Biopsy, Echocardiogram, Fertility Testing Oh My!!

So since my last posting it has been a little crazy to say the least.  I have wanted to post, but I have been running around a bunch. Let me fill everyone in on what has been going on in Jenna land.

I had a fairly relaxing weekend.  I went to the pool during the day on Saturday.  Then I meet up with two beautiful girls in Bethesda. (Bebe and Tara) and had a wonderful girls night out.  We had a drink at the Barking Dog.  And then had Tapa's at Jaleo.  YUM!! We met an guy who was very talkative and had an artistic talent with regards to paper.  I personally did not mind him, although Tara did not like him to much.  :-)

Sunday was spent relaxing, doing laundry, cleaning a bit, picking up prescriptions and going to the grocery store.

Monday 79/12 Was very busy.  I had two medical appointments.  I started the day at 8:15am to get my mediport checked.  Everything was okay there.  They needed to make sure it was healing okay.  I asked questions about what signs I needed to look for, in case of infections.  As I am at risk of blood clots.  She said, fever, soreness in the arm, no muscle tone, swelling in the arm and neck. 

After that appointment I had to go to have an echo cardiogram.  This appointment was at 9:40am This is where they basically look at your heart with a sonogram machine.  The appointment was to last about 40min.  You lay on your left side propped up with some cushions, laying your head on a pillow.  97% of the way in to the procedure, the power goes out in the building and the building next to us.  The office is in Fairfax across from Fairfax Hospital.  I was told to wait on the table for about 5 min until they could figure out what was going on.  They were all walking around with their phones using the flashlight apps, it was very comical.  I got dressed by *my* flashlight app, and was escorted out.  They said they got the most important scans.

I then went on to work and had four clients that day from 11:30 - 4:00. 

on 7/10/12 I went in for my MRI biopsy.  Let me just tell you, this was a bizarre experience.  So it starts off like the regular Breast MRI, except only my right breast hung through the opening.  They started the scan like they usually did, administered the dye when they needed to, until they found what they were looking for, and then pulled me back out.  All the while I needed to remain still.  Then they cleaned off the area, pricked me with the anesthesia drug and numbed the area asking me if I still felt anything.  I said no at some point.  The she said I would hear a drilling sound when she was putting the biopsy needle in.  This was different than the other biopsy.  At some point I began to feel it.  I felt burning.  She had to stop and give me more anesthesia.  But was so nice.  Quickly did that, apologized.  And then started up again and it was over real quick.  The put a marker in.  Mary the nurse clean the area and bandaged it, and then took me upstairs for a Mammogram for images of the marker. After that she cleaned the area and put gauze on it.  She gave me instructions for the next few days and sent me on my way. 

I went to work for a consult from 10:00 - 10:30 came home and then went back to work from 4 - 6:30.

On 7/11/12 I went to the Fertility Clinic as scheduled as I had thought I had started my period on Monday 7/9/12.  But it stopped 7/10/12 and did not reappear.  But they went forward with the blood work and ultrasound anyway.  It came back that my hormones were not ready and it might have just been a false start of my period due to stress.  They wanted me to come back today 7/13/12 to check again.  I then had a 11:00 client and a 12:00 consult.  I was supposed to have a client at 4:00 but at 3:00 they canceled because the little girl had a fever.  So I went home early.  That night I met up with a great old friend from high school, Shannon, who is in the states from Canada.  It was great fun visiting with her.

7/12/12  My day started off very nice, I got to have breakfast with a college buddy, Clay before I went to Therapy.  We shared Bagels.  Then I had Therapy before heading to a long day of work.  I worked from 12:00 - 6:00  Three clients and 2 consults.  I had a date at 7:00.  He was really nice and I hope I get to see him again.  But I think it will be hard to explain the whole cancer think.  I don't know how to do that, and what he will think.  Or when to do that.

7/13/12.  I have no clients today.  YAY, except, this week was one of the smallest amount of clients in a long time and that does not bode well with my budget.  I really need to get more clients that (10 a week)  I need 2x that many.  UGH!!  But today I went back to the fertility clinic and my period I think is beginning...and we are set to begin today.  So I am to take the Femara pills tonight with the Lovenox shots.  Then in two days begin the Gonal F and the Menopur shots. 

At 12:00 I am going to meet up with two old work buddies for lunch in Alexandria and then I have an appointment to talk with someone about wigs.  So a busy day. :-)

More Cancer???

