My story, the beginning...

December 10, 2010 my mother, Cindy Lovell, passed away after battling breast cancer for the second time.

Shortly before her passing we (my sister and I) decided to pursue genetic testing as urged my my doctor. The testing was done through Myriad Genetics, located in Salt Lake City, UT which was very costly.

My mother was tested for multiple genetic mutations, (thus the high cost...) my sister and I paid substantially less for our tests due the specific mutation already being identified through my mother.

Just two weeks after my mothers passing I was informed that I was a carrier of the same mutation as my mother and that my sister had tested negative.

Upon receipt of the test results I felt overwhelming despair. For several weeks all I could do was barely function. Having only had a couple of weeks to heal since my mother's passing, the pain was very fresh. For me, I went through a process of anger, denial and then different levels of acceptance all mixed together with the grieving and healing process of losing my beloved Mother.

As the weeks passed I was able to look at things a little more objectively and I began my process of research and understanding of my genetic mutation and all of my options associated with it.

With a combination of counseling with my doctor, my husband and theLord through personal prayer, we began our journey through hope, health and healing.

I am in constant search for the keys to a healthy and long life. I lost both of my parents In their 50's and I am determined to NOT walk down the same path of I'll health and premature death.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at joshcami@yahoo.com


Location:My story...the beginning

Hysterectomy, my first step...

Right now the recommendation for a woman who tests posative for the BRCA mutation is to have a hysterectomy and total mastectomy, reducing both ovarian and breast cancer significantly...down to the risk of an average woman.

I took these recommendations hard. I feared dealing with hormonal problems and depression as my mother did after her hysterectomy at the age of 23. I wasn't sure if the risk of potentially facing mental instability was worth the procedure.

Choosing hysterectomy, for me, was a combination of logic, fear of cancer and lots of prayer.

Logically, it all made sense. With six children...I was not planning on any more babies. Likewise, ovarian cancer does not have very high survival rates as it is not usually found until very advanced stages. In addition to reducing my ovarian cancer risk, a hysterectomy also would cut my breast cancer risk in half by reducing the amount of estrogen my body would produce.

Fear of cancer played a large role as my mother had so recently passed away in my home and in my arms. I was committed to doing everything in my power to prevent walking down the same path as my sweet mother.

And of course, prayer and personal revelation. I felt strongly that I was moving in the right direction. So...without haste, I scheduled my procedure for the end of march...just 3 months after finding out my positive test results. The decision carried with it a large emotional burden as I was still grieving my mothers passing and now I had added to my life fear of the same fate, fear of not being able to grow old with my husband or see my children and grandchildren through their lives. I wanted to live a long and fulfilling life and now I was facing my own mortality in a way that i don't think anyone could prepare for properly.

I shed lots of tears, even up to being wheeled into the operating room. I didn't know what to expect and now I was just operating on faith.

Now I am 2 1/2 months down the road and I feel great. I have not had one single regret. Recovery was tedious, mostly because I felt great and was having a hard time with the physical restrictions by my doctor. With six kids it was almost impossible to refrain from lifting my baby, vacuuming, mopping, laundry and other heavy household chores.

One hurdle down...one more to go. With my appointments at the Huntsman Cancer center secured, anxiety continued to mount looking forward to the next potential and far more invasive procedure.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story...