Tip teoing

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

You did not step on my toes, I was not offended by your post. You were

stating your experience, but I have been going there over 10 years and I am

pleased with my service, it is certainly the best I have ever had from any

oncologist. Those are my comparisons.

Here is some background a lot of people are not aware of. My Research Nurse

there told me that they used to see a lot of charity patients, especially from

countries like Saudi Arabia (they owned their own hotels). About five years

ago, the Texas legislature told MDACC (which is part of the University of Texas)

that they were broke and could no longer take charity patients. After 9/11, I

saw a lot less of the Arabs there, in fact I rarely see them now. Anyway, the

result was there were fewer patients being shuttled in and out and less chaos.

I noticed that even though the waiting rooms were packed there were not enough

chairs available, so I brought a wheel chair up with me and had my own seating.

Anyway the patients are seen much sooner and the leukemia department was split

and CML has its own corner. The other leukemias are at the right (where we used

to go), turning right after you exit the elevator. Now CML is at the left. I

don't even have time to fill out my form before the oncology nurse, is out

looking for me. He knows I am there because I have checked in somewhere. When

I appear at the desk and give my patient number, my picture pops up and I don't

even remember posing for a picture, but somewhere along the line, I must have.

I have been there more than 50 times over the years, and it is still my clinic

of choice. I am embedded. LOL

____________________________________

Dear Bobby,

We certainly had a lot of fun while we were there. We went on clinic days

and all the patients were CML patients on trials, so no matter who you turned

to, it was someone with CML who was willing to talk to you. We found out the

best places to eat and who had the best medical discounts, just talking to other

patients. Now I don't get the chance to talk to anyone, but Jimmy does, they

just start talking to him while I am getting my tests done. As soon as I am

ready to go in, he follows me, as he is always with me,, but he has never

witnessed a BMA, he doesn't want to see that procedure and I respect that. I

remember visiting you in your room at the Rotary House with Gay Bratton, who

happened to have an appointment at the same time, but not in the same trial.

They certainly try to accomodate anyone with a flight. When I had to fly, they

got me out in time. Jimmy was in the hospital and everyone wanted to know where

he was. Who can forget that white " cop " haircut. LOL

We had to stay for long periods, because we had to get blood tests later in the

day after we took our pills and we had EKG's every hour, then wait 4 hours and

get another one at 6:00 p.m. They wanted to be sure your heart could tolerate

the meds. I'm sure you remember the drill. More people we got to meet. They

ask if they can have a vial of blood for their research and of course my answer

is always yes, if it will help someone else.

If anyone else has an experience they want to share, this is the time and the

place.

Hands & hearts,

Lottie Duthu