Page 29 - Demo

Empathy Comes from Personal Experience
Stephanie Hemmert
Senior Attorney Federal Government
Last April, I found out I have the BRCA2 gene mutation and have subsequently undergone several surgeries these past months to reduce my risk of cancer. My mom passed away in 2017 from breast cancer (she was almost 73) and for the 13 years she lived while battling it after her diagnosis, the
message we always received from doctors was that her cancer was “environmental”. Luckily, during a routine check, one of my doctors
suggested I do genetic testing. After I found out, my dad then also got tested and because he is negative for the gene mutation, we know that my mom definitely had it, though
she never knew that when she was alive. I have much more empathy for her now, and for what she went through during those 13 years, mentally and physically. I know she struggled
with thinking about what she did “wrong” (e.g., using anti-perspirant, drinking from plastic water bottles, using a microwave, etc.), which is a shame knowing she had the gene
mutation. Having now gone through a lot of the same surgeries she did, for similar yet different reasons, I think about her (and
anyone who is going through the same things) a lot – before, during, and after the surgeries. I now know about “National Previvor Day”, and coincidentally even had one of my surgeries on this day. I have definitely
grown as a person and I am extremely grateful to my family, friends, and coworkers who are so supportive of my experience and journey.
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