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!
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!
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