. . . on Monday 22 September

A couple of nights ago I got a call from Isabel (one of The Team) asking me if I had a date for the liver resection, and I told her nobody had called me yet. She said she thought that was strange because when they had spoken to the head of surgery on my behalf the week before they were told the surgery was going to be ‘very soon’ and Isabel thought this meant it would be this coming Monday, the 15th.

All of a sudden I panicked because, although I have really enjoyed and appreciated these past chemo-free ten days, it just seemed too soon to go back into hospital. I didn’t feel ready for it. So I told Isabel that I really hoped it would be scheduled for the 22nd and she said she’d call them again and get back to me. Which she did yesterday morning and I was very relieved when she told me the date (and I wondered if she had anything to do with it). In any case, I reckon the infected wrist would have kept me from having surgery this Monday, but I am pleased to have another ten days of ‘holidays’.

Unlike last time I can prepare for this operation, both emotionally and practically. The practical stuff is obviously easier; for example I’m going to get my hair cut quite short next week so it’s less hassle, plus I’m making a list of all the things I know I’ll want and need while I’m there (about 2 weeks, I’ve been told). The emotional stuff is going to require more work, though Nog has said he’ll stay with me the first night (I’ll be ‘checking in’ the evening before the op) which will help a lot. I can imagine us still up and playing scrabble at 3 in the morning …

Any other ideas for ’emotional prep’?

I just want to know WHEN!!! Is that too much to ask?

So, part two of ‘Carry On Cancer’, as Sara likes to call it. Back in July I was told that my liver operation would be in September, because of there being not many surgeons around during summer holidays in August. In fact, I was told that the op would probably be in the first half of September and that I would be notified by telephone. And well, here it is the 2nd of September and I still have no idea when they are going to slice and dice my poor liver . . .

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And such a long one. Left home yesterday at 9.00 am and got back at 7.30 pm … all for a ten-minute chat with the oncologist and a two-and-a-half hour chemo session. Do the math – that’s a helluva lot of waiting. I’d gone prepared with a book and a Hello magazine, and Nog & I tried staying entertained by playing Fashion Police (not nearly as fun as it had been in the emergency waiting room) as well as playing Hangman and watching some Olympic events on the big tv there, but it was pretty damned tedious nonetheless. On the bright side, I didn’t have to subject myself to cafeteria food . . .

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