Our story began in October 1992 when we met and fell in love (almost instantly)!
    I had recently learned that Tony and his sister were at risk from HD - not really knowing what HD was - and by October 1992 they had been waiting about 6 months already for the Predictive Testing results. Their blood had been sent to canada and this was the beginning of a long agonising waiting period for the family.
    From that first meeting, Tony and I saw each other every weekend. Tony was working full-time as a mechanic and at times was very stressed. The warning signs were there. and still on we waited for the results hoping for the best. We could make no plans for our future as Tony had it fixed in his mind that if he had HD, then there would be no future for us.
    When in 1993, the gene for HD was found, the predictive testing in Canada was abandoned and we waited another 6 months for the new testing procedures to be set up. The results came December 1993 after waiting 18 months or more - 3 weeks before Christmas. Tony and his mum went down to see their family doctor. It confirmed what we had known deep down but kept hidden from ourselves. The news was devastating, we were just reeling from the shock.
    The long wait was finally over, and what a toll it had taken on the family. Tony’s sister had decided that she couldn’t live with the result if it was HD and had opted not to know. She was later told by our family doctor that she didn’t have HD, thankfully. The next day, well life went on; we had arranged to go to the U2 concert that night. We had met up with our friends in Auckland and as we were driving out to Western Springs, Tony matter of factly told them that he was dying. I felt like I was dying too.
    That Christmas was the worst ever, tears all round. Somehow we got through it. A week later, while Tony was on holiday,his employer sacked him - just like that - he had told him about having the testing and of the result when it came - he was no longer wanted. Tony didn’t work again for a year or more. On top of trying to come to terms with HD, he now had no job, no income, and too much time on his hands to think about it.
    Tony spent the next few months planning an overseas trip and in April 1994, the two of us set off for Europe, Egypt, Israel and LA for 2 1/2 months. This was a wonderful experience. But I had mixed feelings during this time as Tony and family were indicating that there was no future for our relationship. Coming home June 1994, I was wondering just where it would leave me as I loved Tony very much. Tony’s mum knew that I had no idea what I would be getting myself into if I continued our relationship and told me so. I was pushed in all directions emotionally and met with Anne Mellsop, the HD Field Officer, for some much needed encouragement.
    In August 1994 a job vacancy came up in the business I was working in at Pukekohe. We had sort of discussed what we would do if I moved up to Pukekohe. This was to be the turning point. Our fate was sealed. I got the transfer and started work in September 1994 and we moved in together. Tony was still unsure of our future. He had very negative feelings about his dad and was adamant that there would be no children. I think he thought that we would be together temporarily. At home alone during the day he was becoming depressed. I arranged for Ann Mellsop to come down and talk about "futures".
    Lokking back on this time, as a family we can now see that it took us all of that year to just get over the shock of it all. Tony’s mum became very ill and in December 1995 had an emergency heart operation. Another Christmas passed and she gradually recuperated at home. We were looking forward to the birth of Tony’s sisters child due in February.
    Early February, we met with Jenni Giles - a counsellor with Genetic Services at National Womens Hospital. We talked about the procedures involved in testing for HD in the foetus. As I was leaving I said I’d be back in 6 months. (To myself I thought it may never happen but at that meeting Tony had for the first time expressed an interest in having children).
    On 29 February 1996, our nephew Bradley was born, being at the birth, this was the most amazing experience of my life. I was still wondering if we would ever know this joy for ourselves.
    Tony had started part-time work around this time and was feeling quite good about himself and life in general. Maybe there was a future after all. However he was not at all sure about having children, he didn’t want his life to alter from the routines he had established as he couldn’t predict whether he would be able to cope with the change.
    After talking this over further bbetween ourselves, we made the decision for me to go off the pill - as it could take ages anyway - 6 weeks later,I was pregnant. We knew we would have the test, this was our personal choice.
    In December 1996 we went to our family doctor being 7 weeks pregnant to confirm what I already knew, Tony left the doctor’s with the biggest smile ever, he was over the moon. Tony’s family were very happy for us also. Our doctor and the Genetic Services liased to set up the testing process, and we met with Jenni Giles on the day of the test in February 1997. Tony’s mum came with me for this. The staff at the hospital were wonderful, explaining the procedure again and they were very sympathetic and non-judgmental.
    The test was done at 11 weeks. Again we waited on tenderhooks. Tony wouldn’t answer the phone in case it was the hospital phoning. I couldn’t look forward to a child I might not have and even considered changing my mind about the test. (Not that I told Tony this - and I wouldn’t have anyway).
    The result was to take 1 - 3 weeks. On the last day of the 3rd week we still had not heard anything so I phoned Jenni at lunch time who advised that she would try to find out by the next day. I went back to work and received a message to phone her. Our baby was not at risk, I was so happy, a girl too. I phoned Tony straight away - he was so relieved - he told his work mates that he was to be a daddy and I was finally able to share the news with the girls at work. Some of them told me that they had been wondering due to the colour (white) of my face at times!
    Having been through having our baby tested, I know that it is an extrememly personal decision. Other people may choose not to test, for whatever their reasons. It is a very hard decision to make.
    On 7 August 1997 our beautiful baby girl Cassie was born. So begins the next chapter in our lives together as a family. She is our miracle.