Genetic Testing (post 8)

The paperwork for testing stayed in my bag for many days. I picked it up at the doctor's office and just left it in my bag. Having it in my bag felt like oh yeah I am courageous.

Then one day I realized courage was actually taking it to the lab and doing it. I knew if I was positive for a cancer gene I would prevent it whichever way possible. I recently lost a colleague to cancer. The diagnosis was shocking and he was gone to soon. As you get older you are more aware of loss. Maybe it seems more imminent as we age. I didn't want this to define me.

I finally checked myself and went to have the testing done. It was super easy one draw 4 vials. The tech told me it would be 7-10 days before the results came back. I could wait that long, no worries. In a few days I was out of work for the summer and headed on an epic summer vacation.

I thanked the lady, walked out of the office and mentally prepared for the vacation. I had no idea on that day how long it would take to get the results, nor how those results would change my life forever.