Getting 2nd opinion

"A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel." Proverbs 1:5

After attending the UCSD seminar on breast cancer the other night, we learned a few new things and were able to meet a couple doctors and schedule some appointments to get a second opinion on my case. This will happen March 17th.
At this free seminar put on by UCSD (if you remember from my earlier blog, this is the seminar that we heard about on the radio while we were sitting in the exam room at the plastic surgeon's office) we listened to about 6 specialists speak on topics like genetic testing, imaging (mammography), radiology, surgery and oncology (chemo and hormone therapy). They spoke about some very interesting clinical trials being practiced at UCSD-- which gave us validation that this cancer center is top-notch.
I was very interested in the general surgeon, who also does plastic surgery/reconstruction. Coincidentally (or God) I was also referred to her by a friend of a friend...so I was able to speak with her during the break and decided to make an appointment to have her give me a second opinion. She did say, however, that based on what she knew of my case that the decision that I face is probably emotional and nothing more. She also mentioned that she thought I should have an MRI to see if there was more cancer in the breast (something my doctors have said would not be helpful with DCIS). I guess that is why you get 2nd opinions.
The other nugget of information we picked up at the seminar was about genetic testing. The doctor who spoke gave a statistic-- which was much higher than I expected-- she said the if you were <50 years old at diagnosis and had one relative that was also <50 at diagnosis you were 16% likely to have the BRCA gene. I have two aunts and a cousin that have had breast cancer...along with other various cancers in my family. So after speaking with her, she did say that it was likely I could carry the gene, but of course I may not. I did make an appointment to see her, but am still unsure if I want to do genetic testing.
So this was a week of education and learning. I really felt like the seminar was held at the perfect time-- for me! Exactly when I needed it. How amazing. There was only about 50 people there (in all of SD county!) and at the end of the whole thing, there were only two of us making appointments to see doctors.
So now I will continue to pray and listen for God. I will also keep educating myself as much as I can. I also want to talk to some survivors who have undergone lumpectomy with radiation at my age to see what their results have been. And hopefully that will help me pass the time until March 17th. It feels like a long time to wait for the "next surgery". But that is what I must do.
So you may not hear from me for a while. But if something comes up and I publish a new posting, I will let you know.
Thank you, as always, for your prayers.