Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom!! I miss you so much.

Witches of Menopause

           In lieu of the upcoming Halloween Holiday... I thought THIS was very appropriate!!!

                                                  Stay Safe out there this Saturday!

BRCA Genes Defined

BRCA1 and BRCA1 (/ˌbrækəˈwʌn/^[1]) are a human gene and its protein product, respectively. The official symbol (BRCA1, italic for the gene, nonitalic for the protein) and the official name (breast cancer 1, early onset) are maintained by the HGNC. Orthologs, styled Brca1 and Brca1, are common in other mammalspecies.^[2] BRCA1 is a human tumor suppressor gene^[3][4] (to be specific, a caretaker gene), found in all humans; its protein, also called by the synonym breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein, is responsible for repairing DNA.^[5]

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are normally expressed in the cells of breast and other tissue, where they help repair damaged DNA or destroy cells if DNA cannot be repaired. They are involved in the repair of chromosomal damage with an important role in the error-free repair of DNAdouble-strand breaks.^[6][7] If BRCA1 or BRCA2 itself is damaged by a BRCA mutation, damaged DNA is not repaired properly, and this increases the risk for breast cancer.^[8][9] Thus, although the terms "breast cancer susceptibility gene" and "breast cancer susceptibility protein" (used frequently both in and outside the medical literature) sound as if they describe an oncogene, BRCA1 and BRCA2 are normal; it is their mutation that is abnormal.

BRCA1 combines with other tumor suppressors, DNA damage sensors, and signal transducers to form a large multi-subunit protein complex known as the BRCA1-associated genome surveillance complex (BASC).^[10] The BRCA1 protein associates with RNA polymerase II, and through the C-terminaldomain, also interacts with histone deacetylasecomplexes. Thus, this protein plays a role in transcription, DNA repair of double-strand breaks^[9] ubiquitination, transcriptional regulation as well as other functions.^[11]

Methods to diagnose the likelihood of getting cancer of a patient with mutations in BRCA1and BRCA2 were covered by patents owned or controlled by Myriad Genetics.^[12][13] Myriad's business model of offering the diagnostic test exclusively led from Myriad being a startup in 1994 to being a publicly traded company with 1200 employees and about $500M in annual revenue in 2012;^[14] it also led to controversy over high prices and the inability to get second opinions from other diagnostic labs, which in turn led to the landmark Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Geneticslawsuit.^[15]

Source: Wikipedia 

Optimal Health

After my mom lost her 9 year battle with Ovarian Cancer, I went on a downward spiral with my depression and health. I turned to food for comfort. I was gaining a lot of my weight back and "eating my feelings".

I took a good look in the mirror and said to myself " You will get a hysterectomy so that you don't get ovarian cancer, but you are on a very unhealthy path in your life"

I would undergo surgery to avoid sickness, but then gain weight and continue to be obese because I was sad? That was very counterproductive of me. Something had to change!

My health coach reached out to me with a program that saved me! I have lost 37 lbs in 3 1/2 months and I feel better than ever! I am also a Health Coach now. I am paying it forward. I want to help people acheive optimal health, like my coach has been doing for me.

I would've done anything to make my mom healthy. ANYTHING.

It's time to make America Healthy again! Stop the sickness before it begins.

Please reach out to me if you, or someone you know, is sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.

Want to acheive optimal health? I can help you!

Movin' on up

We are now officially living in "North Country".

It's beautiful up here. I wish my mom could've seen our new house and this area. She would've loved it. I can feel her presence here though (weird since it's somewhere new), but as I decorate and put personal touches on the house, so much of her comes through in that.

She was SUCH a talented decorator and so crafty (during the days before Pinterest made EVERYONE crafty). She definitely passed down that love of crafts to me, although the execution of said crafts  isn't quite the same! Lol. She would spend hours and days doing a craft that I would have done in 30 minutes. Needless to say, hers's always looked WAY better. Haha

In our last house, I had my mother's ashes, picture and some keepsakes on our dresser in our room. I loved it and it comforted me at night (which is the only moments of the day I have to myself to think and reflect). The only thing is, it felt kind of "shrine-esque". Also, nobody else really saw it or could appreciate it since it was tucked away in the Master bedroom.

In this house I'm thinking of dispersing the items throughout the house, so it's a little bit of her presence in each room, keepsakes here, ashes there, pictures over there.. You get the idea!

Anyone have any great tips for keeping a lost loved one's memory alive in your new home without having the shrine feel to your house? I'm open to all tips!

How are my readers doing? We'll be ready for visitors soon! Any friends and family wanting to explore "North Country" we have a guest room! (Sans shrine) 😉

Much love!

Chill out hottie!

If you have Ovarian cancer (or even breast cancer) or maybe you're a BRCA-teer like me, and have had a hysterectomy, you are blessed with menopause and all it's amazing side effects! :-) YAY!

You know what though? I'd so much rather be in menopause and avoid cancer, than the alternative! (for those of you who are fighting the good fight, your chances of beating this are so much greater if you've had a hysterectomy, or at least a bilateral salpingo oopherectomy)

So what do we all know about menopause? HOTFLASHES of course! I am an expert on them now.

If you are new to hotflashes, you may wonder how you can stay cool during the summer months...

• Drink ice water.

