Being a sardine is NOT for me! I don't know how these people travel everyday back and forth to work - in rush hour!!!
Paul and I went to MSKCC on Friday. We left here at 8:30 am and it was a breeze getting to Secaucus train station and to NYC - a 10 minute train ride. The train station is beautiful! Looks like the airport! We had valet parking - no extra cost...just a lot closer to the terminal. It was so nice going in...not rushing...no being crushed! Even riding the subway was enjoyable. We arrived about 45 minutes ahead of time and they took me right in for the MRI. Then down to the 3rd floor to meet with the doctor. I/we waited for about 2 hours in the waiting room then about 1 hour in his office! During that time I asked if I could do the pre-admission tests but I was scheduled for 4 pm!!!! Here my MRI was scheduled for 11:30....I was totally exhausted - just from waiting!!! Paul went out for a bite to eat while I waited for my pre-admission tests. When we were all done - it was 5 pm!!! Rush hour!!! Paul had to get home because he and Bre were going to a concert which began at 7 pm....I would have waited in the city for another hour if we didn't have to get back to Jersey. I am definitely a country girl! I held onto Paul's arm and when I wasn't able to grab his arm I held onto his backpack....We ran down steps to get the subway to find ALL these people there!!!! OMG!!! And that was only the beginning of the crowds....When we finally got onto the NJ Transit - stuffed like sardines - the train didn't move for at least 1/2 hour! (for a 10 minute ride). I dropped Paul off at Bre's and I didn't get home until 7:30!!!
When we met with the surgeon he said that one of the tumors seems to have grown...but he doesn't read MRI's and still has to meet with the radiologist (or whatever they are called) to make sure he's seeing what is actually there. To make a long story short...because of all the chemo that I had, my liver may not be as healthy as it should be. He won't know 'the condition' until I'm open....so, if it's healthy - he may take out 50%...if not, he will 'burn' the tumor and only take the 20%. Burning it doesn't necessarily mean I will be disease free - burning doesn't kill the cancer. Now we just have to pray that my liver is healthy enough to 'take it all out'!!!! To be disease free! I will be in the hospital for 5 to 6 days. I can't eat anything heavy - just liquids on Tuesday and I won't eat a 'real' meal for at least 3 days after the surgery.
This is so scary! With feeling so good (being in denial that I am sick)....and hearing what the surgeon is saying....I AM really sick! but I feel so good! These next few days are going to be the most stressful days....just worrying....I am putting this in God's hands which does make me feel a little better...until I 'start thinking' about it again.
I know when you go on vacation - time just flies by....I hoping this stay in the hospital is just like that...that the days go so quickly that this will all be a memory by the end of the month.
I won't have access to a computer so I am hoping that Samantha will email you all to let you know what is going on.
Once I'm home...I'm sure I will have alot to say about my stay in NYC!!!
