My BRCA Journey

I met with my general surgeon who was assigned to me through my mutation and she almost instantly asked how I would feel if I didn’t have nipples. I am a bit of a smart ass – so I said, “they came with the package so I’m pretty attached.” She explained that the safest and easiest way would be to do a traditional mastectomy. All I could picture, as a Portuguese woman, was Papo-Secos on my chest. She said I had time to think about it but to think about what was important to me.

I next met with my plastic surgeon. I wasn’t sure what to expect eventhough I had asked so many friends who had gone through similar procedures for advice. She was fantastic. She explained to me that she only wanted me to do what I was comfortable with and if that meant an additional procedure, so be it. She noted that I had back pain, indents from my bra, and I told her I would lose weight to be eligible for surgeries. We agreed I would lose 20lbs, which was a number I threw out there, not her. 

The downfall of gaining and losing weight so often throughout my life was very evident. I had pitosis (hello drooping). She assumed I had breast fed for a long time – instead I only lasted 3 weeks until the PPD, PPA and guilt of giving Emily thrust messsed up my mental health further. In my early 30s I lost about 80lbs and then it magically reappeared and then some. I learned that the “ideal” placing for your nipples is half way between your shoulder and your elbow – HA! Mine was drifting pretty low. This meant this consult turned into a breast reduction appointment. 

She explained we would do an anchor procedure – cut around the nipple, cut out skin and shift everything up and reattach. I have no problem with you picturing it – sure looks like an anchor and I have no issue with it. Six months after the procedure I would be healed enough for my mastectomy – I agreed. 

We got everything approved and I thought it would be smooth sailing. Something to note – nothing with me is ever smooth sailing. My surgery date was scheduled for July 5th. I got bronchitis and pneumonia. Moved it to August. Got COVID. Finally it was scheduled for September 17th.