At last, 8 years after being diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time and undergoing a double mastectomy, I am about to embark on the last part of my reconstruction. On Monday I will be at the hospital 6am sharp, with Dave my husband, and my operation is schedule for 8am. My knees will be knocking and I will be very nervous, which is normal for me. Even after many operations I am still scared of being put to sleep and, after one particlar bad experience with anaesthesia, I dread the process.
It has been a long journey, not without many challenges and twists and turns along the way. I am forever thankful that I practised what I preached, awareness, early detection and prevention, and that helped me discover both my lumps and ensure my cancer was detected early. On Friday 13th August 2000 I had no qualms about my decision to opt for a double mastectomy and woke up from the anaesthetic knowing I would live to see another day.
At first I wore water bras and shunned any idea of wearing prothesis, until water bras became impossible to find anymore and I had no choice other than to be fitted for prothesis. I never really found them comfortable, and over the years I tried many different forms and shapes. On the other hand I did not feel I could just go around completely flat as it appeared that I stuck out in places that looked really weird since I had the mastectomy.
So, on Monday, I go back to hospital to finish what I started in December of last year. I will have the expanders taken out and have silicone inserted in their place. My stay in hospital will be one night and I look forward to going home the next day. Obviously I will still be quite nervous after that in case of infection and problems associated with implants, but I will remain positive and hope for the best.
One day there will be a world with no breast cancer, until then, all we can do is lead a healthy lifestyle, be proactive and look after ourselves by eating a sensible diet and enjoying moderate exercise. Try to eliminate as much stress as possible from our lives and think positive thoughts. If you do think you have a health challenge do not be scared to get it checked out by a health professional. Wear pink like me to create awareness every day of the year and, above all, be aware and show you care!
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