Genetic Counseling and Shedding

Yesterday, Victoria and I went to see a Genetics Counselor. The purpose of the appointment was to determine if Victoria is a candidate for genetics testing. We went to the appointment expecting that she would be a candidate mainly because she has breast cancer at such a young age. There are many factors that go into determining if one should have a genetics test to determine their risks for various types of cancer. Many people are tested that do not have cancer, due to the fact that a certain type of cancer, or lots of cancers run in the family, or even just based on their family origin. Victoria is a candidate for the testing, primarily due to her age, as cancer does not run in the family, she is the first with breast cancer. Her blood was drawn and is sitting in a lab in Salt Lake City waiting to be tested. Specifically, what she would be tested for is a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. To simplify a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene does not guarantee somebody will get cancer, but your risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women, and breast cancer and prostate cancer in men significantly increases.
If Victoria hadn't developed breast cancer we probably wouldn't have gone through genetics counseling/testing unless multiple people in her family began to develop specific types of cancer. What we did learn is that if for example breast cancer runs in your family it would be wise to be genetically tested to determine if you have a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Early detection is just another way of preventing this disease before it gets out of control. There certainly could be a psychological impact if you receive the testing and find out you are positive or even negative. A genetics counselor would be able to address all of your concerns psychologically before you proceeded with the testing. There can also be a financial impact. Currently there is a law to protect those that have genetic mutations from being denied or receiving reduced health insurance benefits. However, not all companies act ethically, so just beware. There is nothing to protect you from being denied life insurance or long-term disability insurance, so if you don't have a policy in place and you plan on getting a genetics test I would recommend you do so beforehand.
In our situation we will have many decisions to make once the test results come back, none of which are easy. Decisions include whether or not and when to have a double mastectomy, and her ovaries removed. As you can imagine this is a great deal of stress for any woman to go through especially one who has breast cancer, but wants to have children again and would like to nurse again. We'll cross this bridge when we get to it.
That's my little spiel on genetics counseling and testing. Now for the not so fun stuff. One of the side effects of chemotherapy is your hair will fall out. Unfortunately, for Victoria that side effect is beginning to occur. She told me her hair hurts and by simply running her hand through her hair causes several strands of hair to come out. After Victoria's shower this morning was very tough for her as a lot of hair fell out. She was shocked at the amount of hair that came out during her shower and while doing her hair. At one point she was reduced to tears, she new emotionally this would be difficult, but I'm sure even if you know something is coming it is hard to prepare for.
Hair, some hair, or no hair at all we all stand behind Victoria. Our love, affection, friendship, acquaintanceship, or whatever sort of relationship with her that we have will not change just because she has no hair. This is just another milestone in her treatment. Before she is on the road to recovery she will have to experience and live through the side effects. One day all that gorgeous hair will be back, it might be straight, curly or even a different color, but it will be back!