My Variant Part II

My BRCA variant of uncertain significance may be more significant than we thought. My sister was tested and she does not have that variant. I am extremly happy for her and feel better about the decisions I plan to make. There is a large possibility that my variant is a cancer mutation. My mom's side of the family has many question marks but there is a greater chance that they may carry that variant. The next step is to get my mom tested. This information may be helpful to my family, but it may also help future generations too.

Our bodies are extremly facinating and we are on the brink of some amazing medical breakthroughs. Knowledge is power. Know your family history. Dig. Ask Questions. Read. Learn. It will only empower you.

My Nephews

Ryan and Ben

My time in NM over the holiday break was amazing. Ryan is now five and is in kinder. Ben is a year old and quite mobile.

Upon my landing in NM, I was able to have lunch with Ryan. He wanted a Happy Meal and I used to tell myself as a teacher that I would never do that to my own children or nephews. I arrived in hand with a Happy Meal even though it had apple juice instead of soda and apple slices instead of fries. It is easy to try to please the people you love most.

I'm probably very biased but I think Ryan is an intelligent student. He's able to write out his first and last name. He understood us as we spelled out T-O-Y and shouted out, "Toy!" He would count and recount all this presents under the tree and make piles for his mom and dad because he was able to read.

He's a typical little boy. We chased after him one afternoon while he biked around the block. He often played "smack down" with his aunts. He loved waking us up early in the morning. Just like his dad, he was always trying to eat more sweets.

Little Ben is not so little anymore. He was about a month premature but you wouldn't be able to tell anymore. He's very active and curious. He is super fast on the stairs but will wait patiently for someone to walk behind him. He knows how to say his "Daddy" and even "Coco." He's still working on saying Aunt but he is getting close. He's a happy baby except when he first wakes up. My mom said he takes after me. I am a grumpy sleeper and when I first wake up.

I get to see my nephews about every six months and it never ceases to amaze me how big and mature they get each and every time. When I get down and pessimistic, I think of them and what wonderful little boys they have become. Thinking of them makes me more proactive concerning my health so I can see them become young men.