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reggi12 
I just got some fantastic news, the genetic test was negative! Thank goodness! Plus my health insurance paid for the entire test, so that's really good news! I'm going to have an ultra sound and CAT scan this month to see how things are going and if everything is normal I get to get off of the Lovenox! (my blood thinner medication). I am so tired of giving myself shots every day, it's starting to get old. Not to mention the bruising and hematomas. All in all great news and I'm confident when I go in for the above tests these will be just as good. Hope everyone has a great thanksgiving!
I'm starting to feel pretty nervous, my doctor wants me to do a genetic test to see if I am predisposed to cancer. I'm wavering between burying my head in the sand or facing the news head on. I guess it's a good thing to know, not only for myself but also for my daughter. Has anyone else done this test?
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It's funny, but before I finished treatment all I could think about is that I couldn't wait until it was over! Now I find that instead of feeling relief, I'm dealing with worry and fear. Mainly of the cancer coming back. I wonder...does it ever get any easier, or will I constantly worry and be afraid. I'm trying to not dwell on this, but it seems to sneak up on me when I'm not looking. Oh well, hopefully it does get easier.
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Huge well done and a happy dance for you for getting through it.. I will be wishing loads that this is all you need now and can just get on with feeling better and staying free. It is a new set of worries when you finish the chemo, but it does get easier.. if only because we get better at dealing with it.. We will all be here to support you through the tests to come.. love and hugs to you xxx
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| May 2009 |
Thursday, 5/21
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Goal Updated
Hi Reggie.. so long since we heard from you.. welcome back..
With two daughter's I wanted to be checked out to see if there was a genetic link and I was very surprised at the negative response of doctors and my oncologist. The attitude was that if this proved positive then the girls would be penalized as far as insurances, mortgages and such things went. If one of them developed cancer then it would make more sense for the other to get tested.. as things stood now, with just me in the family having had it, they were not considered at exceptional risk.
I wasn't too pleased with this as was more concerned that they should be aware of any health issues.. then one bright doctor pointed out that, the type of cancer I have.. endometreoid adeno-carcinoma of the ovary.. is not the type that has a genetic predisposition.. I was very relieved to hear this and wondered why other doctor's did not know this..
It's a difficult choice, more complicated than it first looks.. I think I would ask yourself .. What difference would it make if they knew it was genetic? After your experience, would they not be careful and wary of any symptoms anyway? Say it came back positive.. how would this impact n their lives.. would it be at all helpful for them to know or would it make them unnecessarily anxious.? I don't know how old your daughters are but perhaps ask them if they would want to know..
Best of luck with this one and everything else.. Keep getting the checks done and let us know how you are.. hugs to you xxx
Halli
Me again.. just had another couple of thoughts... Why is the doctor suggesting this? I remember reading somewhere that BRAC dependent cancers can have some different treatment options to none genetic ones. Also, if you were found to be positive for genetic type cancer.. then your daughters would still need to be tested to see if they carried the gene responsible.. Hope this is all helpful xxxxxx
Halli
I agree with Inka. My daughters doctor asked her if I had the genetic testing. My type of health coverage won't cover it, and hers would be very expensive. Then my doctor said, what would she do differently? As it is she is aware of the symtoms and gets her regular check ups. I think it is enough that her doctor is aware of my condition. Hope this helps. Love and hugs. Anita.
anitaama
Hi - I just happened to find this discussion as I've been keeping up with Halli. I had ovarian cancer at age 42. Had I had genetic testing I would have been screened for other cancers, including colon. It wasn't until after my colon cancer diagnosis this year (Stage 1 luckily) that I got the genetic testing - and, yep, I'm positive for a HNPCC mutation. I hope you are getting genetic counseling, and getting screened for HNPCC (if needed) as well as BRAC. What would you or your daughters do differently? Well, most mutations aren't associated with just one cancer but many types, so being aware of the symptoms of ovarian isn't the whole answer. Some cancers like colon are preventable.
You are lucky to have a doctor that is pushing for the testing. Good luck!
P.S. My insurance did pay for my testing, but I've since learned it's $2000-3000. I would have paid for it myself had I known. Once they find a mutation in one family member, testing the other family members is not expensive at all. My geneticist told me they shouldn't charge more than $400 (closer to $200).
notagaintoo
First of all I want to thank you for all of your comments, they were helpful! I did go to the doctors on Wednesday and she counseled me, after much consideration I decided to have the test. I don't know how much my insurance will cover, if any. I was told that if my portion is more then $375 they will call me before they run the test to see if I still want to do it. All in all I won't know for about a month what the results are. She told me that with this cancer, if I have the mutation I would have about a 10% chance of getting breast cancer. I did wonder if it is better not to know, as Inka pointed out if I do have it then am I going to spend the rest of my life worrying that I'm going to get some other kind of cancer. Part of me wants to hide my head in the sand and the other part wants to know! Oh well, guess I'll see if I can afford it first. The test costs $4000 and if insurance won't cover it, it will be a moot point. I'll keep you posted!
reggi12