December 8th 2024.
In October 2016, my life changed when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The thought of my scar bursting open and my implant coming out crossed my mind as I carefully descended the steps into the swimming pool. I knew it was highly unlikely, but everything felt so new. It was my first time swimming since my double mastectomy and reconstruction. I was filled with nervousness, but to my surprise, swimming turned out to be a wonderful experience. The breaststroke in particular helped to loosen the muscles around my scars, and for the first time since my diagnosis, I had found a form of exercise that worked for me.
My journey began with a routine mammogram that led to further screenings. After several tests, it was confirmed that I had breast cancer. The doctors explained that it was lobular breast cancer, which is the second most common type, but unfortunately, not many people are aware of it. Unlike other types of breast cancer that are often associated with a lump, lobular cancer grows through the breast like a spider's web, making it difficult to feel or detect. This was the case for me; I never felt anything unusual.
I had to undergo multiple lumpectomies, one per month for four months, in an attempt to remove all the cancer cells. The only symptom I had was a tiny dimple on my breast, which I never thought was related to breast cancer. It was something I had noticed for four years, only when I had a corset on for my burlesque shows. I never paid much attention to it until my mammogram revealed the cancer.
I never asked "why me?" because I knew that one in seven women in the UK will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. I just wanted to focus on treating it. However, as I did more research, I realized that the repeated lumpectomies were not the best option for me. I requested a bilateral mastectomy, which involves removing both breasts, as I had learned that lobular cancer is more likely to be found in both breasts. It was a difficult decision, but I knew it was the right one for me.
Having a double mastectomy was not just about being symmetrical; it was also about avoiding the psychological torture of wondering if the cancer was spreading in my remaining breast. I had to fight to have both my breasts removed since my other breast was deemed healthy. But with the support of my amazing surgeon, I had the surgery in May 2017. During the surgery, it was discovered that the cancer had spread to all areas of my first breast. They also found cells that could potentially turn into cancer in my other breast, but they were still contained in the lobules, known as lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).
A year later, in 2018, I had my implants put in. The most challenging part of the whole mastectomy process was dealing with the expanders, which are placed under the chest muscles to gradually expand the tissue before the implants are fitted. It felt like wearing a metal bra that was three sizes too small, and it was a constant reminder of what I had gone through.
In the end, I am grateful for my decision to have a double mastectomy. I no longer have to live with the fear of the cancer returning in my remaining breast, and I am finally at peace with my body. My journey may have been tough, but I have come out stronger and more appreciative of life.
In October 2016, I received the life-changing news that I had breast cancer. As I slowly stepped into the swimming pool, my mind raced with anxious thoughts. What if my scar opened up and my implant came out? It was a terrifying possibility, even though deep down I knew it was unlikely. This was my first time swimming since my double mastectomy and breast reconstruction, and everything felt so new and unfamiliar.
But as I started swimming, all my fears melted away. It was a wonderful feeling, especially when I did the breaststroke. I could feel the muscles around my scars loosening up, and it was a great form of exercise for me. After struggling to find a physical activity that worked for me, I was relieved to have finally found something I enjoyed.
My breast cancer was detected during a routine mammogram, which led to further testing and eventually a diagnosis. The doctors explained that I had lobular breast cancer, which is the second most common type but not many people have heard of it. Unlike other types of breast cancer, it doesn't always present as a lump. In fact, I never felt anything unusual in my breast.
Lobular breast cancer grows in a web-like pattern, making it difficult to detect. I had several lumpectomies, one per month for four months, in an attempt to remove all the cancer cells. The only symptom I had was a tiny dimple on one breast, which I noticed when wearing a corset for my burlesque performances. I never thought much of it, but it turned out to be the only indication of my cancer.
I never asked myself why this was happening to me. After all, one in seven women in the UK will develop breast cancer at some point in their life. I just wanted to focus on treating it. My surgeon operated on the area where the dimple was, removing a piece of breast tissue each time and checking for any remaining cancer cells.
But as I did more research on lobular breast cancer, I realized that repeated lumpectomies may not be the best approach. I requested a double mastectomy, which my surgeon supported. It was a difficult decision, but I knew it was the right one for me. I learned that lobular breast cancer is more likely to occur in both breasts, and the thought of constantly wondering if it had spread to my remaining breast would have been torture.
In May 2017, I had a double mastectomy. During the surgery, it was discovered that I also had lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) in my other breast, which is a pre-cancerous condition. The doctors couldn't guarantee that it would turn into cancer, but they couldn't rule it out either. A year later, in 2018, I had implants put in.
The most challenging part of the mastectomy process was the expanders I had to wear under my chest muscles. It felt like a tight metal bra, and it was uncomfortable and painful. But it was all worth it in the end, knowing that I had taken the necessary steps to prevent my cancer from coming back.
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