WE ARE BRIGHT PINK

Nicole
I've always been a planner. It is the way I've been since I was little. I even plan events for a living. A plan, no matter how large or small, makes me feel in control and on top of things. One thing I didn't plan on was, at age 24, to find out that I carry the BRCA-I gene mutation. Passed through my father's side of the family, I am now a member of the club "nobody wants to be in," as we joke. I could never have planned on my now semi-annual visits to doctors for testing and comparisons of my current tests to past ones. Nor could I have planned on watching my family adapt to the knowledge that this genetic mutation brings while simultaneously watching my aunts suffer its consequences.

I find comfort in knowing that I am not alone in this interesting new life I lead. The support of my family, friends, doctors and groups like Be Bright Pink are what makes this journey bearable. While my "new normal" will consist of many things most young women my age won't even think about for years, I truly believe it is a blessing that I can be proactive and so closely monitored. This mutation is something that has always been a part of me, but only recently discovered. While I can't predict what my future with the BRCA mutation will hold, I do plan on using this new found information to my advantage. And a plan is all I need.