• Aviod caffeine (caffeine can trigger hot flashes)

• Avoid spicy foods (can also trigger hot flashes)

• Have cold meals instead of hot food (trade the soups in for cold bisques and the hot pasta in for pasta salads! Have your herbal tea iced this summer, it's refreshing)

• Crank that A/C!

• Swim (it's great exercise AND it will cool you to the core!)

• Portable fan

• Use a bed sheet instead of a heavy quilt at night

• Run your errands early before it gets hot, or at night after the sun goes down

• Utilize that automatic start for the car! It's not just for the winter! Cool off your vehicle before you even get in!

• Wear your hair up and avoid wearing hats. (Heat escapes through your head and feet.. Wear sandals and avoid headgear that can add to the blazing inferno that is now your body)

• Cold Showers

• Eat popsicles! (they have less calories than ice cream!)

• If your stressed and frazzled, stop, take five minutes to cool down and take deep breathes.. This one is key! If you're going a mile a minute like us girls tend to do, the stress of it all can cause a hot flash and make it even MORE stressful!

• Eat ice (don't tell your dentist I told you to do this!)

• Sit in front of a fan. (lol This is ow I ate my dinner tonight!)

"The Book of Excuses"

My mother used to always say that she could write a whole book of excuses.

Excuses for being late, missing appointments, cancelling plans, you name it.. she had an excuse for it.

I think my favorite was when she would call her doctor's office and tell them she couldn't make it because she was too sick!! Mom, really?!? DUH!!!!! That's why you have to GO TO THE DOCTOR!!! We would laugh til we cried about it.There's a thousand more just like it too.

Of course everyone close to her knew about this incredible talent that she possessed. I, of course, always knew when she was using one of her amazing "one liners" on me, so they never worked with me! She never needed an excuse for me though. Sometimes it felt like we were on a whole other wave length.. Our own special kind of crazy ;-)

What is the best excuse you've ever come up with to get out of something?!?

I always wanted to write a book about my mom's life and my journey with her.... I just had a momentary thought... The title of that book would be... "The book of excuses"

I've toyed with "The funny story behind mom's cancer" but she was so much more than her cancer.. WE were so much more than her cancer. "the invincible woman" would've been suitable, til she passed...

"My guardian angel", but that title wouldn't sell books..

Who am I kidding.. pfft. I'll never get around to actually writing a book!

....but hey! Just in case I do.. I have a title!

The saddest episode

Emotional mother/daughter scenes in TV shows and movies really get to me.

I mean, I'm not running out there and watching "my sister's keeper" or "Marley & Me", but cancer is so prevalent in today's society (which sucks btw), but now it's made it's way on to all my favorite TV shows too.

The place I go to escape reality and reality comes right back, smacking me in the face!

My husband and I have recently started watching "Parenthood".

LOVE this show. What's even better, is that we can watch it all the way through to the series finale without commercials! WIN! Thank you Amazon Prime!

**spoiler alert**

One of the characters gets breast cancer. She undergoes a mastectomy and chemo and has a scare in one of the episodes that had my husband and I in a tear soaked puddle of sadness.

We've both lost a parent in the last few years. It's been so tough. This is the first time we both broke down emotionally over a TV episode though! Lol!

I mean, sure.. I'm the one who's secretly blubbering like a baby during Bambi, or when little foot loses his mama and gets a tree star. We've even had heated debates because he didn't cry at the end of "The Notebook". In fact, he got up and grabbed a beer during the saddest dang part! I have accused him of being heartless and empty inside because of his lack of emotion sometimes, haha, but he's just a guy and he can't help it that "The Lion King" doesn't move him to mourn!

Last night was rough though. Cancer, a parent dying, a heartfelt goodbye, and 2 saps on the couch. Dealing with loss SUCKS! I hate that it's a part of life.

I Love You Aaron Keil! It's you and me forever! I'm doing everything I can to NOT get these dang cancers!

Is Caitlyn Jenner a Hero?

Ok, so I hope I don't lose friends over this.. Normally I don't comment on extremely controversial topics, but I have to say something about all the comparisons being made about Caitlyn Jenner and "True American Heroes"

 This is gonna be long, but stick with me...

 Being an Army wife, (and a sister-in-law to a catastrophically injured Iraqi Veteran) I have seen true sacrifice and heroism. I have seen soldiers come back from war with PTSD,  multiple amputations, TBI's, you name it. Soldiers that will never walk again because of their sacrifice for our country. They are so brave and courageous. They are heroes to so many of us out there, including myself. What they give up every day to protect our freedom is by far and away the definition of selflessness. The military families out there are also very brave and courageous. Being a military family is not for the faint of heart, I know this all too well. For the gold star moms and families of the fallen, I have the utmost respect and compassion. To send your child off to war and not have them come home alive is a grief that no parent should ever have to feel and I honestly don't know how they get through it, but they are amazing and inspiring. Very very brave and courageous.

Our policemen and Firefighters, our EMT's and first responders.. These people put their lives on the line for us every single day to protect the home front. Without them, some of us wouldn't even be here! They are also very brave and courageous men and women whom I respect greatly and am very thankful for.

 However,  bravery and courageousness (is that even a word?) come in all shapes and forms.While yes, Our Armed Forces and first responders are very honorable and brave, but that's not the only kind of bravery that exists is in this world.

