Ovarian Cancer Fight and BRCA Test

Some of you may know April 2022, I went to a gynecologist after extreme pain for quite some time. Tests after tests showed that I had PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and on my right ovary there was a pile up of cysts needing to be removed. While trying to look at my left ovary there was a huge blockage, an unknown blockage to the doctors. On May 4th I had surgery to remove the ovary cysts and the blockage. The blockage weighed a little over 6 pounds, something that grew for a while explaining a lot of my pain. Now being able to tackle my left ovary I have come to know that I need a hysterectomy removing my left ovary as well since cancer was detected. I work full time, I am a mother of 3, I have insurance but we are aware that THAT does barely make a dent. My last procedure was over $12,000 after insurance. Then on top of that the costs of tests and doctors visits. Savings is gone. This was nothing I would have hoped for but I have gotten my bill down to a little over $18,000.00 but this fall will be time for a hysterectomy plus the removal of my left ovary. This of course will not be cheap but having kids plus a ton of just medical bills is overwhelming and stressful for anyone. Asking for help is NOT my strong suit and I have definitely been against this but here comes more bills and there is only so much overtime I can do and so hard I can work, especially when I will be out of work for 6-8 weeks.

As of now, August 18th, I need to have the BRCA test to see if I carry the cancer gene itself, if I have a great chance of getting cancer again (after my hysterectomy) in other areas, as the doctor would say, the breast or colon. After insurance the test out of pocket is $3,000…if it was up to me I wouldn’t do it but I have a daughter who, if I carry the gene, has a 50% chance of having the gene too. I have gone through all the necessary procedures, trials and picked and poked for months, now surgery is the only thing left I can do. Anything will help over this hump to bring me into my next journey of fighting ovarian cancer