Breast cancer survivor discusses her upcoming prophylactic double mastectomy with reconstruction.
BY Barbara Tako
PUBLISHED February 04, 2018
Barbara Tako is a breast cancer survivor (2010), melanoma survivor (2014) and author of Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools–We'll Get You Through This. She is a cancer coping advocate, speaker and published writer for television, radio and other venues across the country. She lives, survives, and thrives in Minnesota with her husband, children and dog. See more at www.cancersurvivorshipcopingtools.com,or www.clutterclearingchoices.com.
Am I being vain? After becoming a seven-year breast cancer survivor and a four-year melanoma survivor, is it vain to still want to look and feel as "normal" as possible? I was in my mid 40s when I got breast cancer and I was just turning 50 when the melanoma appeared on my opposite shoulder. I have had a lumpectomy on my right breast, numerous mole biopsies, larger excisions when things were suspicious and several laparoscopies to monitor suspicious cysts on my ovaries before they were finally surgically removed as well. I now face a prophylactic double mastectomy (due to genetic testing results) with reconstruction at the age of 54. Is it vain to want to rebuild my breasts?
I am used to having breasts. I have had them since I was 12. My clothes are designed to fit someone who is curvy. In fact, I used to think that my breasts were my best feature! That was a while ago, quite a while ago. With time and gravity and weight gain, and a lumpectomy in one, and some personal growing up, the term "best feature" is no longer the case.
I am used to having breasts. I have had them since I was 12. My clothes are designed to fit someone who is curvy. In fact, I used to think that my breasts were my best feature! That was a while ago, quite a while ago. With time and gravity and weight gain, and a lumpectomy in one, and some personal growing up, the term "best feature" is no longer the case.
No comments:
Post a Comment