 My mother was my hero. She was brave and courageous. She was not a soldier or a firefighter. No. She was just so brave until her last breath! She battled brain surgery and meningitis at the young age of 37. Shortly after recovering from that, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia  which triggered severe depression, chronic fatigue, and a slew of other ailments that are too lengthy to list. Only to be diagnosed with stage 3C Ovarian Cancer at the young age of 47. She battled that with every ounce of her being and lost her 9 year battle on February 3 2015. She was there for any and EVERYone. She never felt good, but boy could she make YOU feel like a million bucks! She was the greatest person who ever lived. She was brave and courageous and a HERO to so many people (ask anyone who knew her). 122 people showed up the day of her funeral. My mother never served in the Armed Forces. Does that make her less brave and Heroic?

What does ANY of this have to do with Caitlyn Jenner, you ask? Well, I've seen it on many forums, articles, news casts, etc. That Caitlyn Jenner (former Bruce Jenner) isn't worthy of the title "Hero", "Courageous" and/or "Brave".

I greatly DISAGREE.

You do not have to be "America's Best" to be a hero. You do not have to go to war and be injured in order to qualify for the title. It was courageous to go through such a major, controversial, transformation in the public eye. Bruce Jenner never once took away from the fact that soldiers are heroes. Also, Caitlyn Jenner does not refer to HERSELF as a "hero". This is a title that has been used by the media and other critics and sources to describe what she has done, but it's true. Bruce Jenner could've gone off the grid and done this in privacy, but instead, he chose to shine some light on this very real, very socially unacceptable situation. He stood up in front of the world and said "this is me, and that's ok. Call me Caitlyn" I admire him for that. I wouldn't have had the courage to do it if I were in his shoes (which are probably more fabulous than anything I can ever afford to wear btw). Bravo(a) Caitlyn Jenner! It was courageous, heroic to so many, and very brave of you to stand up for the transgender community and share your huge, and inspiring transformation with the world! That's one step closer to Transgenders being socially acceptable, and anyone who can use their money and fame to do that for the world should be respected. There are lots of courageous people in the world today, I think Caitlyn Jenner is one of them.

Side note*** Many people do not agree with Transgender and/or gender identity disorder.. We can agree to disagree. I may get some backlash for my opinions. Especially being so closely tied to the military. Many of you may hate everything I've had to say here today, but It's my opinion, my blog, and I had to say it. 

Photo found at:http://www.businessinsider.com/bruce-jenner-revealed-as-caitlin-jenner-2015-6

Was it brave of me to post this ;-p (sorry, I couldn't resist)

Worst place EVER

Hot flashes. Something I've become a SME (subject matter expert) on.

I often think about the worst places a person could EVER experience a hot flash. The worst place I ever had a hot flash was at a hair show in Chicago. I was looking at OPI and BAM!!! Dripping sweat, my beautifully done hair was soaking and the curls were going straight and sticking to my face and neck. (Sexy, right?) nobody said anything, but watching a 30 yr old girl fanning herself while dying of heat in a perfectly cooled atmosphere is just weird. My face was flushed and I could feel the blood pounding in my cheeks. There DEFINITELY are worse places to experience this and at least I wasn't in stage. Sheesh!

So here's MY list of best and worst places I've ever had Hotflashes. What's yours?!

Best                        Worst
Car.                         Sauna
Shower.                  Steam room
Winter.                   Summer
Restaurant.             Meeting
Industrial freezer.   Ball Gown Shooping
Pool.                       Yoga
                             

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is all about remembering the fallen military members. May we never forget the brave souls who fought for our freedom & safety!

Be conscious of what you put in your body this weekend at all the picnics and BBQ's we have to celebrate these brave men and women who lost their lives.

Food can be the best medicine or the worst poison.

Opt for natural, organic and/or non-GMO whenever possible.

Look for ingredients like Palm oil, partially hydrogenated oils, soy, aspartame and "artificial flavors.. These ingredients have all been linked to cancer.

You can just do your best! Don't starve yourself trying so hard to avoid these things, but everything in moderation and be mindful of your choices.

"Happy" Memorial Day

Stay Safe!

World Ovarian Cancer Day

World Ovarian Cancer Day is May 8th. Wear your teal proudly! Ask your friends and family if they know the signs and symptoms. I will wear teal today in memory of my beautiful mom who is my shining angel in heaven! Love you mom & miss you dearly!



Photo Courtesy of the 

Anne Rita Monahan Foundation

Get the Facts

• All women are at risk, not just BRCA positive women
• pay attention to your body and any symptoms you may have
• pap smears are for STD and infections and other possible health risk, but NOT for ovarian cancer.
• Early detection is key!

Care To Data Share

Great News!

The company handling BRCA testing is now taking it upon themselves to figure out who could have the gene based on family history.

When you meet with genetic counselors, they go over your family tree to make sure it is up to date and add any BRCA findings to the list. I always thought this was a great way to keep track of a pattern in a family as far as genes go, but now they're taking it a step further. They will be looking through BRCA findings to figure out people who may be effected by the gene without having been tested yet.

Also they will be focusing on previously tested patients who had negative results that may in fact still have the gene (that happened to my mom when she was first tested. Dr Janicek insisted that she be retested a couple years later and sure enough, she was positive for BRCA-1). It's amazing how science is ever changing and a simple test and family tree can save so many lives.

