Encouragement From Unexpected Source

Back in the spring, when I first learned my cancer had spread, I felt it prudent to inform my birth family of the situation in case the info is of use to them down the road. On Friday I learned my information has been passed on. I also received some medical history of my maternal birth family (nothing is known of my paternal birth family). As it turns out, there is a history of cancer in the family. Of my birth mother and her four siblings, at least three have had cancer (kidney, lung, or colon). The encouraging thing is that all of them are alive years after the diagnosis and treatment. That information has filled me with great hope in terms of my own situation. I also learned there is a history of heart disease. This is good to know since Herceptin (a drug I took last time and one of the drugs I am currently on) is very hard on the ol' ticker. My medical team will now know to keep a close watch on any changes in my heart health. One cool detail about my birth father - he was a navy man. How cool is that? Guess I was destined to be raised by a seadog in any case.