I wanted immediate reconstruction because I couldn’t imagine having part of me missing

Can you tell us about your diagnosis?

In 2013, I went to see my GP after finding a lump in my left breast. Within 2 weeks, I was called back to see a consultant. They told me that I had breast cancer, but it was actually in my right breast. The lump I’d originally felt was just a cyst. The consultant recommended that I have a mastectomy of the right breast and an immediate reconstruction.

I was left reeling. I had a couple more meetings with the consultant and asked for a second opinion. I wasn’t offered the choice of a lumpectomy, and I thought it was quick for the surgeon to decide that a mastectomy was the only option. It was such a shock.

What happened next?

It took some time, but I finally came to terms with the fact that I had breast cancer. The consultant explained to me that a lumpectomy wasn’t an option, as there were too many cancerous areas, and they were too widespread. I would be disfigured, so the only option was the mastectomy.

I was offered immediate breast reconstruction, which I agreed to as I couldn’t imagine having part of me missing. I wanted everything completed in one operation.

In May 2014, I had a mastectomy and reconstruction. It was a big operation that took 10 and a half hours. It took me a while to recover from the whole process, physically and mentally. But the results were excellent. My plastic surgeon did a fantastic job.

What was your recovery like?

It felt like I was about 90 years old in the first few weeks, not a woman of 50!  But I did all the exercises I was supposed to do, and I ate healthily. Gradually, my body got back to normal. I returned to work and had standard yearly mammograms.

Unfortunately, in 2017, my yearly mammogram showed that the cancer had come back in my left breast. There was no lump, but my nipple had inverted slightly, which I hadn’t noticed.

I assumed I’d need another mastectomy and I was devastated. But this time, since the cancer was in one area, I could have a lumpectomy.

Can you tell us about your treatment? 

I had the operation in the summer, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I started anastrozole and need to take it for another 5 years.

I’ve been incredibly lucky as I didn’t have to wait for reconstruction, and my treatment has always come at the right time for me. Once I was in the system, everything progressed well, and I didn’t have to follow up on anything.

How are you now?

Even though it took me a while to recover from the mastectomy and reconstruction, I’m very happy with the results. Many of my doctors, nurses and friends have said that they couldn’t even tell that I had a reconstruction.

I’m still being monitored by my consultant to make sure everything is ok, but my yearly mammograms and meetings with him will end this year. I have to say that reverting to 3 yearly mammograms does worry me.

I’m involved in some Breast Cancer Now forums. And I’ve taken part in discussions as a Breast Cancer Voice, where I can draw on my own experience of breast reconstruction. 

What have you been involved in so far as a Breast Cancer Voice?

I hear that many women are facing issues accessing reconstruction services. The wait time is so much longer that it was, which can have a great psychological effect.

However, there is a lot of positive news. Breast Cancer Now is fighting to achieve so many aims and as a Voice, I’ve been involved in some of these research projects. With new technology such as artificial intelligence, so much more may be achievable soon. 

What advice would you give to women who are waiting for their reconstruction surgery?

Take time to decide exactly what you want. Speak to your breast cancer nurse, your consultant, and any breast cancer groups that you belong to. Don’t be afraid to speak to people and tell them about any worries or concerns that you have.

It does take time to get over a reconstruction, but you’ve been through the worst part.