While people with Down syndrome are at a much lesser risk for developing solid mass cancerous tumors, mothers who have a baby with Down syndrome are thought to be at a 23% greater risk for developing breast cancer. Where does that leave me with a strong maternal history of breast cancer already? Up the creek...
This study says that women under 50 but over 30 with their first pregnancies are at an even higher risk. And the fact that I had a 46-chromosomed baby before my extra-chromosomed baby only ups my risk. What about two 46-chromosomed babies before the extra? Does that up the ante again? Is it exponential?
Has anyone else heard about this? Of course not...we're too busy researching and therapy-ing our babies, being super mom to eat a decent meal or shower in a timely fashion to worry about ourselves!
So what am I going to do about this? Ummmm...pretty much nothing. The damage I've done to my body over the years cannot be undone. My pregnancies had their own magic potion to guard against ills. We have 3 differently-abled children. With that being said, I will probably never be allowed to die. Or retire. Ever. So there!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I don't think I believe this. Me and my mom were talking about this because I've heard it before on Facebook, and I don't think that it is possible that you having a baby with Down syndrome has an impact on your body.
According to the articles I read, it's the increase in hcg associated with the later trimester in Down syndrome pregnancies that puts us at a greater risk. Still...seems like someone would have noticed this trend sooner if it's true...I'm not entirely sure that I believe it either. I'm not going to lose sleep over it!
Sorry... I'm confused. Did you have 2 miscarriages of babies with Down syndrome? Didnt really catch the reference at the end...
Dear Anonymous,
We have two older children with autism, and one baby with Down syndrome. We did lose our Hannah in utero, probably due to chromosomal abnormalities. Also, one early miscarriage many, many moons ago after using a toxic pesticide that has since been yanked from the market for that reason. The comment at the end, about having three differently abled children counts all three of my blessings...and that I will will simply never be able to die or retire because they might still need me! Although, the goal is to raise them to independence!
I am amazed by your positive outlook. It can be such a difficult road for any family to go down, having one special blessing, but 3? God has given you a strength that few others possess.
Post a Comment