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.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
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.
Denial has been a way of life for me for many years. I actually believe in denial.
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 have a very highly developed sense of denial.
I have to admit, like so many women, I always knew there was a chance. But like so many women, I never thought it would be me. I never thought I'd hear those devastating words: 'You have breast cancer.'
When I had cancer - of the colon first, followed by breast cancer and a mastectomy - my motto used to be 'Drips by day, Prada by night.' I felt that I had to grasp it in the same way as you'd take on any challenge.
I had a breast reduction.
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 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.