NIH on My Mind

I find myself incredibly focused on my upcoming visit to the National Institutes of Health. This Christmas break we got the last of my medical records sent out. We also sent in all our information to the travel coordinator at the NIH (they pay for the trip there and back for me and a companion). I will be "hospitalized" on campus for a week while they run a long series of exams and tests. In between scheduled appointments I will be returned to my hospital room to eat and rest, but the word is that the testing regiment is very intensive and it leaves little time for rest.

I am focused on the trip because of two things.

First, it is during this trip that I will receive my second full body PET Scan. That data will be used (in the weeks following the exam by my doctor at John Hopkins) to evaluate whether or not the treatment regiment I am on is working or not.

Second, I am hoping that as part of this series of tests I might gain some insight into why I am struggling so much with my weight. I have lots of theories but would love to add some more facts to the mix.

While I am in the hospital my father will stay at the Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge on the NIH's property (shown below).

Hardly a fun visit for him, but i am incredibly grateful that my parents are coming out east to help. I will rest better knowing my Mom is with DawnMarie and my father is with me, should anything new come up (he is always very measured and rational).

Until then I am going to try to focus on the here and now and let what will be settle itself in February. Have you ever noticed that the future can sometimes loom very large?