Donated
Blood drawn. Details later.
Labels: risk
I'm young. I'm 29 years old, to be precise, though 30 is not too far off. Some of the cancer risk calculators don't even account for subjects this young. My ob/gyn advised me a couple of years ago not to bother getting tested until I was certain I was done having kids, because it's not like we were going to take any serious measures (prophylactic surgery, tamoxifen) when I was also trying to get pregnant/pregnant/nursing.
Labels: risk
It is indeed a dilemma. It is a war between the emotional and the rational mind. I liked your post.
This is Joshua from Israeli Uncensored News
It's a tough decision to make, and I wish you all the strength in going through with it.
If you haven't been here in a while READ THIS FIRST and proceed with that post in mind. Thanks.
Labels: risk
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
I read your story and think you might like to know about Sharsheret, which is a national not-for-profit organization for Jewish women and their families facing breast or ovarian cancer. I’m a Genetic Counselor and Coordinator of Sharsheret’s Genetics for Life program. I speak to many women in situations similar to yours and I know they have been helped as they struggle with the same sorts of questions that you’ve expressed. I would really like the opportunity to speak with you over the phone and talk about your concerns. Please feel free to call me at (866-474-2774). We also have a blog at www.sharsheret.blogspot.com where you can find out more about our program and read some of the inspirational stories from the women of Sharsheret.
Niecee Schonberger, M.S., CGC
@Niecee - thanks for reaching out. I'm not looking for an additional counselor at this time, but maybe after tomorrow's appointment, after reuslts in January (if I get tested), or at some later date, I will be in touch.
Ugh. You know most of this is not news to me, but the awfulness of the catch-22 hits me all over again.
I don't think anyone is going to not LET you get tested. (Except your insurance company, maybe? even they would probably have to concede that you qualify.) I do think they might argue against it. They might press you to articulate what exactly you would do differently if you got positive results vs. negative, given that you can't tell if the negative is a true one.
But "I just need to know" is a valid purpose, too. If that's what it comes down to, I think they would just want to make sure you're prepared for how disturbing both a positive & a negative result would be, each in its own way. Once you've been counseled, I don't see why anyone would stand in your way.
And even if it will make no practical difference for you, it could make a WORLD of difference for your kids. Right? An identified mutation would mean each of them could be free of this fear, if they tested negative for the same.
I doubt I'm telling you anything you don't know. Just wanted to register that I'm here listening, and I'm glad you're working your way through this no matter how scary it is.
Oh, and one more piece of info in case it helps: if your aunt's breast cancer was pre-menopausal, odds are much higher it was a BRCA mutation.
If you haven't been here in a while READ THIS FIRST and proceed with that post in mind. Thanks.
Wow. That's a lot. We did pretty extensive genetic counseling before starting treatment (long story) way back when, and I remember it being a combination of cool (detective work!) and utterly terrifying. Good luck with everything.
You know, I was trying to remember having to fill out so much paperwork - did my testing center not ask for as much?? have I just forgotten?? etc. - and finally I realized. I wasn't the first person in my family to be tested. Someone ELSE had to fill out all this paperwork.
Wow, that is a lot to handle. I'm glad that the paperwork is done but ugh--having to do it twice! Good luck.
Oh, that's like losing a well thought out, brilliantly written blog post and thinking, "there's no way in hell I could start all over and write that again."
Okay, maybe not like that. But I'd be a puddle of tears having to re-do a honkin' form like that. I'd also be in a similar situation trying to get the right info in the first place. Family members not speaking, everyone but one in the grandparental generation dead and the one survivor responds to questions with, "whadya wanna know THAT for??" Parents who refuse to acknowledge that anyone in the family has ever died at any point in time. Well, you get the picture.
I'm glad you were able to fill it all out again so quickly. I hope the appointment turns up nothing, and the vampire at least gives you flowers.
Now go get some sleep.
I may have to start using this blog again...but not necessarily for the reasons most infertility blogs get revived.
I dont know you from adam. please add me.
Hmmm, intriguing! In any event, I'm glad you're back. I hope everything is OK!
The time is now
Labels: meta, the blogosphere
Ummmmmmmmmmmmm HELLO? I've been all bent that you haven't been blogging. I want. I WANT.
Hello,
I did just stumble across your blog. Very intriguing. Congratulations to you! I am reaching out to those in the infertility world.
I am an adoptive mom with my own experiences with infertility and ART. I just started a not for profit-
http://www.parenthoodforme.org/
Our mission is to provide financial and emotional support to those starting families through medical intervention and adoption. Please visit my website and pass the link on. There is a blog link there where there is a poll. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Erica Schlaefer
My children will be eight weeks old tomorrow. I've posted here only once since they've been born. I so desperately want to keep this blog going (or to start a new one, a la persephone, but I'm not quite sure when to post. Or, really, what to post. My kids need online aliases, don't they? Do I keep my name? I'm not really "Barren" any more. Do I stick to parenting posts, with a bit of (in)fertility commentary on the side? Should I fill in other areas of my life?
I hope you keep blogging! I'd thought about you a few days ago, wondering what happened to you, you more or less disappeared once you got pregnant.
Blog about whatever the heck you feel like! Change the name, or not, doesn't matter. I'd love to hear more about your kidlets and anything else that you'd like to talk about. People will read, or not, but if you're blogging about things that are important to you it usually becomes a good read, whatever tangent it takes in the end.
Good to hear from you! Glad you & the little ones are doing well :-)
I'm with the blog whatever comes up approach...
Hi there! I do hope you keep blogging,although I have also fallen victim somewhat to the pregnant silent blogger plague..
Just play it by ear and my vote is to stay Robber Barren, even though the 'barrren' part has been resolved. I just like it.
