Annnd here we go (updated)

 Got a call from Sarah with the Breast Care Center Information and Resources for Sharp  (not just a receptionist/coordinator she is an actual RN).

She basically is the 'concierge/coordinator' for getting my information and getting information to me and contacting doctors that are needed. The determination is that it is invasive ductal carcinoma which means that it is the more 'aggressive' (my word for it not officially) form but does not mean it will spread to the rest of the body so it's localized to the breast tissue only.  They are still doing tests on the cultures and tissue samples for progesterone receptors, estrogen receptors (I remember that from last time that it was positive for one of those) and the HER2 (a protein that is outside the cell apparently). Those are all details that will tell the doctors just what exactly is going on and how to treat it. All of this information is...on the Sharp app website for me to read as well.

I have an initial consultation with my surgeon on May 22, in Kearny Mesa it was either this month or July so....Medical oncology is June 11with Dr. Ann Moeller also over in Kearny Mesa, Radiation oncology will be contacting me within a week (which would be in Grossmont) and MRI schedule will likely be dependent on those three appointments. [See addendum below]

I got a call while eating from the Imaging lab. PET scan is scheduled for tomorrow. They happened to have an opening for tomorrow, might as well get it done. Here's what is happening over the next 24 hours:

Starts at 4:15 PM PDT (45 minutes) (have to arrive at 3:45)

24 hours prior to appointment:

1. No vigorous exercise for the 24 hours leading up to your appointment.

2. Meals the evening before your appointment should be low in carbohydrates and high in protein. ( was in the middle of having a single fried chicken thigh and mashed potatoes when they called)

 

6 hours prior to your appointment:

 

1. You may not have anything to eat or drink (except water) for 6 hours before the scan.

2. You may take your regular medications with water. If your medications must be taken with food, contact your regular doctor about whether you should skip the medication, take it without food, or take it later in the day.

3. Do not take anything by mouth that contains sugar. This includes gum, mints, candy, crackers, soft drinks, juice, lozenges, cough syrup, etc.

4. If you are diabetic, it is recommended that you have a light high-protein breakfast (no sweets, sugar or caffeine) along with your regular dose of diabetic drug (insulin, Glucophage, etc.). If your exam is in the morning, continue fasting from overnight and do not take your diabetes medication. If you are a very brittle diabetic or have problems with hypoglycemia, contact our office prior to scheduling your appointment. For all diabetics, the blood sugar levels needs to be under 200 for the exam to be accurate.

 

1 hour prior to your appointment:

 

1. Drink 24 ounces of water, unless your doctor has instructed you to be on fluid restriction. [so since we have to leave at 2:45 to be there at 3:15 I will have to bring a water bottle with me or drink just before we leave. Slightly confusing and shades of my first pregnancy ultrasound]

2. Wear comfortable clothing without metal zippers or clasps (such as sweatpants/sweatshirts). Dress to keep yourself warm.[sweatpants and t-shirt got it]

3. Bring your insurance information and copies of any prior CT, MRI or PET scans that you may have had outside of Sharp HealthCare.

 

15 minutes prior to your appointment:

 

Please arrive for your scan 15 minutes prior to your appointment time. It is Important for you to arrive in time to receive a time-sensitive injection of radiotracer. If you are late or miss your appointment your dose becomes unusable.

 

During the examination:

 

After the injection, you must remain quiet for 60 minutes. During this period, no reading or talking is allowed. You may quietly listen to a portable device. [NOT EVEN KNITTING! I'm doomed] After the 60-minute uptake period, you will have the PET/CT scan, which takes 30 to 45 minutes. Your total appointment time will be 1.5 to 2 hours. [Time to start practicing meditation for sure]

 

After the examination:

 

You may resume your normal diet and activities. Although the scan involves injection of a radioactive substance, which will lead to radiation exposure for persons in your vicinity, the amount of radiation coming from you following the scan is low. You can carry out all routine activities, but consider limiting contact with pregnant women and children until the following day.

 

Imagine thirty or forty years ago, and further back when all records were on paper and x-rays were essentially photographs that needed developing. Stacks and stacks of paper in file cabinets. A doctor would have to put a request in or go to their cabinet and pull your file physically and wait for lab results then hand enter everything... it's not just medicine that has advanced but record keeping that helps to diagnose and get care much faster. With that kind of record keeping, someone would likely be too far gone to do anything simply because of the lack of speed they would be able to figure out what was wrong. 

Again I will have more information as I get connected with all the doctors and surgeon. 

Quote of the day:

"Sure, not every day will be good, but there will always be something good about every day. Notice these things and celebrate them. Train your mind to see what's right. Positivity is a choice."