Tuesday, August 17, 2010

How do you study for this test? and I don't like waiting!

As you can imagine, you don't make it through law school and passing the bar without developing some serious issues with test taking.  Okay, so maybe it is more of a control issue but darn it I like control.  My July was full of tests.

July 26, 2010 - Bright and early I head to Genesys Diagnostic Center for my thyroid ultrasound, breast ultrasound and mammogram.  Let me take this time for another shout out to the amazing medical staff at both my primary physicians and at Genesys.  I was let into the office even before normal office hours just so that these tests could be done ASAP.

After receiving the results from the radiologist, my doctor scheduled me to have an immediate FNA (fine needle aspiration) biopsy on the thyroid and scheduled me to see a breast surgeon, surprisingly enough it is a woman.  See guys women like boobs too ;-)

July 29, 2010 - Another early appointment this one as an outpatient at the hospital.  The Physician's Assistant, who performed the biopsy, informed me that special arrangements had been made to do my FNA at this time.  Another thank you thank you thank you Norma and Dr. Estrellas.. This was not a bad procedure at all.   Then  the waiting for results.

July 31, 2010 - Dr. Estrellas calls me on her cell from the treadmill to let me know that the initial report is benign on the thyroid biopsy but there are increased lymphoid cells and I need to keep my appointment with the Endocrinologist.

August 2, 2010 - Praise the Lord Shelby heads off to band camp and Zach is off to camp Mamaw and Papaw.  So much easier to handle medical issues when you are not trying to avoid the inquisitive minds of teenagers.  My mantra during this period was "It's all fine until someone tells me otherwise."

August 3 - 4, 2010 - Chaperoning at band camp - AMEN - nothing takes your mind of your own troubles like trying to keep the boys out of the girls cabins.

August 4, 2010 - My appointment with the Endocrinologist is made so much better by the fact that I was able to have lunch with my dear friend, Lorrie.  We were married the same summer, pregnant with our first babies at the same time and now happily we live only 30 minutes apart. Her husband and Gary were fraternity brothers so we also have many great stories.  The Endocrinologist recommended that I have my thyroid removed.  I guess that silly butterfly organ is really hard to get a real clear biopsy otherwise.

August 5, 2010 - BOOB DAY!  Remember what I said about the FNA being nothing - A vacuum assisted core needle biopsy is not.  It is OUCH - Thank goodness I have Tylenol with codeine left over from my neck surgery.  Dr. Gold is smart, funny and positive.  She informed me that the lump would most likely be nothing.  She inserted this really cool looking titanium marker for future mammograms and I was home napping by lunch time.  5-7 days was how long she said it would take it get the pathology results.

August 6, 2010 - August 10, 2010 WAITING - I will say the worst part for me about the waiting was my breast was very bruised and sore.  My first run sucked!  I tried to run and hold my arm up to keep my boob from bouncing.  I know I know Crazy runner!  So the next scheduled run - I pulled out my very smallest sports bra and all was good.

August 11, 2010 - Watching an episode of "Covert Affairs" on the DVR with the family.  7:26pm I get the phone call from Dr. Gold.  It is not breast cancer. The pathology report is Diffuse B-Cell Lymphoma.

LymphoWHAT?

5 comments:

  1. Thanks for the update. I remember with Matt's Blog there was a lot of us that posted comments. We will do the same with your blog...sometimes we will ask questions, sometimes we will just send our thoughts and sometimes we will just be positive. I raise my glass of wine to my big sister! (Plus, a fish taco.) The 3 girls and I love you!

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  2. Thanks - I hope it was a nice crisp Pinot Grigio - for some reason that sounds so good.

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  3. I love Pinot Grigio, if I had a bottle on hand I'd for sure drink a glass for you right this minute!

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  4. That would be Pinot Noir...not Grigio.

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  5. Any Pinot is a good Pinot. :)

    Hope your tests go well this week!

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