Breast Cancer and Beautiful, It Can Happen.

The phone rings and the person on the other end introduce herself as a surgeon. Well, when you are waiting for breast biopsy results you already know it is not good if a surgeon is calling you. Of course I was somewhat prepared my sister had breast cancer 4 years earlier and I had a negative biopsy 1 year prior. But no matter how prepared you might think you are the shock of the news can be overwhelming, give yourself time and make sure you have people around you that are supportive. Don’t go to a single doctor’s appointment alone before surgery. I have medical knowledge and I made that mistake once when I went to the genetics counselor. You will get emotional and you need someone else with you to help you through it. I thought I was going to do a lumpectomy at first and I could have. My first fear was missing work don’t fall into that trap you are more important than any job. Do your research. Take the time to think, talk to others, and don’t let anyone rush you. I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy with flap reconstruction done in the same surgery. I chose to do both breasts because of my age (43) and my family history sister with breast cancer at age 35. I was blessed my tumor detected by mammogram was small and well define and started in the duct but it had begun to leave the duct into the breast tissue possible stage 1 if didn’t travel to the lymph nodes. I don’t want to chance it and I didn’t want to go through the agony of waiting on a biopsy ever again. As it was I was a month late in getting it done (7 months since last one) and years after my sister diagnosis I had not gone because my soon to be former OGYN said I should be fine! Scariest but best new year’s resolution I made was to take better care of myself so I told my doctor that year I am getting a mammogram done send the orders. Of course it resulted in my first biopsy which was negative, so scary but probably saved my life.
I was happy to find out that I could use my own tissue and not get implants after the breasts (“the girls”) where removed. I don’t want to be without the girls but was scared about implants. I did my research of course. Another important note when you have cancer and call a doctor’s office ask to speak to the nurse.
I meet with a different plastic surgeon before seeing Dr. Walters. I will just say I was not impressed with him or his staff. This is a very serious surgery you need to feel confident in all the people involved. I had accepted my middle age body and would have never done surgery to get rid of my belly. I was terrified of surgery, but with cancer if you want to live it is necessary. Most people are excited to find out they can get rid of their tummy to reconstruct the girls. I was glad but scared.
I had done probably as you are doing now did my research on Dr. Walters. The reviews are very accurate. The staff are amazing. He is amazing. He put my mind at ease answered all my questions. The work he did is unbelievably good. His attention to detail is much appreciated. You can tell he loves what he does and that he truly cares.
I am six weeks post-surgery feeling amazing! My tumor didn’t spread to my lymph nodes therefore it was stage 1, and a stage 0 tumor (meaning it didn’t leave the duct) was found in the other breast after surgery. I am very happy to not have to do chemotherapy or radiation. It is suggested that I do a drug therapy because my tumor was hormone sensitive.
Encourage every woman you know to get checked regularly and if you want the best care possible see Dr. Walters.
**I feel like I have movie star girls already and he is not even finished yet!**