When I found out about my breast cancer my first thought was that I would have a double mastectomy. When my official diagnosis came through, multi focal tumors with node involvement, they sent learning videos talking about surgical options. It kind of blew my mind that this was totally my decision. Nobody was going to tell me what was "best". I guess it was nice to have options, but this decision felt paralyzing. I had always been very self conscious about my breasts. I was very small chested. Fun fact, I bought my first real bra for my wedding when I was 20, lol. I nursed both of my babies, and I had really just, at 38, decided I liked my breasts. The video and my breast surgeon told me that the recurrence rate would be the same with either lumpectomy or mastectomy. With HER2+ I would have chemo first. With multi focal tumors and my small breasts, a lumpectomy wasn't likely to have a good aesthetic outcome. I also hadn't ever had great luck with foreign objects in my body- fillings, my port... So implants seemed risky to me. I decided I needed a list. Not necessarily a pros and cons list, but a best case scenario list. What did I really want in a perfect world? What do I want to feel? What may be important years down the road as my body changes? Etc. I'm going to attach the list I wrote as I asked myself, and answered, my own questions. My answers won't be yours, but you can ask yourself these questions. Take what I said and think about how you would answer. I took all of this to my surgeons and they helped me choose the plan that aligned the best with my list 🩷 I'm now 2+ years out from having my main reconstruction, a DIEP flap. I had my one and only touch up (dog ear removal) when I had my oophorectomy in May of 2025. I am pretty happy with my results. My scars don't both me, I am in awe at how the body can heal. I always jokingly said I wished I could just move my belly up to my boobs, and oddly enough, I got what I wished for! 😂 My radiated side has shrunk a little, about a half cup size, but I don't think other people notice and it doesn't bother me.

Here is the bread (and the recipe 😉)

This is the bread, dang it's good!

I'll start! I was 38 when I was diagnosed with stage 2b triple positive IDC with multivocal tumors and node involvement. I hope to gain some new friends! I have found that the women I have met because of my breast cancer are the most genuine friends I've had. Maybe it's the common struggle that creates that authentic bond, I think this journey simply changes us for the better by showing us what truly matters in life. I'm a lifelong mountain biker 🚵🏼‍♀️ nothing makes me feel more alive and free than being in the woods on my bike 🩷