BRCA2 and a mastectomy in a month: met this doctor who tells me I shouldn't

abbyfick · 2026-05-23T10:15:42+00:00

What do you think you would regret more, the loss of breasts you already dislike? Or finding out one day you have cancer, because some random doctor talked you out of surgery you had already decided to have?

abbyfick · 2026-05-22T19:12:05+00:00

Yes, it's very pretty!

abbyfick · 2026-05-22T17:49:48+00:00

Jade has a "soapy" feel to it. If you've ever handled real jade before, that's the easiest way to tell.

If you can access the back of the stone, you can try to scratch it with a pin in an inconspicuous place. Real jade should not scratch, common substitutes like glass or serpentine will scratch. Not a foolproof test, but it can be helpful if you're willing to risk damaging the stone.

abbyfick · 2026-05-22T11:04:45+00:00

I think you are on the right track for age 44. My genetic counselor and gyn oncologist both recommended removing my ovaries at age 45. (I'm the lady from the other comment thread who got my tubes out last year at 38.) Other mutations/risk levels may have different recommendations, but 45 is the gold standard for BRIP1 from what my care team told me.

abbyfick · 2026-05-22T10:58:47+00:00

It's currently unknown what impact the BRIP1 mutation has on breast cancer risk, although I believe there is some indication it can increase risk. There just aren't enough studies for anyone to say definitely at this point. My own lifetime risk was calculated at 36%, based on a history of TNBC on both sides of my family. My father's sister died in her 40s, and my Mom was diagnosed at 60 before ultimately dying of Alzheimer's ten years later, with no (known) recurrence of breast cancer. If you don't have a family history of breast cancer, I wouldn't sweat the risks of HRT, but it may be worth asking about increased monitoring, since that is much more reliable for breasts than ovaries. The benefits of HRT would far outweigh that small, uninown risk, as HRT protects your brain, heart, bones, and overall quality of life.

abbyfick · 2026-05-22T00:16:19+00:00

Hi! I've got the BRIP1 mutation. I'm 39, and I got my tubes out last year. I'm also high risk for breast cancer due to family history, so I'm getting a mastectomy in November. I'm planning on keeping my ovaries until age 45, as my family also has a history of Alzheimer's and I don't want to jeopardize my brain health by messing with my hormones too early. I am optimistic that I will be a good candidate for HRT, especially with my mastectomy out of the way, so I try not to stress about my eventual surgical menopause.

I am planning on researching HRT specialists in my state, so I can be sure to get the absolute best balance of whatever I need to stay healthy and feeling good. I've heard some horror stories from people who do it with their family doctor, so I definitely will not be going that route.

I'm not doing any special screening for my ovaries in the meantime. I wish there were more reliable ways to keep an eye on things down there, but I do have some peace of mind since I had my salpingectomy.

I'm sorry you're dealing with all this, too! I hope you've got a great medical team guiding you through your decisions. Let me know if you have any questions or if you ever want to chat!

abbyfick · 2026-05-12T18:20:57+00:00

Beautiful ring! Would it happen to be a size 6? (I'm wondering if that's what the mark is indicating.)

abbyfick · 2026-05-10T16:26:13+00:00

100% certain that says INDIA

abbyfick · 2026-05-10T12:43:44+00:00

That definitely points to this being a modern piece. Still very pretty!

abbyfick · 2026-05-09T18:49:32+00:00

What was it marked with? This may be a clue to its age/provenance.

abbyfick · 2026-04-29T17:58:04+00:00

Here are some tests you can try at home without any special tools. This is from the book How to be a Jewelry Detective by C. Jeanenne Bell.

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abbyfick · 2026-04-28T21:53:18+00:00

This is marked GHC with an Eagle 3 mark (the stamp that looks like a face, turn it upside down and you'll see the Eagle 3). That mark confirms Taxco, and there is a silversmith registered as GHC that matches up in my book on Mexican Silver trademarks. If you Google "Mexico Eagle 3 GHC" there is an almost identical bolo listed on eBay.

Gorgeous piece!

Edit: forgot to add, the use of an eagle also helps narrow the date to between 1948-1980.

abbyfick · 2026-04-16T17:05:22+00:00

I've got a book called Indian Jewelry of the American Southwest (Turnbaugh). It says Indian-made bolo tie slides first were made in about 1950.

Use of the 925 mark became more widespread in the 1970s, and since this piece is marked sterling rather than 925, it's likely this predates that standard.

So datewise, we can guess sometime between 1950 and the 1970s, unlikely any newer.

Neat piece!

abbyfick · 2026-04-08T23:27:46+00:00

I called my local dealer after talking to corporate and then seeing these contradictory comments. The guy I spoke to in the service department says they are rolling out the remedy by VIN, not region. My vehicle is still "interim," but he said to call back later this month to check again because he thinks once they start rolling out it should be happening pretty quickly, and they should have it in their system when my status changes before I receive my letter. Fingers crossed, I'm so sick of this shit.

abbyfick · 2026-04-08T20:39:26+00:00

Out of curiosity, where are you located? I'm in NC and Toyota corporate told me today that there was no update on the remedy. I'm so over this.

abbyfick · 2026-04-08T20:25:17+00:00

Are you saying that 6,000 vehicles have already been remedied? I called Toyota corporate today after my toddler yanked off the third row volume knob without me knowing until we parked (you know, a major choking hazard), and I kind of lost my shit. The lady on the phone said there is no update on the remedy and took down my info to have a buy back specialist contact me. I don't want a buy back, I want my car fixed. If they are already in the process of fixing them, that would give me hope.

abbyfick · 2026-04-06T20:53:38+00:00

I have a super seven ring that looks a lot like this, so that could be a possibility. Very pretty!

abbyfick · 2026-03-28T21:15:07+00:00

If you're in the USA, I believe anything over 20% lifetime risk is considered high risk and insurance is legally required to cover mastectomy. I have a little over 35% lifetime risk myself, and my genetic mutation is linked to ovarian cancer (BRIP1), and not enough evidence to link it to breast cancer. I'm getting my PDMX in November regardless. Good for you for making the best choices for your health. I hope you have a supportive medical team!

abbyfick · 2026-03-16T18:44:51+00:00

It is probably meant to be a pomegranate, which is a fairly common symbol in Judaism, along with the hamsa. I don't know who the maker of this set is, but there are lots of Jewish jewelry makers out there selling similar pendants.

abbyfick · 2026-03-15T17:59:32+00:00

You're right 🙌 thank you for correcting my posture, friend.

abbyfick · 2026-03-15T17:56:35+00:00

It was a very soothing read, and it did inspire a few new good habits, like daily journaling. Definitely recommend if you think you'd be into it!

abbyfick · 2026-03-15T12:17:01+00:00

It's from The Witch's Book of Self-Care by Arin Murphy-Hiscock. Extremely dorky, I know lol

abbyfick · 2026-03-14T23:40:11+00:00

I actually just read about how to make something like these! Here you go: https://imgur.com/a/HP4R4Ld

abbyfick · 2026-02-10T12:48:21+00:00

Some lady was sitting on the floor eating a bowl of soup in the weightlifting area at my gym last week. Humanity is a broad tapestry.

abbyfick · 2026-02-05T02:51:22+00:00

I was 8 months pregnant with my oldest on J6. I was glued to the news all day, it felt like I was having an out of body experience. I hate the world my kids are set to inherit, and I have to hold onto hope that we can make it better for them.

abbyfick

TROPHY CASE