Today was such a Monday. Such a Monday after a holiday. Such a Monday after a week of vacation. And even more so, the last real break before the big day. And an amazing, wonderful, went-too-fast family vacation at that. All the sudden July is here (so here!) and things are real.

Real like talking with my parents on the plane last night about the details and logistics of when they’ll pick me up, where I’ll leave my car. Real like getting an email that my application for FMLA was approved (for 6 weeks… Fingers crossed I only need half of that!) Real like working with my amazing friends to plan my Boob Voyage Party. Just… Real.

And I’m not the only one! The text I got in response from one of my oldest and closest friends about the party: “Omg I literally just started crying a little bit. Definitely not the reaction I expected, just reading it made it so stinking real!!!!”

Trying to think so far in advance with work and have everything together is quite the task. The reality is there’s this week and next week… The following involves 4 trips to doctors in one week. The following a big work conference (that I’m super stoked for… Couldn’t ask for a better immediately before distraction!) then a day to party and a day for pre-op. Like whoa. Will redefine “fly by!”

Anyhow, reality? It’s here. I get asked daily how I feel about everything and I have no reservations in my answer that at this point, I’m so ready for it to be over. To cross “to the other side” as fellow previvors say.

So some work craziness awaits, then a slew of doctors, then some good distraction, and then a party that promises to be memorable and amazing if I know anything about the hosts! (I mean, there are gonna be boobcakes! And no, not a joke…) I am so grateful for my incredible family and friends… They never cease to amaze me. I am so very grateful for each and every one of them. So if you are one of them and not on fancy Facebook, I want you to know you are invited to join the celebration – text me for details!

Oh and THEN… There’s that surgery thing. And then a Gilmore Girls, Friends, and Breaking Bad marathon. Oh and famous enchiladas. Can’t forget those! 🙂

As always, glad to have you along for the ride… Here we gooooo!!!

Let me preface this by saying I realize how delayed this post is… especially given what a landmark month June was for medical genetics, and BRCA mutations in particular.  But hey, better late than never right?  I have finally surfaced after a few weeks of work madness and lovely R&R!

So when I was tested for a BRCA mutation back in 2008, I certainly didn’t know the political aspects of genetic testing, or many of the other implications as well, such as genetic discrimination.  Would it have made a difference in my wanting to get tested?  Probably not.  But it is all very fascinating to me.  Most of which I knew was from watching the documentary “In the Family,” a film about a young, single BRCA positive woman who considers her options, that came out that same year.  At one part in the movie she goes to the headquarters of Myriad Genetics, who at the time (and up until June) was the only company that could test for BRCA mutations.  It’s an interesting story how BRCA testing came to be… basically a race around the country to who could identify the genes first, and then when the researchers found it, due to no legal precedent, Myriad was actually allowed to patent the gene, meaning no other companies could offer BRCA testing.  I don’t pretend to be an expert on any of this, but it was always rather fascinating to me that a company could patent a gene… that’s MY messed up DNA!  How can you patent something that makes up the very nature of living things? Seemed crazy, and needless to say, there were many vocal people that felt the same way, and last month after a very and involved case, the Supreme Court agreed: You cannot patent naturally occurring DNA.

I am relieved with this ruling for the main reason that hopefully now BRCA testing (and all other genetic tests) will become a competitive market.  I, unlike others, have no personal issues with Myriad – this is a whole new world of medical genetics we are embarking on, and there are bound to be issues we have to work through.  I am grateful that I was able to be tested when I was.  However, there are many women out there that do not have such easy access, or may have financial issues that prevent them from being tested.  I am hoping that now that other companies will be allowed to offer the test, testing will be more accessible and perhaps less expensive  Especially now that BRCA mutations are really in the limelight with Angelina Jolie, it’s an exciting time for awareness, and I can only hope that every woman that needs/wants to be tested will be able to.  I will be very interested to see how this all plays out, even though I’m far past that part in my own personal journey.  I consider it a stepping stone in the advancement of medical genetics, and am glad we are moving on to the next stage.

On a related note, while I’m on the political/legal tangent, as well as things that seem obvious… interestingly, 2008, when I was tested, was also a big year for medical genetics with the passing of GINA.  I am SO incredibly grateful for this law that prevents genetic discrimination… from employers, from insurance companies, from so many places… I can’t be denied treatment or coverage because of my genes.  That seems to simple… not to hold things against people that they can’t change, but I suppose that defines everything that is wrong for every kind of discrimination.  Everything involved with medical genetics is still in such baby stages, but I am so glad that this part has already been addressed – I can’t imagine having to fight all that goes along with that while preparing for surgery as well.  It is a similar relief like the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act from ten years prior, which requires insurance to cover breast reconstruction after mastectomy.  So much of this seems so straightforward and logical, but I’m glad there are laws to back things up in this crazy world of ours!

Anyhow, that’s my short commentary on all the legal stuff.  I’m not a die-hard follower, but I did follow fairly closely and was relieved with the decision… like I said before, it just seemed so obvious. And I know it’s a big relief for the BRCA community as a whole; there’s enough other battles to fight!

In other news… it’s July 6.  How did that happen?!  Pre-op in 2 weeks already… surgery in exactly a month!  More on that later… and Happy (belated) 4th of July!

I like to think I’m a pretty go-with-the-flow kind of person. Sure I’m known for obsessive organization and being a planner and my type A personality for many things, but for big picture things? Totally different. I thrive on sarcasm, and most of the time I can take it just as much as I can dish it out (and oh… Can I). I’m open to different beliefs and ideas, socially liberal, and might jokingly act offended at times, but it really takes a lot for things to get to me. Like deep inside of me, “me.”

