Well, the first piece of news is that my eldest daughter, Victoria, upon turning 21 last October, decided that she wanted to get tested for the BRCA gene to see if she inherited it from me. There is a 50% chance that she could do so. We went to Dana Farber mid-December and decided to do the most complete panel of genetic testing available which goes far beyond the BRCA gene. Yesterday we heard that she has no gene mutation that could give her a greater risk of cancer (not just breast) than a ‘normal’ person. I can’t tell you how relieved I am and this has made my year. I feel that this news is bigger than me. It transcends my particular situation and allows for her to experience her life without this weight on her shoulders, without the weight of wondering about having a prophylactic mastectomy, what to do about having babies, etc. It makes my heart smile, biggly!
As for me, January was a tough, tough month. I had my new IV Chemo, was diagnosed with the flu and then anemia. No wonder my poor ass was a draggin’. Had a good time at Universal and then with family in Clearwater but just felt achy and exhausted the whole time. I was the happiest person at the hospital when they told me I was anemic as I knew the blood transfusion would perk me right up and it has. So I had my second round of IV Chemo and the blood transfusion on Thursday and was at the hospital for 9 hours!! Had a little mishap with blood pint number two when I suddenly had a reaction and everyone came running. Two very puffy eyes and a cough. The picture Steve took and which I am posting here is a little unfortunate as it looks like I am in some intimate relationship with the plastic pipe in my mouth, which for enquiring minds is actually a sophisticated nebulizer.
So I say, here’s to a better February.
Love to all,
Amanda
