FoundationOne

It is probably a good thing that I have spent so much of my time in and out of the hospital and doctor's offices, I think I may have picked up a thing or two and maybe, just maybe, I can resuscitate my blog after six quiet months.

The truth is that I have had a lot of heavy stuff on my plate and I just wasn't in a creative head space. I wasn't ready to get down and dirty with the details of everything and felt a lack of inspiration. But, I'm here now and want to share some cool stuff that I have learned about my cancer.

I recently participated in something called FoundationOne testing. I say that I participated, but it actually required nothing more from me than to grant my permission for a sample of my biopsied tumor to be sent away and studied. FoundationOne is individualized testing that identifies that genetic makeup of my specific tumor.

So, that means that some medical professional has to unlock the broom closet where specimens are kept, brush away the cobwebs, shoo away the rats, and search for Ashley Barrett's original recipe booby tissue that was snatched from me back in early 2013. They then take a sample and send it off to somebody, somewhere, who I imagine must be very smart, to intricately study each strand of DNA that makes up my specific cancer. Just mine.

This isn't genetic testing that questions whether or not I carry a Breast Cancer gene that could run in my family; I already know that I do not have that, and this is different. The point in having this specific testing done is to help my doctor's understand  my cancer is made up of and to help them determine the best and most effective way to treat me. So, the strongest genes, aka the "molecular growth drivers," of my cancer will be listed first and provide a relevant therapeutic option to help target and fight that gene specifically. There is a list that goes in order of importance as far as what will be most effective.

FoundationOne is newly used for Breast Cancer and has already proven to be beneficial for me. When I received my results, they showed the most prominent mutation to be most effectively treated by the medicine that I am currently on!!! If and when my cancer decides to take a detour or get off track, the results of FoundationOne will continue provide me with additional options that are tailored to my needs and will focus on battling the biggest sources.

This testing is an advancement that continues to provide me with the best care possible and allows for me to be treated as a 31 year old individual, instead of being thrown into the masses of what Breast Cancer used to look like. I hope it means that new stuff is continuing to happen everyday and that while I keep my head up and maintain a positive outlook, that the best is yet to come.

A cure.