[mausmish]

Susan, i am fortunately double insured, United Healthcare and Tricare standard. Regarding the chromosome abnormalities, it sounds like you're talking about the number of cells affected rather than the number of abnormalities (or perhaps both). For example, in my first biopsy I had 14 out 20 cells that were abnormal. Each of those 14 cells had multiple abnormalities such as 5q deletion, trisomy 8, and several others as well as an unknown marker. When I had my biopsies redone 3 months and six months later, only 1 cell in 20 was abnormal but that cell had all the same chromosome abnormalities as before. I was very confused initially because I'd never heard of any of this. I got a copy of my cytogenetic report and then found a site online that explained how to read it, which helped a lot. I still find the reports difficult to read because of the medical jargon. I'm a math/computer geek so this is alien to me.

It's great that you have a team of doctors you're comfortable with. That's so important. I've been fortunate in that respect, too.