Glad all is well....xxmoo
The smaller members of my household love your "nickname" by the way. They think it's hysterical that you think you're a Robber "because she wants to steal a baby from Shamayim" (ie Heaven). They were thrilled to pieces to hear that you also had twins (a friend of mine did at just about the same time.)
But please keep blogging. As for aliases, I guess "the girl" and "the boy" aren't good enough? How about "Wealth" and "Power"? (That's what Robber Barons are after, right?)
I wish I had an answer - I have the same questions myself. I'm not sure what to do with my blog - change the title, start a new one? Just go with your gut. Either way, I love hearing about the babies.
It's your blog, you can do whatever you want to.
Good to hear the twins are doing well.
Hi. Just wanted to know how you and the babies are doing. Give us an update when you get a chance, please.
Of course we want to hear more about the babies! You could start a new blog for that, sure, whatever you want. I highly, highly recommend blogging about their infancy. Things change so fast you need a good record. And I'd love to read more about your life in general.
A note: WE NEED BABY PICTURES.
How could I be anything else?
oh girl, now you've got me all crying! Enjoy your children, enjoy!
Just want to say congratulations to you and Ezra! Enjoy those babies!
I'm SO happy for you :-) Enjoy this cozy time! I guess you have a brit this week? Have you chosen names yet? We invited everyone to our daughter's naming before we'd chosen a name & only decided what her middle name would be on the way to shul...
I am so glad to hear that you are home and doing well. I can only imagine how warm and soft it is to have the your little man on your chest.
I'm just bursting with happiness for you. So glad that everything is going well--enjoy!
So glad to hear from you. And very impressed that you've already gotten the type-while-holding-baby thing down. I never managed that one. Then again, I didn't have a blog. :)
Enjoy them!
Now, THAT was a beautiful post! I can actually "hear" the happiness in your writing voice ;)
Baruch haba, little ones!
Lurker de-lurking to say congratulations!
Just wanted to say congratulations too--from another Jewish mother of boy/girl twins. Glad everything is going well :-) Mazel tov!
Hi everyone, it's Persephone! I'm lucky enough to be the one to share the joyful news: Robbie and Ezra's babies are here! On Monday night, their son (6lbs 3oz, 19 inches) and daughter (5lbs 13oz, 18.5 inches) came into the world. Just a glimpse of their beautiful little noses and cheeks has me all teary.
Congratulations on the birth of your son and daughter! I'm so happy for you and Ezra!
What fantabulous marvelous news.
May your family have all happiness.
mazal tov indeed, robbie and ezra. Very excited for you.
WOOT WOOT! Mazel Tov! (I'm delurking though I've been reading since the beggining.)
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!! What great news, a son and a daughter...and good weights too!
Mega-mazal tov :-) I'm all teary :-) A boy & a girl, just like me... I can't wait to hear all about it! Congratulations, enjoy every minute!
Congratulations! I hope that everyone is doing well and will be home soon.
Congratulations! I hope Mommy, and babies are doing well.
That's wonderful news! Congratulations!
Oh, I'm tearing up too...CONGRATULATIONS Robbie dear, I am so, so happy for you and Ezra. A boy and a girl! And you made it past 37 weeks, too! This is just the best of days. :)
Congratulations! I found your blog while researching PUPPS for a friend of mine. You're a lifesaver for her. I am so happy for you. Mazel Tov!
Mazal tov! That's wonderful!
A thousand congratulations to you and Ezra, Robbie! I'm so very happy for you both.
Welcome to the world, little twins!
De-lurking to say MAZAL TOV on the twins. One boy, one girl and one very proud mama I bet!!!!
Mazel tov and warm wishes! May you have much, much happiness with your children.
Mazel Tov, Robbie & Ezra!
And thank you to Persephone for announcing this wonderful news so we weren't all left hanging. :)
Congrats and welcome!
AIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEE. I'm so happy for you guys. Mazel Tov indeed.
I can't wait to hear the details.
Mazel tov mazel tov!
Happy *TWO* b'Shevat!
MAZAL TOV!!!
Mazal tov indeed! Congrats on your two new arrivals!
heh, "happy TWO b'shvat" hee.
Persephone, THANK YOU! I've been going crazy wanting to post something, but not knowing if I could/should!
RB, Ezra, new babes: MAZAL TOV! I bet you looked smashing in your new snood, Robbie ;) I hope everyone is doing well. I couldn't be happier for you all. Mazal tov.
Huge Congrats! I hope mommy and the babies are doing well.
Double mazel tov! May you only have nachas for many years to come from your children.
SGHH!!! Congrats RB!
Blessings on these two new lives and those who will cherish them.
Mazel Tov! Mazel Tov! What wondermous news!
Mazal Tov to you Robbie and Ezra! What wonderful news to refresh to!
Wish you all nothing but good health and lots of happiness. Can't wait for a full report!
Fabulous news! Congratulations!
What wonderful news, congrats!
Yay! Mazal Tov! May this be the beginning of boundless joy! Post details soon!
Bella
YIPPEEE!!!!!!!!! Copy cat, my boy and girl were born just 2 and a half weeks ago! :) You get preg with twins the same time as me and are due the same time as me, and then have the gall to have a boy and a girl too? :) tee hee. MAZEL TOV times 2 and enjoy every minute! ----price613 from atime
Double mazel tov on your new additions!! I can't wait to hear your take on breastfeeding (currently barely managing with just ONE newborn!!) and other fun exploits of new motherhood...as if you'll have time. :)
Bonjour a tous
Quoi de neuf?
Justement vous avez tous voulu un jour ecrire a une grande personnalite!
He bien ecrivez une lettre et je la poste sur mon site
a bientot
marcel
jewisheritage.fr
Speak up!