MRI Results :(

The radiologist called me today to discuss my MRI results. She said there are four areas in the right breast they are concerned with. This is two more than the mammogram or sonogram discovered. She wanted to schedule biopsies for the areas. I said no. I think she didn't get it. I said no. It won't be necessary. I just want it off. In fact, I just want them both off. She advised me too call my surgeon to discuss it.

I called my surgeon's office. They told me I could come in at 4:30 to discuss it with the doctor.

At 4:30 I saw Dr. Maurer. I asked her if it was necessary to biopsy the areas if I decided to go with a mastectomy. She said it was not, and that it would all be tested by the pathologist after it was removed. I told her I wanted them both off. She said ok.

They went through a bunch of things with me and then gave me a payment sheet. I have to come up with $29,000 and that doesn't include the surgery for the nodes if it is necessary. I do not have anywhere near that kind of money. I don't think I can go with Dr. Maurer.

If I go to Sloan Kettering it is completely free, insurance covers every penny. The problem with that is that I have to wait until September 11th for the appointment with their surgeon, Dr. Lisa Sclafani. She is supposed to be awesome but she is on vacation right now. I know it is not that far away, but I feel like I want this cancer out NOW. It is freaking me out that it is in there.

Dr. Maurer said the cells that started this cancer were probably in me for 5 or 6 years before they were large enough to discover. She agrees that it is growing but doesn't think a few weeks are a big deal. That is pretty much what everyone says, but I still want it out asap.

I am going to call Sloan tomorrow and see if I can get an appointment with a different surgeon. I hope they can see me sooner than 9/11.

Journey so far, continued

August 16, 2009 - I spoke to my cousin Lisa. She was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago. She is two years younger than me. She told me that she has the BRCA2 gene mutation.

August 18, 2009 - I went back to Dr. Maurer. She said this is a very small cancer and can probably be treated with a lumpectomy and radiation. I told her my cousin had the gene mutation. She said I needed to be tested immediately but it takes a few weeks to come back. If I have the gene mutation. I need a double mastectomy and my ovaries removed. She also suspects my Mom had breast cancer that went to the bone and not a type of bone cancer. We have all suspected this. I leave her office with a pile of prescriptions for tests. I pray that it hasn't gone anywhere else.

August 20, 2009 - I went for my genetic counseling appointment. The counselor was excellent. Her name is Bhuma Krishnamachari. He recently moved to NY from Chicago. She really knew her stuff. She told me the lifetime breast cancer risk if you have the gene mutation is 85%. If you have your ovaries removed premenopausally you can reduced that risk by 90%. That puts the risk around 4%. The risk for ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer is also higher if you have the gene mutation. They drew the blood and will let me know the results in a few weeks.

August 21, 2009 - My Dad and Betty took Julianna and I had to go for an MRI of both breasts and a full body bone scan. I had to have an IV for contrast. After the MRI I had to go to the bone scan place. They injected a radioactive substance. I had to come back in three hours after drinking a lot of fluid. They need you to wait three hours so the radioactive substance has time to get into the bone. The tech was really nice and compassionate. She was in nuclear medicine for 44 years. After the scan I saw my skeleton on the screen in various views. I thought it was pretty neat to see. They told me before I left that it was fine but that is not the official report yet. They did see an inflammation in my lower jaw right where I have a crown that is bothering me. Interesting that they can pick that up.

I have to say all the medical people I have seen so far have been really great. I am lucky that I have encountered them even though it is for a bad reason. The waiting is really hard. The hardest part so far. All my friends and family have been so great. Thank you all for that. I really do appreciate it.