Here is a short summary of events to date:
- This past Thursday, Paul picked up Uncle Andy and Aunt Diane at the MSP airport and sped directly to the Mayo Building where Uncle Andy went to the admissions desk. They stopped very briefly at Cannon Falls for some vittles at Paul's favorite Scottish restaurant. Paul drove considerably faster than he normally does.
- Michele arrived on the employee shuttle and we all went up to the 17th floor (internal medicine) to try and get Uncle Andy into seeing a doctor right then(he had an appointment for next week, but he needs talented medical attention now). Unfortunately it was late in the day and no openings were available.
- We retired to our residence where Paul's parents are visiting for dinner. Paul prepared tasty chicken using an old family recipe. Paul's Dad prepared a garden salad.
- For the first time ever, the medical professionals in Michele's family got online across the country and viewed Uncle Andy's CT scans using Microsoft Technology (NetMeeting). Despite the collective efforts of the best medical minds in the family, we were unable to locate Uncle Andy's pancreas. We abandoned our own attempts at self diagnosis and placed our hopes in the Mayo Clinic. We then brushed our teeth, and prepared for bed.
- Uncle Andy & Aunt Diane spent the night in our "presidential suite" with a detached bathroom. Sammy managed to only wake them up once during the night.
- On Friday morning at 7am, Michele took Uncle Andy and Aunt Diane back to the 17th floor and literally parked themselves in front of the nurses' desk -- determined to to see a physician. A nurse they refer to as the "border collie" kept corralling staff away from Michele and Aunt Diane's persistent pleas for help.
- Eventually they got into see a physician, Dr. Elizabeth. Michele being a pharmacist at the clinic has seen some of the best physicians that the Mayo has to offer, but this one wowed the socks off of her. Dr. E took Uncle Andy in by himself to examine him. She was able to read him like a book. She said it is rare that she would admit someone directly to the hospital like this but given Uncle Andy's condition she wanted to get an ambulance and send him directly through the emergency room at St. Mary's hospital.
- In the end, Michele drove Uncle Andy and Aunt Diane to the admittance desk at St. Mary's hospital (a mile away). Uncle Andy was given a private room with a panoramic view of Caribou Coffee and the Canadian Honker.
- Aunt Liz remarked to Michele with amazement about the speed at which the Mayo Clinic moved for bringing Andy from an examination to admittance to commencement of testing. We would expect nothing less than celebrity treatment for the Godfather of our little Sammy. We realize that this was all happening as a result of Dr. E.
- Various consultants and a resident who dressed impeccably came in to begin diagnosis of Uncle Andy. One of the consultants remarked that Dr. E was one of the best physicians at the clinic. Michele, Uncle Andy, and Aunt Diane all agree.
- Uncle Andy is told he will spend the night there. The wonderful staff at St. Mary's hospital provided a cot for Aunt Diane to spend the night with Uncle Andy. They are also told that the plan is to get his blood levels proper, conduct a biopsy on Monday morning at 9am, and then meet with with the impressive Dr. E on Tuesday afternoon to review the results of the tests and biopsy...and the next step.
Sometimes it is a very good thing...
...to work for a premier medical facility...
...where members of the family can benefit from its excellent medical care...
...to work for a premier medical facility...
...where members of the family can benefit from its excellent medical care...
