WOW...ever went to a conference and looked at everyone wondering if they had had surgery yet, cancer, or what? Well that is me for the next few days. I am at a conference for women (and even men) just like me...we are all BRCA positive. Sadly I could not help but staring at the women's chest areas wondering what kind of surgery they had and if "mine" will look that good (and in some cases BETTER)after cancer prevention surgery. It is surely something I will feel compelled to write more about later. It was emotional and I found myself sipping a glass of wine after checking in for the conference hoping to ease my anxiety...nothing takes away the fear of being BRCA positive though..NOTHING.
On a different note, I had set myself some pretty high goals prior to surgery, 3 bike "races" and 3 tris. I have successfully completed two bike races (2nd overall female in one and the other no one counts places) and 2 tris (2nd and 3rd place age group respectively). I have one more bike race July 10 and July 17 one more tri...then July 27 is my surgery and I will have to take some time off from anything. I will be one crabby girl for sure!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Some days are easier than others
Do you ever wake up some days and it seems as the day goes on things just turn to #$%&? I had a day like that Monday. My day started off with a GREAT swim! I said goodbyes to the kids and my hubby and then it went downhill...
I read some scary posts on FORCE..a web site with message boards for people who also have the BRCA mutations. It seemed one poor gal did everything she could to prevent cancer by surgeries but still got cancer. :( After that I attended a tumor board for work and heard about another really sad case. As I am driving down the road crying and feeling sorry for myself my friend calls to tell me she has to have an emergency mammogram because she found a lump...I finished up work and went home and slept...felt like the only way to deal with it...block it out.
Today was much better. I decided first thing I would be more positive and focus on the positive of the day and my life. I was asked to speak with another mom who just found out she is BRCA positive. I stared at the number and asked myself how I could help her when I barely feel like I am help myself deal with this some days and then I realized helping her will help me. I plan to call her tomorrow.
I had a great run after work and then enjoyed time at church for Fat Tuesday with my family.
Life is challenging and attitude is everything!!
I read some scary posts on FORCE..a web site with message boards for people who also have the BRCA mutations. It seemed one poor gal did everything she could to prevent cancer by surgeries but still got cancer. :( After that I attended a tumor board for work and heard about another really sad case. As I am driving down the road crying and feeling sorry for myself my friend calls to tell me she has to have an emergency mammogram because she found a lump...I finished up work and went home and slept...felt like the only way to deal with it...block it out.
Today was much better. I decided first thing I would be more positive and focus on the positive of the day and my life. I was asked to speak with another mom who just found out she is BRCA positive. I stared at the number and asked myself how I could help her when I barely feel like I am help myself deal with this some days and then I realized helping her will help me. I plan to call her tomorrow.
I had a great run after work and then enjoyed time at church for Fat Tuesday with my family.
Life is challenging and attitude is everything!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Two years later...
WOW. I have not blogged in two years...can you tell I am a working mom and not a stay-at-home mom who has time to blog? No insult to my stay-at-home mom buddies but you do have more time during the day I truly believe.
So many updates!!!!!!!! So we have moved back to Blacksburg, Va, I have completed two more triathlons since I started this adventure, I hired a tri coach to get me to be a better swimmer, my kids are 7 and 5, I have been very happily married for 10 years and the biggest shocker....I am BRCA2 positive and will be going through a PBM late this summer. Yeah, that part sucks...really sucks and is quite depressing.
I have really enjoyed being back in the mountains. I love the area, the biking here and just the over all feeling of living in a college town.
My plans are to work with a coach this tri season and make it my best so far while also balancing work and my kids and their activities! I plan to do 2 sprints and in July attempt my first full tri.
Later this summer I will have a PBM to reduce my risk of ever getting cancer. Some time in my 40s I will have my ovaries removed....this part terrifies me the most. I don't mind getting a new set of boobs so much but the ovaries going bye bye is very depressing to me.
So my goal is to blog a little more this season but honestly it won't be a priority as my priorities go like this: God, family, training and work...then blogging. :)
So many updates!!!!!!!! So we have moved back to Blacksburg, Va, I have completed two more triathlons since I started this adventure, I hired a tri coach to get me to be a better swimmer, my kids are 7 and 5, I have been very happily married for 10 years and the biggest shocker....I am BRCA2 positive and will be going through a PBM late this summer. Yeah, that part sucks...really sucks and is quite depressing.
I have really enjoyed being back in the mountains. I love the area, the biking here and just the over all feeling of living in a college town.
My plans are to work with a coach this tri season and make it my best so far while also balancing work and my kids and their activities! I plan to do 2 sprints and in July attempt my first full tri.
Later this summer I will have a PBM to reduce my risk of ever getting cancer. Some time in my 40s I will have my ovaries removed....this part terrifies me the most. I don't mind getting a new set of boobs so much but the ovaries going bye bye is very depressing to me.
So my goal is to blog a little more this season but honestly it won't be a priority as my priorities go like this: God, family, training and work...then blogging. :)
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