I got a call a few days ago from Jessica Ray, genetic counselor at the Az Cancer Center. She informed me the genetic results indicated that I do not carry the BRACA1 or BRACA 2 gene for ovarian cancer. What this means is that I do not carry a mutation in my genes for ovarian cancer. Therefore, what happened to me was random! My girls, sisters and brothers are not at increased risked and do not need to be tested and I am not at increased risk for breast cancer.
What a relief!!

I now head back to Tucson next Wednesday for my 6th IP treatment, yeah! What a milestone. I will then undergo some scans and my doctor will then be able to let me know what is next. Dr. Chambers did indicate that one option is I could be done! However, this is only one option. I am hopeful yet trying to remain realistic. I will let you all know as soon as I get the results. I am very excited about the next several weeks, just to know what direction I am heading.

If you would like to join us for the Rattlers vs Force game, please call or email Nicole. We would love for all of you to come with us and enjoy the game and just get together and of course support the efforts of Carlos’ fundraiser and awareness for ovarian cancer.

Below is the article posted on the Georgia Force website. For those of you who are interested in getting involved in raising awareness and fighting ovarian cancer, perhaps you can partner up with the Carlos and the Force as Bill and I are.

Georgia Force K Carlos Martinez will be making monetary donations for every field goal and PAT he makes during the season to the Georgia Tech based Ovarian Cancer Institute.

Martinez recently had an extended-family member, Colleen Drury, diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer. As a result of this development, he has decided to partner with the Georgia Tech based Ovarian Cancer Institute to start the “Kicking for the Cure” Fund. During the course of the 2008 season, Martinez will be making a $25 donation for every field goal made and a $10 donation for every PAT made to the Ovarian Cancer Institute in Colleen Drury’s honor.

Fan Involvement:
Force fans will have the opportunity to join Martinez and his support of the Ovarian Cancer Institute by pledging to donate a monetary amount per field goal and PAT made. Fans can learn more about how they can get involved by logging onto http://www.georgiaforce.com/ and http://www.ovariancancerinstitute.com/. Fans will also be able to sign-up at every Force home game at the customer service area located in the concourse of The Arena at Gwinnett Center. There will also be wrist bands and t-shirts sold at Force games to support the cause with all the proceeds going to the Ovarian Cancer Institute.

“By partnering with the Ovarian Cancer Institute we will increase the awareness of this deadly disease,” said Martinez. “Colleen Drury has been an inspiration in my life and she is my motivation for creating this program. I am looking forward to honoring her this season and bringing a greater awareness to ovarian cancer.”