Sorry it's been so long!

I have so many thoughts runny through my head today, so I'll pick the one that's bothering me the most at the moment and share the rest over the course of the next week.

Angelina Jolie.  She seems to be the topic on everyone's mind these days.  Such a hero, so amazing she is for having the BRCA1 gene test done & then having a preventative double mastectomy.  As if she is the first ever to achieve this.  I'm sorry if I sound snarky.  I know that it was a difficult decision for Angie, & I really do applaud her courage.  But I feel the need to tell you about another courageous woman that's a little less well known.

32 years ago another woman had a preventative double mastectomy.  There was no fanfare, in fact her friends tried to discourage her!  After all she had only had non-cancerous lumps, why do something so radical?  But with total support and encouragement from her loving husband and a visionary for a Dr. She moved forward.  The was no genetic testing either...just a gut feeling and courage.  That woman was my Mother, today she is 81 years old and I think SHE is heroic ( as is my Dad) .  What a really brave thing for her to do back then, when women didn't make those decisions.

The second part of Ms. Jolie's story that makes my uneasy is the BRCA1 test.  When I wast diagnosed stage IV both of my sisters questioned their drs about this test.  They were told that it isn't covered by insurance and they could pay for it on their own.  Sadly the cost is unrealistic ! However with Angie's fame & fortune that isn't going to be an issue.  Now I beg of you...lets not get into a political debate here, that's not my intent.  Although I do not believe in socialized medicine due to the fact that I have several Canadian friends & I have learned a great deal from them.  As a late stage cancer patient it is a bad deal.  I know our system isn't perfect but I'm not writing to discuss that right now :).

Speaking of Mom & Dad, they have returned to MN for the summer.  Their northern family is thrilled to have them here!  I was supposed to join them at the annual Walker Rotary Wine event last night, but sadly wasn't feeling up to it.  The reality of cancer, you can't lays follow through with your plans like you want!

As I said, I have a backlog of thoughts so expect to hear more in the coming weeks.

Blessings & love, Kathy xoxo