It was a heart breaking decision because I truly believe MD Anderson is the best hospital in the world. I am admittedly biased about that as I worked and trained there. But in the end, the distance was just too great. It took me nine hours to return home last week, and I can not imagine that trip after such a large operation.

I also had to consider several other things..if I have a complication, my local hospital could only stabilize me and ship me back..MD Anderson was just too far away for that to be practical for what I am facing. I also stand a significant risk of dying from the surgery (which makes going through it more difficult because I finally feel normal again after months of chemotherapy and radiation). Most of my family would not be able to be there if I underwent the procedure in Houston -my wife would be without the support of her and my elderly parents, and our kids would be unable to be present. My wife's sister lives inTampa, so she will have all the support she needs.

I will be undergoing the procedure at 7 am next Friday, April 27th. If everything goes well I will be in the ICU for several days, hospital for several weeks, then will start the long transition to recovery and what many say is the "new reality".

I have done everything humanly possible to prepare for this - nutrition, exercise, amino acid supplements, cardiac and pulmonary work ups etc.

For those of you who pray, I would appreciate any help with the no humanely possible things to prepa for this..and for those of you who do not pray...well, I am convinced God hears "positive thoughts" too.