No Genetic Mutation!!

I received the great news yesterday over the phone (given as an option rather than having to go all the way back to the office). Not having the gene means that my cancer is not hereditary but is sporadic (as in the majority of cases). This also means that I will not be getting a double mastectomy and I won't need to remove my ovaries as a precautionary measure. I could still have my ovaries removed as some do to reduce the amount of estrogen in the body but I would need to do more research on that. This news not only simplified my surgical options, but it also freed my immediate family of genetic testing as well. Although they have a slightly higher chance of cancer compared to the rest of the population due to the fact that I am a close relative, their chances will not be increased by 3 or 4 times the norm.

To hear such good news brought out a flood of emotions. I mostly felt elated beyond belief but it was also the end of a tough two weeks. The day after I wrote my last blog my throat became all swollen up to the back of my neck. We called the doctor hotline at the cancer agency and I was told I was probably "fighting off something" and that a little tylenol would help. It went away in two days days. Then my mouth started developing a film around the insides and my lips were swollen on the verge of mouth sores. I was also having a lot of trouble sleeping at night and I lost the sharpness of my taste buds. These side effects were a long time coming and were on the list of things to come. However, because they were more long-lasting, I felt a more permanent sense of "sick". Of course I always feel sick right after chemo but once the week passes, I expect to feel my normal self again. It didn't happen this time. It's been two weeks now, I can say that I am almost there but I don't think I will ever feel as good as before. It just feels like my body's always fighting off a bug. This will be as good as it gets and it's a new normal that I will have to get used to and not get too hung up about.

So in the midst of not feeling as good previously and waiting for these test results, it has been a long two weeks. I am going to hold on to this good news though as I prepare to see my doctors again to finalize the details of the next few months.

On another note, I registered Aidan for kindergarten the other day. Can't believe he's going to full-day next year. Before my duty day at his preschool, he said he didn't want me to be in his class because he didn't want me to watch him play with his "girlfriend", Mackenzie. I had to convince him that I would not interfere! What is happening to our children?!

Love, J