I’ve made this whole BRCA/mastectomy thing as lighthearted as possible, and that’s not a front. At all. It’s a serious crappy situation but being serious and dramatic won’t help anything, so I choose not to be that way. And let’s be honest, boob jokes are so much more fun! I’ve been blessed with supportive people surrounding me, and while I know not everyone agrees with my decision, have been lucky to not have those people throw their opinions in my face. Likely because they probably know it won’t change my decision, but regardless I’m grateful for the lack of negativity.

That said, there is one thing that offends me in all of this. Not in a “rock me to my core” kind of offense, but a “cringe and leave a bad taste in my mouth” kind of offense. And I only bring it up with the hope that anyone reading this will be cognizant in what they say to others in my situation. The few times this has been said to me it’s been by truly well-meaning people, and I hope if they’re reading this it doesn’t upset them, but it gets me. I wish it didn’t, but it does. And it happened again yesterday, reminding me of how much I hate it. Again, no harm was intentioned but when this person said “Angelina Jolie cut off her breasts and that’s what you’re doing too!” I couldn’t help but cringe.

“Cut off your breasts” provides such a barbaric image. It fuels the argument that ill-informed bystanders perpetuate about this surgery being self mutilation. And that legitimately makes me want to vomit.

It makes it sound like I’m doing this out of spite, that it’s a spur-of-the-moment overly radical choice. And as I made this decision to proceed in this direction last October, it’s certainly not spur of the moment. And 87% risk of getting breast cancer? Wanting to decrease that? Wanting to live a long and healthy life? Not too radical, if I say so myself.

It’s also a disservice to the surgeons that pour their heart and soul into these women. I consider them legitimate artists, and people who genuinely care for their patients. They are not butchers. And we are not animals being slaughtered.

And lastly, there’s really no “cutting off.” That’s the beauty of technology and skin-sparing, nipple-sparing techniques. Scooping out? Sure. “Angelina Jolie scooped out her breasts, and that’s what you’re doing too!” just sounds ridiculous I know, but that’s really what’s going on here.

Anyhow, not to be on a soapbox, but just wanted to get this one out there. I know no offense is ever meant, but sometimes just a sensitivity reminder can make all the difference. It’s a delicate topic as it is!

Not much news to report… 50 days tomorrow! Just enjoying some good quality time at home and celebrating Father’s Day with my wonderful Dad!

Have a great week!!

So things are definitely getting more real every day now as time flies by. Every possible way to mark 2 months out (day, date, 60 days) has passed. Preop is in just over a month. Wow.

I filled out all the paperwork for FMLA today… Very curious to see how long I’ll actually end up needing off. Back in February my surgeon said I’d be bored by the end of 2 weeks so I took that and ran with it… Then when I talked to his nurse today she said plan on more like 4-6 weeks. As a wise friend said, there’s a big difference between “bored” and “ready.” Definitely will be bored!! I’m relieved that half days, etc, are an option and that I work with such incredible and understanding people. But 4-6 weeks is a LONG time!! Needless to say will definitely play it by ear. Certainly don’t want to rush things and regret it, but patience has never been my strong suit!

Not much other news to report… Work is keeping me busy and nicely distracted. My sweatpants and zip up jackets collection is expanding well. Boob Voyage party is being planned. Insanity is still a butt kicking but good. Think I’m getting readier as it gets real-er!

Yeah got that one thrown at me today – ha! Seems like I just posted about Angelina Jolie and all the sudden it’s JUNE! How did that happen?! And how do we make it stop?!

Things have been great – super freaking busy so time is a flying! Been to Boston and Philly since I last blogged and had wonderful trips on both counts. Now home for almost a (glorious) month before spending the 4th of July with my family. It’s one of my absolute favorite holidays because oh. Do we know how to celebrate. And let’s face it, my inner pyromaniac has a chance to surface once a year! Plus I get to see my newly engaged brother!!! Soooo excited for him and my future sister-in-law! Even though it was totally expected it’s still weird but awesome saying that!

So needless to say, not a lot of time to ruminate over the boob situation. One of the quietest, yet most wonderful, people at worked stopped me in the hall today and said “your surgery is what… August? How are you doing with all that?” Means so much to know people are thinking about me. I think I caught him a little off guard with just how okay I am with everything… My surgication is just another date on the calendar! Well at least right now it is. Let’s talk in a month! I know the freakout moments are ahead! I had to move some appointments and it was a little weird saying “well my prophylactic mastectomy is August 6.” Just reality I suppose but that’s so soon! And it’s so real. Anyhow so it’s now all 4 docs in one week. Phew! Exhausted already just thinking about that week but will be good to get it all over with and get in the right mindset.

So yeah. Things are great. I feel mentally ready and with the appropriately named Insanity program kicking my butt, quickly getting physically ready. I actually RAN up the stairs today at work and it didn’t phase me… And it’s been a week and a half! Pretty impressive. Especially if you know those stupid stairs!!

Thanks for checking in and being along for the “chill” part of this journey. What I am anticipating to be the busiest month of the year at work starts next week (eek!) so I imagine updates will be scarce, but will pick up for sure in just one month.

Ending with the mottos from a fabulous event this weekend and words I always need to remember… “Collect moments, not things,” and “Dream big. Love life. Be positive.”