BRCA Positive

It is at this point that my blog will likely veer off in a different direction.  I will still post about my girls (who are doing great, by the way!), but I think I need to use my blog to write about the next journey in my life: Staring down cancer.

No, I don't have cancer, but on Thursday, July 5, I got that dreaded phone call that I am, in fact, BRCA2 positive for the breast cancer gene mutation.  I can't say it was that big of a surprise due to a strong family history of breast cancer, but that doesn't really make it any easier.

I'm doing surprisingly well and haven't been all that emotional about it.  I actually sort of feel numb to it right now.  My mind has been going non-stop since I found out on Thursday and I feel like I need an outlet to process everything I'm going through and learning.  I process things by writing, and I'm hoping I can let my mind rest if I just get it out here.

So here's what I know.  I have an 84% chance of developing breast cancer, and up to 44% chance of developing ovarian cancer.  7% chance of developing pancreatic cancer, but I'm not even going to think about that one.

Here's what I don't know.  Everything else.  :)  I'll be scheduling a mammogram, ovarian ultrasound, and CA 125 test tomorrow, and then I'll have to alternate a breast MRI and mammogram every six months as well as the ovarian ultrasound and CA125 test annually for monitoring until I have surgery.  I will be having a preventive mastectomy sometime in the next 5 years, possibly as soon as next year.  I will have my ovaries removed as well at some point, though timing of that one is a little more open-ended.

Overall I am thankful.  I am thankful to be living in a time with medical advances to be armed with this sort of information.  I am thankful to be in the position to take my health into my own hands and not let cancer call the shots.  I feel a great peace about it that I can't explain.  The only explanation is God's grace. I had one of "those" moments in church this morning, when I could feel God speaking to me through our praise and worship songs.  It seemed every song was meant for me.  The last song of the morning summed it up perfectly.

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.