I didn't know if I would ever write this blog. I have been thinking about this blog for along time, even before Angelina Jolie came out about her BRCA1 diagnosis's, I don't have the same gene that she does but I have on that is very close to hers BRCA2.
Before I get into the facts about BRCA I am going to go back quite a ways on why I decided to get tested and how we found out that our family had the gene (and the shock of the side that had it).
Going back to way before I was even born, my maternal grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer in about 1952. My mom was born in 1954 my grandma passed away 12 years after my mom was born. In Nature Outlook Journal there is a statistic listed that from 1944-54 there was just a 40% chance of survival rate to 5 years. By 2004 that same statistic was up to 85.8%. My mom and her sisters always prayed that they would get passed the age of 52, the age at which their mom passed away. Her cancer went on to spread to her bones. They all got passed this age and had mini little parties. We were always worried about this side of the family.
In January of 2003 my paternal grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has been cancer free from that time forward. My grandma had 2 sisters, 1 was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and died of this at the age of 83. The other sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at 52 and died at 72. We do not know if these sisters had a genetic mutation as they passed away before we started the testing.
My paternal aunt decided that she would like to find out if we do carry the gene. They started the genetic process after seeing these strong indicator of genetic possibility. My grandma was tested and she was found to have a deleterious mutation on the BRCA2. My aunt proceeded to get tested at this point, there was a 50-50 chance that my aunt would have it. My aunt found out that she had this mutation also. My father decided that he would not be getting tested for this mutation, as what he had to change due to age didn't warrant knowing in his mind. I decided that I wanted to have my test done. At this point we didn't know if I would be able to be tested as the link wasn't there for me. The genetic counselor decided that it would be a good thing for me to be tested. I came back positive also (this was July of 2011). At this point we were batting 100%, grandma, my aunt, my father and myself. Grandma's gene's are strong!!!
A maternal aunt of mine went and talked to a genetic counselor and they said that there was a very very small chance that that side of the family having a genetic mutation.
There are many facts and myths out there. I am going to start with some facts and then go into the myths.
Facts:
With BRCA1 or BRCA2 the chance of getting breast cancer is 50%-80% (87%) depending on what statistic that one looks at, general population 7%.
With BRCA1 or BRCA2 the chance of getting ovarian cancer is 27-44%, general population <2%.
If you are male and have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene you have a 6% chance of getting breast cancer compared to .05% of general population.
If you are male and have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene you have a 20% chance of getting prostate cancer compared to 15% of general population.
If you have BRCA1 or BRCA2 you have a 2-4% chance of getting pancreatic cancer compared to <1% of the general population.
You can not be denied insurance coverage because of the genetic testing. You can not be denied a job for having the genetic testing (thou the United States Armed Forces can deny you).
Myths:
I won't have insurance just because of this test, can't happen Congress has passed this as a law. Fact see above
Breast tissue is only in your breasts (what is in front). Fact: Breast tissues goes all around to the back of the body, these are hard places to find tumors if they start there.
What can be done?
In this section I will talk about what I am doing about my positive diagnosis. I will also talk about what can be done.
I have decided to NOT get a mastectomy at this time due to using other surveillance methods. The mastectomy would reduce my chance by about 90% but as with the fact that breast tissues goes a lot farther than can be removed with a mastectomy.
I have decided to NOT have an oophorectomy (a hysterectomy along with my ovaries) at this time due to wanting to have children. I will most likely have this completed in the next 10 years if not 15 years.
I have also decided to NOT go on any drugs to reduce my risk, drugs such as tamoxifen, my grandma took something like this for a total of 7 years, 2 year of it was tamoxifen and 5 years of another drug after her breast cancer to help keep it in remission.
I have decided that I will get semi annual testing, for myself in February I get a breast MRI, this is due to the density of young breasts. In August I get my annual mammogram. I have twice had to go back in for more testing, I am thankful that I have never had to have biopsy but I have had to have ultrasounds. At my yearly female exam they do an ultra sound to check my ovaries, if anything would come back abnormal there we would get another ultrasound in 6 weeks. At the age of 30 I will also start getting a blood test to check for ovarian cancer.
Please ask any questions that you have! Also please feel free to share this!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
My Take on Dining Out
So now that you have heard her take on the Dining Out, I guess it is my turn. Preparation for the Dining Out is the worst and really makes you hate it, but when you get there and partake in the tradition it really is great.
