For most of yesterday, I didn't think I was going to be able to have my appointment with the oncologist here after all the hair pulling and phone conversations. I got a call at 8 am from the scheduling secretary telling me that they didn't have any of my records from either Illinois or Connecticut. Arrrrgh!
I got out my list of times and days I had contacted both them and the other places, whom I had spoken with, what people told me. The woman was brand new in her job. When I read through the litany of what had already transpired, she was aghast. She couldn't believe there were no records there after all that.
So she took the information *again* about sending a fax to Yale and told me she would call them right away. If they couldn't get the records from them that day though, they would have to reschedule me. Sigh. There is nothing I can do about this, so I just left it in the Lord's hands and went to work. First a couple of hours at the church setting up this week's music. Then to the Library Grand Opening ribbon cutting followed by a celebration luncheon of wonderful treats.
When I was finally able to think about other things, I tried to call the clinic and see if they had made any progress. I couldn't get through. All lines were busy. About this time, my prayer sounded like, "OK, Lord, this is silly. It would be a whole lot simpler if you would just touch me and make me well and I could stop all this tail chasing and get down to the really important thing." Smile. So I began plowing through the morning email to take care of what I could before starting my evening shift on the reference desk (I have the 5pm to 9pm Monday shift).
Just as I was going on desk, my cell phone rang. It was the secretary at the clinic. They had managed just at that moment to get my Connecticut paperwork, so I could keep my appointment.
Thank goodness! I found the place OK despite not having gotten their pack of information. It was easy to park and quick to get there. I was surprised at how few people were in line to check in. Most of the places I have been have had lines to check in, and lots of people sitting around waiting to be called back.
I had barely finished the paperwork when the called me back to get vitals. Normally you get moved to a second waiting area after that piece, but this place put me right in the room. "The doctor will be in directly," the receptionist told me. Yeah, right. They say that, and then its an hour wait.
But lo and behold, the doctor came in less than ten minutes. Wow! She was extremely personable and paid attention to what I told her. She took down the information, and I believed her when she said she would make sure I didn't get any IVP dye to which I am highly allergic (the Dr at Yale had to be told that every single time I saw him).
She sized up the situation, did a preliminary check and manual exam, ordered bloodwork, a PET scan, an MRI, and a colonoscopy within minutes of our conversation. She stepped out of the room for a minute to check doctor schedules to see who might be the best person to do the gastro parts and the gnye parts, and it really was just a few minutes instead of the half hour I had gotten used to at Yale.
She immediately gained my confidence. And gave me the low down on the various phone numbers I have been calling. I now am "connected" - which means if there should be any sort of incident or event needing attention or at least a question needing to be answered, I can call the right place and get the help I need.
Her take on what she was seeing on the tests? She wasn't sure if there was a reason for concern, but told me that sometimes in a new place with different equipment, you can get a better reading. Since I have been clear for over 2 years, she was more inclined to think that the problems I am having are not part of a new occurrence of cancer, but entirely the results of the treatments and surgeries I have already had, which the other doctor had only mentioned in passing as an "O, BTW, this is also something we have to address before we can deal with more cancer".
I did find out as I was talking with the check out receptionist (who helped to schedule the tests, and who told me that the dates are tentative waiting for the insurance AOK) that my doctor usually see patients only on Fridays, and that there were 2 doctors on vacation, otherwise there would have been more patients in the corridors.
Well, I felt better about things. I have some tests and things to take care of, but we are underway at long last. And I think I have good people caring for me. But I still have to contact Illinois and work on getting those records here! Do I hear a hearty amen for a national database of health care information?
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Ribbon Cutting
Today we officially celebrated the generous gift of our new library building with a ribbon cutting ceremony. B Thomas Golisano, after whom the building is named, donated $5 million dollars - a goodly portion of the $11.5 million dollar campaign to raise this edifice.
