Interesting visit to the homeopathic doctor...

So on to my next apt.!

I was kind of stressing because it clashed with a pediatric apt. for my kids, so I had to drag them along. Luckily, he's near the shopping center so I sent two of them off with a 20 Euro bill, to get something for breakfast. My middle child was happy sitting in the waiting room, with the iPad, watching gymnastics videos.

He was running really late. He was on his own, without the assistant. So he quickly went through the exam.

I told him, that in principal, I think it's working. The only issue is that the pellets are made with lactose. Normally, that's not really a big deal but it was upsetting my stomach, probably because it has to be taken on an empty stomach.

"It comes in drops, if you don't mind the alcohol." Great. Let's do it.

Then he says something odd. I was thinking to myself, my French must have gotten really rusty after a month in the U.S. I thought he said it was made with snake serum!

Um, what is this? Did you say "snake serum"?

Yes! But in a "homeopathic dose". Yikes!

I'm taking snake serum for menopause symptoms?!?

It's called Lachesis Mutus. The other treatment is Thuya occidentalis, which isn't snake, thank goodness.

Turns out it's a very dangerous snake.

Open mind... Open mind...

But when they gave it to me in drops, it's a whole bottle. It looks more like snake serum than the pellets did.

The Thuya stuff did not come in liquid form but the pharmacist suggested a bigger-pellet version. I was zen with that. It's still lactose but not as much, in principal. 

Vacation over. Back to the appointments!!

Nice to go home, after my adventure. My nurse mother thinks the scar is too big. Running up and under my boob, I'm not too bothered. Can't even see it when I walk out of the shower. In my book, getting clear margins is definitely the goal. If he had to slice a bit further, I'm good with the deal!

I saw some of my BC survivor friends. Felt like I was part of a club! I now speak the same language. Some of the politics around research and treatments was interesting. I didn't see the relative who had BC but her husband come over with their son. His mother then got it too! So three women, in the same family, none of us blood relatives!!

Hated getting on the plane to come back!

First, the gynecologist's, barely over jet lag...

The infamous wand-but it was good news. Those cysts are gone! She thinks they might have been a period thing. It kind of hurt actually, but I was a Big Girl because I wanted her to get a good look.

Speaking of, brimming with normalcy, I happily reported that I had a period, right before leaving for California, lasting a very sane 3-4 days. Then... nothing till a full month later.  Then another 3-4 day period!!!

I was the Queen of Regularity when it came to my cycle. When I started flying international flights, every other woman but me was messed up. Not me. The only time I was ever late was when I was pregnant. But even my iron-clad cycle rhythm was no match for Tamoxifen!

Sometimes it goes wacky for a few months, she explained, and then evens out again. Guess menopause is still staying away, even with Tamoxifen's welcome mat out!

I discussed the whole BRCA deal. "Now you and I agreed. Positive test, those ovaries are gone, right?" She confirmed it and then I recounted the discouragement I got from the oncologist and Dr. N. This country is really a bad place for a BRCA positive woman, I mentioned.

She was worried that I was too worried over my test. No, I'm not really that convinced that it will be positive. One in 5 are a concern but I'm not losing sleep. I would be upset but at my age, I don't see it as a total disaster. I just need a plan in place. I have your support and that's a comfort.

While I am not so much worried about the results, I am disturbed about the whole attitude in France towards the BRCA mutation, with women being discouraged from doing the test, the length it takes and then discouraged from doing preventive surgeries. It's scary. But if my test is negative, I'm dropping the ball and walking away. Not my headache. It will have to be someone else's battle.

She then said to me "If this test is positive, I'll make sure you get whatever surgeries you want!"

Sigh. Sounded good to me!