Thank you Dr Janicek, for double checking my mom. It actually added years to her life because it qualified her for specific clinical trials. It also has given no less than 6 women in our family the knowledge of having the gene.

This is the pro active approach to cancer that is better than any drug!

Here is the story . Click on the word "story" to read about this new data share.

Unbelievable

Apparently Aetna (which was my mom's insurance company) and Cigna are saying they will no longer cover the new genetic cancer panel testing.

This is bologna!!!

I understand that insurance companies are not technically obligated to pay for genetic testing if it's not in their coverage plan, however, the basis for their arguments is that there's an unneccesary influx of patients wanting to be tested due to Angelina's new (ish) "compagne" urging women with family history to be tested for the BRCA genes.

Bull shit Bull shit Bull shit

These test will potentially save these insurance companies millions of dollars! Early detection and/or preventive surgery is MUCH less expensive than the alternative (chemo, debulking surgeries and radiation therapies as well as any other medications needed to counteract side effects and cancer pain)

I can't say I'm surprised, but it really blows me away how close minded some corporations and companies can be.

Here is the story about what the companies are saying (click on the link "story")

All I can say is, know your family history, and push for what you want and deserve as far as healthcare goes. I know it's rough to fight with insurance companies, I've had to do my fair share as well, but this article is saying that they aren't covering the "new multi gene panel testing".. Hopefully they're still covering the BRCA-1 & BRCA-2 test that originally has been used (the one I had done) and hopefully celebs like Angelina, Kelly Osbourne & Pierce  Brosnan (sp) can be crusaders & put some heat on these companies to cover these life saving tests!

*** end rant***. 😉

I got your back girl!

What do you think about this girl who had her tubes tied at 28 years old as a form of birth control?

Read the full story here

Honestly, I'm not against it at all. Quite the contrary actually. Women who do not want children and get pregnant either have an abortion, put their child up for adoption or end up keeping the baby and are really bad mom's because they resent their child. Not to mention the countless stories of babies being found in dumpster etc. (btw this is not to say if you don't want kids and end up having them anyways, that you are a bad mom.. That's just usually what happens, but not always)

I REALLY wanted a child and even I was surprised by how challenging it can be and how much it change your life. So, if you know you don't want kids, don't have them. Period.

That being said... Getting her tubes tied is not 100% effective as far as birth control. If she wanted sterilization, she should've opted for Hysteroscopic occlusion (coils in the Fallopian tubes that create scar tissue that blocks the tube entirely). Or she could opt for a bilateral salpingo oopherectomy which would remove the tubes and ovaries completely which would protect her from ovarian cancer.

Nonetheless.. Good for her! I know what it's like to hear doctors say "are you sure you don't want (anymore in my case) children? You could change your mind"

When you're at the doctor, asking for a life sleeping surgery.. Typically, you're more than 100% positive!

Besides, there's always adoption which can be extremely rewarding.

Hope you're having a fabulous holiday weekend!

Xoxoxo

Cancer Dancer

Dark colored soda causes cancer?

It's been said that soda causes cancer, but that is mostly due to the kind of sweetner used in diet soda.

This article shows how the caramel color used in dark sodas like cola and root beer, can cause cancer.

Read more here .

This is an article I found through another cancer blog and I found it interesting. Do your research. It is a good idea to know about any chemical or substance that you put in your body.

If you are a soda drinker it might  be a good idea to look into this.

I am the first one to say "everything causes cancer, so what's the use?" However, it really is important to know, especially if you are predisposed to cancer to begin with. Although genes may be the CAUSE for Breast & Ovarian cancers with the BRCA gene, the crap we put in our bodies doesn't help!

This is not a hoax or "April Fools" post. I did get my husband pretty god this morning though! ;-)

So, I'll leave you with this... May you be aware of all the questionable things in life and got pull a joke on someone today, but don't fall for anything! <3

Never ever ever give up

My mom used to say, "Never ever ever give up".

It's true. She never lost hope.

Here is an article about some success with a trial that keeps advanced ovarian cancer and recurring ovarian cancers at bay.

Check it out for more details.

There's always another opinion. There's always trials going on. If you've got some fight left, give it all you got!

Carpe Diem ladies!!! ...and gents!

Kelly comes out

Kelly Osbourne opens up about being BRCA-1 positive!

Read the story here

The cure for Ovarian Cancer

2 years ago Angelina Jolie opened up about her BRCA-1 gene and the double mastectomy she had as a part of her risk reducing surgeries.

Now she's opening up about a bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy she had last week (taking both ovaries and fallopian tubes while leaving the uterus and cervix)  so that her children never have to say "my mom died of Ovarian Cancer".

THIS is what it's all about people! THIS is the cure for ovarian cancer! Avoid it all together.

She had a scare there at the beginning. My heart goes out to her. We have chosen to do our risk reducing surgeries in the opposite order, but the final result is still the same. I chose to have my hysterectomy first because it also reduces the risk of breast cancer as well as ovarian cancer, and because it was my mother's dying wish.

You're a great inspiration to so many Angie and I'm so glad you're using your powerful influence for such a great cause and awareness.

A lot if the things she wrote about are the same things that I went through too! Check out my earlier blog posts for more in depth statistics on being BRCA positive and what the options are. I like that she says surgery isn't for everyone. I fully believe that too as I've said before, however I strongly believe it is the best bet for most!

