Waiting; 2 sisters with BC

Leemom hope your biopsy results are benign. Sorry to hear that your sisters have joined this club but so glad you are being careful with yourself. My sisters and I have all been diagnosed, although one sister had her breast cancer 21 years ago, my other sister and I more recent. There was no discernible genetic indicator, so our risk was determined to be "familial". So much we do not know.

You are so right about many not talking, esp. in the past about medical issues in past generations. I would ditto that for mental health issues which likely are talked about even less. Consider typing up what you know about your father's side and mother's side and passing that onto your children. My youngest sister had a rare neuroendocrine cancer. Her neurosurgeon told her youngest son he and his brothers need genetic testing. I was there or wouldn't be aware of that message. Of course they are young (20's) so have not done it. I decided to do a family list based on all I knew. I passed it onto my younger sister's oldest son - he is the "keeper" of his brothers if you will. I also passed it on to my oldest sister's youngest daughter since she asked some questions. She will have that for her siblings if ever needed (hopefully). My other two sibs didn't have children so no worries there.... It's also a document I pass onto any new providers I see along with a list of all my diagnoses and medications. They've appreciated that and still get things wrong somehow.... : )

So glad you got good results! Please check back in after your 6 month follow up, OK? Also on the genetic testing.... my results came back normal though not normal for a variant of one gene. There is often not enough info on variants to know whether or not they are concerning or how concerning they are. In my case it puts me at higher risk for colon cancer - that runs in my family so was already on the radar - I've also already had a precancerous polyp and am on the early callback list....

Your gift of good news recently will enable you to be there for your sister(s) in whatever way you are able to be.... let that be a bigger focus than your guilt.... You will appreciate that at some point down the road too.... Soooooo sorry to hear about your step daughter!!! Sooooo awesome you are able to care for your granddaughter!!! She will need the family and stability you and your family can offer her as she gets older and starts understanding more about the loss of her mom.... so sad....

Leemom, so happy to hear about your good results! Thanks fo letting us know.Abigail