Welcome to Mayo.

My entourage and I decided to make a weekend trip out of this nerve racking nightmare. So, in my sister's van we go: Jacque, mom, Angie, my boss Jane, me and if you didn't catch it, my sister was driving. My dad and my nephew, Brady were behind us. They were so sure they were going to get to do some "guy things" because us girls were planning on heading to the Mall of America. I was actually hoping to go with my dad! Turns out we all went to the Mall of America. My parents have been divorced for a ton of years, but somehow, this whole thing with me, brings them to a different relationship. They used to (a long time ago) really love each other, than they really disliked each other, hence the divorce. But, now they tolerate each other very well. They even buy each other meals and have a few beers together. What else would you expect to happen when your daughter is going through a pretty tough time?? I think it's kind of cute. Anyway, we had our fun at the mall and made it back to our hotel where my good friend Kay met us. The next morning, we get up and go meet a whole new set of fresh faced doctors. The first person we met was Megan (I can't spell her last name). She was the one who collected all of my scans and tests and loaded them into their system, told me the same old thing....Yup, that's lung cancer you got! Perfect..1 for 1. She mentions the spot on the liver and she doesn't seem to believe that my biopsy is accurate, but the radiologists were looking at everything. She than told me the names of some doctors I would see and meet. One would eventually be an oncologist and a lung surgeon. I asked her to set up the meetings with the doctors ASAP, I didn't want cancer in me any longer. I also let her know that, I am a pretty big deal. I wasn't kidding, she laughed, but it worked because she was on it.
Megan was awesome! She was bright and cheery, she didn't make things seem so hopeless. Later that day, she also told me to not have Des Moines do a 2nd liver biopsy quite yet. This really confused me. Why didn't she want them to do another, was that a good thing? Hmmm, well we did as she said and cancelled that appointment. She promised she would call me later in the week to let us know what the radiologists and the lung doctor says about all of my "stuff." I was a little worried about her being able to get a hold of me because Angie and I were taking off to New Mexico for a weeks vacation, to hopefully get lost in the mountains. A little tangent if you will: Angie and I didn't fund that vacation at all. Somehow my colleagues and friends gathered money for plane tickets, rental car, and a place to stay. Unbelievable right? It gets better. We had to switch planes in Dallas. I stop for a Starbucks and when my cup was up, the guy looks at me over a few others who were waiting, AND he says "you, must be Steph." What? How did he know who I was. The look on Angie's face was priceless. I think that's when she finally realized that indeed, I AM a pretty big deal. When we arrived in Albuquerque to get our rental car, the most sweetest lady was working there. She set us up with a convertible Camaro (which some people back home had suggested) and got us tickets to the Albuquerque Isotopes (comparable to Iowa Cubs). That flipping car was SAWEET! I've never drove through the mountains with my top down!!!
The little casita they found for us to stay in was the most adorable place, it was like a home. When we got to the casita, there was a surprise in the fridge. Beer, wine, and a gift certificate to The Range, one of the best places to eat around Albuquerque. Later that night, we went to the baseball game. That sweet lady from the car rental place, introduced us to one of the players she knew. He gave me an autograph baseball from Tommy Lasorda! I felt like a star, a big deal! That my friends is just beginning of the kindness people have shared with me.
We enjoyed the southwestern sunshine and on Wednesday, Megan called me to tell me what the radiologists and lung doctor found and what they think........