Cancer touches many families....it's such a wide spread disease that sometimes it can take hold of several members of the one family......this was the case with Kylie Tout (Srapping Clearly)....and today she shares her Cancer Story with us all.........................thanks Kylie!
Kylie created this PINK ALBUM to record her family memories.
Sadly after several diagnosis of Breast and Ovarian Cancer on the
Paternal side of my family my siblings and I became eligible to
participate in a trial for genetic testing.
Several of my Aunts and first cousins had all been diagnosed with
Breast Cancer - two Aunts diagnosed have successfully had their
Breasts removed and are now in remission healthy and happy, three
of my cousins also eligible for testing where tested, two positive
one negative, one already new she was positive suffering from
Breast Cancer going through for the removal of lumps, another
tested positive and opted to have her Breasts removed which has
been successful and the third sister tested negative.
My sisters and I all have been tested my brother opted not too
although he now has children so I imagine he will now change is
mind.
The testing on our family history showed that my grandfather had
the BRACA 1 gene. There are eight children in the family four have
been positively tested the other four have opted not to be tested.
My father turned out to be one of the positive of the four children
tested. I was really concerned about the family history and when
this opportunity came up for the Genetic testing trial I did not
hesitate nor did my two sisters. I was really concerned obviously
for myself but also that my children could also have the gene.
The process of Genetic Testing began with an interview with the
Genetic Councillor she talked about the gene and the processes we
would need to go through once finding out our results. My older
sister was tested in Batesman Bay and myself and my younger tested
where tested together in Gundagai our home town. A simple blood
test done quickly but the results took 8 weeks a long time to wait.
My sister and I decided to receive our results together and the
councillor made it quite clear that we were not to do this alone
and mother also came along with us. Unfortunately my older sister
came back positive as did my younger sister and I tested negative.
Of course I was relieved with my results but I was also sad for my
sisters and needed to be supportive of their results. I must admit
I did feel a little guilty as did my father who blamed himself. We
all reassured him that it was not his fault.
My sisters now had to face the awful decisions that comes along
with having the BRACA 1 gene - opting to have their Breasts removed
was on high on the list and after a long time of research and study
and seeking help professionals and from others in the same
situations one sister has opted to have her breasts removed which
will happen in just a few weeks time, she is very nervous and
apprehensive this is such a huge thing and she is so brave. My
other sister is trying to stay proactive and vigilant and will make
the decision when she feels it is the right time, I am here to
support them all the way.
xxxxxx edited last night xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My father was yesterday diagnosed with rectum cancer we are now waiting for the next steps
xoxo
Kylie
