Hi Carol, my friend. If your surgery is on a day that I am off work, I will be more than happy to drive you there. Just keep that in mind. I'll check the boards more frequently, checking for a surgery date for you. Good luck! Love Diana

Hi Mari! I got a call from Harriet in response to an email I sent her and she decided to turn that call into my phone appointment because of the orientation the day of the scheduled appt. so I had to try to remember my questions since I had not started writing them down yet I still haven't gotten any information from her but she said it would be here soon. Would you give me the address of the place I will be having surgery? I have to plan how to get there and home by train and taxi, my family are all too busy to give me rides to and from so I will take the train to the closest station and taxi over to the hotel the night before and then taxi to the hosp. and then from the hosp. to the station on the way home and taxi home from the Tacoma train station. My husband doesn't see why I am upset. Go figure. I tried to explain why and he still doesn't understand. Anyway, I need to start planning early so I know what is going on. Just a few more days for you now... I will pray for you. Carol 314 and waiting

That is a question I would like to hear the answer to as well. Although I do not expect any of my family to come up with me because of work. I will be going up the evening before so I will need a place to stay. What are the names of the closest hotels up there? I have never been above Seattle, I am not even sure where the clinic and hospital are. Carol waiting...waiting...waiting...

I know that GHC wants more surgeons. When I talked to Harriet and said I heard that GHC has 3 surgeons she got all excited but said "I wish! If you can find another, send them our way!". They did have a 3rd a while back but the person was trained and then took off. They can't find anyone else to DO the surgery within Group Health from what I understand. I spoke with Harriet today and asked about Dr Bock. She said that he is really feeling horrible about this last bike accident and that - NO LIE - he is putting the bike up on Ebay. Apparently it's effecting him physically and emotionally that he's not there for his patients. They hope to have him back doing surgeries in September but back to work next month. I just hope he heals quickly and well! Take care, Sandy

Yes, you certainly let the cat out of the bag, didn't you? Hehe But still, it would be interesting to find out how they decide who gets what date. On the other hand, maybe we don't want to know...like maybe they schedule surgeries by which plans pay more, who knows!! At least you have a date. Harriett told me I was on the list for being invited to the August 12th orientation, but I still have not received a letter. Didn't you have your letter 2 months before the orientation? I don't know whether to schedule leave for the 12th or not. I'll just wait 'til I hear something. Happy Clam