I went to UCSF today to meet with a genetic counselor and give them some blood so they could run a comprehensive genetic test (apparently way more comprehensive than the cheek swab genetic test I had around this time last year, which came back as negative for the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 genes). The counselor was terrific and I learned a lot (not that I'll remember most of it, but that's ok). The Cancer Center at UCSF also turned out to be pretty impressive and even though I hate the idea that I have to go there at all, the place and the people all felt competent, supportive and reassuring (and very, very professional, in a good way).

The thing about being treated at a major top-notch medical research institution is that they do not f**k around when it comes to applying science to a problem...they not only know what they're doing, they're the ones actually leading the charge in our understanding of how cancer works. So despite being a tiny bit freaked out about hearing all the scary things that they could possibly find in my DNA (for example there was one point where the counselor told me in all seriousness that even though she's not usually prescriptive, if they find one particular gene, she would recommend I get immediately get my ovaries surgically removed), I'm also feeling really good about the fact that I will have a super complete chunk of info once this analysis is done. I think this genetic info could be a big help in the decision-making about treatments that are looming on the horizon. Unfortunately the results will take about a month to get to us, and that means more waiting, but it feels worth it, at least for now.

Science, I love you. Don't ever leave me.