Wasn't Dante mistaken? Isn't that first circle of hell reserved for PC Applicants awaiting their invitation? Talk about limbo! After seven months of extremely patient behavior, these last few weeks are clearly different and very difficult for me. It's not fun being within four to six weeks of the invitation deadline. As Tom Petty says, "the waiting is the hardest part."

Everything, and I do mean everything that the PC has described as a deadline or time frame has occurred ahead of schedule. So I truly expected that the invitation would also occur ahead of schedule . . . and it still might, right?

It's all a test, and I know that. If we applicants cannot wait patiently for an invitation and endure the lengthy application process, then we're certainly not appropriate for PC service. Still . . . .

For those of you who are just beginning the process, my experience was that the OMS was wildly helpful and prompt. In fact, on the very few occasions when I called my RN, he immediately pulled my file and gave me tips and updates. The med clearance was painless in its efficiency. So just know that once you get your paperwork prepared correctly, the OMS is wonderfully quick.