Senior Citizen This Week

This Thursday, I will reach the grand old age of 55 (actual senior citizen by many companies).  For example, we can order off the Senior Citizen menu at Denny's and we qualify for the seniors drink at many Wendy's.  The reason I mention this, is I was quite concerned I would never see this birthdate!  I do feel pretty well except some annoying aging characteristics - maybe it is just cancer symptoms such as weak joints, fatigue, failing eyesight, high blood pressure, and short term memory challenges - either way I am going to count them as signs of aging now that I am officially a Senior Citizen.

We visited the Huntsman Cancer Institute this past week four times (from 7:00 am to 10:30 pm)  and have found it to be an incredibly well appointed medical facility for those with cancer.  We met a couple that is just a few years younger than we.  They come here from Delaware every six months as their physician moved here from there.   Here are the new physicians assigned to work through my case.  On the left is Dr. Adam Cohen and on the right is Dr. Howard Colman.  Dr. Colman is the lead physician but he has assigned Dr. Cohen to help bring in the new patients from IMC.  It is amazing to see how detailed his recollection was of the IMC files - not a beat seemed to be missed in the transition.

   Besides the competency level, we are surprised at the quality of the furnishings of Huntsman Cancer Institute.  This picture was taken from the 6th floor cafe, The Pointe.  You might notice the unobstructed view of downtown SLC in the background.  It is really quite impressive.  From the first picture, you will notice some serious construction to double the size of the hospital.  The first half has 50 hospital beds, the lab testing area, 5 clinics, an IV infusion area, a testing area with X-Ray, MRI, CAT Scan, other imaging testing, a surgery area and a pharmacy.  The new addition will double the size of the hospital beds to 100 and add more attractive IV infusion area and a nicer laboratory testing area.  Go up there sometime, you will be amazed at the quality of the contribution from the Huntsmans to our community.  Just go to the front door and there will be some young men ready to valet your vehicle for free.

Each waiting area has a picture puzzle to attract the attention of the patients and those waiting for them.  Interestingly, we have been doing some Eric Dowdle puzzles at our home to keep our minds active.  We have done the New York, Las Vegas and Bear Lake puzzles as we have enjoyed each area.  Here is our New York City puzzle - besides Manhattan, Brooklyn is connected by the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan and then by the Verrazano Bridge at the top of the map to Staten Island. 

We still need to get the 500 piece puzzles of Washington DC, Chicago, SLC and something from Los Angeles to get all of the places that have importance to us.  We intend to frame each puzzle and enjoy them in our home - just as there is a 32,000 piece puzzle framed up at Huntsman.  The puzzle was given to one of the grandson's of Jon Huntsman as a joke that he would never get it completed.  It took him 6 months to get it ready for framing and hanging on the third floor.  I will try to get a picture of it later.