Mr. Golisano founded Paychex, a local company. Their website reads as follows:
"Paychex, Inc. is a recognized leader in the payroll and human resource industry, serving approximately 561,000 businesses nationwide. With president and chief executive officer Jonathan J. Judge at the helm, the Paychex commitment to customers remains as strong today as it was when the company was founded by B. Thomas Golisano in 1971."
http://www.paychex.com/company/aboutus.aspx (9/10/2007).
Mr. Golisano was obviously touched by the outpouring of thanks, and mentioned that without his many employees his gift would not have been possible.
We began with a short chapel service where the students were offered the opportunity to express their thanks. They did so by filling the chapel to capacity and applauding, granting a standing ovation to Mr. Golisano's remarks.
The college chaplain, Tom Kilburn opened with a call to worship.
The Chorale sang a Hanson piece titled "Song of Thanksgiving" under the direction of our new choral director, Stephen Caracciolo (nicely performed a cappella piece fresh out of the starting gate!).
President Martin welcomed everyone and told a bit about the process and the people involved.
Mr. Golisano responded, then, after a Prayer of Thanksgiving by President Martin, we all filed out of the cultural life center to the front of the library where chairs and an awning had been set up, and a long red ribbon blocked the entrance stairs.
For the Grand Opening Celebration, President Martin welcomed additional honored guests and donors including a number of area politicians. The press was there with cameras - I am sure we will make the evening news - and the local paper, the Democrat and Chronicle, ran a whole insert dedicated to the new facility.
Other brief speakers included the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Student Association President ( who presented Mr. Golisano with a life time pass for free coffee at the Cafe), a Monroe County Executive, the Provost of RWC and the Vice President for Advancement. Mr. Golisano addressed the group with generous comments and a few jokes.
Then the platform party stepped up to the ribbon and held on while Mr. Golisano cut it. Applause was long and heartfelt. Attendees streamed into the building for a look see. We had set up powerpoints in digital frames so people could wander through the place and be aware of all the great features. There were also guided tours. Most were interested in the LEED aspect (Leadership in Energy and Engineering Design) where we use the geothermal heating and cooling (still working a few bugs out of that), the lights that dim in daylight and brighten at night, use of natural lighting, all those conservation features that monitor environmental impact.
Overall though, the reaction upon entering was a jow dropping "Wow!" and I heartily amen that. Even though I know about all the little glitches and quirks, I love this building. Its comfortable. Students feel at home in it and make it their own. Best of all is the openness. You can find what you want and things are laid out well with plenty of space.
I suppose that's true of all new buildings, and after time, they get crammed with more than they should, they age, they sag. But its wonderful to live in a good one for once and be able to really help people connect with their research needs.
Mr. Golisano founded Paychex, a local company. Their website reads as follows:
"Paychex, Inc. is a recognized leader in the payroll and human resource industry, serving approximately 561,000 businesses nationwide. With president and chief executive officer Jonathan J. Judge at the helm, the Paychex commitment to customers remains as strong today as it was when the company was founded by B. Thomas Golisano in 1971."
http://www.paychex.com/company/aboutus.aspx (9/10/2007).
Mr. Golisano was obviously touched by the outpouring of thanks, and mentioned that without his many employees his gift would not have been possible.
We began with a short chapel service where the students were offered the opportunity to express their thanks. They did so by filling the chapel to capacity and applauding, granting a standing ovation to Mr. Golisano's remarks.
The college chaplain, Tom Kilburn opened with a call to worship.
The Chorale sang a Hanson piece titled "Song of Thanksgiving" under the direction of our new choral director, Stephen Caracciolo (nicely performed a cappella piece fresh out of the starting gate!).
President Martin welcomed everyone and told a bit about the process and the people involved.
Mr. Golisano responded, then, after a Prayer of Thanksgiving by President Martin, we all filed out of the cultural life center to the front of the library where chairs and an awning had been set up, and a long red ribbon blocked the entrance stairs.
