Headlong into surgery

I've basically had two doctors during this process: an oncologist and a surgeon. They could not possibly be more different, personality-wise.

For instance, here are their reactions to my recent CAT scan:

ONCOLOGIST - "Absolutely spectacular. It's as if you never had cancer. It's completely eradicated. I mean, it's still there, under the surface, but we really beat the hell out of it with the radiation. Spectacular results. Spectacular!"

SURGEON - "Yeah, it's fine, I guess."

I've never been in a room with both of them at the same time, but I would imagine that it would be hilarious.

So, anyway, good news on the scans. So now we're ready for surgery, which I understand will look something like the "Do you confess?" scene near the end of Braveheart. The surgery will take place on February 4, AKA the day after the Patriots win the Superbowl. Between now and then, I have approximately 45 appointments with various doctors, and a nasty cavity session with a dentist, but we're almost at the finish line.

Well, not quite the finish line, as it seems the oncologist wants to do more chemo after I recover from the surgery. Which is just super.

Thanks, as always, for the kind thoughts and prayers. As much as it's going to suck, getting to surgery is an absolute gift from the heavens--it's the opportunity to beat this that my mom never got. I can't help but think that all of the positive thoughts from everyone out there have helped to make this happen. I am forever in your debt.