that one!
Tomorrow we head back to see Dr. S. He is fast becoming one of our favorites. We still need to write out a list of our questions; we always forget when we’re sitting there. Bless you all, dear friends, for your prayers and good wishes. We are grateful people who have enjoyed the presence of God during a time of suffering. It is amazing how He shows up, and all that He will do for us if we let Him. Until tomorrow.
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