Recipes for living, loving and laughing:Jo, Elliott, Cloey & Zoey's adventures

 Elliott surprised me with a few items to celebrate my negative BRCA tests ♡ A tote bag. A super soft blanket with positive words on it and the last one, which I will hang.

 All 84 genetic markers are negative. This means no radical mastectomy, but I will have to have a lumpectomy, of course, radiation, and then some sort of magical pill to try to keep cancer from coming back.  " Genetic testing can be used in many ways, but here we’ll focus on its use in looking for gene changes linked to cancer." Great information at American Cancer Society.  American Cancer Society

2/23/2022   As I wait for my BRCA results I read this article and thought I'd pass it on:   "It might have started when you felt a lump. Or maybe you simply went in for a routine mammogram only to find out something wasn’t quite right this time.  Your doctors ordered a biopsy, and the results confirmed your greatest fear. Finding out you have breast cancer can feel like a punch in the gut. There are probably a million questions running through your mind: What just happened? How did this happen? Am I going to be okay? You are feeling scared, anxious, overwhelmed —maybe even angry. Or you may go completely numb. Whatever you are feeling, it’s “normal” (whatever that is.)  Every woman’s journey is unique. We are not physicians, we’re merely sharing our experiences in the hopes it brings you some calm, order, and a little motivation to advocate for yourself during this time. What to Expect When Newly Diagnosed:   1. You will meet with a breast surg...

2/21/2022 I don't know what triggered this feeling. I have been fine. Last night we were with the grandkids, other grandparents, the grandkids' parents and a couple of others. Maybe being in such a happy gathering did it. I am not going to speculate but I came home and cried.  I cried for my daughters and my best friend who lives on the other side of the country. I cried in fear of what I would hear from the BRCA test. I cried for what was. 

 I forgot I had cancer for awhile. I read the girls the book I bought " Nana has cancer but cancer doesn't have nana. " it seemed that The 4-1/2 year- old was much more interested than the 6- year old. The older one prefers non- serious books.

2/17/2022 My EKG went well so I am cleared for whatever is ahead. I'm surprisingly not terrified. If I had known months ago this would happen... The big C word...I would have assumed terror would be my daily being. I haven't quite figured out why it is not. I didn't expect this so if you have any insights, let me know! I am so impressed with Sutter. I got a call from the medical oncologist's office telling me they would be watching for when I am scheduled for surgery and the doctor will work with my surgeon. It's so refreshing to not have to chase people down. Then again we are talking about cancer and not when the office door will be put in. We have a busy weekend. The girls are staying over tomorrow night and we love picking them up from school, Saturday night dinner with six friends, and Sunday is Dylan's second birthday party and then he starts preschool. We have a great life. I am far from ready to give it up.

 2/17/2022 They are not the permanent ones, but they are stuck. No more retainer, which was not very comfortable. After 1 1/2 hours, this is what I have and what my permanent bridge and crowns will look like. One huge task almost done.