Monday, August 18, 2008

Still waiting

Still nothing new to report--the company that does the genetic testing received my samples last Thursday and said it will take about 10-14 days from there before they will have results. Of course, the whole process for isolating the RNA, doing the PCR and analyzing the results in reality takes less than 2 days (I'm being generous here, my lab easily could do it in a day) but I am learning the meaning of the word patience.



I have gotten the name of another oncologist and will be getting a second opinion on my treatment. Although the oncologist I visited is one of the best in the DC area I am hesitant to base my treatment options on a cohort study of 700 patients. I am now a single parent and I need to make my decision knowing that I have to think about her and our future--I would hate to have to live through this again knowing that chemotherapy might have prevented it.



The swelling in my breast is finally going down and it is beginning to become very obvious that a woman with small breasts that has a 4.5 x 3.9 x 1.5 cm chunk cut out looks a little bit uneven. The incision runs along the entire left side but it is healing nicely. My lymph node site is still uncomfortable and I can usually feel pulling and stinging when I over do, I'm glad they only took one node!



I am on vacation this entire week, Tiger Lily and I are going to have some fun before school starts. I'm still living week to week but I know this week I have no doctor appointments or treatments planned so we're going to explore the DC area. Today we are off to the zoo to see the cheetahs and the pandas.



Have a great week.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

P.T.: Glad to hear you are on vacation and spending some time with Tiger Lilly. That is the best healing there could be for you.

Take care and see you soon!!!

Love Ya - Ro & C

alfia said...

I hope you have a great time with Tiger Lily!

Anonymous said...

Pink Tulip, you do know the meaning of patience and you handle it with such grace on the outside. I can only imagine the turmoil you feel on the inside. Soon, however, you will have the results and will be able to plan whatever that may be and start to move forward. That will start to give you a little control and perhaps some peace.

You and Tiger Lily have a good week together, it will be fun. You two are a pair and a perfect fit for each other. Love to you both. Take care.

Anonymous said...

your fine u can do anything can achive anything and anything hope you get through your tough times

love is sent from everyone.
LL

Anonymous said...

Diane and I are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. We have just gotten back on line again so am now learning and catching up on the magnitude of your life. Your inner strength will prevail. God will look after you and we pray for His Grace to shine upon you most brightly at this time. Please give TL a big hug from us and one for yourself. We love you. Uncle Bob