I went to see the generalist yesterday. It was a good idea. She gave me a couple of Rx's I might need in advance. She also explained some things in detail that the surgeon and the radiologists didn't have time to do. She spent a whole hour with me, which I appreciated.
I'm having trouble getting anyone to take my BRCA questioning seriously. I'm not sure whether they're actually against it or whether it's just because they want me to focus on getting over this trial first. The BRCA is not playing a role in this treatment because I'm not faced with a mastectomy. The surgeon explained that it would not increase my statistics. The small size of the tumor, the location and the kind of cancer all discount any medical reason for doing it.
I could see if I were faced with a mastectomy and I then found out I was BRCA positive, having one or both out would be a valid decision.
I also have to realize that they just don't see BRCA in this part of the world. I went through the same hoops when I insisted on being tested for Tay Sachs when pregnant with Ronnie. Most Jewish people in France are Sephardic. Yes, I live the only region with a majority Ashkenazi population but Alsatian Jews have a different history.
They were isolated and lived in the country, in contrast to Eastern European Ashkenazis who were usually in cities. Jews weren't allowed to live in Strasbourg itself basically from Black Death in the 1640's till the end of WWII. They were blamed for the Bubonic Plague by poisoning the wells. No one realized that rats were to blame. After 1300 Jewish people were tied up and burned to death in Place Kleber, those who survived then had to live outside of the city, settling in the countryside. They didn't develop the genetic diseases that their Eastern European counterparts did. A bell still rings at the cathedral at 5pm every evening to signal that the Jews have to leave.
They didn't mix much with other Jewish communities. Even over in Germany, they were considered too country-fied and religious to mix with the more assimilated Jewish community over the border, probably including my own ancestors (who were form Baden). So those in Alsace scattered in the little villages, plying trades that didn't involve owning land but not able to settle in big cities. Alsace is dotted by tiny, abandoned synagogues and cemeteries in villages. There's even one a few blocks away. And thus, they didn't develop the same diseases...
Except for the odd ball like myself, the medical community doesn't see it. So I'm not going to get too upset about it. I might have to knock on a few doors. But my sister is going to get tested. Obviously, a positive result would mean I'd be taken seriously here. I'm really hoping that doesn't happen...
This is officially, my "day off". Tomorrow I meet with the anesthesiologist and Friday is the MRI. I'm going to Not Think About It for the whole day! Yeah right...
Trying to update people who are not on Facebook and don't have regular contact with my friends and family already. Sent out a few texts and WhatsUp messages... Wish there were a "contact central" to do it all from the same place but oh well.
I have the Welsh Church in Melbourne Australia praying for me. My friend isn't even Welsh but plays the organ for them. Quite heartened with the global, ecumenical support I'm getting from my diverse friends and family!
Tomorrow, I'll be thinking about a childhood friend who is getting her mastectomy.
I'm having trouble getting anyone to take my BRCA questioning seriously. I'm not sure whether they're actually against it or whether it's just because they want me to focus on getting over this trial first. The BRCA is not playing a role in this treatment because I'm not faced with a mastectomy. The surgeon explained that it would not increase my statistics. The small size of the tumor, the location and the kind of cancer all discount any medical reason for doing it.
I could see if I were faced with a mastectomy and I then found out I was BRCA positive, having one or both out would be a valid decision.
I also have to realize that they just don't see BRCA in this part of the world. I went through the same hoops when I insisted on being tested for Tay Sachs when pregnant with Ronnie. Most Jewish people in France are Sephardic. Yes, I live the only region with a majority Ashkenazi population but Alsatian Jews have a different history.
They were isolated and lived in the country, in contrast to Eastern European Ashkenazis who were usually in cities. Jews weren't allowed to live in Strasbourg itself basically from Black Death in the 1640's till the end of WWII. They were blamed for the Bubonic Plague by poisoning the wells. No one realized that rats were to blame. After 1300 Jewish people were tied up and burned to death in Place Kleber, those who survived then had to live outside of the city, settling in the countryside. They didn't develop the genetic diseases that their Eastern European counterparts did. A bell still rings at the cathedral at 5pm every evening to signal that the Jews have to leave.
They didn't mix much with other Jewish communities. Even over in Germany, they were considered too country-fied and religious to mix with the more assimilated Jewish community over the border, probably including my own ancestors (who were form Baden). So those in Alsace scattered in the little villages, plying trades that didn't involve owning land but not able to settle in big cities. Alsace is dotted by tiny, abandoned synagogues and cemeteries in villages. There's even one a few blocks away. And thus, they didn't develop the same diseases...
Except for the odd ball like myself, the medical community doesn't see it. So I'm not going to get too upset about it. I might have to knock on a few doors. But my sister is going to get tested. Obviously, a positive result would mean I'd be taken seriously here. I'm really hoping that doesn't happen...
This is officially, my "day off". Tomorrow I meet with the anesthesiologist and Friday is the MRI. I'm going to Not Think About It for the whole day! Yeah right...
Trying to update people who are not on Facebook and don't have regular contact with my friends and family already. Sent out a few texts and WhatsUp messages... Wish there were a "contact central" to do it all from the same place but oh well.
I have the Welsh Church in Melbourne Australia praying for me. My friend isn't even Welsh but plays the organ for them. Quite heartened with the global, ecumenical support I'm getting from my diverse friends and family!
Tomorrow, I'll be thinking about a childhood friend who is getting her mastectomy.
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