Nervous

As you may or may not know, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in June of 2002. After a masectomy and chemo, she has been in remission for over 5 years and is now considered "cured". In May of 2006 my grandmother (my mom's mom) was also diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts. She had a double masectomy and radiation, and has been cancer free since. After my Grandma Rose's diagnosis, the women on my mom's side of the family started to get nervous. My mom has 4 sisters, so there was a lot of women to get nervous. My sister Sarah and I got especially nervous, as we are in a direct line of women with cancer, and our chances of getting it ourselves doubled. Everyone wondered if maybe we had a genetic link going in our family.

We found out this week that my grandma qualifies to have the genetic test performed for free under a new study, saving her over $3,000. If she tests positive, than her female relatives can receive the test for only $300. She gets tested this week.

My prayers are for the obvious, that it was just a random coincidence that they both got the disease, although my gut tells me it wasn't. I have decided I will get the test if my grandma and mother test positive for the gene.

I am terrified. Deep down I guess I don't really want to know. I know I need to know though so that I can make smart decisions about how I live my life, and try to do all the things I can to prevent it. It's still a hell of a thing to have hanging over your head. Some women get preventative masectomies when they know they carry the gene. I can't fathom that.

This is one time I am glad that I just have sons. At least I don't have to worry about my children.

Prayers are welcome!!