Cathy's tests all went fine yesterday.  We don't know results yet, but she choked down the barium ok and had a really quick bone scan - way faster than mine usually are.  Maybe I'll go to Bethesda North next time if I can.


We did get the genetic testing results back much faster than we expected.  Cathy is positive for BRCA1 and negative for BRCA2.  It is my understanding that this is important in determining the extent of surgery and for informing relatives of their potential for carrying the gene mutation.  Forgive me if I'm repeating myself, but having BRCA1 means that Cathy is at a much higher likelihood for recurrence after she beats this.  Therefore, surgery will most likely mean bilateral mastectomy and removal of the ovaries because the BRCA gene is linked to a high percentage of ovarian cancer as well.  There's no final decision on that, but it seems that is what Dr. Ho will recommend and I think Cathy would rather play it safe by being more aggressive.


Jayne has a regular check up tomorrow and she will ask her doctor about genetic testing for her and Marty because Cathy got the gene from one or both of them.  There's no blaming here, that's just the way genetics works.  Our genetic counselor has offered to meet with both of them to discuss all of the implications.  


It's been great having our moms here.  Robby helped me transplant some trees today.  She has a green thumb and mine is brown, so I appreciate giving those trees a leg up.  She's out with Jonah now doing some birthday shopping.  Jayne is spending some good mother/daughter time with Cathy at a couple of wig shops.  Aaron, Clara, and I are going to go to the library and get my filthy car washed/vacuumed.  It helps to be able to divide and conquer.


There's no way we will be able to say thank you enough to all the people who have offered help and who have helped so far.  There are so many kind friends, family, and even strangers.  Thank you all.