I was happy the way 2008 ended. I'd say that 2009 started off with a bang.

I received a call from the genetic counselor who had submitted my blood sample to Johns Hopkins DNA Diagnostic Lab for VHL gene testing.  When I first heard her voice I said WTF could it be now. She had told me that I would receive a letter if the results were negative. I was [expletive deleted] thrilled when I heard the words "I have some good news for you". The results were in and they were negative for a defect in the VHL gene.

I'd have to say that was the last issue hanging over my head. Needless to say, I'm glad I tested negative for the defect. I'm still dealilng with controlling my blood sugar but thats peanuts compared to everything else.

I believe I have put my two tumors or cancers in the proper perspective for me so that I could continue to live normally. I know I have two low grade tumors and both were caught early. The surgeries I had are usually curative in nature. Both could return but I'm not going to sit and home to wait or worry about something that might not happen. Besides, I know there are many treatments for kidney cancer and that islet cell tumors are slow growing in nature and many patients live normally and a long time even with metastisis.