Sunday morning with pumpkin spice coffee

Sunday morning.  Quiet time with a cup of coffee. Still enjoying my favorite limited edition flavor – pumpkin spice, which will sadly be out soon (I hoard them – seriously).  Had a fantastic weekend. Got a surprise visit from my dear friend Shawna who flew out to visit from Denver!!!  Spending time with her was wonderful, and picking up right where we left off nearly four years ago…priceless.  Had a blast with friends on Friday. A few drinks, and a ton of laughs was more therapeutic than I can explain!  In just a few years, we have managed to assemble an amazing group of friends.  We have been very blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people who continue to check in all the way from Alaska to the east coast. 

New news!  BRCA test was negative. Ahhhh.  That’s the one that tests for the gene mutation.  It was a relief for me not only for my prognosis, but for my girls. I was so relieved to know that according to this test, I do not carry the genetic mutation for breast cancer that could have been passed down to my daughters. Unfortunately, just having a mom diagnosed at a young age puts them at a much higher risk (it’s doubled); they will be screened earlier and will be closely monitored for signs of breast cancer which is good as early detection is huge.  Oh, and discussing this topic with two prepubescent girls is just sheer entertainment by the way. You want to see some wincing and squirming….?! 

So, I ask myself…why?  Not why – poor pity me, why? But just, WHY? Scientifically, out of medical curiosity. Why does this happen to some and not to others?  My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 74 but sadly, we do not know her actual diagnosis or outcome as she died of unrelated causes several years later.  I would suspect that based on my grandmother’s symptoms that my mother told me about, she probably had a mass for years, but never told anyone.  My mother has never had it. If my grandmother had it, but not my mom, and it’s not a gene mutation, then why?  Of course that is the million dollar question.  I eat a rather healthy diet - mostly fruits and veggies and whole, natural, real foods – out of the ground, off of a tree, or had a mom. Very little processed stuff.  So WTH??? Perhaps my brilliant, curious, and motivated daughters will be inspired to pursue answers to this question or questions about other diseases. Who knows?  That “everything happens for a reason” thing?  Yeah, I hope to find out the reason and some more answers to the difficult questions some day.

   

That’s it for now.  Keeping positive thoughts!