Bumps in the Road aka Breasts in the Way

#breastreduction #breastcancer #brca2 #previvior #family #love #punchtodayintheface

I knew if I found out I was a BRCA2 gene mutation carrier I would get the prophylactic double mastectomy, I just had to work my way towards making my plan into reality.

By doing that I spoke with my cousin’s

fiancé at the time going over step by step of how the process went. Unfortunately, we shared a few things in common and a few years ago she bravely made the choice to be proactive. Sometimes tragedies can bring people closer together.

I was lucky to have someone I could trust and rely on during this difficult time. She gave me the best advice and suggestions. I am even working with the doctors she used. I am eternally grateful for her guidance and am so lucky to now call her my official cousin! Woohoo!

However, we were both blind sided by the outcome of my consultation with the plastic surgeon. It wasn’t the worst news in the world. Just another bump in the road I had to get through. One thing I never even considered was how the original size of your breasts could affect the prophylactic double mastectomy procedure. Who knew that there was a size limit with implants? Well there is definitely more that goes into my situation, but we for sure do not need to get into the nitty gritty.

The answer was plain and simple – the plastic surgeon could do my prophylactic double mastectomy, I just had to have a breast reduction first. Once again, these breasts of mine were causing a ruckus! That threw a wrench in my plan of getting this taken care of ASAP because I could not have the PDM until six months after the breast reduction once I was fully healed. With my busy work schedule and personal schedule, I decided to wait until the following year. Now the big surgery is only eight months away!

Having an unexpected breast reduction was interesting to say the least. This wasn’t a procedure I ever thought about going through. I was totally fine with what God gave me, even though now they are acting like ticking time bombs that could go off any minute. How ironic? They play a big role in who you are yet they are your worst enemy.

I felt like the breast reduction threw my whole body off. Literally I wasn’t so top heavy anymore. Just kidding! But honestly, I felt super insecure and did not want to get out of my “recovery clothes.” I wasn’t ready to face the reality of my new breasts.

Four months later I am now totally fine. It was just an adjustment and it took time getting used too. Sometimes I forget I even had the surgery, but then I am quickly reminded when I see the scars.The scars aren’t that bad. However "scars ripping open" is literally my biggest fear in the world, so creating a tic-tac-toe board on around my breasts was yet another thing that is ironic about all of this. I will confirm they have not randomly ripped open and are healing just fine!

Well if that isn’t taking it all off and going braless today, I don’t know what is! Enough about the reduction. I am now on the pathway to surgery number two!

Thanks for reading!

- Jenna