So, January 20th I had a bilateral mastectomy. I pushed to have both breasts removed and my wonderful surgeon eventually agreed. Amazingly, the day after my mastectomy I stumbled across Flat Friends on Facebook. Other women like me, I had definitely found my sisterhood. And the best bit? I never have to wear a bra again. I am flat and most definitely fabulous!
Flat Friends has also since grown into an amazing charity, passionate about women having information and access to all the options available to them following their diagnosis of breast cancer. I am so grateful to them for all they do. As I stand in front of the mirror on an Autumn morning, sun streaming through the windows, hands on hips I look at the woman staring back at me.
My hair is slowing growing back, thicker and darker than before, eyelashes and eyebrows getting there. Chest rising and falling gently with each breath, mindful, hopeful, and two gradually fading scars where my breasts used to be. Breast cancer treatment is hard enough. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September My cancer was stage 3 and Her2 positive so I had chemotherapy first, then surgery and radiotherapy and I am just coming to the end of my active treatment with Herceptin and Pertuzamab.
It was discovered via genetic testing that I have a Chek2 Mutation, which carries an increased risk of developing multiple breast cancers over a lifetime. When I got the point of having surgery discussions with my team, after lots of research I had already decided I wanted to live flat.
I went to that appointment with a list of questions about aesthetics, recovery and physiotherapy. He talked to me about various reconstruction options, describing them in detail and explaining the various body parts of me that might help with that. But it all sounded terrifying to me. Months of recovery, potential for additional surgeries and risks of my body rejecting his handiwork. I left that appointment more determined than ever to live flat.
