Previous Page: Part 2
April 28, 2014
11:00 appointment. No way I was going to find on the street parking and then figure out how to walk to the hospital. Suffice it to say that Columbia University Medical Center / NewYork-Presbyterian is HUGE. So I found my way to what appeared to be a main entrance and found the Valet Parking. Had to go inside to a central desk where I was given a map and pass. From there I had to walk through the building to the left, make a left, follow the hallway through the doors, make a right, then another right to the elevators to the 8th floor, then make a right and "follow the signs". Um, ok.
Time is now 10:25 so I have plenty of time. I considered stopping for a cup of coffee to keep me company, but was afraid I'd forget the directions I was repeating over and over and/or be unable to order coffee without stating what direction I had to go. (Can I get make a hot right elevator with 7 sweet n lows?) I continued left for quite a bit through the building which became another building fairly quickly with another entrance in front of me. (Or was it now an exit since I was inside?) I decided this must be where I was to make the left. The left brought me into another building and now I was to find a hallway through doors. Surprisingly at the far side of the room where I was there was a set of doors that led to a hallway and at the end of the hallway there was a waiting area to the left and another hallway to the right. Halfway down that hallway was another right and lo and behold - the elevators. I admit I was totally feeling some type of way about this and wanted to high fived myself because I never thought I'd find it. So here I am at the elevators. There's 4 elevators and lots of people waiting for them. Each time one came and the doors opened, they were PACKED with people. Of course being a Hospital, lots of wheelchairs and elderly people were waiting and how could I not let them go before me? Time is now 10:32 so I'm thinking I had a bit of time to spare, but it was getting close and I wasn't quite sure how much further I had to go. 10:45: I began to wonder how many elderly and disabled people would show up waiting for the very slow to come overpacked elevators. 10:50: one of the men waiting with me (wearing Dr. credentials) had been waiting also and told me that if I didn't just jump on I could be waiting a very long time and that next elevator I should jump on with him - he'd make room. Thank you Dr. man! Ok, now I had to get off on Floor 8 and follow the signs. Not a problem! Holy Shit! There were what seemed to be a thousand signs! Signs, posters, info cards! Finally I saw the word "BREAST" and felt happy. Got to the office about 10:55 - had already completed the forms so I was told to wait in the "waiting area" - which I'm guessing was the central area but I was more interested in exploring. Very quickly I was called in. First the Physician's Assistant came in to ask the exact same questions I answered the last time at Nyack Hospital. Then the Nurse came in to ask more of the exact same questions and took my pressure and pulse. Then the Dr. came in and did the same exam and asked if I'd gotten the results back for Lynch Syndrome and explained about the insurance - and he said.. so that's a "no" - but I didn't want it to seem like I hadn't done it..I did.. but I didn't.. and trying to get people to understand LeslieLogic (to be explained some other time) rarely is successful. So I left it at "sorta no" which basically just eliminated the Hysterectomy.
I was sent to the next office to get the instructions for pre-op tests and to pick my surgery date. Will need a chest x-ray, resting EKG and bloodwork done 2 weeks prior. Set the date for Tuesday, June 3, 2014. I'll be informed of the time the day before.
So that's where I am right now. As it gets closer and afterwards I plan to post here.
GO TO Part 4 - countdown begins
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