We went up to Tampa Sunday night, stayed at a Marriott residential hotel. Had a fancy dinner at Stonewood Grill, food was excellent. Room was designed for daily living, with refrigerator, microwave, stove (no oven), large TV on a swivel with all channels. Moffitt patients get a discount.

Minute details of my day follow. I thought these might be useful for some. They are not really squeamish, but I think they are very informative and some might find them useful. You can switch away now if you like (sound of guys switching here …)

Got to Moffitt facility at 7 a.m. First procedure: They poke around with ultra sound probe to locate the chip (inserted during the Cape Coral needle biopsy), and the lymph node. Then they numb breast and inject iodine 123 (radioactive) into lymph node. They also insert wire into the tumor, cap the entry point and leave it there so it can be used as a conduit for later radiation if I don’t get the one-shot. Worst part, my left arm draped over forehead got numb. Can I move it? From elbow up, but not down. Technician and radiology doctor focusing intensely on what they see. No time for wise cracks. I made some anyway.

Step 2. (I am cold; instantly they provide thick robe to go over gown). In another room they take several 6-minute pictures of lymph node to see where the iodine has gone. They do this with a gamma machine. “Don't move.” I free-associate. Technician and doctor examine and discuss film at length.

Back to surgical floor waiting room with Ed and wait for the call. I strip, get booties and special gown with foam liner and two entry ports, plus two heavy sheets (they call them blankets ha ha ha) because I get hypothermic. A heating tube was inserted into low placed port in the gown, the other higher placed port got another tube for warmth during surgery. I get to control setting while waiting.

Dr Laronga (head of breast unit) comes in. She is super, explains everything in amazing detail, including what she will be doing while tissue is analyzed, says she'll talk with Ed when she's done. Told him not to worry, she would find him if he is not in waiting room by calling his cell. I told her we'd have to stop meeting like this.

Final Step: I get knock-out zap in IV tube that was getting saline. (Very sneaky – didn’t see it coming.) Had inter-tracheal anesthesia (possibly because I have chronic nasal congestion) so throat is a little sore.

Ten minutes later, wake up, all done. How time flies when you are having fun. Actual time, 2 hours 45 minutes. Lengthy time in O.R. means the machine said I was a “go” for the one-time dose of radiation. Oh boy. Wire is removed--won't be needing it. Dr. Laronga said she had no trouble inserting radiation ball, no special positioning needed, no cutting and lifting of a skin flap to go in another way, perfect insertion. We go back in two weeks for a look-see. Because I had densities in right breast, so far deemed benign, we go back in three months for a follow on that. Left breast gets 6-month follow.

The machine used for the one-time zap is one of only about four, maybe five, in the entire country. I think Sloan-Kettering has one in New York City. Up to now they were only giving this option to older patients, but good results are lowering the age guideline and women starting in their fifties will be eligible. The use of it is guided by the specifics of the tumor and breast. The machine will not proceed if the measurements are "wrong". The risk is radiation burn.

Have to add: incision in armpit for the lymph node was sealed with super glue. Trust it was sterile. Not allowed to lift arm over head. Boo. Can do other weight moves starting Friday. Thank you, Doctor.

At every step, all personnel confirm your i.d., name and birth date please, and what are you having done, in detail, please. I allowed myself to answer at one point, “child birth”.

Earlier, at the check-in desk for the unit, they were confirming my insurance: Medicare, check, United Health Care, check, “Sugar Daddy,” I added. Then I leaned over to Ed and said with an apologetic frown, “Sorry you had to find out this way.” They were suitably amused and I got a couple of startled looks from the next booth, too.

It took me a long time in the recovery room, longer than my norm. Ed said I talked but made no sense. No remarks, please. Took me down by wheelchair; free valet service brought the car, poured me in at 5 and we were back in Matlacha by 7:30, "Thanks to driving by my sweetheart”, Ed adds (he was standing behind me). Interesting that I stayed awake the whole trip. Great scenery. Great to be okay.

They gave me a furry teddy bear wearing pink ribbon (all breast patients get them) that I am to tuck between breast and arm to provide relief. Also got a Feel Better card drawn by two local Tampa school kids, 8 and 10, signed by them. I have named the Teddy Christine, Dr. Laronga’s first name, and also my mother’s.

Site is tender but I have no pain. Got one Vicodin in hospital as a precaution. They gave me chicken noodle soup to cushion the pill. I won't be filling the prescription. Might take a Tylenol for sensitive throat.

Most impressive: at every step, more than one doctor is looking at your film. The nurse working with each doctor who actually sees you gives you her card with her direct line for any questions. Every week the entire breast unit staff discusses every case, just completed, and coming up. They put your film on a giant screen in the conference room for study. You get the instant “second” opinions of every doctor on staff. No hunting around for other doctors to confirm what the first one said.

The support staff is hired, I am sure, because of their people skills and I am sure they also get specific guidelines in training. They behave toward you like family.

I made calls when I got home and actually had the energy to clean the kitty litter. I had left totally washed and filled boxes, so it wasn’t too bad. A friend, Pat, spent the night and gave Brunswick his meds, bless her. Said he was super good about it. Nadine was happy to bow out because she agreed it was better for the cats to have an overnight presence.

I managed to be encouraging to a couple of other patients. because it feels so good to do.

I’ve been up since 3:40 a.m. and it it’s now almost 5:30. I will make coffee and have a toast, then I’m going back to bed.

Today, Tuesday, I have a cleaning woman coming at 1 p.m. Ed has a meeting with a journalist on Wednesday. She is interested in his story. He is whistle blowing. Maybe more on that, depending on consequences.

If I lived anywhere else in the country, I would try to locate a facility that mirrors what Moffitt does. I do think there are others. Barring that, it would be worth relocating to get this kind of care. Medicine as it should be.

xx, Teal