well, everyone – my visa is expiring, I’ve spent my retirement, I’m physically exhausted, and I need a job – it’s come time for me to return home to the United States. But not before I cram in as many last-minute interviews as possible before my plane takes off in the early morning hours of May 16th.

My only regret is despite interviewing as many surgeons as I was physically able, it just wasn’t possible to meet and talk to all of the thousands (literally thousands) of surgeons here in Bogota.

For my last week, I have some great interviews lined up – going to meet with several more surgeons at Hospital Santa Clara, going to the operating room with Dr. Beltran from the National Cancer Institute and interviewing with the amazing trauma surgeon, Dr. Borraez, inventor of the ‘Bogota Bag’ aka the ‘Borraez Bag.’  I’ll be seeing Dr. Holguin, as well, from the first edition – to catch up as he now lives in Bogota part-time.

I’m still hopeful I’ll be able to slip in and see a few more surgeons – waiting to hear back now..

But I won’t be away from Colombia for too long!  I plan to be back in August, once I’ve completed the arduous task of editing the hundreds of pages of notes, and thousands of pages of additional materials – to present my book, here in Bogota, first – to all the people who have assisted me, took time out of their busy schedules to talk to an unknown nurse, and budding writer.

Even if I never sell a large amount of copies, I feel like I have accomplished a lot – I have brought some well deserved attention to some great physicians.  Many of these people do things, ever single day that would be considered extraordinary at home.  Others have invented or performed procedures that are used around the world to help others.  Others make the world, and Bogota, a better place, just by listening to their patients, giving freely of their time and caring.  That’s no small feat in today’s world of medicine, and for me, no small feat to write about.

I hope that the readers of this book are able to get a sense of the information I am trying to convey, and that it helps them with their healthcare decisions.  If I have done that, and sell ten copies – then I have succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.

Thank you to everyone following my blog, and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it!