So, I got cleared by my onocologist

for the surgery. I met with him on Friday. We didn't have much to talk about but that I will do fine. This is real surgery (as opposed to anal fissure, c-section, port, etc.???) so I will be hurting for a while. We will see what to do with the left lung after the right is done. Call him when I check in so that he knows where to find me after surgery, etc, etc, etc. I did go over the pre-surgery prep with him. Two things in particular: One, I need to have a heart doc listed. Shockingly enough, I don't have one of those. I have everything else, so I told him I was putting him down. Two, apparently I have to take two showers before surgery. One the night before and one the morning of. On the second shower I am required to wash my hair with shampoo only. No conditioner or hair products of any kind. I am also required to wash with soap and not use any body wash, lotion, cosmetics, deodorant, etc. When I read this to him, he said, "That is because some of those things are flammable." I looked at him and said, "What are they doing? Closing me up with a blow torch?!?!?!" He said, "No, but they may want to cauterize (sp) something." And I replied with, "What are they doing? Waving it around willy nilly (sp)?!?!?! You know, THIS (hand circling the front of my body) takes WAY more than soap and shampoo. My skin will be parched - I am a cancer patient and my hair....MY HAIR will look like something between the mad scientist from the Muppets and Elmo." I can't even get a hair pic through my hair without conditioner. ARE THEY KIDDING ME?!? No, apparently not, and I am required to follow directions. I said fine, but I am bringing lotion and hair products for afterward! I might even bring mascara. That should throw them for a loop. Anyway, off of my rant. As I get closer, my stomach goes sour every once in a while, I start to sweat, and I think, "I hope this is easier than they are telling me it will be." For example, the nurse told me, "Okay, so the only thing I want you to remember is that you will wake up with a chest tube coming out of your chest. It will be VERY LARGE and filled with red puss. Some people are confused by this and think they have woken up during surgery. (FABULOUS.) You haven't. You will be fine, it is just a little thing you have to be prepared for." LITTLE?! Like I was prepared for Stage Four Rectal Cancer? Radiation to my butt? Chemo? And then I exhale and say, "Just another chapter that I will be done with and then on to happier things." Okay, here is some housekeeping things....I will be at Swedish Hospital. They will allow my visitors, but remember you will be looking for Elmo - not me. However, you cannot be sick, no children, and I will be pretty drugged up, so I may not even remember you coming by therefore you may not get "credit" for doing so. hehe I am not saying don't come, but I am saying that it may be scary, so be prepared. I will try and blog, but Grant may do it for me. I will have my computer, but I am not sure I will be able to type or make any sense with all the drugs. Also, I am doing another calendar for food and such....I know, you are saying, "Will it every end????" But if you would like to be on it and do not receive the emails from Sarah, you can email her at sarah_09@comcast.net. I continue to be amazed at the never ending generiousity that is bestowed on my family. Thank you - my life is much easier with all the help - you have no idea. Happy Saturday, Ang