Whew!!
The genetic counselor said we'll probably never know why I got cancer at such a young age, but it's definitely not genetic. I feel so relived for the rest of the family, especially Cha.
Yippee!!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Genetic Testing
It's been nearly four weeks so I called the genetic counselor this morning to see if she'd heard any word. She called me back in the afternoon and said she just got the results and asked me when I wanted them. I told her my surgery was scheduled for Monday and I'd like them beforehand if possible. She said she could schedule me for tomorrow (Wed) from 12:30 to 1:30.
Hmmm, that doesn't exactly sound like the best of news. Even if she isn't legally allowed to tell me bad news herself, or over the phone, why a whole hour? Matt suggested that she slots everyone for an hour, no matter how long it will take. That's a possibility.
I seriously considered not even getting the results until after my surgery, so it's one less thing to worry about. But then that nagging 'what if there is no after the surgery' reared it's ugly head and I figured I want to know and get the word out if necessary.
Like I mentioned in a previous post, there are lots of women in my family. I've got nine nieces and nephews and then my darling Cha to think about. If I have this gene there is a chance that they may too. Three of my nieces are at the age where they could be tested for the gene, not that they necessarily have to (especially since it's a $3,100 test which would be out of pocket) but I would like them to know they are high risk and to start the self breast exams early. (Sorry, that sentence was entirely too long!)
Hopefully I'll be back online tomorrow at 1:00 pm saying all is well, that they just wanted to meet and thank me for my business. Either way I'll post the results when I get them.
ETA: I also wanted to note that I have three brothers to think about. If any of them carry the BRCA1 gene they would be 3 to 7 times more likely to develop prostate cancer and are at greater risk for developing breast cancer (men get it too!).
Hmmm, that doesn't exactly sound like the best of news. Even if she isn't legally allowed to tell me bad news herself, or over the phone, why a whole hour? Matt suggested that she slots everyone for an hour, no matter how long it will take. That's a possibility.
I seriously considered not even getting the results until after my surgery, so it's one less thing to worry about. But then that nagging 'what if there is no after the surgery' reared it's ugly head and I figured I want to know and get the word out if necessary.
Like I mentioned in a previous post, there are lots of women in my family. I've got nine nieces and nephews and then my darling Cha to think about. If I have this gene there is a chance that they may too. Three of my nieces are at the age where they could be tested for the gene, not that they necessarily have to (especially since it's a $3,100 test which would be out of pocket) but I would like them to know they are high risk and to start the self breast exams early. (Sorry, that sentence was entirely too long!)
Hopefully I'll be back online tomorrow at 1:00 pm saying all is well, that they just wanted to meet and thank me for my business. Either way I'll post the results when I get them.
ETA: I also wanted to note that I have three brothers to think about. If any of them carry the BRCA1 gene they would be 3 to 7 times more likely to develop prostate cancer and are at greater risk for developing breast cancer (men get it too!).
Pre-Admission Testing
I had my pre-admission appointment at Paoli this morning. They confirmed my information, had me sign a bunch of paperwork and took some blood for CBC and a pregnancy test, which is standard. (Wouldn't that be a hoot!)
Someone from the hospital will call me Friday afternoon to tell me when to arrive Monday morning. I am guessing it's going to be very early since I need to be injected with the dye for the sentinel node biopsy. I'll probably have to be at the hospital 2 or 3 hours before the surgery is even scheduled to begin. Dr. S said he'll need to see me beforehand to mark me up, so it's going to be a very long day.
This afternoon I paid all the bills for the rest of the month, made my contact list of who Matt or my mom should call when it's done, pulled out a copy of my living will (which I need to bring with me) and started packing my hospital bag. Yesterday I went to Old Navy and took advantage of their 75% off sale (thanks for the tip Angie!) and bought a few PJs for $3 and $4 a piece. The woman in admissions today gave me a list of items to bring and I think I have everything covered. I'll be packing everything in my bright red Oracle bag to remind me of everyone at work who is praying for me.
Tomorrow night Cha and I have a playdate with the working moms, Thursday I have to clean out the cars, meet with my shrink, and pick up my mom and Regina from the airport, and then Friday I can relax!
