That Was A Little More Than I Bargained For

I made it to the "consult" with the surgeon today. He's a very nice man. From South Africa... Anglican, goes to the Cathedral downtown... we have Anglican friends in common...

Now, I don't usually quiz my Doctors on their religious persuasions, but he was trying to put me at my ease and get to know me a bit, and started asking what I did, then what my husband did, and which church it was... and what my children were doing, and which of them did I think would follow their father's footsteps into ministry... and I thought- guys who don't have a clue don't ask questions like this... so I said, "And what about you?"

So... I feel quite sure I'm in very good hands. His and God's together.

However... I wasn't quite prepared for the "needle biopsy" he did.

Why did my Doctor send me to see him? What had she said he would likely do?

That answered, he said he would like to do the Needle Biopsy first. That would immediately rule out cancerous cells (or not, I suppose). When he said the "N" word I asked if I could go get my husband to hold my hand.

So... if his fingers look a little crooked this afternoon... you know why.

Once again the deep breathing from College's voice lessons saves the day.

My neck and throat hurt like crazy, but I didn't move.

He'll probably remove the "nodule" regardless of the biopsy result, as he said it's actually quite large. This would explain why I sometimes have to concentrate to swallow, and why I sometimes feel a little choked. (wedding woes aside!) But I guess if it's just a benign lump then I could wait until the heat dies down, after Easter, to worry about losing it.

Still, "needle biopsy" sounds significant enough to warrant playing a computer game while I wait for the results. I had the impression he was going to phone me with them as soon as they were done this afternoon.

I wonder if the Ibuprofen will do the trick, or if that gland is just going to be angry all afternoon... and I should definitely leave the little bandaid on my neck where the needle went in... twice... yeah, that's it... play the sympathy card... see which boy offers to make supper or do the dishes....