Todd and I had an appointment with my Genetic Counselor this day.  We stopped by the Elliot Breast Health Center which is 1 door down the hallway – first.  I dropped off some dvd’s that they had let me borrow. It was great to see everyone!
They asked me how I was feeling- and for the most part- pretty good (knock on wood)!  I couldn’t remember much of anything from the previous week- up until Saturday afternoon.  All I could remember was eating macaroni and cheese.  That’s it… I guess that was the highlight of my week!  Love that mac ‘n cheese! (Just went to Sam’s Club and bought 32 more boxes- gotta love buying in bulk!)

I had tried to clean up the house a bit, pay bills- and do all that kind of stuff- but just when I thought I was doing better- I would start to get dizzy or just feelin’ funky and need to take a break.  I would have to sit down and take a rest.  So – it took me all week to do the dishes, unpack from our vacation and do some laundry.  Everything just took a little more time to do.

The other thing that I had been wrestling with was sleeping.  I really hadn’t thought that being able to get a good night’s rest would be an issue- but it was.  I wasn’t able to fall asleep before midnight or 1am all week.  I even tried cutting out naps during the day- so I would be totally rested when it came time to go to bed.

By the end of the week/weekend- I started falling asleep around 11.

I also have been having achy knees/hips.  Some days are better than others – but I most certainly wasn’t ready to jump on the treadmill and get some mileage in!

After visiting- we went over to see Ann and go over the test results.  I have the BRCA1 gene mutation.  That means that my cancer is hereditary.  I also have an increased risk of getting breast cancer again in my lifetime- as well as an increased risk for ovarian cancer.   This I knew- and had read about it in some paperwork she had given me earlier.   I had a very high chance of getting ovarian cancer in my lifetime- which to me before the appt was VERY unsettling.  Would I get it at 29 or 59?

We went over some statistics- and it would be most likely 3% in my 30’s and then 21% in my 40’s for ovarian cancer.  Those numbers could be cut in half because of the time I spent on birth control.  Birth control if taken for more than 3 years (I believe was the time table she said), would cut those risks in half.  So- 1.5% in my 30’s.  Which isn’t 0%- but easier to stomach. 

I will need to take further measures after I have children.  A good idea is to have the ovaries removed once you are done having children… then we can cut that ‘ol percentage down to 0!

So- you better believe that once we’re done with chemo- and have the green light- I want to start on havin’ a bambino or bambina (not sure what the feminine version of that word is!).

So- I had a 50/50 chance of getting this BRCA1 gene- as does my brother.  It won’t really affect him unless he has a daughter.  Luck of the draw I guess.  I’m hoping that it’s just me that has it- so he never has to think of such a thing for his family.

So- as Todd put it- it’s not good news- but its good knowledge.  We know where my cancer came from… it wasn’t from lead paint or polyester or birth control or some other off-the-wall place.  And we know for future screening for my own health- and the health of any children we have.

I know people feel differently on the subject- and I respect anyone’s own opinion on this topic.  But Todd and I wouldn’t let this knowledge stop us from having a child.  I wouldn’t want to deprive myself or him or our family- from seeing what we could create- be it a mini Todd or a mini Shannon.  To see their face, their mannerisms, their personality, their… life.  Be it selfish- maybe… but I can’t plan my life on “what if’s”.  Our offspring will have a 50/50 chance of getting this passed on to them.  There are hundreds of things that can be passed on to a child that people don’t know about… we know- and can better screen our daughter should we have one- and should they get this gene. 
And – hopefully 10-15-20 years down the road- we’ll have a cure for breast cancer, or at the least- even better screening and treatments.  Look how far we’ve come now!