John and I arrived Tuesday in beautiful Rochester, Minnesota, ready to begin a week of evaluation and to prepare for John's next treatment phase. We are happily ensconced in our home away from home - the amazing Gift of Life Transplant House. All residents here are awaiting or have already received a stem cell or solid organ transplant. Their stories are all amazing. Our room is on the third floor of this 1909 house, overlooking a tree-lined street that is postcard-beautiful. Many of you have asked for the snail mail address, so here it is. Just address any mail to us, care of:
Gift of Life Transplant House - Room 64
705 Second St. S.W.
Rochester, MN 55902-2986
We are excited to see old friends here in Rochester and to once again be awed by the standard of compassion, care and expertise by all those at Mayo Clinic and Transplant House. The gorgeous sculpture pictured here is entitled "Man and Freedom" by Ivan Mestrovic; it greets all those who are fortunate enough to walk through the main lobby of the Gonda Building and is one of our favorite works of art here. Below it in the same area is a grand piano, where patients as well as accomplished musicians are invited to play. At Mayo, one is always reminded that the Mayo brothers strongly believed in the idea that art and music nurture the spirit and enhance the healing process. They worked tirelessly to take medicine to a higher level and were some of the first to practice integrative medicine before the concept even had a name.
The testing has gone very well and we are looking forward to meeting with the head of our transplant team, Dr. Gertz, on Monday. Thanks to everyone for your good wishes and special thanks to all those at home who are making it possible for us to be here. We couldn't do it without you.
Gift of Life Transplant House - Room 64
705 Second St. S.W.
Rochester, MN 55902-2986
We are excited to see old friends here in Rochester and to once again be awed by the standard of compassion, care and expertise by all those at Mayo Clinic and Transplant House. The gorgeous sculpture pictured here is entitled "Man and Freedom" by Ivan Mestrovic; it greets all those who are fortunate enough to walk through the main lobby of the Gonda Building and is one of our favorite works of art here. Below it in the same area is a grand piano, where patients as well as accomplished musicians are invited to play. At Mayo, one is always reminded that the Mayo brothers strongly believed in the idea that art and music nurture the spirit and enhance the healing process. They worked tirelessly to take medicine to a higher level and were some of the first to practice integrative medicine before the concept even had a name.
The testing has gone very well and we are looking forward to meeting with the head of our transplant team, Dr. Gertz, on Monday. Thanks to everyone for your good wishes and special thanks to all those at home who are making it possible for us to be here. We couldn't do it without you.
