BRCA Test Results Are In

 

After getting tested for the BRCA breast cancer gene mutation I had to wait a grueling 16 days for my results to come back. While that may seem like a quick turnaround it was a long hard road for me. I really struggled with not knowing what my results would be, but I held out hope that I would receive good news.

Then the call came in.

I tested positive for BRCA 1 the same gene mutation that my mom has. As she told me the results I broke down. She was asking me what my plan was and I tried through the tears to tell her that I wanted to go to Duke. She informed me that I could work with my PA to make those choices when I went in for my physical.

The rest of my day was spent telling as many as my family members as I could. I didn't want to announce it on Facebook or social media until I had a chance to reach out to those closest to me. I cried a lot that day. A thousand questions swirled through my mind.

Have I passed this down to my children?

What will I do now?

Will I be able to get referrals for the best doctors?

Would I be able to handle it if I found out that I would need to have surgery to remove my ovaries?

Would I gain weight?

Do I already have cancer?

So yeah, that was my day. I was emotionally exhausted.

I went in for my physical as planned and my doctor was so supportive. She answered all of my questions and worked with me to get the referrals set up. I should hear something this week about Tricare and which doctors I will be able to see.

Duke and UNC Chapel Hill are the two hospitals we are considering and as long as the referrals go through I am hoping to settle with Duke. They have an amazing cancer center and I every doctor I met when I went with my mom was amazing.

After my appointment I was surprisingly at peace. I think a lot of the stress came from not knowing, but once I knew I was able to release the emotions that had been building up and move forward. I'm not saying that I think it will always feel like this because I know I have a long road ahead, but I am so thankful for the knowledge I have now. Having a heads up on this could potentially save my life and keep me from ever having to battle cancer. While ignorance may be bliss, knowledge is power.

Spiritually I feel closer to God than I have in a while. I completely trust him to guide me during this experience. I know that I will make the right choices for my family and myself and I trust that all of this has happened for a reason. I'm not sure what that reason is but I don't need to know. I'm just going to go on trusting and anticipating what He is working in me right now.

I will be sharing my journey, and what I am learning as I go through the process, so please subscribe if you'd like to follow my story.

 

Please continue to pray for us, and we would love to hear from you. If there is anything I can do for you, or if you just need an understanding ear; I am an email away.