As we get ready for the New Year, it is a great time to reflect and remember all of the things we should be thankful for. As I look back at the last year, I have many things to be grateful for. My family, my health, my job with the hospital, the community I live in, and the Cancer Center. So much to be thankful for. Living here in Abingdon has made me appreciate the smaller things in life that are so important.

Our new Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Bernie Tisdale, has been happily house hunting and is looking forward to moving to the area and enjoying Southwest Virginia. He will be arriving here February 1st and will start seeing patients as soon as possible. We are currently looking for temporary space for him to set up shop until the Cancer Center opens so he can go ahead and start seeing patients.

Discussions continue to be held with the local medical oncology groups as we move forward to help ensure Medical Oncology coverage in the Cancer Center. JMH is committed to supporting the medical oncologists that have provided care to our patients throughout these years.

Construction on the center is progressing rapidly on a daily basis. Every day that I visit, something new has been added. I actually went up on the second floor last week after the stairs were attached. What a great view. Bricks are being laid on the outside of the building. Inside walls are being constructed so you can now walk around and get a feel of how things will flow in the building. I have attached a picture of what the brick color scheme will look like.

It was amazing to watch the installation of our linear accelerator door which weighs 16 tons. Other than the basic frame, it was constructed piece by piece out of lead bricks and remarkably it can still be moved with the touch of a finger.

Partial paving has been done up to the site and around the building. It is so nice not to have to wash my car and my clothes every time I visit the site. I did not know that asphalt companies closed down for the winter so we will have to wait for a few months before the road and our parking areas can be completed. This is one of the many things I have learned as I have gone through this building process.

If reading my blog triggers a comment or a question, or if you just want to say hello, please post a comment to me. I really want to hear what the community thinks about the Cancer Center and I want to make sure that you are kept informed with our progress and what is happening in our never ending fight against cancer.