I Tested Positive for BRCA1 High Risk Cancer Gene

I was not familiar with the term BRCA1 until I heard it last year after my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer.  My aunt is such a selfless and beautiful soul whose vocation is a nurse.  She knew what questions to ask doctors and began to explore our family history of cancer with the possibility of it being passed down to not only her daughters, husband and our family.  Her wisdom prompted genetic testing for our families. 

I knew that I had to have the testing done because I watched my paternal grandmother fight breast cancer.  She died in her early 50's.  Her mom and grandma had also passed away with breast cancer.  So we knew of at least three generations of breast cancer.  BRCA1 is a high risk cancer gene that links to my paternal side of the family.  BRCA1 and BRCA2 is a cancer gene mutation that increases individuals risk to developing breast, ovarian, fallopian tube and uterine cancers by approximately 87%.   

My testing was completed in February, and I received my results a couple of weeks later.  I was scheduled to go to the UVA BRCA Clinic who specializes with this cancer gene mutation.  My family and I at this time was also taking care of my maternal grandmother who was on hospice care.  This is also the same time that COVID-19 hit so my UVA appointment got rescheduled to June.

I tried to not think about it, but I also knew I would most likely have two options that UVA would talk with me about.  One would be to do nothing and be at 87% risk of developing cancer or two, remove all of my female parts - a mastectomy and complete hysterectomy.  At this point, I didn't have a medical opinion, so I would have to wait for their recommendations, their findings, and stats in order for me to make an informed decision.  Of course, there was lots of prayers asking for God's will and discernment with this. 

I had many emotions during this time.  At first I was angry, thinking, "Why me?"  Once the anger subsided, I was then able to hear from God who revealed that what the enemy meant for  harm to take me out, God was using it to be proactive in dealing with it so I would not have to worry or deal with in the future. God's wisdom moved me to being grateful for this recent advancement in technology that would give me peace.  I realized that this technology was giving me a proactive opportunity to address this instead of being reactive with treatment and a potential battle with cancer.  The peace and clarity that I felt was overwhelming so I knew that God was affirming that surgery was the right decision. 

After I met with the medical gynecological doctor that specializes with the BRCA gene, I had even more peace and clarity that surgery was the unmistakable answer.  After surgery my risk would be less than 1% of ever developing cancer.  Because of my extended family history, the doctor highly recommended a double mastectomy and complete hysterectomy.  She explained that it is now all one surgery with a six week recovery or ten week recovery with reconstruction. 

My next steps were a full day of appointments at UVA for a breast MRI, pelvic ultrasound and to meet with the surgeons.  At this time, I did not know when the surgery would be.  I was leaning toward a November or December surgery because we are at one of our busiest seasons on the family farm with hay making, garden and maintaining the livestock.  As you can imagine, farm work requires a lot of heavy lifting of feed bags, square bales, moving gates, in and out, up and down farm equipment, or handling my sheep that can weigh up to 250 pounds.  My post surgery recovery will be restricted for the next six to ten weeks of no lifting at all. 

I don't understand why I have to go through this, nor do I know what God wants me to know about this, but one thing I do know is that I continue to say, "Yes Lord" by trusting Him in all areas of my life knowing that this has greater purpose and meaning beyond me.  I know that the Lord is faithful because I know first hand of all His good works in me and my family's life.  My family and I have experienced many miracles at God's hand so I trust and believe in Him with my upcoming surgery and successful recovery knowing He is using all of this for His glory.

A scripture that God gave me years ago when I began my faith journey is Joshua 4:24, "He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God."  If me sharing my journey brings one person to giving their life to Jesus, then it is all worth it for God's glory. 

In 2009, I said, "Yes Lord" - that I was all in.  Today I still stand in 2020 saying, "Yes Lord" - I am all in to serve you and to fulfill your purposes and promises for me.  I know that I know that I know that surely God is with me in the midst of all of it.  So I will proceed forward with the surgery praising God for what He has done and what He will do.  I am grateful to Jesus for being with me through it all for I know with God all things are possible. 

As of last week, I found out that my surgery will actually be in September.  I don't have an exact date yet.  I welcome and cherish all of your prayers.  Also this past week, my aunt received a praise report that her cancer has not progressed.  We continue to bind up the cancer in her body and declare and decree that it must leave her body because it is not welcome there.  We declare the cleansing blood of Jesus has already miraculous healed her. We believe for extended years over her life. When you pray for me, please add her to your prayers as well standing in agreement with me for her complete healing. 

The reason I share this journey so intimately with you, is if there is any history of breast, ovarian, uterine or fallopian cancer in your family, please consult your doctor about doing the genetic testing to see if you are a carrier or have the BRCA mutated cancer gene.  Knowledge is powerful.  God gave us that knowledge.  Let's use it to kick cancer back to hell where it came from.

With agape love to each of you.
Pastor LaDawn