It's A Family Affair

The BRCA mutation doesn't just affect individuals.  It affects families.  Both my mom and my sister also have the mutation, therefore raising their chances of breast and ovarian cancer.  We've all addressed the ovarian cancer by having total hysterectomies.  Now, it's time for my mom and my sister to take action on reducing their risks for breast cancer.
On Monday, Jill had a bilateral mastectomy with DTI (direct to implant) reconstruction.  While her surgery was different than mine, I know it's no walk in the park.  There is significant pain and it takes upwards of 6 weeks to recover.  My mom flew down to Florida to help her for the week.
I have such mixed feelings about Jill having the surgery.  I am so relieved that it's over and so proud of her for taking steps to reduce her risk.  I hurt for her because I know the recovery is tough.  I also am hesitant to celebrate, as I know she hasn't officially crossed the finish line yet.  She is still waiting to hear back on her pathology results, which she is hoping to hear back on Friday.  Obviously we are praying for a clear pathology report.  She didn't have any issues of concern before her surgery, but I've heard several stories of people who went in with no concerns and still came out with a cancer diagnosis.
Mom is also in the process of scheduling her surgery.  She probably needed to get her mastectomy before any of us, but she insisted on waiting until Jill was recovered and I was finished with my chemo treatments.  That's what mom's do ~ they put their kids before themselves.  My mom can't get her surgery soon enough.  With her having a 50% risk of breast cancer before the age of 50 and an 87% chance before she turns 70, I feel like she's on borrowed time.
I hate that we all have to do these intense surgeries to reduce our risks.  But, there is comfort in knowing that someone else knows exactly what you are going through with the difficult decisions to go through with the surgeries.  We all know what it is like to think about our risks.  To get the call that we are BRCA+.  To make the decision to have a hysterectomy and mourn not being able to have more children.  To wonder if the risk of a bilateral mastectomy is worth the reward (I think my cancer diagnosis made that a much easier decision for everyone ~ You're welcome, girls).
It will be such a relief once we can celebrate everyone getting a clean pathology report back!  Looking forward to that day!

Jill, my mom and me (several years ago).

UPDATE: Jill's pathology report came back today all clear!  Big sigh of relief on that one!  Can't wait to celebrate that the next time we get together!