Anyway, I have now made it 9 months as a survivor. That makes me realize that the appointment I just made for my 8 month follow-up check up with Dr. Hoppe, will actually be my 10 month appointment. The reason for that is because all the testing I had after my 6 month check up stretched into my future follow-up months. Confusing? In fact, I still have a few more tests to do, a PET scan and possibly a bone marrow extraction. I am in the mood to stop thinking about ever being sick!

December 20, 1997
I got back half of the results of my gene tests, and it was negative for the breast gene they were looking for. But wait, it was my blood you know, so of course they found something unusual, they found 2 mutations that they have only seen twice before in the world. I guess that the genetic people in Salt Lake City are thrilled to find some new mutations, they have even requested some of my sister's blood to see if we are a match. It would be very rare for her to have the same mutations, and if she does, then our mutations could likely be a link to breast cancer. I feel as though I am helping medical science, and I did not even have to will my body to science to do it. And the tests go on and on and on!

It seems strange to give a hair report when I have had hair for a year, but I simply cannot help myself. Sorry, but when each time I shaved my head, I told myself that I would grow my hair so long that it would keep falling into my face, but now that it is getting in my face I want to shave my head again. I won't, but On Christmas Eve I am going to cut it in some new way. So there!

Speaking of Eve's, on New Year's Eve I have an appointment with Dr. Rustagi for my last check-up this year. I plan to enter 1998 knowing that I am healthy! Of course, Dr. Rustagi is still bent on doing a PET scan before he feels confident that I am problem-free, and I would have had it by now if there were not a slew of insurance/hospital red tape mix-ups. Around the beginning of the new year I will be getting many-a-test done, and lucky me will be able to look forward to getting back many-a-result as well. Meanwhile, life goes on and on and on!