I was required to come to the hospital at least two full days before surgery, since they were unsure as to how long my tests would take. Consequently, I flew to Boston alone on Monday the 8^th of October 2001, and checked into my room to await the arrival of my wife and daughter the following day. I spent the balance of Tuesday at BWH in Brookline. There, I underwent several final tests, including a respiratory capacity test, an MRI, a CT scan, and the blood tests to verify my readiness for surgery. I brought with me a number of tests that had been performed in the weeks before my trip in anticipation of surgery. These included an electrocardiogram to check the condition of my heart, as well as x-rays and prior blood chemistry reports.

Early Wednesday the 10^th of October I eagerly awaited the arrival of my wife and eldest daughter to help see me through the various stages of my treatment. After I checked them into the apartment we went for a long walk through the heart of Boston. We walked along the Charles River past Fenway Park and ventured into the old town. The three of us had a hamburger at the Cheers restaurant and bought souvenir mugs. In all, we walked approximately 12 miles that day and took the streetcar back to the hotel. It was as if I feared it would be my last day on earth and I wanted to live it fully. I put a brave face on what was to come the next day although I must admit I was terrified of what lay ahead. Nevertheless, we finished the evening extra early with a nice meal. I had been told to fast for twelve hours before going to the hospital the next day. Early the next morning we walked to BWH from the apartment and I checked in.

Dr. Jaklitsch and the members of his team came to see me early that morning as I was being prepared with intravenous fluids and monitors. Each person who saw me took out a pen and proceeded to make marks on my right arm and right chest. I was told that this was a precaution to ensure that they would take out the correct lung, and not start carving away on my left side. As dumb as it sounded, this reassured me that there would be less chance for error. Dr. Jaklitsch indicated that the scans taken the days before showed the tumor had made very little progress since the consultation in June and he seemed very pleased.

I had previously made him aware that I was using Essiac tea but he didn’t feel that the tea had played much of a role in that. He still felt that the lack of progress was a favorable sign and that it confirmed his belief that I was somewhat resistant to the tumor. I will never be sure if Essiac tea helped me but it certainly didn’t appear to hurt me. Shortly afterwards I remember them injecting something into my intravenous line to "make me sleepy" and then I remembered nothing else.