Finish 1 appointment ... get 2 more

So, I promised I would write about this flurry of appointments that I now have as a pre-cancer patient. The MRI experience was fine, thanks to my sister Mari who refused to just let me sulk. She took the ride into Boston with me, hung out and made me laugh in the waiting room, ate some awesome Vietnamese food, and then we went to see Grace read at Grub Street. The only thing that was hard was the actual dye they injected into me that made me want to barf.

Soon after the MRI, I had to then see another doctor in Boston. Because I was there a little early, I decided to stop down to see Joli's oncologist and ask if she needed any follow up appointments. "Yes, in fact, she's scheduled for an MRI on a Wednesday and then needs to come back to the oncologist the following Tuesday! I was going to call you today! " Great. I scribbled those into my appointment book.

I then went to my appointment with the gynecological oncologist. I have to admit, in all these doctors appointments, I actually didn't even know what kind of doctor I was going to until I got there. So, after an insanely long wait, a physically uncomfortable exam, more vials of blood drawn, I went to the counter to check out. And, yes, I was scheduled for 2 more appointments and scribbled those into my appointment book.

I left the parking garage crying and thinking, "These doctor's appointments are like a full time job!" Driving out of the garage also brought up feelings of having to bring Joli there so often - and then knowing I have to bring Jada there in 2 weeks for an EUA, and then bring Joli there TWICE in 1 week in November.

For me, I know this whole flurry of appointments means that a) I may never have to have chemotherapy if we catch the cancer early, and b) that it will only happen every 6 months like this. The good news is that the doctor seems to think my risk of ovarian cancer is not 30% as a BRCA1 person, but more like 15% because of a few key factors: 1) I had children before 35, 2) I breastfed both kids, 3) I only ovulate a few times a year. My risk of breast cancer is still at about 80%.

The other good news is that I'm reading an awesome book called "Free Food for Millionaires" which has kept me very occupied in those waiting rooms. I highly recommend it!

So, more blogging after my next appointments. Like Mari says "It's better than chemo."Oh, and I'll post pics of the kids with Gavie soon, too.

Joli News:
Joli started her new school this week and LOVES it! I can't get her to leave in the afternoon because she just loves her new friends, her new fun, and her new teachers! (and so do I!). I'll take some pictures later of her at her new school!