Genetic Consultation Update

Thought that I would give an update on my genetic consultation that I had on Monday. Before Monday, I had a phone visit with the nurse and gave her my family history, which I'm sure she had writers cramp from all the relatives that unfortunately have had cancer. They wanted all that information before my appointment to look at the pedigree of what could be going on. They think that there is definitely a genetic cancer(s) occurring in my family, mainly on my mom's father's side because of all the cases and how young everyone has been when diagnosed. She also told us about the two most common genes that are associated with breast cancer. BRCA 1 and BRCA 2, these are the two genes that I'm getting tested for now. If you are a carrier of either one of these, your chances of a recurrence of breast cancer are higher then if you don't have the gene, you also have a higher chance of getting other cancers, especially ovarian cancer. The main reason why I wanted to get the genetic test done is to help decide on what surgeries may be best for me when the time comes. If I should get a full mastectomy or hysterectomy, etc. It will also benefit the boys and my brother to know if I'm a carrier because they also could be one too. I called my brother that night and told him that if I did test positive that it is suggested that he go and get yearly mammograms and do self breast exams every month. Of course my husband being the comedian that he is said try explaining that one at work. We have to make some humor out of the bad, right? I will have a follow up in January when the results come back. When I went to go give my blood for the test the lab technician said it was her lucky day because I was number 3 for having their blood drawn for that specific genetic test. I told her that we were the ones that were not so lucky to be having this done.

I will have a PET scan on Christmas Eve, so I hope that they will let me know by the next week on what the results will be. I am sure that there will be no tumors, but you never know with this sneaky disease. My tumor markers seem to be a good indication for me and that the chemo is working and the caner cells continue to disappear. I was suppose to have my next Herceptin chemo on New Years Eve, but my oncologist will be gone that day, so since I am only on Herceptin now, he said it would be fine to have it pushed back one week, so my next infusion will be the 7th of January.

I am posting a couple of pictures of the boys. Brock and I made a gingerbread house, of course Brock wanted to eat it as soon as it was finished. It was fun making and eating. Griffin had his 4 month checkup yesterday and he's as healthy as can be. He was not a happy camper with getting shots though. At least dad was the one holding him and not me, so you can guess who is not his favorite right now.







We are getting ready for Christmas and of course Brock is looking forward to what Santa will be bringing him this year. I'm looking forward to spending time with our families and just cherishing the moments that we will have. Merry Christmas to everyone!

One more note, I've decided that Stacie is no longer allowed to write on my blog anymore and I made sure to let Santa know that she was naughty and not to visit her this year. LOL.