For the Grand Opening Celebration, President Martin welcomed additional honored guests and donors including a number of area politicians. The press was there with cameras - I am sure we will make the evening news - and the local paper, the Democrat and Chronicle, ran a whole insert dedicated to the new facility.
Other brief speakers included the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Student Association President ( who presented Mr. Golisano with a life time pass for free coffee at the Cafe), a Monroe County Executive, the Provost of RWC and the Vice President for Advancement. Mr. Golisano addressed the group with generous comments and a few jokes.
Then the platform party stepped up to the ribbon and held on while Mr. Golisano cut it. Applause was long and heartfelt. Attendees streamed into the building for a look see. We had set up powerpoints in digital frames so people could wander through the place and be aware of all the great features. There were also guided tours. Most were interested in the LEED aspect (Leadership in Energy and Engineering Design) where we use the geothermal heating and cooling (still working a few bugs out of that), the lights that dim in daylight and brighten at night, use of natural lighting, all those conservation features that monitor environmental impact.
Overall though, the reaction upon entering was a jow dropping "Wow!" and I heartily amen that. Even though I know about all the little glitches and quirks, I love this building. Its comfortable. Students feel at home in it and make it their own. Best of all is the openness. You can find what you want and things are laid out well with plenty of space.
I suppose that's true of all new buildings, and after time, they get crammed with more than they should, they age, they sag. But its wonderful to live in a good one for once and be able to really help people connect with their research needs.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Schubert afternoon
The Arts & Cultural Council of Rochester sponsors the Gateway Music Festival, encouraging and developing classical music featuring African-American musicians from all over the United States in solo recitals, chamber music concerts, and symphonic endeavors. This afternoon, Roberts Wesleyan hosted a chamber concert at the Cultural Life Center - a performance of Shubertian musics presented by Paul Badura-Skoda at the piano for the first half, and joined by various African-American string players for the second.
Pity the concert hall was barely half filled. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, this concert, which was free to all comers, was a treat. Badura-Skoda, an Austrian pianist (whose list of conductors for whom he has played reads like a Who's Who of famous musicians), may be 80, but his proficiency still far surpasses what Rochesterians are accustomed to.
He began the program with several little Schubert waltzes, delightful light fare, the last of which was particularly charming. Smiling, nodding to the audience, his fingers tripped over the keys with accustomed familiarity, floating the dancing phrases out above our heads with joy.
Then he presented Schubert's Piano Impromptu Opus 142 No. 1 in f minor. If a bit slow, I could clearly hear Schubert, feel his soul despite the piano's wont to overplay the bass and underplay the trebles. It was as if Badura-Skoda threw each phrase a gasping, gutted fish onto the stage where we barely had a chance to digest it before he threw the next one out, stopping sometimes for us to catch up, watching us wrestle with the slippery slimy mass.
Our society has so much to absorb, so much to explore, to digest, that we have become either a vast lake a quarter inch deep, or a mile deep hole one inch wide. We haven't the wherewithal to assess our musical encounters well.
Whether Badura-Skoda is at his peak or not, one cannot help but realize his expertise, his grasp of so much music, playing from memory, moving stiff fingers in rutted patterns with ease. One needn't be a musical genius to recognize his mastery of piano. His musicianship showed best in Schubert's chamber piece the Trout.
From my vantage point, I could watch his hands. Sometimes they hovered delicately over the keys, like a hummingbird darting in for sweet nectar. Sometimes they crawled tarantulan like deep into the valleys between the black mountains. At one point his hands were traveling in opposite directions rapidly, and it looked like he was stripping the peel from an orange, laying bare the succulent fruit for our ears. Sometimes his fingers worked like pistons, pumping the sound out of an oil rig. During one long trill, his hands vibrated like a cell phone. It was artistry to watch, punctuated by aural delights.
