I WANT A NEW CAR

STORY: I want a new car. I have done a tremendous amount of research and have outlined all of my requirements to come up with the car I really need. Safety is a major consideration, quality is also a consideration, value and perception are also important.

I am dealing with a broker and have signed a contract with this broker to be my exclusive agent in getting a car. This broker has many different cars and even has the ability to make a car through some of his automotive connections. But, I have decided I like the features of the Ferrari. It is a hand built automobile, the Ferrari name has years and years of research and perfection behind it. It is build in a very high tech plant with all of the most recent high tech systems. It is the best of the best! I want this car.

My broker says - "Hey that's okay - you have a contract with us but we will let you go and have your own special built Ferrari made to your specifications. We will get a small cut from the people who make the car. So, I take off for Ferrari land and spend a good deal of time and money with these people at the Ferrari Company, and the car is planned on the basis of my own particular requirements.

The Ferrari people, who have experts in every phase of the automobile business start to build the car. I am just ready to go back to the Ferrari plant to finalize some very important details regarding the engine, transmission and exterior of the car. I get a call from my broker who says; "According to our contract with you, we don't want you to go back to the Ferrari plant at this time. You see, we can supply the engine ourselves we have connections with one of the automobile plants here in the US. It may not be a hand built Ferrari engine, but it is an engine - and it will give us some extra profit. Besides, we have mechanics that are out of work here. The same thing goes for the transmission and paint. When we have completed all our work, you can go back to Ferrari and pick up your car and it will still have the Ferrari label on it - no one will know the difference.

I am heartbroken and totally stressed out. I thought I was going to get a pure Ferrari. I have confidence in these Ferrari people. I have seen too many mistakes with the local product. I am concerned about the safety aspect. I don't want to die early just because the brakes fail or some safety feature doesn't work.

I have a contract - I guess I can't do anything else. What a disturbing situation.

CAR BUYER = ME
FERRARI = MD ANDERSON
LOCAL BROKER = GUESS?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I found out today that Presbyterian is not going to approve next weeks visit to MD Anderson. I have spent the best part of the last four days pleading my case to no avail. This morning they called to tell me they can do everything that MD Anderson does locally. This is not true but I guess they think it is. The sad thing is that I called approximately 10 days ago, and after spending roughly 45 minutes on the phone was given confirmation that these charges would be covered. Obviously they have changed their mind. I spent most of today on the phone notifying MD Anderson people I would not be there and trying to arrange appointments here for the things that were supposed to be done in Houston. It was a nice gesture on the part of Presbyterian to wait until today when I am supposed to leave on Monday. After all, sick and old people have all the time in the world on their hands. That is why it is okay for you to wait more than an hour in the tiny doctor office waiting for him or her to come in. They are busy - you are not. You are just the token patient.

I know I had said I would go regardless. Perhaps I was a little careless as I didn't see any way that Presbyterian would refuse after all of this, but they did. After reviewing the tests and procedures that were going to be done, it is not worth $5,000 to $10.000 to me at this time to go to Houston.

I am too close to the finish line to quit the race. I have to take a deep breath, get my head screwed on straight and attack again.

Thanks for your prayers and support!!