Hello all. I told Nicki that I would share my story. So here it goes. I am BRCA1+. I found out 2 years ago. I am 36 years old. My mom was told she had ovarian cancer almost 4 years ago. She is the thrid women on my family to get oavarian cancer. My grandmother had it when she was 36 and died at 38 from it. My Aunt is on her second bout with ovarian cancer. She was in remission for 10+ years before it reoccurred. I went to my obgyn and ask what is my next step. They sent me to my geneticist. She rocks. Love her dearly. We went over what the options were and she highly recommended that either my Aunt or mom get teste for the gene. So I call my mom and ask her and she says no. She was pretty sure the insurance was not going to pay for it and she didnt want to go and have more blood drawn. I ask if she would talk to my aunt and ask. She didnt answer. I was crushes. I could not even imagine why she would say no. She wouldnt even consider talking to a geneticist. I told my geneticist what she had said. She told me to wait and she if she wold change he mind. I waited a year and nothing changed. So we decided to go ahead and have the test done. I did the test in febuary 2 years ago. I knew what the answer was going to be. I just knew it. While waiting for the test my doctors found a 7 centimeter cyst on my right ovary. Truly no matter how much they told me it wasnt cancerous I was still hysterical. They found the cyst on a Wednesday by friday it was removed with the ovary. After my surgery I get a call from my geneticist. I told her about the cyst. She was surprised but she also told my test results were in. I was shocked. It had only been about a month. I was expecting longer but nope they were in. She wouldnt tell me what they were until we met. So I made an appointment with her. I went to the appointment not sure what I would find out. I sat in her office and I remember her telling me that she had expected me to be positive for the gene just not the one I was postive for. She Told me I was BRCA 1+. I remember trying really hard not to cry. Thinking to myself you can do this you can do this. It is not the end of the world. I was able to make it through the appointment without falling apart. So on my way to work I frantically try to call my husband but to no avail I could not get ahold of him. So I try a friend and still nothing. I leave her a message. To this day not sure if it is even understandable. I sobs for about 10 minutes. That is how long it took me to get to work. Pulled myself together and went to work. It took everything I had to make it through the hour or so while I was there. Now in the next couple of months it was a whirl wind of appointmetns and meeting and talking with insurance to get things set up. When I finally met with my OBGYN that was going to do the hyst and ooph he told me I had 6 months to decide whether or not we were done having kids. (now I remember this part differently then my hubby) I remember thinking that I was happy either way. We had 4 beautiful children and if we didnt try for a 5th that was fine with me. The doctor told me I had 6 months to make up my mind on whether or not we were going to have another child before things had to moving. I had two other appointments that day and did really good not to fall apart. But when he told me that I needed to really look at getting things started I sobbed. It wasnt what I wanted to hear. Of course I knew what he was saying was true. I just didnt want that answer.So my hubby and I that day decided we were going to try for another baby. He really wanted another boy. We only had 1 and he was feeling a little out numbered. So we told our children everything that was going on. I knew I needed to be completely honest with them. It took us 4 months to get pregnant. I thought it would never happen. What a relief that was. Every month that past was terrible. I cried each time my period would come. I kept telling my husband what happens if the 6 month mark hit and I was not pregnant. He told me that it wasnt meant to be then. I dont know if I could of handled that. But in the long run I didnt need to worry. I got pregnant. So in march I was able to give birth to Gabriel Henry Matthew Beirens. A beautiful baby boy. 6 months after he was born I start the process. September 20th 2010 I had a PDM.  This surgery I was scared but I was able to have my husband and dad in the pre op room with me.  So it was to bad.  They stayed until I was wheeled to the or. My husband ask Dr Choa if she could put something on my chest so when I looked down I wouldnt be shocked at seeing nothing there.  Truly I was greatful for that.  I hadnt even thought of it.  Thank you honey.  On September 27th a week later I had a Diep Tram Flap.  I was okay until I had to get on the elevators by myself.   I started to freak out.  Truly panic set in as I was bording the elevator and waving goodby to my husband and dad.  I tried so hard not to cry but truly could not help myself.  All I could think about was what the hell did I get myself into.  I had to keep telling myself that it was going to be okay and that I had made the right descicson.  I was in surgery for 8 hours.  Which shocked both my husband and I.  From what we understand it usually takes 10 to 12 hours.  I guess I was lucky.  Recovery was hard.  But I made it though it.  What a long road it has been. April 20th of this year I had revisions done. I had to fight my insurance for fat injections.  The only thing I had to fight my insurance for.  I almost had to cancel the procedure but thanks to Dr. Paige it got covered and even if my insurance said no again he said he would do that part for free. Truly he has been my guardian angel in all this.  He has been so kind and understanding.  June 8th of this year I had the hyst and ooph. On August 26th 2011 I had nipples created. They are not done but hoping that they will be by christmas. Truly I can not wait til I am done. Each day I hate this gene but thankful all in the same. If it wasnt for this gene I would not have so many wonderful friends or my super cute but pain in the butt.

A small price for life. You have a wonderful growing family. Many BLESSINGS in store for you. Enjoy the life that you can now have without that STUPID BRCA gene noose around your neck!

XOXOXOXO