I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2024. Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS). June was full of medical consults, tests, biopsies, scans, images, and I had a double mastectomy on July 10.
They found 2 sizeable tumors in Leftittie, “abnormalities” in Rightittie, and isolated tumor cells in my sentinel lymph node. I started on Tamoxifen, an antiestrogen med to stop the growth of any potential cancer cells left in my body. I’ll be on this for 5 years, and the side effects are absolutely horrid.
After my mastectomy, I had some complications, had JP-drains for 79 days, and had emergency surgeries in August and September. Since then, I’ve been a “uni-boob” - nothing in the left side of my chest.
I’m scheduled for my final (hopefully) surgery on June 30, 2025 - DIEP flap reconstruction.
This has been the hardest year of my life and I am so grateful for my people showing me understanding, checking in on me, and loving me. My amazing girlfriends that kept us fed, my sister-in-law who kept us alive, and my husband who literally carried everything for a while. I am endlessly grateful. 🩷
Breast Friends has also been incredible! They connected me with a mentor, support groups, a prosthetic while I’m uni-boobing, and hosted some unforgettable events, from holiday parties to rage rooms! The connections I’ve made with some of these women is unmatched. All donations stay local to the Willamette Valley area with Breast Friends to help support others like me diagnosed with breast cancer.