Read Angelina's full story here: Angeline Jolie Pitt: Diary of a Surgery

Read the TMZ story of Angelina Jolie here

Is ignorance really bliss?

Here's a Story that really hit home for me.

As I sat there reading this story (follow the link to read) with eyes welled up with tears and my daughter climbing all over me trying to lick my face, I remembered the fear. The fear of my mom dying, and remembering what it was like not knowing if I had the gene or not.

I'm less afraid now. The author of this article is scared to know. I've been there. I know how you're feeling. I know that maybe if you aren't diagnose with the BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 gene, then maybe, just maybe, you could pretend that you won't follow the same fate as your mother who fights so hard to live.

This is my advice to you, sweet blissfully ignorant girl.

Get the test.

For so many reasons, get the test

1.) knowing can save your life and make it so you DON'T have to go through what your mother went through
2.) do it for your mom! If there's one thing I know, it's that our moms are put at ease by knowing we'll be ok and that we're on top of this so we have a chance to avoid what they went through.
3.) Do it for your kids. You said you are 28 and married, so maybe you have kids, or will someday. Don't you wanna know so THEY know. If you have the gene, then thy might too and they deserve to know. If you don't, thy don't and one less thing to worry about
4.) last, but certainly not least. You might not even have the gene. THAT in it of itself is the BEST reason. Having THAT wave of relief would be life altering for you.

So, that's my 2 cents. However, it's everyone's own personal choice and I respect what anyone decides, but having gone through it myself, I think it's best to know.

Up the ante

Today I kicked the workout up a couple notches and no issues so far. I think I'm finally on the end of the mend. It's about dang time! ;-)

It's not just girls only

Are you a male with a family history of breast cancer? This article explains the link between hereditary breast cancer and a risk for prostate cancer in the family.

It's worth checking out. There's a slightly higher risk of prostrate cancer in men with BRCA-1 or BRCA-2 genes, but this is a new study of "family cluster" cancer findings.

Check it out. Be informed & know your risks. That's the best way to beat this nasty disease.


P.S. I've been doing cardio workouts and so far so good, so I think in finally over the hump of recovery :-)

Back at it

Today will be my first day going to the gym since my Hysterectomy. With me luck. If you have any good low impact workouts that don't involve the core muscles... Please share, I know a handful of them, but I'll need more to get me through this month until I can go full on.

Thanks!

Crazy Neighbor

I'm getting all settled in to my new temporary home (such is the life of an Army wife). I feel like my mom would be proud of what I've done with the place considering what it looked like when I got here! It's really hard not to lift more than 10 lbs, but very important not to over do it. Lifting too much weight after abdominal surgery (including robotic surgery) can cause a hernia and will result in yet another surgery.  Gotta let those muscles heal. I couldn't be there for my 6 week post op oppointnent, so my oncologist added a month on to my recovery time just to be safe. *sigh*
I just have to keep telling myself it will be worth it. :-)

Hope everyone is avoiding the  winter blues! I know Hotflashes are helping  me appreciate  the cold ;-)
I still haven't come around to the idea of HRT.  So, I'll just go play in the snow in my bathing suit when I feel the Hotflashes comin' ! My neighbors will LOVE that hahaha.  ;-)

Knowledge is power

"Knowledge is a powerful ally in the battle against ovarian cancer"
Read this Article to see more...

Thank you Anette Mattern for posting this on FB!

HRT

This article goes over the risks of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). The findings are based on post menopausal women over 50 who still ave their ovaries.

Call me crazy, but I'm still not convinced I should take HRT. I have the prescription, I'm still on the fence. Until I'm convinced, I will deal with the hot flashes!

My mother's cancer was estrogen fueled. They still cannot figure out to this day why her body continued to produce estrogen after her total hysterectomy. So, I don't want to risk it. Why go through all this to prevent cancer, only to poison it with the same hormones know to cause said cancer in the first place? For string bones? Nah. I'm not buyin' it!

Busy bee

Post op appointment went great.

Had Mom's funeral & memorial service on Sunday. It turned out beautifully. Definitely worth all the hard work my brother, sister-in-law, stepdad & I put into it!

I will post the pictures soon! I'm in the process of moving, so stay tuned...

Thank you for all the thoughts, prayers, flowers & well wishes!

Post-op

I go for my post op appointment tomorrow. Hopefully everything checks out ok!

They're also supposed to start me on hormone replacement tomorrow as well. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. I'm ready to end the night sweats and moodiness, but I'm nervous that the hormones can fuel cancer.

I know it's the combination of estrogen AND progesterone that gives you a higher risk for breast cancer, but I still can't shake the feeling that maybe it's not such a good idea to be on any hormones given my BRCA-1 gene..

.......but I'm tired of waking up sweating 10 times a night!

Yea, mixed emotions for sure.

I will tell them everything and leave it up to the experts!

I bet their going to tell me I'm over doing it! It's SO hard not to lift anything over 10 lbs!!! ESPECIALLY with a toddler!!!

My mom would rub my back and tell me that it will be ok and they wouldn't give me anything that would put me at risk for cancer after all that.

I miss her.

Wish me luck!!!

The crying diet

Crying burns approximately 10 calories per hour.

Seems like it would burn so much more than that.

You are my sunshine...

Rest In Peace Mom.

There are no words.

I love you.

The hardest thing I've ever done...

