I Had a Bilateral Mastectomy, and No I Don’t Have Cancer

This past October, during breast cancer awareness month, I had a bilateral mastectomy.

However, I do not have breast cancer. In fact, I am in my 30s and quite possibly healthier than I have ever been in my life. So why would I undergo such a drastic surgery, especially with three small children at home? For starters, I watched my mother and grandmother battle breast cancer. I have taken care of young women fighting this horrible disease, diagnosed after they thought they had a clogged duct from breastfeeding.

The final factor in my decision was genetic testing that revealed I was BRCA2+ and had an 85% lifetime risk of getting breast cancer. To me, undergoing a major surgery and spending six weeks recovering was a small price to pay for the peace of mind I now feel. I feel so fortunate for the opportunity to to have this surgery prophylactically. I truly feel like my life was saved before I ever had to fight for it. 

My journey started with knowing my family history and risk factors, which led to genetic testing and counseling. Next, I alternated MRI’s and mammograms/ultrasounds every six months. (I missed several due to pregnancy. You can, however, have imaging while breastfeeding). Once our family was complete, I knew I wanted the preventative mastectomy. I consulted with many physicians before choosing mine. I looked at how many surgeries they do, readmission rates, as well as before and after photos. The breast specialist surgeon performs the mastectomy, then the plastic surgeon performs the reconstruction.

Ultimately I chose from my options based on what gave me the most peace, and I think that is all you can do in my situation.

The logistics of the surgery were frustrating at times. Our insurance had to pre-approve coverage, and then our policy changed two weeks before my surgery. While this meant hours on the phone, ultimately it was covered after our deductible was met. Legally, insurance has to cover reconstruction when a mastectomy is indicated. After much research and discussion, we decided on nipple sparing reconstruction with tissue expanders, which are basically temporary implants.

This is not your grandma’s mastectomy! I remember my grandmother’s 30 years ago, and that’s honestly what I was expecting. It was shocking (and pleasantly surprising) to wake up with very discreet scars and boobs that looked better than they did before surgery (thank you 6 years of breastfeeding). I spent one night in the hospital, then 6 weeks recovering at home.

The hardest part of the whole experience was not being able to lift my 1 year old. But I kept telling myself it was only 6 weeks for the rest of my life, and she wouldn’t remember. I had drains for the first 2 weeks, which were only slightly annoying. I went trick or treating with my kids, drains and all—I kept joking it was a great Halloween prop. After one follow up appointment with my breast specialist surgeon and three appointments with my plastic surgeon over six weeks, I was cleared for normal activity! 

It has been less than three months since my prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and I am completely back to my normal routine.

I am training for my 8th half marathon next month and just took a contract nursing job. Most days it does not even cross my mind that I had the surgery not that long ago. In fact, I think that is the best part. I no longer wake up wondering if this is the day, week, or year that my breasts will take me down, or that I’ll find a lump, or that I’ll have another biopsy, but might not get lucky this time. I’m free from that massive cloud that was hanging over my head.

I still have my exchange surgery in a few months where I will get permanent implants, and I will still get yearly mammograms, but the hardest part is behind me. While I know this is not everyone’s journey or experience, I feel incredibly thankful this was mine. And the perky new boobs aren’t so bad either.