I made the choice to have the double mastectomy, and for me it felt like the right choice, and it turned out to be the right choice.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
For me it was just more important to get the cancer out. With the double mastectomy I now have less than one per cent chance of getting it back, otherwise it was 20, 30 or 40 per cent chance and for me it wasn't worth it.
One of my first thoughts I had when I started considering the mastectomy was, 'What am I going to look like?' And then, 'What will my husband think?'
I would like to take the stigma away. 'Mastectomy' the word seemed so scary to me at first. After doing research and seeing the advancements, the surgery has come a long way from 20 years ago. The results can be incredible.
I had a mastectomy in 1998, and then chemo.
I had a breast reduction.
I don't think badly of or oppose having plastic surgery. I once seriously thought of it, but I decided to take my appearance as it is.
My thinking about plastic surgery is this. I haven't had it, but never say never. Because when you do, you are definitely going to go there.
I had a lumpectomy. It wasn't that bad. Six and a half weeks of radiation.
I'd never say no to surgery in the future, because I feel like, as I get older, I'm going to face temptation more.
I'll never forget the day that I was told I would have to have a mastectomy. My reaction to the words was total denial.