ultrasound & blood tests

trudged up to memorial sloan kettering for an ultrasound at 9am today to confirm that my body is clear of cancer.

despite the blizzard, there were a fair number of people on the street and even on the subway.

the outpatient part of the hospital on 53rd and lexington didn't seem to be affected at all. there were tons of patients milling about and cars dropping people off and picking them up outside.

i have to say, just the slightest whiff of disinfectant, rubbing alcohol, latex gloves - and i instantly feel sick to my stomach - i feel like sneaking out the door quickly before anyone notices.

then, of course, like all those stupid medical procedures, the ultrasound technician, clicks and sighs and hums, but never tells you anything about what she sees or what she's looking at. when i ask her, she says, "i can't tell you anything, you'll have to wait til the doctor interprets your images."

i was briefly panicked. i don't have a follow-up appointment with my doctor til april. did that mean i wouldn't know til then? it took me three days just to get the results of my blood marker test because the doctor didn't call me back.

it turns out it's just the radiologist who interprets everything twenty minutes later (while you are lying there in agony wondering what it all really means).

YES! all clear. my body is a bit beat-up and raw from the tumor and the chemo but apart from that, everything is good! my blood marker (hcg) is 2.7 - normal!

off to drag the amazons to jumma to say, thank you.