Love, Danielle

Yes, genes do sometimes change.

Heredity changes.

The changes are called mutations.

Such changes down through the ages

of the basis of evolution.

On rare occasions, nature strikes a wrong key.

About once in 100,000 generations or more,

a gene doesn't copy itself exactly.

Once a gene does change,

it can be passed on only in its new form.

It becomes a regular part of heredity from that time on.

Danielle, you've tested positive

for the BRCA1 gene mutation.

Unfortunately, that means your lifetime risk

of developing breast cancer is between 60% and 85%.

Now, I know that you said that your mother has been clear,

but given your sister's recent breast cancer diagnosis--

Yeah, and my aunt.

My late aunt, she died from ovarian cancer when she was 43.

My recommendation is a bilateral salpingo oophorectomy,

complete removal of fallopian tubes,

ovaries, total hysterectomy,

and any preventative double mastectomy.

We can delay some of the surgeries

until after having children

or after going egg freezing process.

Egg freezing process.

Egg fertilization, your husband's sperm.

Surrogate carriers, mastectomy.

Expanders.

With ovarian cancer,

there are no reliable screening methods,

so it's usually diagnosed in its later stages

when it's treatable but not curable.

Important thing right now is to not feel overwhelmed.

- -

- -

Stay calm for Pat.

I'm okay.

It's okay.

I don't even like lollipops.

Those had cancer.

I know we were planning to start trying

as soon as Amy is better,

but now I'm not sure it can wait.

Should we really be having this conversation

-on the phone? -

Where are you?

I'm at a park by the doctor's office,

but I'm heading back to work soon.

Danielle, no.

I can have Rena cover the books for today.

You and I are both heading straight home

to talk about this in person.

Okay.

I'll be a little late though.

I'm gonna stop off to pick stuff up for tonight.

We're not still doing tonight.

Of course we are, Pat.

Danielle, it's just game night.

You need time to process.

Take a long bath, open a bottle of wine.

Canceling is rude.

Honey, rude takes kind of a backseat to a medical crisis.

But if it make you feel better to have people over...

-Will it make you feel better? -

- -

There's an amulet on the floor.

Do you pick it up?

Oh.

Babe, do you pick it up?

Yes, fine, I pick it up.

Ooh, you slip on polished marble,

breaking your last remaining good arm and one of your legs.

-Bullshit! -

This sucks.

-That's the game. -Can I be game master?

- No. - Let me see those notes.

-Hey, don't worry, I got it. -Hi.

Oh no, it's fine.

-I don't-- -I said don't worry.

How are you?

Lasagna stacks are under the broiler

and I've got the dip out, so I hope you grab pita chips

'cause Rob's just eating it with his hands.

Honey.

I talked to Gustavo.

I'm switching to the morning shift, so I can be here more.

Oh, brought back your favorite, brown butter cupcakes.

Print some info from these groups.

They help with this sort of thing.

Pat, how are you?

It's not about me, it's about you.

How are you?

I...

Missed you.

Hey, Misty.

How's the game?

Oh, no.

Are you okay?

There are two tunnels before you.

One, smells of sulfur.

The other, rattling chains.

We can play in a bit.

I Googled your WebMD thing.

We've got a lot of catching up to do.

She cast Cube of Truth.

Which tunnel do you choose?

Ah, we'll take the sulfur one.

Pat can check the chains.

Wait, you don't split the party up.

You never...

You don't split the party up.

Hey, this is what you might do to yourself.

You should at least look.

Will be inserted.

Carbon dioxide will be pumped in and inflate your abdomen,

so there is room to manipulate.

I get the point.

I get the point.

I'm your best friend,

and I'm pregnant, which makes me very wise.

Listen to me.

Do not do this.

It could save my life.

You know what saved my life?

Kids.

Rob and me, well, you know what we were like before.

Pat and I have a great marriage.

Which means you'll be even better parents.

Think of all those kids out there with shitty moms and dads

growing up to be shitty moms and dads.

Um, have you met my mom?

By that logic, I'm doomed.

But she never got cancer.

Proves my point that you'll be fine.

I can't believe I have enough to make this choice.

Just don't do anything you'll regret,

- -and you'll regret this.

Oh, god.

Does every female character

have to be so boob-centric?

Yeah, how come Danielle's lady has a bikini

instead of armor like you guys?

It came that way.

She is a sexy sorceress.

That's where she draws her magic from.

Uh, okay, so it's time for you to roll for your spell.

- - Ooh, weak roll.

Okay.

Your poor magic triggers Misty's stone scourge,

which spreads from her neck to her chest.

I hate stage 4 stone scourge.

I thought the stone potion

was supposed to stop the stone curse.

Okay, was I the only person who was paying attention

when we bought that potion from the stone merchant?

Why the fuck are our

adventures always like this, Rob?

- -Sorry.

Sorry.

Sorry.

So canceling would've been rude, huh?

- -

I'm really sorry.

I don't know what to do.

I know Misty's your best friend, but she can be a lot.

Yeah, it's just Amy's who I wanted to talk to about this,

not Misty.

You can talk to me.

I know.

But I need to talk to Amy.

Amy, we're gonna be late for school.

Danielle, it's fine.

[gentle ethereal music continues]

I'm okay.

It's okay.

Who are you talking to?

Nobody.

Your hair looks messy.

I like it that way, Danielle.

Bye, Mom.

Bye.

Amy?

Amy?

I'm in here.

Come in.