After the first two surgeries -- both late on Fridays, I went back to work the following Monday. I had the 35 days of radiation by 7 a.m. each morning and was at my office within 15 minutes EVERY DAY. I was working on a multi-billion dollar procurement in a special joint military/civilian government office, and we were under a restriction not to take leave. As the only civilian woman on the professional staff, I didn't want to be treated differently than the men. My third surgery was in and out. We flew from Maryland to Palm Beach International late that afternoon. I just wanted to rest in my own bed, not a motel room in Maryland. (I had retired from NOAA by then because we had completed the procurement and we had moved to Boca Raton, but I wanted to have the same surgeon operate for number three and he was in Maryland.) I had the stitches taken out here. I thought I was going to lay down and die on the flight, but I made it home. What is the saying, "Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger." In retrospect, I was foolish. It took me several months to actually begin to recoup my strength. Marc, don't make the same mistakes I did thinking that the "job" came first. Good luck Marc and Jan. Jan, the 8 months will go by faster than you think. Judith