Sorry for the gap between posts.

My mom's condition has rapidly declined over the weekend and she is no longer lucid.

Watching every breath she takes and hoping she's as comfortable as possible, I've let a few things fall by the wayside.. Like, eating, sleeping and my blog.

It's such a wave of emotion. I want her to stop suffering, but I don't want her to go. She's ready, so I want her to go, but I want to keep her forever. I want to crawl into bed with her and hold her until she passes, but then I know she just wants to sleep, peacefully, and not be nothered.

My brother (Kyle) and myself take turns sitting quietly and holding her hand. He was there almost around the clock with her yesterday, while Phil & I (my mom's husband) made funeral arrangements.

Both were hard places to be.

Both needed to be done.

This is the hardest thing I've EVER done. I'm an Army wife, I've given birth, had a hysterectomy at 29, been away from my husband for WAY too long, but yes, THIS is still the hardest thing I have EVER been through! I don't wish it on anyone.

Know your family history, get tested for the BRCA gene.

I love you mom. FOREVER

A whole new world...

While my friends are thinking about getting ready for bathing suite season, I'm thinking about hormone replacement therapy.

While most couples are planning their valentines day... I don't know when the next time I'll see my husband will be.

I'm not feeling sorry for myself, I just realize, every now and then, how different my life is from the people around me.

Holy Hotflash Batman!

Yes, Hotflashes and night sweats suck! I'm tired, have a headache, irritable and bloated.. plus I'm craving sweets like nobodies business!

At 29 years old though, the real risk of going through menopause is the risk for osteoporosis. Your bones have a much longer time to lose density than a woman going through menopause at the age of 45-55.

So, having a complete hysterectomy is not a decision to be entered into lightly.

I have no regrets, but I'm just being honest. There are risks. Know the facts before making a decision about risk reduction surgery!

BRCA-utiful

According to this website, 47% of women with ovarian cancer who have a BRCA mutation have no relevant family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

That makes sense. My mom was the first one to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and that was 8 years ago. Since then, we've had no less than 6 women test positive for the BRCA-1 mutation, 2 of which have ovarian cancer.

This just goes to show you how important gene testing is. If the first person diagnosed gets tested for the gene, it paves the way for all the generations to come. 

We never knew! If we had, my mom and her cousin could've escaped this horrible disease.

Take away the pain

My mom went in to in-patient hospice today. She's in extreme pain, and worse than that, the nausea.

It's possible that the nausea is being caused by an obstruction which is how most ovarian cancer patients succumb to this terrible disease.

The reality of this situation has slapped me in the face this week.

I feel like I picked the worst possible time to have my surgery, but she wanted to know I'd be alright.

I don't want her to suffer anymore, but I can't stand the thought of her leaving us.

It's time for some therapy. The person I would run to with this is my mom.

I hope they can make her comfortable. From the bottom of my soul.... Pleeeease make her comfortable!!!!!

Grey's Anatomy

You watch these medical drama shows (Grey's Anatomy is my favorite) and you see the surgeons, doctors, nurses and staff all interacting and saving lives and you get sucked in!

I have been in so many hospitals for so many things with my family.

Ear Surgeries, Mom's Brain Surgery, broken arm, brother slicing his arm open, my brother's seizures, mom's ruptured spleen, cancer, gallbladder surgery, freak accident, cellulitis , staph infections, thousands of tests and then, of course, my hysterectomy...

Hospitals can be scary and depressing places for a lot of people, and I totally understand that. I feel very at home in a hospital though. They have saved my mom SO many many times, and I guess for me, it's comforting to be in a place filled with so much hope.

I've seen in real life, how amazing the hospital staff is. Really one or two people can make all the difference in a patient's life/recovery.
I definitely have a few that come to mind from the past few years, and even though it's their job, and they see hundreds of patients, those patients don't see hundreds of them.
 So, Doctors, hospitalists, nurses, CNA's.. Thank you for taking such good care of my family!


(by the way, it's really hard to watch Grey's Anatomy right after having a major surgery!) lol
If you are in the medical field.. Give yourself a huge pat on the back for having an awesome rewarding career that changes lives! :-)

Image gathered from: http://www.disneydreaming.com/2014/05/05/greys-anatomy-stars-sign-new-2-year-contracts/

2 words

This crazy 29 year old menapausal chick has one thing to say....

FUCK CANCER!!!!!!

sorry if I offended you. 

There were no other words.

When 1 thing destroys the lives of almost everyone you love... That's all there is to say about that

I can't sleep. 

I love you mom.

Aftermath

Wow! Once the morphine wears off, you become fully aware of how much recovering from surgery sucks!!

I thought it would be a walk in the park since it was the robotic surgery.. Not so much the case.

It's been hard to breath because of the pressure and even worse to cough! I sneezed this morning and I started questioning if I was gonna make it! Lol (slight exaggeration, but it was really bad)

I'm off narcotics and trying to cope with just IBProufen. Narcotics make me feel really gross.

I had an awesome nurse at the hospital all day yesterday! He made me get up and walk around, even though I tried my hardest not to! It payed off though because now I'm able to get out of bed on my own.

I am home now.

I have no regrets. Even though the recovery has been much harder than I anticipated,  I can now have peace of mind knowing that I won't get ovarian cancer.

I still highly recommend all BRCA patients (females) having this done.

