Tweet Tweet

My hubby has been telling me about the awesomeness of Twitter for a long time. When I just had a personal Twitter account, I mainly followed all things Bravo (Andy Cohen, all the Real Housewives, etc). Even though I love pop culture more than most things, I didn’t go on Twitter too much. But, since starting Funky Genes, I’ve been using Twitter a lot more and I totally get it now! It’s a great way to get news, stories, and info about BRCA, cancer, prevention, and health. If you’re on Twitter, check me out here.

Dog Therapy

Three more final exams this week and then I’m officially halfway done with nursing school! The final I have tomorrow is Advanced Pharmacology part 2. That means I have about 1000 drugs I’ve attempted to memorize over the past 20 weeks and it all culminates tomorrow. This also means my brain is a bit crazy and exhausted right now, so I’m going to share a video with y’all that makes me laugh every time I see it. I’m sure most of you have seen it already, but it cracks me up every time.

Prep

There’s a ton of prep that goes into getting ready for a preventative mastectomy. Some of it is pretty boring/daunting like insurance approvals, figuring out budgets for out-of-pocket expenses, lab work, etc. Some of it is kid of fun like looking at implants, pillows, and trying to make sure I have access to all the bad reality TV I’ll want post-surg.

I’m going to the FORCE 2014 conference next week, which is a conference all about breast and ovarian hereditary cancers. There will be a lot of cancer survivors and previvors (like me). I’m excited to get more info about what to expect. Honestly, the only thing I’ve figured out that I want in my hospital bag/need to buy is an “I woke up like this” beanie. I think it would be pretty funny to wear that in my hospital bed – being a nursing student I just want to make my nurses laugh. Also, Beyonce is one of my spirit divas. I listen to her music to empower me and make me feel like I am a BOSS.

Screw You Cancer

Caitlin Brodnick is awesome and hilarious. She’s a 28-year old stand-up comic who has the BRCA1 gene mutation (my gene is BRCA2). Like me, she decided to have a preventative mastectomy. She also made her journey public through a web series that Glamour aired, called Screw You Cancer.

I met Caitlin when Screw You Cancer won an award at the Television Academy Honors last week. I practically ran up to her to talk after learning that she had gone through this process, and she couldn’t have been more cool.  She was totally open, friendly, and she gave me her number right away so I could call her with questions. Most impressively, she let me feel her new boobies, and they felt great (it is amazing how every woman I’ve met who has gone through this surgery offers to let me touch their boobs).

Check out episode 1 below and the other eps are after the jump

Fear Factor

When I tell people I’m having a preventative mastectomy, the first question I usually get asked is, “Aren’t you scared?” It’s a tough question to answer because I have such conflicting emotions about the surgery. On the one hand, I can’t wait for it to be behind me and not have to worry about my looming breast cancer risk. No more annual mammos and breast MRIs and worrying while waiting for results – and the added bonus part of jamming your boobs in a squishing machine and getting MRI IV contrast that makes you feel like you are peeing your pants. No more stressing about my ridiculously high breast cancer risk in this magic time between age 30-40.

On the other hand, I am scared about the surgery. I have the utmost confidence in my medical team and support system, but the reality is – I’m getting all my breast tissue removed. I’ll be on bed rest for 10 days, have drains in, walk around like a T-Rex for 3 weeks (no arms above my shoulders), sleep on my back, and wear weird support bras.  I’m also going in each week to have my tissue expanders filled, which I have heard can be quite uncomfortable.

It is freeing to let go of a little control and admit I am scared. Still, despite my fears, so far I haven’t questioned my decision, which lets me know it is the right decision for me. Personally, not having the mastectomy is much scarier than having it.

Empowerment

Amidst the chaos of finishing up all my papers and projects and prepping for finals week, I have a buzz of excitement.  And no, the excitement is not about taking my Advanced Pharmacology cumulative final (groan). It is about the FORCE conference I will be attending in Philadelphia June 12-14. FORCE stands for Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered and is a support group and amazing resource for hereditary ovarian and breast cancer issues. They have in-person meetings, online resources, and forums.

I found out about the conference after having lunch with two young women who I met through the online forum. Both women are BRCA positive – one already had a prophylactic mastectomy and the other was considering it. I was amazed at how open both women were and the instant connection I felt with them through our shared genetic mutation and all the stuff that comes along with it. I’ve since emailed people on the forum from all over the country about surgery questions and everyone has responded with wonderful advice.

Once I found out about the FORCE annual conference, I was lucky enough to obtain a partial scholarship through FORCE and my wonderful mom donated airfare to me. I am so jazzed for this conference. I can’t wait to meet others with the BRCA gene, ask a million questions about mastectomy prep and recovery, and go to tons of awesome sessions. I plan to post and tweet often from the conference. Follow me on twitter here.

Get it Right, Get it Tight

There are lots of things on my to-do list in order to prep for my upcoming mastectomy. One of the big to-dos is working on my fitness. My incredible surgeon, Dr. Funk, stressed the importance of improving blood flow before the surgery. I mentioned this to one of my friends, who then suggested the Whole Life Challenge to me. I’ve been attempting to eat clean, take supplements, work out for at least 10 mins a day, stretch 10 mins a day, only one alcoholic bev a week, and do other lifestyle activities like meditation for the past 25 days. I haven’t been perfect (sometimes a girl just needs a burger and fries), but I am happy that it is setting me on the right path.
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My 3 month till surgery countdown is going to be starting soon – so I’m going to amp up the workouts and clean eating. I’m nervous but also eager to get things going.