Mermaid tattoos

• Colonoscopy at the hospital with Dr. G

Only a week removed from my hospital stay and my diagnosis, during this trip to the hospital I find it a little hard to control my emotions. In the prep area, I'm lined up next to 5-10 other people all getting ready for the same good time. I hear nurses and doctors asking all the same questions as they pop in and out of various curtains. And goodness, the woman next to me is really craving pancakes. Having been separated from Hector and the waiting room for at least 30 minutes or so, I can't stop my tears. The nurse asks if I'd like to have Hector come back and sit with me. Um, YES please.

Eventually it's my turn and I'm rolled down to a small room where Dr. G is waiting for me. She tells me again about the process and how she'll tattoo with a mermaid any tumor that she finds, so that we'll be able to track it after I get started with my chemo. The mermaid by the way, turns out to be a little white lie! She asks me if everybody loves Hector as much as she does, and I agree. As they start the drug to put me under, she says "dream of Brad Pitt!" to which I respond "I'll dream of Hector!" and a second later I'm out.

The paper with the results (pictures!) is hard to look at but not unexpected. There is a tumor in my colon. Considering the major surgery that I just had... last week... removing the tumor isn't the right option for me right now. Instead I will meet with Dr. R and discuss starting chemo as soon as my body is recovered.