It only hurts til the pain stops. (My old boss used to say that)

Thanks for all the flowers & cards! It means a lot!

Ovar it!

I did it!!! I got both of my New Years resolutions done in January this year!!!!

1.) Start a blog
2.) Get a hysterectomy

BOOM! I'm feeling very accomplished at the moment.. aaaaaand also high on morphine too ;-)

My surgery went well today & Dr. Monk told my family that he didn't find any cancer, but that he is very confident that I will NEVER get Ovarian Cancer.

NOVARIAN CANCER!!!

That's what it's all about. (Well, that and it's all about that bass)

My shoulder pain is gone from the CO2 they use during surgery, it only lasted a few hours.

Other than that, I just have a deep raspy cough from when they had me on a ventilator and it's pretty awful coughing with these incisions, but that's just me being wimpy.

This experience has put A LOT of things into perspective for me about how my mom feels after her surgeries (which are WAY more invasive) and also how she feels on pain meds and why she doesn't feel up to a whole lot.)

My mom is just so amazing. She does all of it with love and grace and has inspired me my entire life.

Thank you mom, for the gift of life... A 2nd time.

Thanks everyone for the overwhelming love and support & all the well wishes!

......aaaand I'm off to snoozeville <3

Risk Reducing Surgery

Here is the post about what you can do to greatly reduce your risk for breast and/or ovarian cancer with the BRCA-1 gene.

As most of you know, Angelina Jolie had a Hysterectomy and double mastectomy. She caught some flak for that, but if I were in her shoes, I would've done the EXACT. SAME. THING.

Aren't I in her shoes, you might ask?!?  No.

Although we both carry the same gene... The ONLY thing (and I mean ONLY thing) that I have over Angelina Jolie, is my age. I am 29 years old.

At 29 years of age, some of these options can be pretty devastating and should not be entered into lightly.

So, here's the options for risk reducing surgery for women with the BRCA-1 gene:

Prophylactic Bilateral Mastectomy (otherwise known as "double mastectomy)- this surgery reduces the risk of breast cancer by 90%
Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (with or without Hysterectomy)- This surgery ideally should be performed between 35-40 years of age or upon completion of child bearing. This will reduce the risk of Ovarian cancer by 96% and the risk of breast cancer by as much as 56% depending on the age at which the procedure is performed.

Now, some people choose to do nothing and let nature take it's course. Some do both surgeries, some choose one over the other. Whatever a person chooses for themselves, is the right decision. I will not preach what I think is the right thing to do. All I can say is that Doctors recommend both surgeries for the greatest risk reduction.

I had my mind made up before I met with my doctor, Dr. Bradley Monk at St Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. The wonderful thing was, he agreed with me on what I chose as a course of action for my situation.

Sooooo.... What did I choose?

I chose...

***commercial break***

hahahahahaha. Just Kidding.. This isn't Grey's Anatomy ;-)

I chose to have a complete Hysterectomy with a Bilateral Salpingo-Oopherctomy done using the davinci robotic surgery method for a minimally invasive approach.

It sounds fancier than it is. Dr. Monk will remove my Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix through 5 small incisions with the help of a guided robot.

OMG!!! WHEN?!?!?

Tomorrow.

Yep, that's right... Tomorrow morning I check in at 09:30 for my surgery.

I'm a little nervous because I absolutely HATE anesthesia and I hear the bloating and gas afterward isn't much fun either (is it ever?)

I just chugged a gallon of Miralax mixed with Gatorade. It's been a fun evening ;-)

Hormone replacement therapy is not recommended with BRCA patients due to the risk of breast cancer, however, who wants to go through full blown menopause at 29 years old?!? Not THIS chick!!! It is known by doctors that the combination of estrogen and progesterone together can fuel breast cancer, but I will not have progesterone since I will no longer have my uterus. So, Dr. Monk & I agreed that a small dose of estrogen for a few years will be better for me so I don't have to go through SUCH a drastic change at this young of an age.

I will keep up with my mammograms and breast MRI's alternating every 6 months and later down the road I will revisit the option of a double mastectomy.

By doing this I will reduce my risk of ovarian cancer by 96% and my risk of breast cancer by up to 56%. My family and I all agree that this is the best option for me right now.

So, wish me luck!

Be back soon....

Cancer Genetic Risk Assesment / Cancer Prevention Screening

I have the BRCA-1 gene 4Q1538X(4731C>T) mutation.

What is that?!?!?!?

Basically you have 2 sets of genes. One from your mother and one from your father. When one is mutated, it doesn't function correctly... and there in lies the problem. My bum gene.

That's about as scientific as I get. ;-)

...but here's what it really means to be BRCA-1 positive.

Risks:

Women:
85% risk to develop breast cancer
44% risk to develop ovarian cancer

Men:
0.1% risk to develop breast cancer
20% risk to develop prostate cancer

They do not yet know why some women get one cancer vs. the other..

In my family, we have had 2 people with ovarian cancer & nobody has had breast cancer, even though our risk for breast cancer is much higher.

