Tag: mastectomy

Waiting for the call….

As 2012 began to wind down, my mobility had returned to almost normal.  Three surgeries were now a thing of the past, just a memory.  The scars from the bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and DIEP flap procedures were healing nicely and the aches were improving with every day.  I began to set my sights on 2013 and a new start, one without worries about cancer risks or surgery.

Then came a visit to the gynecologist in October.  Based on the findings of lobular carcinoma in situ during the BPM, the doctor felt it would be smart to have a pelvic ultrasound due to the link between breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

On November 7, 2012, my thoughts of a worry free 2013 quickly came to an end when complex cysts were found in my right ovary.   January 14, 2013 I repeated the ultrasound hoping for improvement but found worse news.  The cyst was still there and larger, one was now also located on the left and something was seen in the lining of my uterus.  Worry free 2013 was long gone! A biopsy was performed as was a CA-125 blood test.  Both came back showing no cancer.  Instead the item on the uterine lining looked to be a polyp.  An endometrial ablation was recommended.  I decided to wait until a third ultrasound could be performed so we could make a decision about the cysts at the same time.

April 2, 2013 I went for that final ultrasound.  After I did something I do not normally do, I made a list of questions.  I was done having ultrasounds every few months and wanted to be ready for a real conversation about moving forward. Questions such as, Do we remove the cysts in the ovaries at the same time as the ablation? Do we remove an entire ovary or both?  Do we go fully radical and remove it all?

I was prepared for everything except for what came next.  The call came along with the normal pleasantries, how was our trip to Disney?  How was I feeling?  Although I do personally like my doctor, I wanted the results.  She stated with a long “WELL”, I was a bit nervous.  She continued, “the cyst on the left is gone, and the one on the right has reduced in size”. Ugh, what?  Gone?  The words swirled for a second in my head until I finally realized, this was good news!  I actually said to her, “well that is good news, right?” No more ultrasounds!  Not so good news about the uterine lining which showed a new cyst/polyp but we already knew that would not correct itself.

SO, I have a pre-op appointment at the end of May to prepare for the endometrial ablation.   My list of questions went onto the trash. In the greater scheme of where I have been and what I was expecting, a minor surgery! I would much prefer to stay out of hospitals yet, compared to the alternatives, I am pleased, and thankful!

Genetic testing

So to this day I have never been tested for the BRCA gene.  My decision to have the bilateral prophylactic mastectomy was based solely on my own history.  A mother who died of breast cancer and my own irregular pathology which put me at a 50-50 risk which was good enough for me.

The findings of lobular carcinoma in situ validated my decision to act quickly and aggressively.  Once I was finished I did not put too much thought into BRCA genes.  I was doing the follow ups needed and figured we would get the girls tested as they got older.

I have now come to realize that along with the facts that I knew, men in my family also have prostate cancer which is also associated with the BRCA mutations.  So, does it matter at this point?  For me personally probably not.  I have already sprinted out ahead of breast cancer and will have yet another pelvic ultrasound in a few months to once again check my ovaries.

It does matter greatly for my beautiful girls.  For me to be able to protect my girls, to be as proactive as possible with their health I need to have as much information as possible!  I reached out to the genetic counselor I met with almost two years ago.  Thankfully she replied pretty quickly to my e-mail and is pulling my file to check on the insurance.  That was always the sticking point for the testing.  This blood work cost well over $3,000 dollars which is just not in the budget.  I will not rant too much about the insurance company since they were fantastic as the surgery bills came in.  My out-of-pocket was minimal!  It is the entire system that is broken.  priorities are out of whack.

I will receive word probably in a few days and like everything else will go from there.  Until I do hear back, all focus stays on the something really important…10 days until Disney!  Mickey_Mouse_Clubhouse_-_Mickey_-_Playhouse_Disney_Canada

 

Go sell your drama somewhere else

dont worry be happySo, you know those people who are just perpetually unhappy? Their role in life is to bring you into their woes.  Victims to everything and everyone.  We all know one or two of them.  I have spent many years walking on egg shells in attempts to avoid fights.  Recently I just don’t care.  I don’t know if it was the mastectomy, or the realization of how close cancer was with the pathology results or maybe it is just the fact that I am to dam old for other people’s drama but I just will not allow myself to be sucked in.  We all have difficulties in life, we all have problems, sickness, bills and plain old obstacles.  Such is life.

How can some be so angry all of the time?

You can choose to live your life how you like.  I can also choose to say enough.  Life is too short.