Monday, February 23, 2009 1:57 PM, EST
Casey prayed for me at Sunday School yesterday. I know that this should be in the sweet and endearing category - and it is mostly - but there is that part of me that is so saddened by the fact that my seven year old even has to have the concept that cancer is in his world and it merits asking God for help...seven year olds shouldn't have to know that God needs to help his mommy because she has cancer. He's such a good boy, and too smart for his own good. Another hill in this roller coaster - I'm ok on the roller coaster, I can handle it. I HATE that my kids are stuck in the car riding with me. The ultimate of not fair.
"Auntie Lynn" had asked about the significance of the BRCA [genetic] test. The brief layman's version is this: there is a specific gene mutation that causes many breast and ovarian cancers, and about 10 years ago, scientists figured out how to spot it. If I have it [2.9% chance of this], then statistics show an greatly increased chance of me getting another breast/ovarian cancer in my lifetime - therefore I would need to get a double mastectomy and have my ovaries and tubes removed as well to prevent that from happening. My female blood relatives would also have access to the same test to make decisions for themselves. If I DON'T have it [97.1% chance of this] then I can feel safe having a lumpectomy with some lymph nodes removed [basically a clean up job to be sure the cancer is all gone] and keep the ta ta's and other female organs intact. The results of this test is the only information left that is needed to make the most logical and informed decision for my surgery - that's why when St. Joe's [my employer] got it approved, it was such a big deal. So there it is, your first lesson in BRCA testing.
Happy Monday - two weeks until round 5 and adventures with a new drug. Later!
Monday, March 2, 2009 8:46 AM, EST
Well my immune system finally threw up its hands and said "enough already!"... in other words I finally got Logan's cold. So I have this fabulous Demi Moore voice going on, in addition to the lovely "my blood counts are off rash/acne" and sleep deprivation b/c now all of the sudden psuedafed jacks me up at night. In other words - I'm somewhat of a damned mess today - oh well, another reminder that I am not superhuman. So today it's thank God for psuedafed, tylenol, warm hats and the Bath and Body works Anti Bacterial collection. Happy Monday Indeed. Maybe I should make those insurance calls to day and scare the crap out of them by screaming with a hoarse voice and then hacking mid sentence - think that might push some approvals along?? Could be interesting at least.
So Happy Monday gang, wash your hands, and don't take psuedafed before bed. My words of wisdom for the day!
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