Since the day I got my drivers license, I’ve always looked forward to my 25th birthday.  Sure, 18 was a pretty big deal because I could vote or, if I did wrong, be thrown into prison.  And 21 was a big feat, for obvious reasons.  But at 25 society would finally initiate me into the adult community.  On March 21, 2012, I could rent a car, which is the final rite of passage in this country.

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Too much time has passed since I last wrote. I’ve made some big decisions, met some incredible people, and lived some remarkable experiences. Where do I begin?? About six weeks ago, I met with two different teams of breast and plastic surgeons, who had been referred to me by my girlfriends, all pleased as punch with their new, beautiful cancer-free breasts. Read more …

A few weeks ago a young woman found me on facebook.  Somehow, she saw my blog.  And, for some reason, she decided to read it.  At 27 years old, Jodi Kreizer was about to have the last surgery in her breast reconstruction.  Jodi later told me that she never clicks on the links that pop up on her facebook feed.  But once my story appeared on her screen, she felt compelled to reach out to me.  And that’s just what she did.
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Meeting courageous young women, survivors and previvors alike, is by far the best part about testing positive for my BRCA1 mutation and deciding to have a mastectomy. Before I got that phone call in September 2008 with the grim results, I never knew that so many young women were out there courageously defying their destinies everyday and paving the way for others, including myself. Read more …

The past month has been a whirlwind of incredible experiences and varying emotions. For a few weeks I completely immersed myself in spending time with my family and friends, only thinking about my mastectomy a handful of times. In fact, I nearly forgot about the big life changes heading my way. But just a few days ago, as I was walking the streets of Georgetown on a beautiful sunny afternoon, the word “mastectomy” flashed across my mind and stopped me dead in my tracks. Read more …

On May 8th, I’m running in my first race! And for what better cause than to fight ovarian cancer, which is the deadliest and hardest cancer to detect in women. After five relapses, my grandmother passed away from this brutal disease in June 2007. And I have her genes. Read more …

The day before Easter, my aunt happened to find the DVD of my grandmother’s funeral. Its been nearly three years since I’ve heard the eulogy, the hymns, and the loving testimony my father presented. As she described me on the day of my birth, my grandmother was truly “major beautiful”. She was the first female Baptist minister in Dallas, the fourth in the state of Texas, and her love knew no boundaries or obstacles. Read more …

Judge Robert Sweet is my new best friend. Yesterday, this honorable man ruled in a federal court that the patent on my genetic mutation is invalid and must be dismissed. Basically, March 29th should be made a national holiday among the high risk community. Read more …

My name is Claudia Gilmore, I am 23 years old, and I have decided to undergo a preventative double mastectomy with reconstruction. This is a personal, intimate blog of my experiences, feelings, and decisions that will ultimately enable me to defy my destiny. I share them you in light of the fact that knowledge will forever be power. Knowledge has saved my life, and I hope that my story may one day save another.
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