Should everyone be able to be tested for the BRACA gene? Should it be covered by health?insurance. You bet. ?It is a rare gene, but if there is cancer in your family, please get it done.
When I heard about Angelina Jolie and her bi- lateral mastectomy,?I was as stunned as everyone else. ?I did think, being a sex symbol, mom?and just a woman, it was a brave decision- but really, she had no choice.
Finding out she had the BRACA gene inherited from her mom, 85 % chance?she would get breast cancer.
I was even more surprised when I was watching TV?and saw the Doctor, Dr. Christy Funk, of the Pink Lotus Breast Cancer Center talking in a news conference. ?That was?MY doctor! ?43 years old, beautiful and brilliant- I knew Angelina was in good-hands and would come out looking great. ?I remember Dr. funks’ first concern?was getting my cancer and also concerned that my breast would look pretty after?reconstruction. ?I liked that.
My message is: ?I went to five, count ’em five, breast surgeons until I found her.?Same with the reconstruction surgeon, Dr, Jay Orringer in Beverly Hills. He said, “?I want to be your caregiver…” ?that word, caregiver, a wonderful word. I was hooked.?But I did my homework on my Doctors which is one of the reasons i got a good result.?One breast reconstructed, the other, my real breast, doubled in size! yea! ?He ask me if?I wanted to go bigger. I said, “when I fly, I want TO BE the flotation device!”
I chose not?to remove the healthy breast. ?My decision and I think it was the right one. ?Angelina?did not have a choice. But I will bet you she had a good reconstruction surgeon and we?will be seeing cleavage soon. I just found out I had the same doctor as Angelina!!
Can’t say I don’t do my research!