Screening:

Women: 
Mammogram- yearly, beginning at age 25, or 10 years earlier than the earliest diagnosis in the family.
Breast MRI- Yearly (preferably 6 months after mammogram)
CA-125 & Transvaginal Ultrasound- Both are performed every 6 months beginning at age 30, or 5-10 years earlier than the earliest age of ovarian cancer in the family. Preferably after day 5 of the menstrual cycle. 
( CA-125 is a blood test otherwise referred to as a "tumor marker". It detects the level of cancer in your blood)

Men:
Breast self-exam- Once a month is recommended 
Clinical breast exam- Every 6-12 months starting at age 35.
Mammogram- Can be considered by age 40, then yearly if gynecomastia and/or glandular breast density is present.
***It is recommended that men with BRCA alterations adhere to population screening for prostate cancer, which include yearly PSA and DRE exams. 
( PSA = Prostate-Specific Antigen     DRE = Digital Rectal Exam )   

soooo... Basically I've been poked and prodded every six months for the last couple years. I was taken off birth control pills, because the risk for breast cancer is higher when taking them due to the added hormones to your body. (However, it does help protect against Ovarian cancer though) 

Early detection is the key! So even though it sucks... It's totally worth it & it's really not THAT bad. Women should be getting yearly check ups regardless, so it just switches to every 6 months instead. Sure, it's a little more invasive, but it puts your mind at ease and gives you a fighting chance!

There are measures that can be taken to greatly reduce your risk of these cancers and that is where I will start my next post tomorrow.

*****Note for the gentlemen: I'm terribly sorry to have used words such as "transvaginal"  "gynecomastia" and "Rectal"*****

                                           Image gathered from: http://www.thaibreast.org/index.php?mo=3&art=42084739

Mother, Daughter, Wife, Sister, Friend, Caregiver, Hairstylist

My mom often tells me that I should be a nurse. I disagree, but only because of the needles. I can't do needles. 
I can get piercings and tattoos galore, but the moment I need a shot.. Sheer panic. Hahaha! SO irrational!
I couldn't inflict pain on another person, even though I admire nurses and the goal is to make patients feel better, I realize a lot of procedures are painful and I just couldn't do it.

I like making people feel better. That's why I'm a hairstylist! (and amature therapist... Clients tell us EVERYTHING!)

I had planned on posting percentages and risks with BRCA-1 & BRCA-2, but I had mom & caregiver duty & halfway through the day, I ran out of steam!

So, tomorrow..... I promise!

Try not to lose too much sleep over it ;-)

Mean Gene

So there was, 27 years old, with a brand new baby, taking care of my mom with cancer and my husband was deployed in Afghanistan, and I'm getting tested for the BRCA-1 genetic mutation. (Which by the way, sounds so much cooler than it is...It's like I should be an X-men or something!)

Anyways, The test is simple! Just rinse your mouth with scope, spit in a cup & swab your cheek! Or you can do a blood test, but seriously, WHO in their right mind would rather have blood drawn than rinse with scope?!? We'll just say maybe some people are allergic to mouthwash! ;-)

After the test, the genetic counselor will sit down and go over your family tree/cancer history with you and some of the information about what it means to be in a family with this specific genetic mutation. The genetic counselors are some of the most amazing people ever! They are SO knowledgeable and sympathetic and what fuels them is that they're potentially saving people's lives!

Now comes the waiting game! The "sample" albeit blood, or spit, will be sent to California, for what will feel like an eternity, but in reality is only approximately 2-4 weeks.

Then you'll get the call... "hi may I speak with Kymberly Keel?"
"It's Keil, pronounced 'Kyle' "
"Hi Mrs. Keil, this is Carrie from Virginia Piper Cancer Center calling with your BRCA test results"
"OH!"
"Would you like to set up a time to come in and meet with us?"

hahahahahaha! Whaaaaaat?!?!? Just tell me the flippin results!!!!!!!!!

"sure, how about right now?"
"oh I'm SO sorry, how is next week"
"uhhh.. fine I guess, can you at least give me the results over the phone?"
"yes, I'm so sorry to inform you that your test came back positive for the BRCA-1 genetic mutation"
"ok see you next week"

feeeeeeeeew! I don't have to wait a week to find out.
***insert a different F word*** I have the gene...

Welp! Can't win 'em all! At least I KNOW!!!
...and that's just it, knowing is half the battle! What you do with your new found knowledge is up to you, but (in my personal opinion) I'd rather know so I can avoid what my mom has had to endure. Also, There is a 50% chance my daughter could have the gene. So, when she's 18 (if she's willing) we'll get her tested too.

I went in to have a sit down with the genetic counselor, and it was amazing. They explained EVERYTHING to me. What my percentages are of getting breast and ovarian cancer, the screening process for early detection of said cancers, risk reducing surgeries (this was before Angelina Jolie had hers done, so I was completely shocked when they told me).. and SO much more!

In my next entry, I will go over all the numbers and percentages that a BRCA-1 patient has and what you can do about it. I will take you through my journey of being poked and prodded every six months and what I"M doing with my knowledge of the gene!

If you or someone in your family has Ovarian or Breast cancer (or for goodness sakes, both) I urge you to look into getting tested for the BRCA-1/BRCA-2 genes! Not everyone wants to know, but everyone should at least have that option! Feel free to ask me any questions you have regarding the tests, if insurance covers it, how you're qualified to be tested, where to go for testing, etc. If I don't know, I have a network of people who DO know, & I will find out for you! Please!! Do NOT hesitate.. This is one of the most important things in the world to me! (aaaaand now I'm being preachy)

Love you all... Good night!