Genetic testing....

After 10 days the pain is finally just periodic pain, unless I do too much.

I decided that with my cancer being rare and if by going public could help someone else with more information then that's what I would do. Later I realized that it was also my way I could share with the world how important the gospel is in my life and how it has been helping and giving me strength to meet this adventure head on.

It is really an alone feeling knowing you have something raising havoc in your body, and your life, especially when I feel good right now (except recovering from the surgery) and no one in your immediate family can really relate to you.

People from work, family, friends etc. have all pitched in to get me a wig and I’m thrilled! You have all been a great support!

Yesterday I met with a genetics counselor. In that discussion a lot of things came up that I really didn't have some of the answers to about my family. So the counselor wanted me to see if I could find out some of that information because it would be beneficial for the genetic testing I am having done. She wanted me to gather information from; me, my children, & my grand-children, all my siblings, their children & grand-children, my parents, their siblings/half siblings, the siblings children and my grandparents. I need to know any major disease/condition and cancer. With the cancer I need to know; 1) the age when diagnosed, 2) what type of cancer, 3) when they passed away, 4) any known treatment. The reason I need this information is that the genetic testing will be testing for specific genes that are known to be associated with different cancers. If they can find which gene then they can give better medical recommendations as how to treat the cancer. With my cancer of fallopian tube cancer and being a rare cancer it will really help in determining my treatment. I really want to kick this cancer and be around for a long time and with this information I will have a better chance. I had the blood drawn yesterday and she said it takes about (3) weeks to get it back. Right now they are checking for genes associated with these different types of cancers; breast, ovarian, colorectal, endometrial, melanoma, pancreatic, gastric, prostate, & other similar cancers. Men and women may both be at risk FYI.

The recent update is that I start chemo on Monday; I will go every week for 18 weeks. Oh BTW I got my hair chopped off, really short in preparation for the baldness....