I’m in Houston with my long-time BFF, Nina. The purpose of the trip is to get a second opinion on Nina’s cancer at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She’s had Multiple Myeloma for about a year-and-a-half, and although her “numbers” are pretty good, she’s having difficulties with some of the new medications they’ve put her on.

We spent yesterday at the cancer center doing tests and talking to the doctors. We left the center feeling optimistic and elated. No — we don’t have any new information about her disease yet. But the entire staff at Anderson, from the shuttle bus drivers to the doctors, is terrific. Friendly, helpful, caring, funny, polite, loving.

I can say the same about The Hilton Houston Plaza/Medical Center staff. And the guests, too. Most are here for the same reason we are. Every guest I talk to is friendly — ready to share a smile, a laugh, a story.

Today will be a quiet day. Nina has to do a 24-hour-you-know-what-collection. So I will venture out for some supplies: oat milk creamer, fruit, wine for me, plus goodies for both of us. Then I’ll catch up on work, watch a movie with Nina and try the yoga app on my phone that has been gathering “techie-dust” for a while.

Usually, when I travel, I have a long list of restaurants and historical sites to check out. But this is a business trip. And the business we are in is to beat cancer.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a comprehensive cancer center in Houston, Texas. It is the largest cancer center in the U.S. and one of the country’s original three comprehensive cancer centers. It is both a degree-granting academic institution and a cancer treatment and research center located at the Texas Medical Center in Houston. It is affiliated with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. According to Newsweek, MD Anderson Cancer Center is considered the best hospital in the world for oncology and related cancer treatment. — Wikipedia