A long droning sound disturbs me from my reverie. I look up and see an odd shaped robotic apparatus above me and I become aware of the fact that I am lying down and the flatness of the structure beneath me is pressing into my back. In my semi-dressed state I can feel the chill in the air from the air conditioner. My hands are above my head and I cannot move, not even an inch. All I can do is lie very still and let my mind wander.
I think about how far I have come in the past six months and that I am almost at the end of this part of the journey. Soon I will come to another juncture in my life, for this journey will never end.
I think about the genetic testing appointment, the genetic counsellor explained to me that everyone has the BRCA 1 & BRCA 2 gene in their bodies. It is a gene that is meant to prevent you getting cancer however in some people the gene mutates and therefore causes cancer. When the genetic test is done they only look at these two genes to find any anomalies. I meet the following criteria for genetic testing.
I met all of the above criteria and that is why they are offering me the genetic testing. My chances of being BRCA 1 or 2 positive are slim but nevertheless there is still a chance. It will take 6 - 8 months to get the results. If I am positive I will need to consider having a bilateral mastectomy and remove both the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
I hear the long droning sound again and once more I am disturbed from my daydream. The sound means that the machine is on and directing the radiation into the affected parts in my body. As yet I have not really felt much from this treatment. By the middle of the week I am usually exhausted. The redness and sunburn usually sets in by week 3. I know I can handle this I have done the chemo already and this pales in comparison.
The technicians come into the room and tell me I'm almost done. I still cannot move. They attach another contraption onto the machine and then leave me again in the cold room.
At the beginning of each radiation session I come into the room and lie on a flat surface with a plastic moulded head rest and a plastic moulded knee rest. It is not very comfortable. I have to put my hands above my head and place my fingers around two handles. The lights are dimmed so that they can see the infra red lines on my torso. The lines have to match up with the midline tattoo on my chest. Once that is in position they bring out a tiny metal ruler and begin measuring. the measurement from the midline tattoo to the top of my left elbow must be 47cm, the same for the right elbow. The measurement from elbow to elbow is 59cm. The measuring continues and if a measurement is out they move me into position - and usually their hands are cold against my skin. The whole process is pretty quick and I am usually done within 15 minutes.
I think about how far I have come in the past six months and that I am almost at the end of this part of the journey. Soon I will come to another juncture in my life, for this journey will never end.
I think about the genetic testing appointment, the genetic counsellor explained to me that everyone has the BRCA 1 & BRCA 2 gene in their bodies. It is a gene that is meant to prevent you getting cancer however in some people the gene mutates and therefore causes cancer. When the genetic test is done they only look at these two genes to find any anomalies. I meet the following criteria for genetic testing.
- CRITERIA
- I had triple negative cancer
- I was diagnosed under the age of 50
- I have another family member with breast cancer and ovarian cancer
- The cancer was stage 3
I met all of the above criteria and that is why they are offering me the genetic testing. My chances of being BRCA 1 or 2 positive are slim but nevertheless there is still a chance. It will take 6 - 8 months to get the results. If I am positive I will need to consider having a bilateral mastectomy and remove both the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
I hear the long droning sound again and once more I am disturbed from my daydream. The sound means that the machine is on and directing the radiation into the affected parts in my body. As yet I have not really felt much from this treatment. By the middle of the week I am usually exhausted. The redness and sunburn usually sets in by week 3. I know I can handle this I have done the chemo already and this pales in comparison.
The technicians come into the room and tell me I'm almost done. I still cannot move. They attach another contraption onto the machine and then leave me again in the cold room.
At the beginning of each radiation session I come into the room and lie on a flat surface with a plastic moulded head rest and a plastic moulded knee rest. It is not very comfortable. I have to put my hands above my head and place my fingers around two handles. The lights are dimmed so that they can see the infra red lines on my torso. The lines have to match up with the midline tattoo on my chest. Once that is in position they bring out a tiny metal ruler and begin measuring. the measurement from the midline tattoo to the top of my left elbow must be 47cm, the same for the right elbow. The measurement from elbow to elbow is 59cm. The measuring continues and if a measurement is out they move me into position - and usually their hands are cold against my skin. The whole process is pretty quick and I am usually done within 15 minutes.