In December 2012 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I started with a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. Good news and bad news....nothing in the lump nodes but the margins were not clear so in January 2013 I had a mastectomy. There was still good news even in that as the margins were clear for the stage 1 of my cancer but not clear for the stage 0. My oncologist recommended 4 chemo treatments in order to get Herceptin for the HER2 positive cancer. So I began treatments in March 2013, lost my hair, was very tired but the treatments went well. The chemo finished in May and I continued every 3 weeks with my Herceptin. During my treatments my husband and I were able to squeeze in a couple of wonderful trips, the best one being our trip to Ireland.
I finished my Herceptin treatments in early April.
In January 2014 I began the next stage of my total recovery....reconstructive surgery. I met with my surgeon in January 2014 and had my surgery in early April. I chose the free flap DIEP option, which involves taking skin and fat from the stomach area and reattaching it to the chest area. The surgery went fantastic! I am totally thrilled with the results, it was the best thing I could have done for myself. I still have to have the other breast lifted to match the new one and nipple reconstruction but those are minor surgeries.
I always knew that I wanted to have breast reconstruction, some women choose implants, others chose no surgery.....every woman should do what they want.
I am glad I was able to have the choice.
Sutton, Canada