meredith's garden

ugh. i didn't get to have chemo yesterday, because my blood count was too low. so, i'm going back in for labs again tomorrow, and if the numbers are up i'll be able to have it then. we'll see!

good news, though- my brca test came back negative :) that means that i don't have the genetic mutation that would raise my girls' and lindsay's and my mom's risk to somewhere between 50-80%!! it also means that all of our risk of ovarian cancer remains at that of a "typical" person. for me, it means i don't have to have a double mastectomy and hysterectomy. i *can* do the double mastectomy if i choose to, but i don't have to.

the other good news that i got yesterday is that my tumor has started to shrink!! yay!! my oncologist originally measured it (by hand- which is different then when they use mri, etc) at 4cmx4cm. yesterday he measured it as 2.5cmx3cm!! kj and i thought that if felt smaller, but were afraid it was wishful thinking... now we know the chemo's working- and after only one treatment! dr. charlson said that that doesn't always happen so i should be very happy.

i also picked up my wig yesterday. good gravy. i look like a freaking tootsie pop with it on. amy came with me- i should have her post about the experience- she would be a bit more positive, perhaps. she says it looks good, but i think she's crazy. i bought it because my insurance covers it, and i can wear it if i "need" to, but i don't think most of you will be seeing it live and in color. i'll post pics this weekend, though, i promise. it's reedonkulous. for now, just picture a giant guinea pig (about the color of my samuel for those of you that knew him) perched on top of my head. possibly squirming to be set free...

izzy still has the stomach flu. only it has moved down her digestive track. she's exploded on poor amy twice today already. it's good to have friends that love me enough to use a vacation day to let my baby poop on them. my mom got some of it yesterday, too. lucky ducks. i'm trying to stay away from the cannon in hopes of not catching it myself and making my counts go even lower.

so, hopefully i'll have chemo tomorrow. hopefully my sister will do a photo shoot of me with my wig and some of my hats and scarves. i love kj, but the man can't take a picture of me to save himself. i'm not sure why, but i always end up with 3 chins when he takes them. perhaps it has to do with his height. or my vanity... not sure which. in any event, keep watching, you never know when the guinea pig pictures will appear :)