Well, I got a phone call yesterday from the MRI people. Apparently they still didn't get the IV in correctly after 5 pokes and various multi-colored bruises! They told me I had to come back again on Thursday to re-do it all with a nurse there... Ummm, nurse there? What do they mean exactly? Who was giving me the MRI in the first place? It appears it wasn't a nurse, or anyone who knew how to put in an IV. The radiologist said she couldn't read the scans since the liquids never made it into my body! So, it's back to the hospital, yet again, for another ride on the Titanic! At least I won't be fooled by their offers to "listen" to music!
The genetic testing, on the other hand, was very efficient and interesting. First I met with a genetic counselor to discuss the various types of cancer found in my family's history. She had to know every family member on both sides who had ever been diagnosed with cancer. She needed to know their ages when diagnosed, the type of cancer, and if they were still living. She then explained what they would be looking for in my test and what it all means, which I'll get into later. As for the actual test, all I had to do was swoosh some Scope around in my mouth for one minute, three times in a row. Now, that might seem easy. But, I challenge anyone who might be reading this to go grab some Scope out of your cabinet. Take a swig and DON'T gargle, just move it back and forth from cheek to cheek for one minute. Watch the clock... If you do this you will realize the discomfort and burning associate with this menial task. If once isn't enough, try doing it three times in a row! Anyhow, after spitting each swig into a sterile tube, I was done. The tube was then shipped to Salt Lake City, the only place in all of the US who does this sort of genetic testing. Every test from every state, city, town, or village (are there villages in the US?) goes to the same lab in Utah.
Once they get my tube they will run a full genetic test of all of my chromosomes looking for a gene called BRCA1 or BRCA2. BRCA1 and BRCA2 can be found when there are common mutations in the genes that are known to increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Since it's genetic, and if I have the gene, that would probably explain the reason I got this cancer so young. I hope this isn't the case though, because if it is, I'll probably lose both breasts... and eventually my ovaries. People who do test positive for this gene have such a high risk of getting cancer and/or having a recurrence. For example, for people without the gene there is a 7% chance of getting cancer in a lifetime. For the people with the gene there is a 50%- 85% chance of getting cancer in a lifetime. So, with all of these factors I had to do the testing before any type of surgery is determined. I'll know the results in about 10 days. Keep your fingers crossed for a negative result!
Now, my next step, is meeting with the plastic surgeon. (after my repeated MRI, that is). It looks like my surgery will be either February 7th or February 14th. I should know in the next few days. If it's the 14th, might not be my favorite Valentine's Day! :)
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