My thoughts

Very recently, Melissa Etheridge, a breast cancer survivor herself, made some rather interesting comments about Angelina Jolie's recent announcement.  Below is a link and MY thoughts.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57589777/melissa-etheridge-angelina-jolies-mastectomy-decision-was-fearful-not-brave/

Melissa Etheridge is correct. Angelina Jolie, myself and thousands of other women are fearful. We, the carriers of the mutant BRCA gene are afraid of cancer - well at least I know I am.  I watched my mother as well as my paternal aunts and grandmother battle cancer. When I was 26, I watched my aunt Karen finally succumb to the cancer she bravely fought for years. Damn straight I'm afraid of cancer.

To say that MY choice to have a prophylactic double mastectomy was a fearful choice is ignorant. I was ridiculously over-educated about my options. I've said it before but my reality was always a when, not if I get breast cancer.  I met with numerous doctors and a genetic counselor prior to making my decision.  I did my own research. I prayed often. I called my aunt Sheryl and spent a long time chatting with her about it - thanks again for that Sheryl! 

Melissa Etheridge is wrong though, My decision wasn't one made out of fear.  My decision was one of peace. My decision was one of strength. My decision was made as a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a friend. My decision was an educated one - based upon my family history, my personal risk factors, and recommendations from my doctors. My decision was to be proactive - to ensure that breast cancer didn't make decisions for me.  I wasn't willing to take a 90% chance that I'd put Jay and Alex through chemo or worse.  My decision was to take control of my breast health. My decision was to have - what I believe to be an inevitable surgery - on my schedule, on my terms.

I made a choice - a pro active choice about my breast health. I'm no longer afraid of breast cancer. I went from a nearly 90% risk to less than 1%.  I will never again cry myself to sleep worrying about the results of my most recent mammogram. I will never again lose sleep when they call me back in for a follow up because they found a suspicious spot.  

So, Melissa Etheridge may say I made a decision out of fear. I say my decision has made me fearless.