The paraffin samples containing my brain tumor are kept at Belleview Hospital in New York City. Dr. Douglas C. Miller, my neuro-pathologist, pulled out my paraffin samples. These were just 2 small chunks of wax in a plastic container. It did not look at all like "half a lemon" in size. Instead, each chunk of wax was about the size of a thumbnail. I asked why the remaining brain tumor samples were so small. Dr. Miller explained that not all brain tumor material from surgery could be saved. He also explained that the material is finite. With each slide made, there is simply less in the paraffin sample. Before he put these samples away, Dr. Miller allowed me to hold them both in my hands. That was a powerful moment. My tumor had been officially moved from my brain to my hand. Quite a moment.
