Throwback Thursday - April 24, 2014

Aunt Marji and I at the Mousetrap Bar (no idea who the creepy guy in the background is). 

This weeks Throwback Thursday is dedicated to my godmother, Aunt Marji. We lost her just 2 short weeks ago. 

I always admired my Aunt. She was so strong. In her early 20's, she had a kidney transplant, she was born with only one kidney. Doctors at one point told her that she would never have kids. She went on to have 2 beautiful children, one who literally became a rocket scientist and the other a teacher. That first kidney lasted for many years, until she once again began the process of regular dialysis until another kidney was available for her. 

In 2012, our prayers were answered and she got the call that a match had been found. However, our joy was short lived when in June of 2013, she found out that she had ovarian cancer. The same cancer that took her mother's life (my grandmother) in 1996. With advancements in cancer treatments, we were always hopeful that she would beat this thing. She endured round after round of chemo, all the while hoping her new kidney would withstand the stress. After the cancer had shrunk enough, the doctors performed a hysterectomy and again we were hopeful this was all over. But the cancer had made its way to other places. Attacking other organs in her body. She lost weight, a lot of weight. She lost her hair. But she never lost her spirit. 

Unfortunately, the cancer won and she passed peacefully surrounded by her family. 

She fought hard. She endured more than anyone that I have ever known, but she always smiled. On the surface, she had a "thems the breaks" type of attitude. Just like my grandmother did. 

I always felt a kinship with my aunt. Although I didn't go through anywhere near what she did, we both had c sections. Both our first born were preemie, although hers a few weeks sooner than mine. Whenever I was concerned about Brandon, I thought of her son, who was born at 28 weeks, he is the rocket scientist.

And as with my grandmother, I never understood how someone could face so much uncertainty and endure so much and still stay positive and be grateful for the things that they do have. However, it's people like my aunt and my grandmother that have taught me no mater what, there is always something to be thankful for, even when the situation seems hard and bleak.

I love my aunt dearly and will always miss her. But I know she is no longer living in pain and she is at peace. 

Cancer - Would You Want to Know Your Risk?

When I was younger, my grandmother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I never really understood what was going on except that she had cancer and went for chemo and lost all her hair. She pasted 16 years ago. Since then, cancer hasn't been something that was talk in our family. We were all pretty healthy.

Until this year. That nasty little C word reared its ugly head. My aunt was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Fortunately, early detection and treatment options have advanced by leaps and bounds and she is kicking cancers ass.

However, by recommendation of the doctors, they have suggested that all of my grandmother's children, most critically, the women, get tested to assess their risk with a BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 test. Those results will then dictate who in the next generation should be tested. My generation.

My mother had a full hysterectomy a few years ago, so her risk of ovarian cancer is, well, zilch. But unfortunately, that does not change my risk factor. Although it would be easier that way.

So, before going much further, I did a little research on what this test was and how it would assess my own risk in developing these cancers.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce tumor suppressing protein. These proteins help repair damaged DNA. If wither of these genes are mutated, they cannot properly repair damaged DNA and as a result the cells are more likely to develop into genetic alterations that can lead to cancer.

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 test for these mutations and determine the lifetime risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer. Once of my grandmother's daughters have been tested and she has an 84% chance of developing ovarian cancer and her and her doctor have decided a hysterectomy is in her best interest. 

I called our insurance company today and we are fortunate that they will cover the test at 100%. But now I sit and wonder, do I want to know? What would knowing my risk do? Would it change how I live my life? Would I live my life in fear? Would I elect to have a full hysterectomy? What if I am pregnant with a girl, am I potentially putting her at risk someday? 

So, I'm curious, would you want to know and how would it change you?