Double Mastectomy

October is breast cancer awareness month. If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that breast cancer runs in my family and I am a previvor who is passionate about preventive care and early detection. This is my annual reminder to all my readers (regardless of age), to please, please, please schedule your …

I often receive messages from women considering a prophylactic double mastectomy. I remember standing in their shoes so vividly — full of questions and a little nervous (ok, maybe a lot nervous)! Sometimes all they need is a little encouragement from someone who has been through it before to tell you that everything is going …

FRIENDS! Thank you all SO much for checking in on me! I have received so many emails and Instagram messages from you all and it means a lot! My procedure on Thursday was a complete success and I couldn’t be happier that I left the hospital with NO DRAINS. Hallelujah. I was definitely freaking out …

 This morning I am undergoing my breast revision surgery!For those of you who missed my last mastectomy update: basically, after my exchange surgery my left implant slipped out of the pocket (that was created during my expander fills) and as a result noticeably sits lower than my right implant. Anyway, Matt and I had my …

Today marks ONE YEAR since I had my tatas removed and 8 months since I got my new ones! Every now and then I read back through my mastectomy posts and honestly can’t believe how intense my whirlwind journey was. First there was the decision. Then lots of appointments. A Ta-Ta to the TATAS party. The surgery. …

Well, I’ve always wanted Angelina Jolies boobs…and now I have them! On Thursday I wrapped up my double mastectomy journey with my final exchange surgery. I can’t believe how easy this recovery has been (compared to the last)!  Surgery Day! First of all, I wasn’t nearly as nervous when I arrived to the hospital this …

March 10 is THE DAY I’ve been not so patiently counting down to since my double mastectomy! Tomorrow at 5 a.m. I will report to the hospital to undergo my breast reconstruction surgery! The Implants: A few weeks ago we had our exchange surgery consultation where Matt and I were super mature (kidding, nope we …

Now that I’m on recovery cruise control I thought I would share some really helpful information that I’ve learned along the way for any of you (or your friends) preparing to embark on this journey. If your surgery date is set, CONGRATULATIONS, you’ve made it through the toughest part! Seriously, the decision (and waiting for …

Before my double mastectomy I found it super helpful to talk to other women who had undergone the same procedure. These ladies helped prepare me emotionally and physically for my surgery and also helped me adjust my recovery expectations. The advice varied from woman to woman but the one thing I heard consistently from everyone …

I can’t believe I had a double mastectomy a little over a month ago. The very worst part of my recovery seems like a distant memory now and things are slowly getting back to normal. When I wake up in the mornings I still feel like I did a thousand bench presses the night before …

It’s been two weeks since my double mastectomy and honestly, I feel great throughout the day! Waking up is still a little rough until my medications kick in and by evening I’m exhausted, but as each day passes I feel stronger and better. The hardest part so far has been recovering from my mom leaving …

Well, I made it through my double mastectomy surgery! Tomorrow will mark one week post op and I am so proud of myself for getting through these past 6 days. I had hoped to post an update much sooner than this but the medications I’m on make me very drowsy, unmotivated and blur my vision …