MD Anderson is all about teams.  And the description I got in August, and that should still be valid of my upcoming surgery in December, is pretty impressive -- 3 docs in the O.R., a cancer surgeon to remove the cancer, a pathologist to confirm it's done, and a plastic surgeon to put me back together.  I just wish that they could be as seamless about logistics.

I had a disconcerting phone call w/ my "patient advocate" in Houston today.  She seemed almost annoyed that I had called a few days ago to try and get more info about when I should make plane reservation to return to Colorado after my 12/11 surgery.  She reported that the plastic surgeon, who has control over the post-op care, agrees with the cancer surgeon that I'm likely to be in the hospital for 3 to 7 days -- except he's saying likely 7 days.  What she added, though, was new information for me, and not something the cancer surgeon's team had previously shared, or thought to share:  I should remain in the Houston area for a week after discharge to make sure that I have access to MD Anderson if there's any complications -- or if I need follow up appointments or treatments (not that they can say now that I will, or won't) -- because "our doctors don't practice medicine over the phone).

In my case, that means that I'm looking at being allowed to come home from Houston on 12/24.  Wouldn't it have been nice to let me know this previously?  Or, at least, not to have sounded so annoyed that I'd asked the question today now that it's getting to be time to make reservations?  Not that our family celebrates that holiday that occurs on 12/25, BUT even for us, it's a big cultural event.  A great day to ski (especially in the a.m.)!  From a more national perspective, it certainly affects not only ticket availability, but the cost of plane tickets. The patient advocacy part of her job seems to have broken down a little.

Meanwhile, my arm is blistering.  Mostly, though, it's just really damn hot.  I did get another couple cards today.  Plus, one of Bill's friends brought dinner, which was not only yummy, but I didn't have to cook!

Ben was so flu-ey (congested, sore throat, runny nose, low fever) that he came home after two classes today.  He slept for 4 hours.  Then, while he was announcing that he felt better, he suggested that he should go to the football game.  I, on the other hand, suggested that, if he was too sick to be at school @ 3:30 pm, he was still too sick to go to the football game at 5:30.  Call me crazy.  Or a stick in the mud. Really?!