So after my mom’s oncologist told me to start bothering my doctors about getting mammogram screening, I did so. Back in January? February?
Student Health referred me to the Breast Cancer Clinic here at the hospital. Their genetic counselor called me up and we chatted for awhile, and finally, last week (August, please note), I had my appointment.
The basic take-home message was that they don’t recommend screening until I’m 35, but at that point, I’d have a very low threshold for testing beyond a digital mammogram. This is good news. I’ve passed it on to Amy.
Even better news: Based on my family history and the fact that the two people who’ve been tested are negative for the BRCA mutations, I’ve got a 15% chance of developing breast cancer over my lifetime. Normal risk is 10-12%. So 15%? A damn good number. A number I can live with.
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My mom’s meeting with the surgeon today, and the radiologist tomorrow. She’s got a month of daily radiation ahead of her. I need some airline to magically offer me a free ticket to go home again, and a rational to give to my boss about another week off. I hate not being there.
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Elizabeth and I met up for coffee for the first time in a couple months. We’re going riding this weekend and then dinner with the boys, which I’m looking forward to a lot. Also, a mutual friend from high school is coming to visit her, and we’ll all get together for dessert or coffee or something. It’ll be good times.
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Nate and Shelly are having a house warming party this weekend. They keep insisting they don’t need anything to “warm their house”. I feel the need to take something. I’ll make them cookies, but I’d also like to get them something wacky and gag-gift-ish. The first thing that comes to mind is TP. Anyone else have any thoughts?
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Getting back into work after being gone for most of July is pretty hard. But things are finally ramping up. I’m not sure this is good, but it does mean I have stuff to do instead of stalking Facebook and blogs. However, I’m more convinced than ever that I just don’t want to do this. It isn’t making me happy. Anyone wanna pay me to be a scuba bum?
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Speaking of Facebook, we found the diver chick from this past weekend, who we’ll hopefully be going diving with soon in an attempt to convince her we’re the cooler people to dive with. She seems pretty awesome, and we had fun talking with her Saturday for the hour or so we were all in the hot tub, so this shouldn’t be too hard.
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Amy’s birthday is in two weeks. I need to get her a present. I have two ideas, but she’s also moving to Boston for school, so I’d like to get her something to help make the transition smooth. What do you need to move into your first apartment ever? With roommates you don’t know? In a town you don’t know? If only I had money for a plane ticket.
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My best friend from childhood is getting married in October, right after John and I get home from our vacation. He can’t get the weekend off, and I don’t want to go by myself, as I’m not likely to know ANYONE but her. I either need to suck it up and go, or find a good excuse not to. Though money itself is likely to be a damn good excuse, as flying there Saturday and coming home Sunday will cost me at least $500 when you throw in the hotel and car. Again with the money for a plane ticket…
It's all in my head 
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16 August 2008 at 3:46 am
renn
First of all, congrats on the excellent numbers! This is definitely encouraging.
TALK to your boss. I can pretty much bet “My mom is undergoing radiation therapy and I need to be there” will be understood for what it is. You are a blessing as a daughter, and any decent boss would see it that way. If you have no vacation time, you may want to explore FMLA or MLOA. You may not get paid for your time away, but you won’t be penalized, either.
Cookies are excellent house warming gifts. Make sure they’re homemade. And warm. Also? Take milk or coffee to go with them.
Scuba Bum may be fun, but probably doesn’t pay so much. Why not contact Mythbusters to see if they need a background Techie? You’re a scientist, dear. Maybe blowing random crap up would be fun?
Amy will need kitchen gadgets, comfort items, etc. A Care Package of Random waiting at the doorstep of her new place would be excellent.
Finally, congrats to your BFF. If you have the chance to visit your mum during radiation, explain this to your friend up front. She may be sad that you won’t be able to make it to the wedding, but she will definitely understand. THAT I can promise you.