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5/29/06

I had a PET scan on May 26. In a PET scan they inject radioactive glucose (sugar water) into your blood stream, and trace where it is consumed abnormally. The cancer cells start feeding frantically when they detect the sugar. I imagine it is like sea anemones stretching their tentacles when plankton come by.

Even though the result of the PET scan is critical for determining the stage of the cancer, the test itself is easy, except that you cannot move your body during the examination. I am used to not moving my body from Zen sitting, so I decided to use my meditation technique; count your breathing one to ten, then repeat it, and repeat it…

I could not believe myself, but I fell asleep in the middle of the examination, exactly in the fashion that I fail during the evening sitting, when you are too tired. Anyhow thanks to dozing, I came out of the examination quite peacefully.

On May 27, Mark and I woke up early and drove off to Maine cottage. Our friends, two couples, invited us for dinner on Friday, but we changed the plan to get together at our cottage in Maine. The weather was perfect, and the view of the sound from the deck was peaceful and quiet. We spent time together only for about a day, but it felt like a lot longer, our sense resonating with the birds, breeze, glittering of the light on the ocean, and the sky full of stars.

On Saturday my oncologist called me. I called in for getting the second opinion at Brigham’s and Women’s Hospital as well as Dana Faber on Friday. He apologized that he could not call me on the same day. I was delighted that he called me on my cell on the long weekend. He said he would discuss the PET scan result on Tuesday, after his usual office hours, and that he would arrange the second opinion on Tuesday. I am grateful for his conscientious work.

At the home front, however, a huge mess was waiting for us when we came back from Maine. Our oldest son has been cleaning up the apartment that he lived in during his senior year. Whole sea of furniture, kitchen gadgets, food, dirty clothes; an indescribable mess was in our kitchen and dining room!!

He is leaving for Europe for 17 days with his high school friends today (leaving the mess behind). I hope that he and his friends have good weather and a wonderful experience.