A Mother–Daughter Journey Through BRCA2

Walking side by side through surgery, caregiving, and hard choices.

I had posted previously about testing positive for the BRCA2 gene. We didn’t choose BRCA2, but we do choose courage every single day. Facing cancer risk is terrifying… but ignoring it is not an option.

Being BRCA2 positive means our bodies do not suppress certain cancer genes, putting us at a higher lifetime risk. Breast, ovarian, pancreatic, skin, and prostate cancer all impact BRCA-positive patients. Preventative steps and a lifetime of medical monitoring are important to minimizing risks. Doctors often suggest baseline testing, regular screening, and preventive prophylactic surgeries to lower the risk before cancer has a chance to develop.

Being newly diagnosed earlier this year, my daughter and I are in the process of navigating next steps. My daughter just had her first preventive surgery, and I’m her caregiver. We’re already making plans for her next step in the series of surgeries her doctors recommend.

At the same time, I’m just beginning my own journey. My case is more complicated because of my heart condition and other serious health issues. Living with valve disease and surviving hospice means my body has already been through so much. Surgery carries extra risk, not just because of anesthesia, but because recovery puts added strain on my heart. That’s why my cardiologist will be included in every decision going forward.

Life doesn’t pause for medical decisions. We’re also preparing to sell our home of 23 years and move closer to our adult children. This house is more than walls, it’s where our kids grew up, where grandchildren came to play, where birthdays, holidays, and everyday memories were made. It’s also where I spent countless hours in hospice, grounding myself in what I called “Mary’s therapy room,” praying for a miracle and making promises I didn’t know how to keep.

That season taught me why prevention matters so much. I’ve already stared down the valley of uncertainty, not knowing if I’d make it through. Carrying BRCA2 means my family and I now get the chance to face risk head-on—through testing, preventive surgery, and the support of our doctors—rather than waiting for a diagnosis to make the decisions for us.

It’s bittersweet to let this home go, but those memories and the strength I found in those hardest moments will always be with me. Moving closer to family is the next chapter, one built on both the roots of the past and the hope of tomorrow.

👉 There is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that prevention and strong support systems don’t just save lives, they create more time for the memories that matter most.

#BRCA2 #PatientVoice #Prevention #Caregiving #FamilyFirst #HospiceSurvivor #SelfAdvocacy #Heart2HeartTalk #HeartBridgeCollective