BREAKING NEWS: New Breast Cancer Mutation Discovered!

Read the full article here

Excerpt:

"Currently, people with a history of breast cancer in their family can only be screened for two of the disease's known genetic mutations, Prof Southey said.  The two genes account for about 20 percent of breast cancer cases, she said, with the remaining 80 per cent not linked to any known mutations, she said.

"At the moment, if a woman with a strong family history of breast cancer goes to clinical genetic services and undergoes testing for the genes that we know today, the most likely outcome is that she will not be found to have a mutation in any of those genes," Prof Southey said.

Prof Southey said the study, published today in the American Journal of Human Genetics, was continuing, with much more data to analyze.

"We really are very optimistic that we will find additional genes like this.""

My Little Smarty Pants

It all started in November at Andrea's parent/teacher conference.....
Andrea's teachers commented that Andrea was doing so well, catching on so fast and they really felt she was advanced.  Fast forward to 2012, we find out that Andrea misses the deadline to be considered for early kindergarten entrance by 3 weeks!  So we start looking at the private school route.  Low and behold, most traditional schools have a cut off too!  So we start looking at Montessori schools.  While these are great schools, there are so few and the ones that are free and public are lottery admission.  Andrea and Jackson were not chosen.  So we went to the one private school today that would consider Andrea despite her birthday.  She did GREAT!  The kindergarten teacher said she couldn't see Andrea doing pre-K again, she was completely ready and they wanted her!  The hours will work if I can get 1st period off, but the tuition is INSANE.  So we are just so hoping our application for financial aid is accepted.  We want this so badly for Andrea and Jackson.  Although we love the place they are at now, Andrea just needs more. 

Funny story: I told Andrea we were going to look at a new school and if she liked it she might go there in the fall.  She said great!  BUT, she would have to "check out the playground" before making any decisions.  LOL!  She is just amazing!  We are just tickled and so proud of her!

Jackson Is Out Of Surgery

He did great! Recovery was a little rough there for a while. It took four nurses and ray and I to restrain him from falling off the bed, pulling out the IV or otherwise hurting him self. He is one strong little man. He is home now, eating and drinking and doing well. The doctor said he was 80-90% obstructed in his throat by his tonsils and his adenoids. He was barely able to breath on his own awake and not sick, thus the issues with sleeping. Anyway, we are so thankful this might help his sleeping troubles. He dumped out a Costco jar of sprinkles this morning so our spice drawer and by extension cooking are also happy that he wont he invading in the middle of the night.

Still Here

I haven't written in a week partly due to a massive schedule and partly because there just isn't much to say.  I do have some celebrations to mention though:

1. I ran 4 miles at a 10:20 mile pace yesterday afternoon!  (This is my second time going 4 miles, but this time was MUCH faster).  I'm on my way!  Don't forget that Race for the Cure 5K in June, I am fundraising!

2. I was accepted into a PhD program at Liberty University for Instructional Leadership.  If I decide to matriculate, I will start this summer with what they term "intensives".  These are week long full day courses taken on campus.  I would have to live in VA for those weeks.  I am not set on taking this degree on, but its up for consideration.

I am sad that these are the accomplishments my mom would have loved to hear about.  I know if she was still here, the PhD program would be a definite, not just a consideration.  She would be tickled!She would be proud of me and I miss being able to share what I am doing with her, share my decisions and my struggles.  I miss my best friend.   

Hair Removal Session 1

I went after work yesterday for my first hair removal session.  I was SO nervous.  I heard that laser hair removal was painful.  Despite not having feeling in the area I was treating, I was still scared. 

I got to the spa and had to go through a plethora of paperwork and lecture.  I was told that it feels like a rubber band snapping you and it was expected that it would take 15-20 minutes per session.  Great!  I get to feel bee stings and pinches for 15-20 minutes.  In addition, the laser can cause burning and blistering to the treated area.  Why do people choose this again?  Oh, and it could take 8-12 sessions.  I only have 5 covered at $100/session.  the 7th is free.  So let's hope I only need 8!

Thankfully, I didn't feel a thing.  Apparently they put extremely cold cream on you then laser.  I didn't feel cream, rubber band snaps and I don't feel the burn.  I feel nothing.  I was a nervous wreck the whole time waiting for her to get to a spot I might mysteriously have feeling.  But it never happened.  Awesome!  I can handle this!

Other than that, life is good.  Hormones are good.  Someone even told me that I look so much better and my attitude is much more positive.  I am glad I think I finally found something that will work for me long term.

New obsession: Food purity (this is a whole other blog....)

Feeling Thankful

I am feeling very thankful today for amazing friends, awesome family and my health.  I ran today for the first time on the road; the weather was too beautiful not to.  I took Smoke with me.  I am going to try to really train him and stick with it.  He is a great dog and I want to make him better.  Anyway, we had a great run.  It was so nice to be alone, listen to great music and just think about everything.  I have only been running for a few weeks but I am already doing a 5k and I am moving to a 4 mile run this coming week.  I am so blessed and thankful that I am here, that I am healthy, and that I am able.  I can't say thank you to everyone that has touched my life, put a smile on my face or supported me in a time of need.  But to anyone who has ever crossed my path, for good or bad; thank you.  You shaped the fantastic life I am living today and I am grateful.

Running for My Life

I can't say that I love running, but I do like the time frame required.  I burned 400 calories in 37 minutes last night.  Love it!  That would have taken my an hour or more on the elliptical.  So, last night, I ran my first true 5K.  3.1 miles, 32 minutes 12 second and I didn't stop or walk once.  Not bad for about 2 weeks worth of training after 10 years of not running one step.  My first official 5K is April 14th.  Thanks Jessica!  This run is to benefit Autism research and awareness!  My goal: under 30minutes!

Hormone update- well, let's just say the driveway is a dangerous place to walk these days!  I need to make sure I eat a full meal, so I am setting an alarm to ring at 7:30, after I get to work where I will have time to eat a full meal before taking my meds.  I have to make this work!

Not much of an update, I know.  But things are good right now with my health and we are just plugging along waiting for the next phase.  Speaking of which, first laser treatment is next week.  I hear its painful, but since I have no feeling in my breasts, hopefully that will be a non-issue.  I seriously and praying hard for this one!

Tough as Nails

I hear this a lot, about what I have been through and the decisions I have had to make.  I only wish this was actually literally true.  My fingernails are thin as paper, splitting, flaking and breaking.  I almost have no nails left!

I blame it on the menopause and hormone changes.  I am currently clipping them as short as I possible can, coating them with gel acrylic and keeping them painted.  I am also using non acetone remover with vitamins and taking a multi-vitamin.  Lord, if my nail splits below the quick that may be the worst pain I have experienced in this entire process.

Tough as nails....Bwhahahaha!

Rash Decisions

I have been running now for a couple months and I have just about made it to a 5k.  Not fast by any means, but I can do it.  Anyway, Jessica and I had been talking about entering into runs as a means to work for something in the gym.  I thought today, if I am going to run, why not run for something?  So I registered for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in June.  I am VERY excited! 
I also registered Jessica.  She doesn't know it yet though.....

Check out our team page and support us!  How about $1/minute?  I am guessing I can do this in 30minutes or less! Go team "Running for my life!"

And my personal page...

Previvors have a Day, and a Week!

This article, National Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer Week and National Previvor Day 2010, reads that the last week in September is recognized as National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Week, and the last Wednesday in September is National Previvor Day.  Awesome! 

I think it is not ironic that the "previvors" are recognized before October's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  That only makes sense, like the pun is intended.