#7 Jul 31^st

Now that I’m not in so much discomfort I watch the tube twist and turn through the passageway that is my gut.  After several minutes of searching the little star shaped scar from the smaller polyp is found, and then finally, the point to be tattooed.  That’s right.  I am about to receive my first body art but before that can happen a couple of assistants are called in to help hold ends of tubes and loose bits of hose.  Maybe I should charge admission to the spectacle of my inner workings being marked. 

I watch the probe come up to the scar, the doctor asks for the needle, someone hits a switch somewhere, and pop, I have a blister of black ink on my inner colon.  A little moving around and there’s another one and after a few missed shots, the third is installed.  I am officially inked, not that anyone other than the surgeon and pathologist will ever see it. 

With this task complete the doctor moves to the computer on the desk at the end of the room and taps in details of her work.  Her comrades finish up with my bottom and put things away. Then a surprising comment, “The results are in from your CT scan this morning.  Let’s have a look.”

‘Please be good news, please be good news’; I mentally chant the mantra with passion.  ‘Oh my God this is nerve wracking.  Please be good news!’

I hold my breath, waiting for the hammer to fall - but it doesn’t.  They found no visible tumors in my scan, but my uterus has fibroids that should be addressed at my next visit to our family physician.  Big sigh of relief right here.  No visible tumors! It’s the best news I’ve had yet.

I get dressed and drive home with a little smile on my face.  I have ink!