I consider myself a private person. It would be out of my comfort zone to share anything personal. I see that everyone has their own "stuff" to deal with, and they probably don't need to hear about mine.
In this case, I feel compelled to share my story because if I can help one person, then telling my story will be worth it.
This last year was a true rollercoaster physically, mentally, and emotionally. If someone had told me this would be my life at 39 years old, I wouldn't have believed them. I’ve read and heard stories like this, but as with most of us, we never think it will happen to us. I am currently a stay-at-home mother to 3 exceptional children, ages 5, 6, and 8, and I have been with my husband for 16 years. Some days are full of laughs and new adventures, while others are exhausting and challenging. If you know motherhood, you know the number of disasters you have to deal with in a day, and you keep rolling on.
I Lost My Aunt To Cancer
My story truly began one Fall Day in September of 2020, yet I didn't realize it at the time. This day was devastating, but in retrospect, it led me to my health journey in the years to come. I received the dreaded phone call from my mother. My Aunt, one of the most treasured people in my life, received the news that she had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I knew it was terrible. The doctors had given her 12 months to live. I went numb. My Aunt was everything to me. My entire life, the greatest compliment I could ever receive would be when people looked at me; they could see my Aunt. I reminded so many of her. To me, she was strong, confident, beautiful, hilarious, and a total badass. Even with a devastating diagnosis, she still found the positive in her daily life. She had years before had breast cancer, and won she said she could do it again. She fought valiantly until the very end. She passed away one year later. My Aunt is gone, and everyone who surrounds her remains broken.
Cancer is ugly. It is cruel, and it leaves nothing but devastation.
Testing Positive for BRCA2 Gene Mutation
Two months after my Aunt passed, I had my annual gynecologist appointment. My doctor went over my family history of cancer and said that I would be a candidate for genetic cancer testing based on my Aunt's battle with breast and pancreatic cancer. I sent my blood off and did not think twice about the results. Per my doctor, "Most likely, everything will return fine."
Four weeks later, I received my results. I was positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation. I sat there in shock. What does this mean? Do I have cancer? Am I going to die? What about my kids? She told me I would be referred to Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Through tears and a lengthy google search, I learned that I didn't have cancer; yet.
What I Learned About Genetic Testing For Cancer
Upon my research, I discovered that all men and women carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, but some have a mutation. About 1 in every 400 people in the US has a mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. I was now one of those people. BRCA2 means that as a woman, I am at an increased risk for melanoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer. If a man were to carry the BRCA2 gene mutation, he would be at an increased risk for prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancer. If a parent carries any mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, their child has a 50% chance of inheriting it. My head went straight to my children. I found out my children can start testing at the age of 18. I will do my best to educate them on this decision because I fully believe that knowing about the possibility of cancer has the power to try to stop it!
The genetic cancer screening process for families can feel like a puzzle. Upon further family genetic testing, my father was the carrier of the BRCA gene mutation. This information prompted my sister to get tested; she also carries the BRCA gene mutation. As a mother of two, this will be a complex and serious conversation she will one day incur with her children. One positive test can affect all living generations.
It Was Cancer
I was ready to do the work. I wanted to have the opportunity to grow old with my husband, the love of my life, and see our children grow up. The odds were not in my favor. We would move forward with cancer monitoring, and if necessary, I would have preventative surgeries. I would undergo a double mastectomy, have my tubes and ovaries removed, undergo yearly skin checks for melanoma, and, when I turned 50, undergo yearly scans for pancreatic cancer. We began with alternating mammograms and breast MRIs every six months. When my mammogram came back clear, I felt relief, but I moved forward with my doctor's advice to get an MRI. I received a phone call that my MRI came back abnormal, which prompted my medical team to order an ultrasound-guided biopsy.
About three days after my MRI my doctor called and said the report revealed a spot on my breast. This result prompted my medical team to order an ultrasound-guided biopsy. On May 25, 2022, the doctor called with the results. It was cancer.
You have cancer. Now what?
No one knows how they will react in these types of situations. For me, it was shock and denial. It took until the doctor sternly stated, " KIM, YOU HAVE CANCER." We knew I needed to undergo life-saving surgery, but in my heart, we also knew something else, my Aunt and genetic cancer testing had saved my life. She was undoubtedly looking down on me and guiding my medical team to find this diagnosis. I could picture her shouting, " Cancer will not take my Kimmy!"
After it hit me, I cried. Not for me. For my family. For the season, I would have my surgery and how I would be letting them down.
I had my double mastectomy and expanders placed on July 14, 2022. My surgery went smoothly; we also discovered my lymph node and margins were clear upon further testing. Thanks to my fantastic team of doctors, family, and friends, my recovery went well. Like most, I hate to ask for help, but help came anyways. My village was enormous, and I didn't even realize it until this moment. I will never forget and always be grateful for the people who stepped up during this time. And on November 8, 2022, I had a complete hysterectomy.
These surgical options were drastic. They were necessary. The cancer is gone, and I am confident in my choices. Because I discovered this BRCA mutation, I will continue my yearly monitoring for melanoma and pancreatic cancer as advised by my doctors. My story is personal. It is my own journey. But it is now my duty to share it with you. Most Primary Care physicians may know of your family cancer history but never mention genetic cancer testing and that most insurances fully cover it. You, indeed, must be your advocate. Let my story be why you fight for your health and appropriate screening and testing.
Sadly, if my Aunt hadn't passed of pancreatic cancer, I don't think that my gynecologist would have recommended that I have the cancer gene testing done. It was because of her diagnosis I qualified for genetic testing. I will always believe my Aunt was the reason my life was saved.
And while I consider myself a private person, I never will be on this topic. I want others to know their options and fight for them.
If I could help or save one person, I know I have made a difference in an entire generation.
There is no other way to put it. Cancer sucks. No one is spared. No one is safe. But knowledge is power. The more we know, the better chance we have to overcome it or even catch it before it starts. May my story be someone's survival guide. Nothing will ever replace my Aunt's physical presence here on earth, but I know her legacy lives on in me. Her life was precious; I will always tell her story and how her life saved not only mine but the proceeding generations in our family. And after all, that truly is the importance of family; they are our link to the past that provides us with a loving bridge to a brighter (and healthy) future.