Where do I begin?

Yesterday I had a back to back meeting with the genetic counselor (I got tested for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene - more on that later), then met my oncologist, then had to jet out to head to Memorial West for my MRI biopsy.

In between appointments, with the help of my brother, I realized that it was coming up on the last day for me to apply for COBRA. I was a healthy 34 year old woman when I lost my insurance at the end of June, so I opted not to purchase COBRA and instead to purchase a short term insurance plan until I was eligible for my new insurance at the new job. Needless to say, I'd MUCH rather have COBRA so my family came to the rescue and while I was waiting for my Valium to kick in before the MRI biopsy, they helped in Fed Exing a check for health insurance. Everyone - fingers crossed that I get COBRA!!

ok, so back to the BRCA genes. Basically, if I have a positive mutation for the gene, on either strand, *I think* this means that the oncologist is going to suggest a double masectomy (hey, free boob job on the insurance company's dime!) and possibly to remove my ovaries since I have a much higher chance of getting the c-word AGAIN in either my boobs or my ovaries.

As for the results of my first biopsy, as you all recall, I was diagnosed with Stage 0. My MRI results have confirmed that my left boob is free of c-word. It also confirmed that the marble is actually bigger than a...marble and that's the only part I can actually feel. So....yesterday's MRI biposy will let the doctors know whether I have Stage 0 (no chemo, only surgery) or whether I have stage 1 or 2 (chemo + surgery).

To help you better understand what Stage 0 is, it means it's non-invasive versus Stage 1 or 2 which can spread. If it is indeed Stage 0 - best case scenario - it's like the marble is located within a ziploc bag within my ducts...meaning, it's not going anywhere. Stage 1 or 2 means that there's a hole in the ziploc bag and some cells have escaped, meaning they can spread.

So this means it's all a waiting game again. Let's hope it's a short wait.

Then came the MRI biospy. Where do I begin? I had to take another MRI. Fortunately, I had a great choice of music to listen to that was a fun distraction. See pic below.

What's not fun is the following scenario: lying face down in the MRI, with your boob itching since it's irritated from the last biopsy and subsequent steri-strips and band-aids following the biopsy. The boob that you cannot move because it will affect the subsequent biopsy. Oh and did I mention that you have to keep your arms above your head the entire time like Superman and can't move them at all so as not to affect the MRI...EVEN WHEN YOUR ARM CRAMPS UP?!?! Let's just say the actual biopsies (there were 2) were cake.

I've got lots of questions, lots of thinking, and lots of anxiety. I don't have answers yet. Let's just hope for the best case scenario - stage 0 and free boobs. :-)