The original formal dining event was actually a Dining In. Dining In is for the unit only; whereas, the Dining Out is for the Soldiers and their spouses or significant others. It began in WWII when the US Military was working quite closely with the British Military. The first US military to partake in such an event was the US Army Air Forces (leave it to the Air Force to find a military funded event where they sit down and get fed). The US beefed it up a bit though when it finally took hold. We brought on the Grog. The Grog can be as delicious or as terrible tasting as the event planner/alcohol purchaser wants to make it. In ROTC we obviously had non-alcoholic grog, but we still found nasty things to put in there. For example, to commemorate Desert Storm poured in a pound of Brown Sugar to represent the sand. We also poured in Hot Sauce, Kool-aid, and other substances I can't remember. The Real Army Grog is a bit more potent, though. We poured in a 1.75 L of Cognac, Brandy, Whiskey, Soju, my 1SG made "camel dung" which was a delicious chocolate/peanut butter/pecan thing, and that is where my memory ends as I tried to drink it with the troops. But the real taste pleaser comes at the end of every Grog. The Command Sergeant Major (Commander's Right hand man/woman) has to put in a sock. The verse that goes along with it says that it is a used sock that brings in the sweat and hard work. Luckily for Taryn, I am pretty sure it was a clean sock. It looked pretty clean. In ROTC, we definitely used a dirty sock. This Grog sounds disgusting and it usually is. The Grog actually plays a very important part in the evening's events. All the soldiers are provided with a list of rules to follow. Most of these rules have ties to proper etiquette and training Soldiers to be civil, but they sometimes can be a bit ridiculous. So any infraction of the rules by anyone in a military uniform is enough reason to take a big gulp of grog. Here is a quick list of some rules I found on Wikipedia
I usually talk about how annoying the event is prior to the event, but after it I am usually pretty positive about the experience. No one got hurt, no one got into a car accident, everyone seemed happy, and almost everyone showed up to drill on time the next morning.
On that note, I bid you good night and if you want to learn more Google Dining Out or Dining In and you will get the full scoop. Well, the stuff they can publish on-line ;)
The original formal dining event was actually a Dining In. Dining In is for the unit only; whereas, the Dining Out is for the Soldiers and their spouses or significant others. It began in WWII when the US Military was working quite closely with the British Military. The first US military to partake in such an event was the US Army Air Forces (leave it to the Air Force to find a military funded event where they sit down and get fed). The US beefed it up a bit though when it finally took hold. We brought on the Grog. The Grog can be as delicious or as terrible tasting as the event planner/alcohol purchaser wants to make it. In ROTC we obviously had non-alcoholic grog, but we still found nasty things to put in there. For example, to commemorate Desert Storm poured in a pound of Brown Sugar to represent the sand. We also poured in Hot Sauce, Kool-aid, and other substances I can't remember. The Real Army Grog is a bit more potent, though. We poured in a 1.75 L of Cognac, Brandy, Whiskey, Soju, my 1SG made "camel dung" which was a delicious chocolate/peanut butter/pecan thing, and that is where my memory ends as I tried to drink it with the troops. But the real taste pleaser comes at the end of every Grog. The Command Sergeant Major (Commander's Right hand man/woman) has to put in a sock. The verse that goes along with it says that it is a used sock that brings in the sweat and hard work. Luckily for Taryn, I am pretty sure it was a clean sock. It looked pretty clean. In ROTC, we definitely used a dirty sock. This Grog sounds disgusting and it usually is. The Grog actually plays a very important part in the evening's events. All the soldiers are provided with a list of rules to follow. Most of these rules have ties to proper etiquette and training Soldiers to be civil, but they sometimes can be a bit ridiculous. So any infraction of the rules by anyone in a military uniform is enough reason to take a big gulp of grog. Here is a quick list of some rules I found on Wikipedia
- untimely arrival at proceedings
- smoking at the table before the lighting of the smoking lamp
- haggling over date of rank
- improper wear of uniform
- inverted cummerbund (Note that U.S. Army regulation requires that cummerbunds be worn upside down: i.e. pleats down.)[8]
- wearing a clip-on bow tie at an obvious list
- gaffes
- loud and obtrusive remarks in a foreign language
- foul language
- discussion on a controversial topic (politics, religion, and women are commonly forbidden topics)
- improper toasting procedure
- toasting with an uncharged (empty) glass
- rising to applaud particularly witty, succinct, sarcastic, or relevant toasts, unless following the example of the President
- leaving the dining room without permission from the President of the Mess
- carrying cocktails into the dining area before the conclusion of dinner
- haggling over penalties or fines imposed
- drawing a sword except in ceremony [9]
I usually talk about how annoying the event is prior to the event, but after it I am usually pretty positive about the experience. No one got hurt, no one got into a car accident, everyone seemed happy, and almost everyone showed up to drill on time the next morning.
