OP here. A few new things in the last few days:
I don't know how much pain is to be expected, and how much pain oxycodone can assuage, so I had not complained to my doctor about the pain I've been experiencing. I mentioned it to a nurse, however, and she told my doctor, who immediately doubled the dosage. I started the double dose today, and it has made a world of difference. I am still aware of the pain, but it is not excruciating, and I was actually able to eat some soft food, which cheered me up tremendously.
If anyone here is from Nashville, I can't say enough wonderful things about Vanderbilt Hospital. Every single person has been helpful, and the level of communication between the different departments is impressive. My GP is at another hospital, but, if I live through this, I will try to find a doctor at Vandy. (I don't know what it is like in other cities, but I had to call about 75 doctors before I found one that would take a new patient.)
I'm astonished at which of my friends are trying to help, and which are not. Some people who are not particularly close friends have been surprisingly supportive, and check in on me, asking if I need anything. One friend is insisting that I stay with her post-op, so she can take care of me; another dropped by today with a whole bunch of soup that she bought from Whole Foods; I got the sweetest email from someone who works in a gallery that sells my art in Charleston. And someone who bought a painting a while back heard I had cancer, and she dropped off a book for me to read. When I told a college friend whom I had not seen in years that I have cancer, his first words were "I'll come down to help take care of you." I was floored and touched.
Conversely, someone who I thought was one of my best friends - and whom I've known for 40 years -- has barely checked in. The last time I heard from him was two weeks ago, and his email was just a few words, asking for an update. I poured my heart out to him, and have not heard from him since. I told another friend when I first found out, and I have not heard from him since, nor did he even ask what kind of cancer I had. It is disappointing to discover that I can not rely on them for emotional support.
I suppose it takes something like this to discover someone's true colors, and you, my fellow DL posters, have huge hearts that I could not do without. Thank you.