There is a history of breast cancer on my mother's side of the family. My mother, my grandmother, and my great aunt are all survivors. I also have another great aunt who went home to be with Jesus in 2011 after fighting a lengthy battle with breast cancer.
My mother fought her battle in 2004 and was declared 99% cancer free in 2005. It was caught very early after she took a random mammogram at the encouragement of her doctor since she hadn't had one in years. It was a total God thing. Then in 2015 my grandma and one of her sisters were diagnosed with breast cancer. 4 people very closely related to me had now been diagnosed with this disease. I decided that it would only be wise for me to talk to my doctor about what precautions I should be taking with my own health. She referred me to a breast specialist who is known as the number one breast surgeon in Tulsa. Incidentally, this is also the specialist who treated and performed my mother's surgery.
In June of 2015, I went to see the specialist and she recommended that I have genetic testing done to see if I am a carrier for the BRCA1 or the BRCA2 genes. These genes are known to be linked to breast cancer. I had the testing done and thankfully I am not a carrier. I was supposed to go back and see the doctor and we would map out a game plan for monitoring my breast health. But a few weeks later we found out I was pregnant with Beau so those plans have been on hold for the last 2 years.
I decided it was time to quit dragging my feet and went back to see the doctor earlier this summer. I'm still healthy and there wasn't anything found at the appointment just as I knew there wasn't anything to find. But I have to say that going to see a cancer specialist will mess with your head and your emotions even when you don't actually have cancer. There is a scientific calculation to determine a person's overall lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. It's called the Tyrer Cuzick Model. Anything over 20% is considered high risk. My doctor used the phrases "well over the high risk mark" and "strikingly high risk." My risk is calculated at 38%. The general population of healthy women only have about a 13% risk. It's definitely a sobering experience to be told that you are high risk for developing cancer. But even so, I look at that figure and I see math that is still in my favor. It may not be as good of math as other people get but it is still in my favor. And it is just a number. It doesn't predict or define anything about me. I will not allow fear to plant any seeds here.
On the way home from the appointment, I felt anxious and emotional. I had a heart to heart talk with God which brought peace to my heart. I also strengthened my resolve that I would not be shaken by the threat of cancer. I plan to be proactive about about my health not only for my sake but also for the sake of my husband and children.
James 2:17 says that faith unaccompanied by deeds is dead. I believe God gave us brains and common sense and expects us to use them. Here in the United States we are blessed to have access to first class health care. I plan to utilize the medical resources available to me. A few weeks ago, my doctor had me have a mammogram and MRI done. They both came back completely clear, as I expected that they would. I met with the doctor last week again to discuss a game plan for the future to monitor my health. This will include having mammograms and MRIs done on a regular basis. The survival rate for breast cancer is 99% when caught in Stage 0 or Stage 1. Those are incredibly encouraging odds. Early detection is key.
As I have learned over the last year from battling Chloe's anaphylactic peanut allergy, the enemy I face is not just a disease, it's fear. The same way that I refuse to live in fear of a food allergy, I also refuse to live in fear of developing cancer. I am standing in faith and on God's Word that I won't ever develop cancer; however if cancer insists on knocking, I fully intend to meet it at the door. I have something for that Goliath.
Me with my Mom and Grandma
May 2011
I decided it was time to quit dragging my feet and went back to see the doctor earlier this summer. I'm still healthy and there wasn't anything found at the appointment just as I knew there wasn't anything to find. But I have to say that going to see a cancer specialist will mess with your head and your emotions even when you don't actually have cancer. There is a scientific calculation to determine a person's overall lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. It's called the Tyrer Cuzick Model. Anything over 20% is considered high risk. My doctor used the phrases "well over the high risk mark" and "strikingly high risk." My risk is calculated at 38%. The general population of healthy women only have about a 13% risk. It's definitely a sobering experience to be told that you are high risk for developing cancer. But even so, I look at that figure and I see math that is still in my favor. It may not be as good of math as other people get but it is still in my favor. And it is just a number. It doesn't predict or define anything about me. I will not allow fear to plant any seeds here.
My Great Aunt Maymie who moved
to Heaven in 2011
James 2:17 says that faith unaccompanied by deeds is dead. I believe God gave us brains and common sense and expects us to use them. Here in the United States we are blessed to have access to first class health care. I plan to utilize the medical resources available to me. A few weeks ago, my doctor had me have a mammogram and MRI done. They both came back completely clear, as I expected that they would. I met with the doctor last week again to discuss a game plan for the future to monitor my health. This will include having mammograms and MRIs done on a regular basis. The survival rate for breast cancer is 99% when caught in Stage 0 or Stage 1. Those are incredibly encouraging odds. Early detection is key.
As I have learned over the last year from battling Chloe's anaphylactic peanut allergy, the enemy I face is not just a disease, it's fear. The same way that I refuse to live in fear of a food allergy, I also refuse to live in fear of developing cancer. I am standing in faith and on God's Word that I won't ever develop cancer; however if cancer insists on knocking, I fully intend to meet it at the door. I have something for that Goliath.
