Patient Stories and Testimonials

In the spring of 2013, I met with my new OB/GYN for a routine exam, and we discussed my family health history. I’d never really thought about my genetic risk for breast cancer.  I knew my maternal grandmother had had breast cancer but hers was the only case in the family.

Read Story

Take matters into your own hands is a phrase we frequently hear in everyday society. Whether it’s health, work, family or an unexpected situation, many people are tested daily to take control of their own lives. Sometimes people may not know where to begin to get help from others.

Read Story

The following article is a part of the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ patient blog post series. Written by real patients, these stories share a glimpse into the sometimes complicated world of genetics and the role a genetic counselor can play in helping people navigate their healthcare. 

Read Story

Editor’s note: The following article is a part of the National Society of Genetic Counselors’ new patient blog post series. Written by real patients, these stories share a glimpse into the sometimes complicated world of genetics and the role a genetic counselor can play in helping people navigate their healthcare

Read Story

Our Angel. My name is Brooke Johns, and I was a patient of Anna Victorine in November 2014. I had learned that I was pregnant just before Halloween. I was already a mother of three, my youngest being 7 years old

Read Story

Going the Distance. Twenty-four years, hundreds of doctors, and countless genetic tests later, and I finally, with the help of my dedicated and patient genetic counselor, Allison, found an answer. A diagnosis! No longer am I a patient with an “undiagnosed genetic condition,”

Read Story

Amie Blanco was born with an important calling: to save lives. She was born to be a genetic counselor. She is one of the few counselors who truly understands and appreciates individuals and families with hereditary colon cancer syndromes. 

Read Story

After my brother was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, I spoke with my doctor and he referred me to a certified genetic counselor. I immediately met with a genetic counselor and a geneticist and they took the time to explain the Lynch syndrome diagnosis. They were understanding and sensitive to the emotional gravity of the situation. They gave me time to process the information and did not pressure me to get genetic testing. After some thought, I went back a week later for genetic testing, which consisted of a simple blood draw.

Read Story

Nov. 8, 2013, was a beautiful fall day until abruptly and tragically it wasn’t. Unexpectedly, my youngest sibling collapsed while raking leaves and died immediately at the age of 54. In the midst of the shock and grief of his loss, his family began a journey into the previously unknown world of a rare genetic heart disease. This world is filled with mystery and anxiety. An excellent local cardiologist in Elkhart, Ind., offered what he could, but he recognized this problem was beyond his scope of practice. Where to go now?

Read Story

I have a mental illness. I live with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). I’ve been in and out of therapy for almost half my life. I was 47 years old when I was properly diagnosed with the disorder, but I’ve felt different from other people since I was 8. This is a long time to wonder, “What’s wrong with me? Why am I like this? Did I do something to make me this way?”

Read Story