National Institute of Health Adventures - Part 1

I got so busy doing photography, I forgot to blog the big adventure. I want to share about the National Institute of Health for anyone interested in it. I have some abdominal complications that make my disease process a bit different, and I don't have a pulmonologist in my town right now (mine moved) and the nearest Lam Clinic is over 300 miles away. So free trip to the DC area sounded like the next best thing. According to Dr. Moss folks have very low risk flying, so if that is your worst fear, he made a statement that no one has had a collapse flying to NIH, which to my knowledge may be true. I normally de-sat at 10,000 feet driving in the mountains, but I did not on the plane. I know everyone of us is different though, but it's worth getting the research data pool larger, so we can help them help us. I am combining these blogs because I didn't take many lammie pictures on this trip yet. I hope that's ok. I will post this a few about the travel & clinical experience, and post another few about access to sightseeing spots.
First step, call Mary and have your med records sent it, yes it's a pain to do it one more time, but this is in exchange for professional advise from the folks researching the disease, and it's free (that doesn't happen to often for us.)  When you get scheduled (Mine took a couple of weeks once they got my records, Mary called) with a time that works for you, Mary has Omega travel contact you to arrange transport. It never fails I miss their call and have to call back. They will do lots to accommodate you as far as if you are coming alone or with family. They book much of the government travel, but they also will book for family members at some of the best rates for the time. They have access to hotel info, they also have numbers for folks who live nearby who have rooms for let for families. they have family friendly places on campus too, just make sure Mary knows what your plans are.  
So when you fly in, they can set you up to fly into one of three airports. There is a link on the NIH website that has the airports and the shuttle times. They send a shuttle for you,

The stops are clearly marked with either NIH or with a number/letter combo at Dulles. It's a hike to get around the airports, I won't lie, but I am stubborn and insisted on doing it myself, but no one has to do that, they are very accommodating to folks who just simply can't walk that far or fast. The shuttles come like every 2 hours or so, so there may be a wait. There are always taxi's waiting, but I do hear from personal experience, they can be costly. There is a major security checkpoint (government grade) coming into the campus the first time.
Another positive point about air travel is that they reimburse you the cost of your checked bag both ways, you have to go downstairs to the gated desk next to admissions to get your monies though. They can also reimburse taxi/shuttle fairs on a case by case basis, especially if their shuttles aren't running, like after hours.

Arrival, Once you have your baggage gone through with a fine tooth comb, reminded me of international travel, and get past security,  head on in to admissions. It's straight back by the big fish tank on the right. After that, they will set you up with an escort your first time to take you everywhere. It's pretty cool if you get lost easily like me or are anxious about new places. One thing for me was a wee bit of culture shock. I am originally from Southern California, so this shouldn't have happened to me, but I have been in a smaller town in Colorado for over 20 years. There are caregivers and staff from all over the world doing their education and work in this facility, add to that the variety of people coming from all over the world to visit with tourism being what it is here. I have not found many that will not simply respond to a welcome smile if you smile at them though. And several have really been so wonderful, but I digress.

Once on the unit, they don't wait long to start getting your pee. If you aren't asked if you have a chance of being pregnant at least 5 times I would not be surprised. But first things first, you must do a pregnancy test before they will do your admission chest x-ray which comes next (even if you are post hysterectomy or post menopausal). If you arrive the day before your tests, they will show you around and tell you where stuff is, then snuggle in for an adventure.

Doesn't really matter what time you get in, they call up the x-ray guy and send you down right away. Not really sure why it's so urgent, I think most of us want to make sure when didn't get a pneumo in flight, but I am sure there is a legitimate reason to start off with this, after and only after this will you get some rest...lol. I discovered this would be the same for the next visit as well. I have not had a uterus for over 7 years, but the same story either way. I am making this a series post, because I don't have all my pictures here on this computer. And I gotta get up and explore tomorrow. Hope this helps out all the newbys, and gives some memories and laughs to the seasoned professionals.

Royal Gorge - September 2011 (catch up)

Just a quick catch up so I can blog about NIH. Finishing up the trip to the Springs - Lammie & I, and our Buddy Heather went on an adventure to the Royal Gorge. I believe I heard them say it is the highest bridge in North America or something like that. They have a full blown adventure park there, worth a trip with the kids if you are taking the scenic route through Colorado sometime. Here's a bit of Lammie's pics.

 This is from our Journey to the bottom of the Gorge.

 View from the top, just about to cross the nail biting Cable tram across the Gorge

The old fashion water clock at the entrance.