CTCA

A few weeks ago, I traveled to a cancer treatment center to check out the possibility of enrolling in a clinical trial. When I researched this particular trial, there were only a couple of hospitals offering it. I spoke to the University of Pennsylvania, but soon realized that the expense of traveling, etc., would be far out of my capability to pay - flying back and forth every week, etc.

The other facility was called Cancer Treatment Centers of America. They had a location in the Chicago area that was offering the trial. Plus...they would pay my airfare every time. -- I was in.

CTCA is very unique in its approach to patient care. When you walk in the hospital, you are greeted by staff who are falling all over themselves to make sure you are pleased. The only way I could describe it was a "Disneyland" for cancer patients. Except for enjoying Disneyland with my girls as youngsters, I'm not particularly a fan of the wonderland. And, being the cynical person that I am......I instantly put up my guard. By the time I left my initial consultation to go back to the hotel, I had an assortment of free gifts, a leather notebook, a bathrobe, a souvenier lanyard, and stuffed animal. I thought to myself, "The only thing missing are my Mickey Mouse ears."

Throughout the next several days, I met with my doctors and began the process of catscans, bloodtests, etc. They suggested surgery the following Monday, which would mean staying over the weekend. So, I decided I wanted to go into downtown Chicago to visit the Art Institute. I asked the concierge about catching the train, and he replied that they would have a car pick me up and drive me to the train station, and whenever I decided to come back to the hotel, they would be at the train station waiting for me.....and indeed they did. Hmmm.....I was beginning to lower my guard. I mentioned to my doctor that my brother would be flying in for the surgery, and moments later, they had a plane ticket reserved for him. Now that was impressive.


So, as the story goes, I had my surgery and as an inpatient received the best care I've ever had (and I've had a lot). I will return to CTCA in a couple of weeks to begin my treatment. And this time, there will be no cynicism whatsoever...

Now, where did I put those Mickey Mouse ears?....