Another Week...

#1 Sorry to anyone who took the time to create a login on the caringbridge site.  I decided to move my updates to this location because I'm more familiar with the format.  And in all honesty, I found it depressing to admit that I am qualified to actually have a caringbridge site.  I feel much more comfortable here!

#2 Update...
On Monday, I met with a genetic counselor.  My surgeon wanted me to do this because of my young* age.  *(I keep trying to feel flattered when these medical people say, "You're so young.")  But I have now learned that if you get breast cancer under age 50, let alone 40, then you are considered young.

The genetic counseling appointment was really interesting.  She basically mapped out my pedigree (just a like show horse!).  There is a small history of breast cancer in some wonderful younger women with whom I could share some genes, so it made sense to send some blood off to be tested.  A sample has been sent to see if I test positive or negative for the BRCA2 genetic mutation... I should find out the results early next week.  The results of the test will help determine how aggressive I want to be with treatment.  If the result of this test is negative, I may do some additional testing... we'll just wait and see about that.

Then on Tuesday, I had a consultation with my surgeon.  We discussed my surgical and subsequent treatment options.  I asked her a ton of questions, but of course I have thought of a few more to ask next time.  I liked her very much and feel very comfortable in her hands!  We didn't make any final decisions as I want to wait until I see the results of the genetic testing.  Also she said it would be good to have a biopsy on the second spot that showed up on the MRI prior to any surgery.

I spent much of this week working on that... when the scheduler called me the next day to make the appointment, they did not have an opening until December 11th!  That seems like a long time away and had me feeling a little frustrated after things moving so fast in the past week!  I called my surgeon's office immediately to let them know and they agreed that it would be better if I could have it done sooner.  Vicki, my surgeon's nurse checked to see if I could at least get on a waiting list... no they don't have a waiting list at the imaging center, but the patient can call to see if we have any cancellations...  So I started doing that a couple times a day.  

Then my nurse navigator, Renee, got in touch with me about it.  She and her supervisor said that was pretty ridiculous to ask a diagnosed patient to wait that long, and so they went to bat for me.  They were successful and late yesterday afternoon I got a call from someone in scheduling and they were going to find a way to work me in by doing some manual adjustments in the scheduling system... there was an opening on Monday, November 24 at 2 o'clock, was I available?  Heck yes!  So, that's what I get to do on Monday.