Liver Surgery ~ FINALLY!

So much has happened. After arguing with my HMO for the past week about why I should have the surgery in Minnesota, they finally agreed. I had tons of help from my mom, sister, and aunts. We bombarded the HMO office in Hawaii everyday with letters and calls. The HMO isn't that bad, now that they agreed. But I am definitely changing to a PPO the first chance I get. I had surgery to resect part of the liver and tumor on the 20th. I remember waking up and seeing Dr. Zarroug, Dr. Que's assistant surgeon. He looks like he's only 18 years old. I told him I didn't want to know anything until my family arrived and he kept talking. He said everything went well but I refuse to believe him until I read that pathology report. My nurse's name is Mackenzie. She's originally from Iowa and she is very cool. I can see the snow from the window outside in the hall. That's one thing I look forward to when I go for my daily exercise. I stand there watching the snow fall. I've been renting videos (they have a video library in my ward) and watching the Winter Olympics all day. I miss watching Friends. Speaking of friends, I am so grateful for all the well wishes I've received from my family and friends.

LAND OF 10,000 LAKES

Arrived in St. Paul, Minnesota yesterday. My entire family (Mom, Dad and Jen) is here. We drove 1 and 1/2 hours southeast to Rochester. Rochester should be called Mayo Clinic City! The hotel where we are staying is conveniently connected to the hospital, not to mention a mini mall and restaurants. There are amazing subways and skyways so you never have to leave the building. Reminds me of the Jetsons. Today I spent the entire day being poked, prodded and scanned. My veins keep rolling and the nurses don't believe me the first time that they need to use a butterfly needle. The hospital gowns here have three holes for your arms so it wraps around completely. I must say it's very efficient. It's like an assembly line when it comes to drawing blood. The waiting rooms are huge and the wait is minimal. You're given an itinerary like on a cruise ship. So each department is expecting you as you arrive. My oncologist is Dr. Bible. I like him. In his office is a life size replica of a pancreas. It's covered with tumors so you know what it looks like when the damn tumor is seeded in there. That is exactly what we need to see when we go talk to our oncologist. I am so visual that I cringe and cry. I learned all sorts of new terms from him. The one that I most remember is what he calls "guarded optimism." He says I should keep this type of attitude when dealing with this ACC. If I want, I can choose to have the surgery here. And yes he also said that it needs to come out. I still keep hoping this is all a dream. He recommended I meet with Dr. Que, a skilled liver surgeon. My mom's sister who lives in Wisconsin will be driving to be with us. My aunts (Tita Leni + Tita Meds), uncle (Tito Jdy) and cousin (Ate Ria) that live in Indiana will be coming too! It will be a mini-family reunion. I heard they're bringing rice and fish and all that good stuff. I can't wait to see them.

ALOHA OE

My sister, Jen, is now here from California. She is an angel. I had mentioned that I couldn’t sleep at night and she took time off from work to give me support. While I'm at work she does research at the library. She's a great cook but we've been eating out every day. We are leaving soon for California where I will be having surgery. Friends at work took me out for my last supper at Auntie Pasto's, really ono Italian. I wonder how soon it will be until I can return to work. A hui hou (until we meet again).