Our Journey

Our Journey: From Fear to Empowerment

In August 2017, I began a journey I had wrestled with my entire adult life: finding out whether I carried the hereditary breast cancer gene. With a family history that included my mother (who lost her battle at just 39), my grandmother, two great-aunts, and two aunts all diagnosed with breast cancer, I knew the odds weren’t in my favor. Eventually, I realized

this wasn’t just about me. It was about my children. I had to stop letting fear make decisions and start seeking answers for them. That choice became one of the most important decisions I’ve ever made. On September 1, 2017, I got the call. My daughter, who worked in the lab, was given permission by the physician to deliver the news: I carried the BRCA2 gene. The same gene my grandmother and two aunts had. My mother must have carried it too—BRCA2 doesn’t skip generations. My daughter, Brittany, immediately sent in her labs. On November 10, 2017, at just 23 years old, she joined me on this journey. She, too, carries the BRCA2 gene. While I had made peace with my own diagnosis, learning I had passed it to my child was devastating. Together, we met with genetic counselors, doctors, and surgeons. We chose the safest path: a prophylactic bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy. It was a courageous decision, especially for someone so young. Reconstruction isn’t guaranteed. There are scars. But when the alternative is cancer, you choose life. Though BRCA2 also carries risks for pancreatic and melanoma cancers, our doctors reassured us that with no family history in those areas, we’re at the same risk as the general population. The difference is: we know what to watch for. And that knowledge is power. In the last year, our journey expanded again. My son also tested positive for the BRCA2 mutation. While the risks and decisions look different for men, the emotional weight is just as real. It’s another reminder of why awareness, education, and early action matter so deeply. Before surgery, we did our homework. We spoke with incredible breast cancer survivors who offered wisdom and comfort. We researched recovery tools and found that a few simple items made a world of difference—like the pillow my aunt lovingly made, and the G-tube drain pockets and shower bag we created. Our doctors and nurses were so impressed by these items that Dr. Stewart said, “You should sell these!” But Brittany and I looked at each other and knew we’d donate them. And so, another journey began. Today, Brittany and I make comfort items for cancer patients:
• Pillows for unilateral and bilateral mastectomies
• Pillows for abdominal cancer surgeries
• G-tube drain pockets and shower bags
• Seatbelt port pillows
• Ostomy bag covers
• And anything else a patient might need, we’ll try to make
it. We deliver to doctors’ offices, hospitals, Hope Lodge, and ship worldwide free of charge. We created this page where anyone affected by cancer, patients, caregivers, and even those who tested negative, can share their stories. Because sometimes even testing negative can bring unexpected emotions. And sometimes, hearing someone else’s journey helps you navigate your own. No one should walk this road alone. Friends don’t let friends fight cancer alone.