Someone from the hospital will call me Friday afternoon to tell me when to arrive Monday morning. I am guessing it's going to be very early since I need to be injected with the dye for the sentinel node biopsy. I'll probably have to be at the hospital 2 or 3 hours before the surgery is even scheduled to begin. Dr. S said he'll need to see me beforehand to mark me up, so it's going to be a very long day.
This afternoon I paid all the bills for the rest of the month, made my contact list of who Matt or my mom should call when it's done, pulled out a copy of my living will (which I need to bring with me) and started packing my hospital bag. Yesterday I went to Old Navy and took advantage of their 75% off sale (thanks for the tip Angie!) and bought a few PJs for $3 and $4 a piece. The woman in admissions today gave me a list of items to bring and I think I have everything covered. I'll be packing everything in my bright red Oracle bag to remind me of everyone at work who is praying for me.
Tomorrow night Cha and I have a playdate with the working moms, Thursday I have to clean out the cars, meet with my shrink, and pick up my mom and Regina from the airport, and then Friday I can relax!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Got my porn pictures done
And I didn't even get paid!
I got a call from the plastic surgeon's scheduling secretary a week or so ago reminding me of an appt this Friday. Only, I had a note on my calendar that it was this morning. I called them when I noticed and they said I was due in a half hour. Fortunately I was dressed and had already dropped Cha off at daycare. I sped over there with a whopping five minutes to spare.
I was put in a room and stripped down while the PS took pictures. Nah, that's not humiliating at all! I'm sure a year from now I'll be asking for copies to remind myself how far I've come.
The surgeon was very nice and really helped to put me at ease. I asked a few questions and he kept asking if I had any more. Despite the dozen other people in the waiting room, there was no sense of hurry. I mentioned my anxiety issues and he told me to go out and have a few margaritas and try to relax.
Tomorrow morning I have my pre-admissions appt at the hospital. I might just call them this afternoon to make sure that hasn't changed.
I got a call from the plastic surgeon's scheduling secretary a week or so ago reminding me of an appt this Friday. Only, I had a note on my calendar that it was this morning. I called them when I noticed and they said I was due in a half hour. Fortunately I was dressed and had already dropped Cha off at daycare. I sped over there with a whopping five minutes to spare.
I was put in a room and stripped down while the PS took pictures. Nah, that's not humiliating at all! I'm sure a year from now I'll be asking for copies to remind myself how far I've come.
The surgeon was very nice and really helped to put me at ease. I asked a few questions and he kept asking if I had any more. Despite the dozen other people in the waiting room, there was no sense of hurry. I mentioned my anxiety issues and he told me to go out and have a few margaritas and try to relax.
Tomorrow morning I have my pre-admissions appt at the hospital. I might just call them this afternoon to make sure that hasn't changed.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Saturday Morning Chatter
Matt is working today so Cha and I are on our own.
This morning while she was chasing the kittens around she suddenly stopped and we had the following conversation:
Cha: Mommy, where's Daddy?
Me: He's at work.
Cha: He's working?
Me: Yep, but he'll be home later.
Cha: So, he's eating french fries?
Me: He might have french fries for lunch.
Cha: And pizza?
Me: Maybe pizza.
Cha: And Nuggets!?
Me: Yep, maybe nuggets.
Cha: COOL!
I'm guessing she doesn't quite understand the concept of work. Either that or she thinks her daddy is a professional eater.
Oh, and we've been talking about Grandma, Regina and Baby Mason coming out to visit. She knows they're all be coming in on a plane. On the way home from school yesterday she saw an airplane in the sky and called out "Hi Grandma, see you soon!"
I love this kid!
This morning while she was chasing the kittens around she suddenly stopped and we had the following conversation:
Cha: Mommy, where's Daddy?
Me: He's at work.
Cha: He's working?
Me: Yep, but he'll be home later.
Cha: So, he's eating french fries?
Me: He might have french fries for lunch.
Cha: And pizza?
Me: Maybe pizza.
Cha: And Nuggets!?
Me: Yep, maybe nuggets.
Cha: COOL!
I'm guessing she doesn't quite understand the concept of work. Either that or she thinks her daddy is a professional eater.
