Yes! This lab rat (me) is taking the show on the road. I’m
headed the Cleveland, Ohio on Sunday. If
someone were to ask me, where would you like to take a week’s vacation, most folks
would have replied, somewhere in the Caribbean, New York City in the spring, or
the beach somewhere. But NOOOO, I am going to Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland. Cleveland is the county seat of Cuyahoga
County that sits on the southern shore of Lake Erie and is only about 60 miles
from Pennsylvania. Cleveland is home to culturally diverse groups such as
Indians (baseball), Browns (football), Cavaliers (basketball) and the lesser known
Monsters (hockey), Gladiators (arena football) and the wildly popular, Crush (lingerie
football). Cleveland is a frequent stop on the food
network! An Iron Chef hails from
Cleveland and the area touts its own Little Italy. It could be love for me! Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame, Drew Carey, television show, Hot in Cleveland and upcoming superhero
movie The Avengers. Who knew
Cleveland would be so diverse and colorful??
Cleveland is also known for the world renowned
Cleveland Clinic. Cleveland Clinic is in the top 4 hospitals in the country (so
says the US News & World Report) and is ranked #1 for cardiac care 16 years
in a row. They are well known for their
complex and difficult case management and resolution…. And they haven’t even
met me yet.
The doctors in my local hospitals and clinics are very good. However, my
illness seems to have advanced beyond the available technology and experience
that is available nearby. It’s NEVER
good when a medical doctor shrugs their shoulders and says, “I don’t know how I
can help you.” We count on the doctors
to “fix” things. They went to school. They studied. They studied for years.
They have degrees. They have certifications. They have taken and hopefully
passed exams. Yet still, not every
patient fits inside the “box”. That dreaded little “box” that I have battle
with every time I visit a medical professional. It’s the “T & D Box”…
treatment and diagnosis. I don’t
fit. I have been called “contrary,” “difficult,”
“challenging,” “resistant,” “puzzling,” “perplexing”. Like
putting a cat in a bath tub – resistant?? I've always thought I was rather amenable. Apparently not! 
After much investigation, review and discussion with my
fellow “complicated” patients – we decided that Cleveland Clinic is my next
step.
Oh
well. The flight leaves on Sunday for my
next adventure. I’m heading up… Up? Up
and over? to Cleveland – alone. (Insert music from Three Dog Night “One is the
Loneliest Number”). The kids have too
much going on for us to expect a “fill in” to manage on their own. So, the hubby will attempt to jockey my care
from 700 miles away. Not an easy feat
for a guy that truly relishes ‘fixing things’ and taking care of me.
I’ll keep you posted. Stay tuned. Same Bat time. Same Bat channel. Peace! Out!
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