ONE MORE GO...

posted Tuesday, 3 January 2006

As if I hadn't already had enough to think about, I finally got my genetic test results back. It turns out that my genetic testing came back positive for a mutation in my BRCA 1 gene. I guess that explains why an otherwise healthy, 28 year old woman would find herself battling breast cancer (though I really thought that it was caused by riding my bike in the cloud of smoke behind the tractor that was spraying for mosquitoes at Willow Lake campground, but that's another story!) We had been waiting for these results and hoping that they would arrive before my surgery... and they came just in the nick of time. I got a call from my doctor on Thursday and met with him on Friday to discuss the results. Unfortunately, I could not get ahold of my surgeons when I got done meeting with Dr Cairoli, to let them know the news. I decided to call Dr Dultz at home (she wouldn't have given me her home number if she didn't want me to use it, right?) She called back later that evening and we discussed the surgery. She definitely agreed that we should go ahead with the bilateral mastectomy, given the significant risk of developing a new cancer in the healthy breast. She could still do it on Wednesday, as planned, but we just needed to confirm with Dr Borah (Dr Dultz will do the mastectomy & Borah will begin the reconstruction, by placing the expanders).

I actually didn't find out the final news regarding whether the surgery would be as planned until this morning. Talk about stress. As much as I tried not to worry about it... it wasn't easy! It had totally stressed me out when the surgery was scheduled for so early in the month (when I was expecting mid/late Jan)... but I dealt with it... processed... and prepared myself for it... I am really glad that it will go off as planned, because I am ready now (well, not really ready... it is almost 11 pm... the surgery is tomorrow and I still have a *ton* to get done!)

My friend Nancy will be posting to the blog here tomorrow night when I get out of surgery, and while I am in the hospital. You can also call my cell phone and leave a message. I am most likely going to be pretty doped up, but I figure, if I am not up to talking, I won't answer. It really meant a lot to me to hear from so many people after my first surgery, even if I didn't get to return all the calls immediately. You all are a source of strength for me... and of course, for that, I thank you dearly.

LC


Surgery Details:

Surgery will be at 12 noon on Wed Jan 4; I will likely be in the hospital until Friday or Saturday

University Medical Center at Princeton

253 Witherspoon Street
Princeton, NJ 08540
609.497.4000

Information on BRCA 1 and genetics http://www.facingourrisk.org/