Oh, and we've been talking about Grandma, Regina and Baby Mason coming out to visit. She knows they're all be coming in on a plane. On the way home from school yesterday she saw an airplane in the sky and called out "Hi Grandma, see you soon!"
I love this kid!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Good day
I had a good day today. Cha and I slept in a bit and I got her to school by 8:30. She was in a great mood this morning and happy to see her friends.
After I dropped her off I decided to go for breakfast. I grabbed the local paper and stopped at Nudy's in P'ville. The place was empty so I didn't feel guilty taking my time and getting lost in the news. It was nice not to be in a hurry.
I came home and took a walk around the neighborhood. It wasn't as warm as yesterday but it still felt good to clear my head. MIL loaned me a meditation CD which I played while laying on the couch and it was amazing. There's a meditation for busy people which is a five minute guided imagery track. I got lost in the words and the sounds and felt incredible when it was over.
Most of the rest of the day was spent on getting the guest room ready for my mom and Regina and cleaning the house. It was nice to keep busy tho I did take a Xanax around lunch when I started feeling a bit edgy.
Tonight was game night with the working moms. There were ten of us and there was lots of laughter. That was just what the doctor ordered. We had so much fun and I stayed much later than I thought I would. I love my mom friends!
I thought about keeping Cha home from daycare tomorrow but I think I'll take her in late and pick her up early. I'd like to keep up with the long, quiet walk and break out the yoga DVDs.
After I dropped her off I decided to go for breakfast. I grabbed the local paper and stopped at Nudy's in P'ville. The place was empty so I didn't feel guilty taking my time and getting lost in the news. It was nice not to be in a hurry.
I came home and took a walk around the neighborhood. It wasn't as warm as yesterday but it still felt good to clear my head. MIL loaned me a meditation CD which I played while laying on the couch and it was amazing. There's a meditation for busy people which is a five minute guided imagery track. I got lost in the words and the sounds and felt incredible when it was over.
Most of the rest of the day was spent on getting the guest room ready for my mom and Regina and cleaning the house. It was nice to keep busy tho I did take a Xanax around lunch when I started feeling a bit edgy.
Tonight was game night with the working moms. There were ten of us and there was lots of laughter. That was just what the doctor ordered. We had so much fun and I stayed much later than I thought I would. I love my mom friends!
I thought about keeping Cha home from daycare tomorrow but I think I'll take her in late and pick her up early. I'd like to keep up with the long, quiet walk and break out the yoga DVDs.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
The Wescotts
In December 2004 I went out to Wisconsin to visit my family for the holidays. We spent Christmas day at my aunt's house and it was crowded, but fun. As I sat in the packed living room watching all my cousins and their kids, I noticed how many girls there are in my family and I wondered how I got stuck with three brothers.
My mother is one of five sisters, the Wescott girls. They all raised a pack of wild kids and none of them, my mother included, have had a fairy tale life. There have been wonderful times but there were also challenges and yet the Wescott girls were still together laughing, telling stories and caring for their families. I realized that day that my mother came from a long line of very strong women. They are fighters who never give up and always manage to find time for laughter.
The very next month I got pregnant and in April 2005 I found out that I was having a girl. I felt I had no choice but to give her the Wescott name and hope that the strength, humor and love carried down from her maternal grandmother. I am sad that I do not live closer to my family. I would love for Charlotte Wescott Crocker to be surrounded by the women she was named after.
A note to Aunt Dorothy: I got your email on Monday and it made me cry. Thank you for thinking of me and for giving me hope.
My mother is one of five sisters, the Wescott girls. They all raised a pack of wild kids and none of them, my mother included, have had a fairy tale life. There have been wonderful times but there were also challenges and yet the Wescott girls were still together laughing, telling stories and caring for their families. I realized that day that my mother came from a long line of very strong women. They are fighters who never give up and always manage to find time for laughter.
The very next month I got pregnant and in April 2005 I found out that I was having a girl. I felt I had no choice but to give her the Wescott name and hope that the strength, humor and love carried down from her maternal grandmother. I am sad that I do not live closer to my family. I would love for Charlotte Wescott Crocker to be surrounded by the women she was named after.
A note to Aunt Dorothy: I got your email on Monday and it made me cry. Thank you for thinking of me and for giving me hope.
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