Did it!

I called Dr. Kim's office (the surgeon to see if I'm a candidate for liver resection) and have an appointment on Friday, January 11th.  This is at Huntsman Cancer Institute.  I haven't been up there since my mom had her chemotherapy there about 13 years ago.  They now have the Huntsman Cancer Hospital adjacent to the Institute.  It is a very beautiful center.  I'm excited to see how much it has changed and a little nervous to find my way around up there!  I can only see Dr. Kim at Huntsman and have my insurance pay.  I am sure that means that surgery would be at the Huntsman Hosptial which is fine, it is very, very nice.  I also know a nurse who works up there although not on the surgical floor.  Not sure what Dr. W, my oncologist will say about me getting this appointment on my own.  I doubt he will care.  I know they have to request my records from him for my appointment so he will know about it.  I hope he doesn't think I'm jumping ship and taking my "business" to Huntsman.  I would if there was a "specialist" in carcinoid cancer up there but I think Dr. W. see's the most of us "noids".  However, in looking at their website, I should get a 2nd opinion up there (I say "up" because they are up the hill from us down in the valley)!  They may have more going for them than I think.  I will ask Dr. Kim what he thinks about the whole thing.  Now, who do I take with me?  Sue, my sister, works up there and has said she wants to come but she's back-out of my last two appointments with my oncologist.  My friend, Marc, wants to go but I'm just not sure I want him to.  I am not sure why.  It just gives me "pause" to have him hear all the possibilities and details of my cancer.

I did get a call Friday night from the head nurse at my cancer clinic regarding my octreotide serum level test.  She actually wasn't sure which test result I was looking for.  I had to explain it to her and also where it had been sent out to.  She said she'd have to go get my chart and call me back (and probably make a phone call).  Then my cell phone dropped the call and she didn't call me back. I didn't bother calling her since  I only have the clinic number and no one would have picked up.  It was after 6!  She was sweet to call me so late on a Friday.  I haven't called today.  I am just a little bit frustrated about the entire thing.  If my levels are low, we need to increase my dose of Sandostatin and I go in tomorrow for my regular shot!  I hope she calls me later today but I'm not counting on it.

If I don't hear from her today, guess I will find out what I can tomorrow.  I also want to try the beta blockers for my heart palps because they are getting worse--or bothering me more.  I'm not sure which one!