GOOD GRIEF, WHAT'S NEXT???!!!

Hey there! Well, .....I had genetic testing last week for the BRCA gene 1 and 2, the gene mutations for ovarian and breast cancers. My grandmother (maternal side) died at 49 of breast cancer and my mom died at 64 of ovarian. Despite this - I did know that a very small percentage of the population will test postive for the hereditary gene mutation and I was honestly expecting to test negative....... and I was WRONG! I tested positive. That means that my boys and my sisters have a 50/50 chance of testing positive. What I did find out is that I have up to an 87% chance of developing breast cancer.....that's where my "good grief" comes in. I will be looking into what exactly i'm doing next during this month and the month of July, but I'm most likely going to be having a mastectomy at some point and hopefully sooner rather than later. I still have some stuff to learn and specialists to talk to, but that's what I want to do. I don't want to sit and wait around to be diaganosed with breast cancer, I want to take the "bull by the horns" and just do it! From what i understand, it is possible to have resconstruction at the same time.

Hey, i'm all good with it, so don't worry about me. I like to say "it is what it is". I was much more upset to think of the rest of the family having now to test and possibly undergo all this stuff as well. So we pray that the lab tests are correct and they all test negative!

Just for general info for anybody that might be faced with it....my insurance did cover the $3,800 that it costs for the comprehensive testing. Now that the gene has been detected and isolated, the family members would test for approx. $300, since they have pinpointed that particular gene.

I am currently an A cup. I will be taking feedback and opinions on what i should be next (as i would definitely would want to go bigger than that) - please feel free to weigh in on the subject. I've never been anything but an A, so i'm looking for all your "sage advice out there, men, you can weigh in, too!!!! :)

Please feel free to contact me with any questions - I'd like to be able to help anyone that may need it.

The good news - I continue to recover from my surgery and am doing better each day. I also just love my little bit of hair. The only thing is ALOT of you people out there were promising me curly hair - and I'm here to tell you that there is NOT ONE FREAKIN CURL IN SITE.

thanks and please pray for the rest of my family! laura XXOO

no chemo for laura :D

Hey, this is a long story, so i'll keep it short!
My maintenence chemo was being moved about 15 min further away (so an hour & 1/2). I did not do well with the first treatment- it was seriously messing with my brain. I contacted a local Dr. about having it moved closer to home. In the process - he suggested i don't do the maintenence chemo due to me having the brain toxicity and the fact that i've just had 2 surgeries and all my biopsies were clean ... he felt that this round may do more harm than good. SO- I'm opting out and taking my chances. It feels good not to have to go thru it again, but on the other hand - it was a "security" blanket. I see my main Dr and surgeon - Dr. A on Monday and will discuss it with him. I'll keep you posted......
thanks for always checking in with me - i really do appreciate it! XXOO laura