The waiting game

I called and the earliest appointment I could get for the MRI was 2 weeks away!! So we waited...and waited...and waited. Finally! The day for the MRI. :) After the MRI was over (which has been the easiest test yet) I was able to schedule the appointment with the Oncologist. I met with her two days later to get the results of my BRCA test (testing for a genetic mutation) and the results of the MRI. The Dr. walked in and introduced herself, laid my chart on the table and said she would be right back she had to grab the results of the MRI. So....I could't help but look a little. John told me to stop...but I never listen. (It's a woman thing) I started to peek and saw a folder that said, "Understanding your genetic test results." OMG!! I have the gene...my kids and my sisters are going to have to face this DEMON as well one day! The Dr. came back into the room and said, "First we will talk about your genetic testing." So I took a deep breath and squeezed John's hand as hard as I possibly could expecting to hear the worst. Dr. said, "Your results returned NEGATIVE...you do not carry the genetic mutation. That is not to say that your children or sisters will not ever suffer from Breast Cancer...but we know it is not genetically passed on." WHAT A HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF! Then she said, "But we are very SURPRISED that you returned Negative...you exhibit every indication that you should be positive for the gene." Well....what the %$^& does that mean? She said that the test is 95% accurate and because it returned Negative as opposed to Unknown they were going to go with the findings.

Now on to the results of the MRI:
The Dr. said, "The MRI shows another tumor in your left breast under the nipple (the breast that has the cancer), one lymphnode appears it may be affected and there are 2 "suspicious" sites in the right breast." GOOD LORD, can I EVER get a break? I mean seriously...can anything go in my favor? She told me that a Bi-lateral Mastectomy would be my best option. A Bi-lateral Mastectomy = having BOTH breasts removed. Then she said, "You will also have to undergo CHEMOTHERAPY treatment. The good news is that you will not require radiation therapy." Wow, that's THE good news? Don't hold back Doc.

She told me that I need to have ANOTHER mammogram and ultrasound of both breasts. that equals MORE WAITING. :( So I called and scheduled those tests and a WEEK LATER was back in the Breast Imaging center. Had the mammogram and then the Dr. performed the ultrasound. He told me that my "Team of Dr.'s" are wanting all of the suspicious and new sites BIOPSIED! Again....WHAT? WHAT FOR? They already said I am going to have both of my breasts chopped off....what should I endure that much more pain for? God, this is NOT FAIR! As the Dr. was performing the ultrasound he located the "new site" in the left breast quite easily. He attempted to find the lymphnode...and said he thinks he found it but is not sure. Then on to the right side....Nothing...He can't find anything. So what does that mean? ANOTHER MRI.

Well what do you know...I have to wait yet again. Next appointment is with my Dr. Let's see what he has to say...