17 (21) years later...

[Jackie07]

Hi Everybody,

Haven't logged on for quite a while...

Yesterday (actually was two weeks ago - due to the location of my life-long brain tumor, I often have problems with time) I went to my annual check (skipped last year for some reason) and the oncologist I've seen the last 5, 6 years since the original one moved to a bigger city told me that she's going to 'dump' me as I have become a long-time survivor. My new doctor will be a Dr. Kimmy (haven't looked her up yet)...

I really appreciate everything I'd learned from the group - including the genetic link - a member alerted me that there were Jewish settlements in China more than 2000 years ago and prompted me to do genetic testing (my doctor did not order it after my recurrence!). Sure enough, I did have a tiny trace of the BRCA I (an Variant of it) and requested to have prophylactic removal of the ovaries and uterus (was plagued by PMS my whole life possibly linked to disrupted sleep by the brain tumor). And they did find hyperplasia (early sign of turning into cancer) in the lining of the uterus!

My late mother, who had lived to 90 years of age, was a Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor (diagnosed when she was 75). My 2nd Brother, who is 74 years old now, is
a 17-year colon cancer survivor. The only family member who had passed from cancer was my oldest Brother who found (after going to doctors for a whole year!) Pancreatic cancer just 2 weeks before passing.

Both of my parents' families were merchants (an occupation that'd been decreed to be passed down to the descents unless they passed the civil service exams and become government officials) and my father's hometown was not far from the ancient Capital of Kaifeng where a street by the transliterated name of 'Israel' is located. And my Mother's maiden name is Lee (from Levite - one of the Chinese last names awarded to the Jewish settlers by an emperor in the Song Dynasty.)

I'd continued to work for 5 years since the first diagnosis. Had to quit working due to the memory problem (my brain tumors are located in the region which affects the
short-term memory) and easy-fatigue ability.

Really, really appreciated all the support I'd received here. Herceptin was approved for all stages before my 2007 recurrence. And I"d only been able to get 22 Weeks due to decreased heart function. Yet, 17 years later, I'm cancer free and enjoying my peaceful country living with my husband of 36 years and two dogs (inherited from my husband's late Brother-in-law who had been exposed to asbestos when he was young).

Hang in there!