On that note, I bid you good night and if you want to learn more Google Dining Out or Dining In and you will get the full scoop. Well, the stuff they can publish on-line ;)
Dining Out
I figured a good way to start the blog would be to talk about this past weekend.
Cassie is a 2nd Lieutenant in The Army Reserves and had her Military Dining Out this past weekend. Before this I had been incredible nervous, wanting to make sure I was going to look formal enough and make a good impression. I was lucky enough to have wonderful friends to help me pick out something to wear, from Ashley dealing with me at the mall and Ali dealing with the photos.
Friday night we headed up to Wausau, it was foggy beyond belief, I was happy that I wasn't driving, at times we were going 45 MPHs. I don't think either of us were ever so happy to see the HOJO (Howard Johnson) where we were staying and they were having the Dining Out.
Saturday it was an early morning start Cassie had to be at the drill hall by 7 am, which means getting up at 6 am. Thankfully we are close to the drill hall. While Cassie was at drill I ran to Herrshners in Stevens Point it is about a 30 minute drive but they have a bunch of the yarn that I love cheaper than anywhere else. Ran to Subway for lunch and then back to the hotel to wait for Cassie. I started getting ready probably much earlier than I had to but I was so nervous I had to do something. We were invited over to one of the Officers houses for a few drinks before hand. This really did help with my nerves as I had met this gentleman before. We headed back to the hotel and headed down so we could be ready for the receiving line and to get our photo taken. Everyone was very nice and welcoming. I wish I had grabbed a program so that I could tell you who was all there.
The Dining Out was an amazing experience to be a part of and very full of tradition. They have a tradition of Grog there, they put in liquor and beer from all the different theaters of war and battles. Soilder's get called up if they have done something wrong to drink from the Grog. Normally civilians don't have to or get to try it. Cassie brought some back to the table and I tried it. The Grog wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I wouldn't be able to drink more than a few sips.
There was a lot of business being talked about and a lot of standing (4 inch heels were not smart!). Once we were finally released, Cassie and I went back to the room to change and then went back down to watch the last of the Packer game. This was also a lot of business talk, thankfully I am good at small talk.
I was happy once we went back to the room and went to bed!
Sunday was another early morning for the drill haul. I stuck close to the hotel until it was check out time. Thankfully Cassie got out of drill early on Sunday so we were back to Madison by 5:15. We had pizza for dinner and then I drove back to Menomonee Falls.
It was a crazy weekend but it was a wonderful weekend also!!!
Cassie is a 2nd Lieutenant in The Army Reserves and had her Military Dining Out this past weekend. Before this I had been incredible nervous, wanting to make sure I was going to look formal enough and make a good impression. I was lucky enough to have wonderful friends to help me pick out something to wear, from Ashley dealing with me at the mall and Ali dealing with the photos.
Friday night we headed up to Wausau, it was foggy beyond belief, I was happy that I wasn't driving, at times we were going 45 MPHs. I don't think either of us were ever so happy to see the HOJO (Howard Johnson) where we were staying and they were having the Dining Out.
Saturday it was an early morning start Cassie had to be at the drill hall by 7 am, which means getting up at 6 am. Thankfully we are close to the drill hall. While Cassie was at drill I ran to Herrshners in Stevens Point it is about a 30 minute drive but they have a bunch of the yarn that I love cheaper than anywhere else. Ran to Subway for lunch and then back to the hotel to wait for Cassie. I started getting ready probably much earlier than I had to but I was so nervous I had to do something. We were invited over to one of the Officers houses for a few drinks before hand. This really did help with my nerves as I had met this gentleman before. We headed back to the hotel and headed down so we could be ready for the receiving line and to get our photo taken. Everyone was very nice and welcoming. I wish I had grabbed a program so that I could tell you who was all there.
The Dining Out was an amazing experience to be a part of and very full of tradition. They have a tradition of Grog there, they put in liquor and beer from all the different theaters of war and battles. Soilder's get called up if they have done something wrong to drink from the Grog. Normally civilians don't have to or get to try it. Cassie brought some back to the table and I tried it. The Grog wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I wouldn't be able to drink more than a few sips.
There was a lot of business being talked about and a lot of standing (4 inch heels were not smart!). Once we were finally released, Cassie and I went back to the room to change and then went back down to watch the last of the Packer game. This was also a lot of business talk, thankfully I am good at small talk.
I was happy once we went back to the room and went to bed!
Sunday was another early morning for the drill haul. I stuck close to the hotel until it was check out time. Thankfully Cassie got out of drill early on Sunday so we were back to Madison by 5:15. We had pizza for dinner and then I drove back to Menomonee Falls.
It was a crazy weekend but it was a wonderful weekend also!!!
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