So today I am to have my second Biopsy.  I know what to expect this time, so I was not to nervous.  The people at Washington Radiology Associates are awesome.  Today though, I had to wait a lot longer than usual.  They were behind schedule.  Mary was my nurse again.  She brought me back and went over the same questions as before.  I was ready for the biopsy and waiting for the doctor to come in.  Today I had Julianne Greenburg, MD.  She is actually the Director of Mammography at WRA.  She was super nice and as I talked to her, she actually knew my plastic surgeon who I want to use if needed.  It is kinda cool that all of the doctors I am using know each other and have worked together.  It makes me feel good.  Especially since they all are at different hospitals. 

She was able to see what they had noticed in the left breast and able to do a biopsy on the left one, but unable to see what the MRI picked up on the right breast.  She had said that most likely the doctor will want to do a MRI biopsy of the right breast to make sure there is nothing in the right breast.  I was thinking, UGH!!  Just another appointment.  I am not concerned or worried that there is anything there....I am almost certain it is NOTHING.  I am just tired of all the appts, and the cost, don't let me get to you on how the cost of this  is scaring the heck out of me!!

After the biopsy, you have to go in and have another mammogram.  A couple of scan where they squeeze your boobs.  Not fun after they put a needle in you boob. 

So they bandaged me up, gave me a little ice pack to put in my bra and sent me on my way.  I went on my way to work to wait to hear the results.  (Negative to any cancerous cells BTW ;-) )

My First Biopsy

A biopsy, what is that?  I was not taking anyone to this appt, because no information was going to be exchanged...just some simple procedure.  I met the most wonderful RN and Breast Care Navigator, Mary McCarthy.  She was super sweet, gentle and very loving.  Talking with her about how I found out and that if and when I have my breast surgery, I wanted to have Dr. Scott Spear do anything related to breast reconstruction on my breasts. 

(He is an  amazing plastic surgeon, who when I was younger, did all of the reconstructive surgery to my face, in fact he did all of the surgeries but one to help my face look my symmetrical and help my right eye sink back in.  Taking a rib bone to use it as bone abound my eye, and leaving a minimal scar at a place where my breast would form and it would be totally hidden.  Since I was younger, Dr Spear began to specialize in Breast Surgery, both for cosmetic reasons and for people who have undergone partial and full mastectomies.  I joked with him when I last saw him early 2000's that if I ever needed anything done with my breasts he would be the one I would come to.) 

Mary knew of him, how can anyone not...as he his voted top in this area for this.  But Dr. Angelique Flourke, my Breast Radiologist also knew him and I think worked with him before at Georgetown where she had practiced.  Dr. Flourke was also familiar with Neurofibrmatosis, which is very reassuring.  She stated that it was one of the things they taught medical students about.  This put me at ease because that was one of my questions for them, could the lumps be a Neurofibroma.  She said with the biopsy they would find out.

The biopsy itself was not too painful.  They used an ultrasound machine to detect where the lump was, and then they marked the area.  Cleaned it, gave me a shot of numbing medication (ugh, I hate shots or injections!!!) The stuck in the thing for the biopsy.  It makes a clicking noise when in takes stuff, and I could not feel that. Just sounded weird.  They were both gentle and nice explaining everything along the way.  Mary then took me over to do another mammogram....YUCK!!  I hate those....smoosh of the boob in the machine.  Afterwards got little ice pack and was bandaged up.  I felt ok, a little sore, but ok. 

I had to get going because I had to meet up with three girls I placed for adoption in 2009 and their family as the oldest one just graduated.  I was going to meet them for lunch.  I was sooo happy to see them.  It kept my mind off everything that just went on.  Knowing how they are doing and what is going on in their lives.  One of the little girls has to undergo surgery herself this summer for the 3rd or more time. (not sure).  When working with her I had started the process to get her help as one of her legs is shorter than the other.  She was super special to me.  My young lady who was graduating was one I cared about a lot too, as she struggled the most emotionally and I know she has a strong heart and spirit.  And she said b/c of me, she wants to become a Social Worker.  That makes me so happy to have that influence.  It was also so great to see the little one.  She has grown up and is beautiful  She and I did not bond as much, but she is super special to me all the same.  Here are my girls below.  Despite what was going on in my life, I needed to see them and let them know how special they were to me.

Doing things kept my mind off of what was going on, and was not giving me a chance to worry what the results were.  Besides I did not think it was going to be anything.  Everyone was praying for me.  I knew it was going to be benign and just a Neurofibroma.