Despite the paper rustling, coughing, squeaky chair, velcro ripping, heavy breathing, head nodding, snorting distractions of the audience, the music was refreshing. And yet. As accomplished as he is, as well known, as experienced, I got the sense he was not giving us of himself. For a musician noted for his passion, I did not get a glimpse of his own soul.
Don't get me wrong, the notes were all there (and there were a lot of them), the phrasing enticing, his connection with the other performers faultless, the music was good. I enjoyed it. But it was a surface skimmer. I glided gently along without being made aware of the world beneath the surface that I know exists.
Granted I would a whole lot rather hear good music than badly performed music. But it was just music. I want more. I want that magical in the moment breath holding riveting spell binding suspension of time nowness that rarely ever happens in performance. I know it exists because I have on a few occasions experienced that.
So I remain happy for today's music. And unsatisfied. But eternally hopeful that I will encounter what I seek again, likely when I am least expecting it. And I will hold my breath while breathing. And *then* I will be happy to stand in recognition not of a job well done, but of an unforgettable open sharing of life.
Pity the concert hall was barely half filled. On a rainy Sunday afternoon, this concert, which was free to all comers, was a treat. Badura-Skoda, an Austrian pianist (whose list of conductors for whom he has played reads like a Who's Who of famous musicians), may be 80, but his proficiency still far surpasses what Rochesterians are accustomed to.
He began the program with several little Schubert waltzes, delightful light fare, the last of which was particularly charming. Smiling, nodding to the audience, his fingers tripped over the keys with accustomed familiarity, floating the dancing phrases out above our heads with joy.
Then he presented Schubert's Piano Impromptu Opus 142 No. 1 in f minor. If a bit slow, I could clearly hear Schubert, feel his soul despite the piano's wont to overplay the bass and underplay the trebles. It was as if Badura-Skoda threw each phrase a gasping, gutted fish onto the stage where we barely had a chance to digest it before he threw the next one out, stopping sometimes for us to catch up, watching us wrestle with the slippery slimy mass.
Our society has so much to absorb, so much to explore, to digest, that we have become either a vast lake a quarter inch deep, or a mile deep hole one inch wide. We haven't the wherewithal to assess our musical encounters well.
Whether Badura-Skoda is at his peak or not, one cannot help but realize his expertise, his grasp of so much music, playing from memory, moving stiff fingers in rutted patterns with ease. One needn't be a musical genius to recognize his mastery of piano. His musicianship showed best in Schubert's chamber piece the Trout.
From my vantage point, I could watch his hands. Sometimes they hovered delicately over the keys, like a hummingbird darting in for sweet nectar. Sometimes they crawled tarantulan like deep into the valleys between the black mountains. At one point his hands were traveling in opposite directions rapidly, and it looked like he was stripping the peel from an orange, laying bare the succulent fruit for our ears. Sometimes his fingers worked like pistons, pumping the sound out of an oil rig. During one long trill, his hands vibrated like a cell phone. It was artistry to watch, punctuated by aural delights.
Despite the paper rustling, coughing, squeaky chair, velcro ripping, heavy breathing, head nodding, snorting distractions of the audience, the music was refreshing. And yet. As accomplished as he is, as well known, as experienced, I got the sense he was not giving us of himself. For a musician noted for his passion, I did not get a glimpse of his own soul.
Don't get me wrong, the notes were all there (and there were a lot of them), the phrasing enticing, his connection with the other performers faultless, the music was good. I enjoyed it. But it was a surface skimmer. I glided gently along without being made aware of the world beneath the surface that I know exists.
Granted I would a whole lot rather hear good music than badly performed music. But it was just music. I want more. I want that magical in the moment breath holding riveting spell binding suspension of time nowness that rarely ever happens in performance. I know it exists because I have on a few occasions experienced that.
So I remain happy for today's music. And unsatisfied. But eternally hopeful that I will encounter what I seek again, likely when I am least expecting it. And I will hold my breath while breathing. And *then* I will be happy to stand in recognition not of a job well done, but of an unforgettable open sharing of life.
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