BRCA2 Update – First Surgery Done!

Preventing Pancreatic Cancer Update:  I met with my GI doctor who opted for a CA 19-9 tumor marker test and other blood tests before deciding on an MRCP.  He discovered a very faint heart murmur that he told me to inform my gynecology oncologist about prior to any possible surgeries. The nurse also detected slightly elevated blood pressure, something I’ve never had before now, but is likely attributable to stress.  

My test results for CA 19-9, amylase, LFT & lipase all came back in range. Yay! Next step is the colonoscopy in October that I’d originally scheduled at my annual physical in April.  

Preventing Ovarian Cancer Update:  The day after my GI appointment, I met with my new gynecologic oncologist at UT Medical Center. I liked him way more than the fast-talking gynecologist.  As it turns out, he performed two of my friends’ hysterectomies and holds what appear to be significant leadership roles at UTMC.

We discussed removing my ovaries, my concerns about having my uterus removed and going on hormone replacement therapy.  Ultimately, we decided on a total hysterectomy and salpingo oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) which we scheduled for 3 weeks out. 

The decision to remove my ovaries was an easy one given my age and the nature of ovarian cancer, a disease described by the National Library of Medicine as “the most lethal gynecologic cancer.” With a survival rate of less than 50%, I was eager to minimize my risks. As I’ve mentioned before, currently no reliable screening methods exist which means that 80% of the time it is not caught until it is too late. According to my doctors and multiple sources, most cases of ovarian cancer are not detected until Stage 3 or 4 by which time it has already spread.  You can read more about ovarian cancer here and here.

Though endometrial cancer is not a risk affiliated with BRCA2, according to the American Cancer Society, “There are no screening tests or exams to find endometrial cancer early in women who are at average risk and have no symptoms.” It is also the 4^th most common type of cancer for women in the U.S.  At my age, my uterus no longer served any purpose other than that of a potential cancer host, so it had to go.  

I had my total hysterectomy and salpingo oophorectomy last week and have recovered nicely. Knowing what I know now, even if I hadn’t been diagnosed with BRCA2, I would have liked to have had these options. The greatest benefit has been that of the ultra staging pathology that was performed on all of the removed organs which came back benign. Thank you Lord!!! 

My new reality has certainly come with highs and lows, but I’ve felt pretty good about how I’d been handling things. That was until a chunk of hair fell out a week before my surgery. I went to my GP who ruled out alopecia but noted a 10 pound weight gain since April. She tested my thyroid and sure enough, my TSH levels (associated with hypothyroidism) came back elevated. They rose from 3.855 in April to 5.59 in September.  I’m so happy to still not have cancer but my list of new maladies seems to be growing at an alarming rate. Growing old sure ain’t for the faint of heart!

Now on to preventing breast cancer.  I meet with a breast cancer oncologist this week to discuss screening, mastectomy and reconstruction options.  I am very fortunate to have access to excellent medical care, but I don’t expect this part of the process to progres nearly as quickly as things have thus far.