"Have your husband come with you."

Tuesday, March 8, 2011, Fasching Dienstag
Dr. Podjahsky's nurse, Carolyn, called shortly after the early morning urine sample, and told me I was to go immediately for a CT scan at the Harmony Campus of Poudre Valley Hospital.
(Throughout the last twenty-four hours, John and I were amazed at the speed, efficiency, and kindness of everyone we worked with, compared to our experiences with medical care in the military.)

Shortly after returning home, I got another call from Carolyn, saying Dr. Podjahsky [His name is pronounced as if it were spelled Podowsky--it took me a long time to learn that) would like to see me for another appointment at 2:30 that afternoon. John had taken me to every appointment and test so far and had patiently waited while I went behind the closed doors.

This time when my name was called, I was leaving my jacket with John in the waiting room, but Carolyn said, "Have your husband come with you." I think I had a little quiver of apprehension; John later said he felt it was ominous.

Dr. Pohjahsky told us the CT scan showed cancer in the flexure (angle) of the colon, lesions on the liver, and growths in the uterus. To arrange the ultrasound, he left us alone in the room, to cry, to hold each other, and to wonder what the future held for us.
I would have an ultrasound that evening and another colonoscopy as soon as possible so that they could get a colon biopsy.

We left the doctor's office on this sunny, beautiful day, the day where so many people were having outlandish, raucous celebrations. The world for us was forever changed. The detail I remember is the chips of blue salting compound on the sidewalk outside.

At home, we talked about what we needed to do: tell our daughters, tell our siblings, and cancel several plans we had made for the months ahead. All of the phone calls fell to John: I didn't hear them, but know how difficult it was especially calling Kathleen and Megan. Erin arrived home, and she is one I could tell in person.

[I have had five colonoscopies in my lifetime; it is not something I have ignored. I had one in September, and had to have another in November, just four months ago, to try to reach an area that was uncooperative. My check-up in September showed normal liver enzymes; the same test now showed my liver was inflamed.]