One would assume that being in remission brings about a great sense of relief. And it does. But throughout the course of my mother's run in with cancer, doctors have since discovered that the culprit of her cancer was a genetic mutation. Just like I've inherited her blonde hair and blue eyes, there is a great chance that I've been not-so-blessed with the cancer gene. The same rings true for both of my brothers-- putting them at a risk for prostate cancer as well as breast cancer.
Dr. Richard, my mother's oncologist, made it quite clear that it was most likely not a coincidence that her mother (my grandma) had had breast cancer, and that her aunt (my grandma's sister) had had ovarian cancer. Rather, he put in for our family to become the specimen of this mutating gene research. Unfortunately for us, this gene does not mutate giving us super-human powers like that of Spiderman. But in being tested for the gene and monitored for fluctuations, we do have the power to push cancer to the curb.
**Sidebar: both my Grandma and Great Aunt are still alive today as they both beat cancer.
Following my mother's diagnosis, several of my family members (both male and female) made the truck to Magees for genetic counseling. With the help of the amazing doctors there, several members of our family who are finished having children were able to prevent the onset of ovarian cancer by having a hysterectomy.
Obviously, I am not in any position to have my God-given child-bearing goods ripped out of me... after all, I fully intend to grace my parents with lil' grand babies some day. But because both my mother and grandmother were diagnosed with cancer at age 44, I am considered high risk. Oh joy!
Of course, I couldn't be diagnosed with an over-active metabolism and be sentenced to a life of eating dessert after every meal!! ha ha!!
Anyways, all of that being said, I am due for my scheduled "high risk screening" at the end of this week & quite frankly, I can't stand the thought of having my Barely-There-northern-lady-lumps smashed in by a mammogram, nor do I even want to consider how they will go about checking for ovarian cancer, cysts and other ques to cancer (well, actually I already know but- let's keep this PG).
However, according to my mother it is my "womanly duty" to be pro-active and get all of my female appendages reviewed extremely closely. I suppose this is a fair request, coming from the woman who just endured more pain and discomfort in a year than I have in my life time. Ugh. Regardless of my hatred for having to attend a year-womanly-exam and now the NEW added bonus of "High Risk Screening," I am well aware that the benefits of such... ehm... uncomfortable/awkward exams out-weigh the poking and prodding.
The moral of the story is, no matter how irritated I become with all of these lovely tests I have to endure, I am more than thankful to have my mother here & healthy. And, really, these tests only last a few minutes which will help me be around a life time and allow me to have healthy grand babies one day. And even better than that, my mom (and dad) are going to be around to watch them grow.
