You can't just jump into cancer treatment right away. The doctors need to understand how much cancer is in your body, what type it is, how fast it's growing, and so much more. And so you proceed with many tests.
The first tests were already done: Diagnostic Mammogram, Diagnostic Ultrasound, Needle Biopsy, and initial bloodwork. Now it was time to amp things up.
I was tested for the cancer genes - that blood-test proved positive for the BRACA2 gene, which means I'm at higher risk for getting cancer (well yeah), and for it to come back if treated once
I was sent to get a PET/CT scan, a strange tube you lie in keeping perfectly still while the scanner uses radioactive dye shot into your veins to find out where the cancer is hanging out. Not a fun time with the needles and the tight space, but not too awful.
Next I went to do an MRI. This time I requested relaxing medicine since I'd heard horror stories about the claustrophobia. It must have worked, because my only issue was that the earphones they gave me did almost nothing to block the horrendously loud sounds of the MRI taking the scans. I had to lie still for at least 30 minutes face down being blasted by noise. I was thankful for the relaxant, I could have napped if it had been quieter, lol.
And finally, more blood-work. This test showed that I had cancer in my blood, which means it is travelling and thinking about forming another tumor.
The tests all came back showing that the stage is still 1, but the tumor is very large (my doctor figured that out in her 5 minute exam). The doctor wanted to schedule surgery for one month from the first meeting we had with her, but we wanted time to research. She agreed, saying the tumor has probably been growing for a year, and appears to be slow growing.
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