I got a call today while eating lunch with several of my friends and since it was from the exchange of the cancer clinic, I took it hoping the background noise and conversation would permit me to hear properly.

The Cancer Center was calling and a spot opened up for an earlier surgery with my chosen colorectal surgeon next Wednesday, September 29, 2021. I told them I would take the opening, and all my lead-up appointments were very quickly rescheduled so that now I had a Pre-Admission Testing workup appointment the next afternoon, and a COVID test scheduled for Monday September 27.

I was very happy to have the date moved up, as I had developed a sort of hatred of my cancer tumors and wanted them out as soon as possible. 

It was nice having lunch with my friends, who range in age from their 20s to their 80s. They were very supportive in listening to me and offering encouragement and advice from their various points on life’s journey. I left the lunch feeling very hopeful and positive about the upcoming surgery, but there were so many details to get put in place just in case the worst should happen. I went back to work and cleaned my office workspace, sorting through papers that needed to be thrown away, and bringing home a box of some of my less important, junky personal effects.  It’s weird to look at your desk and be thinking of the person who might end up having to put all the rest of your effects in a box if you died.

A cheerful thought ain’t it?