Choosing bilateral mastectomy - Alecia
Alecia lives in regional New South Wales, a 6 hour drive from Sydney.
Towards the end of chemotherapy, scans showed I would need a mastectomy over a lumpectomy. My local surgeon and breast care nurse explained the reconstruction options available, adding that our local hospital did not have the facilities for her to perform the surgeries.
I had limited knowledge on breast reconstruction, so this was very overwhelming. I made lots of notes and went home and researched all the possible options.
Within days I had decided to have a nipple sacrificing double mastectomy to reduce the risk of reoccurrence, but mainly so my breasts would be the same. If I couldn’t keep mine, then I wanted reconstructive surgery to ensure they remained a matching pair.
After completing six rounds of chemotherapy, I travelled 6 hours to Sydney for a single mastectomy and insertion of an expander. The most confronting part of this stage of my journey was the dramatic difference in the size of my breasts. They didn’t look or feel anything alike, so I knew my decision for a double mastectomy was the right one for me.
““I knew the decision for a double mastectomy was the right one for me.””
I was fairly confident the DIEP was the path I would take. I preferred that rather than implants, as it was my own tissue being used and would not need replacing years down the track. I had made the medical decision, however it took longer to emotionally process this.
Two weeks before surgery I flew to Sydney for presurgical appointments. The staff of my breast surgeon and reconstructive surgeon worked together to schedule my appointments half an hour apart as they knew I was travelling a long way. The stars aligned and I was fortunate enough to have both Doctors in the room together detailing the surgical process.
I had done a lot of reading on the surgery, joined facebook groups and spoken to a friend who had the same surgery. While my medical team gave me all the clinical information I needed, talking to people who had been through it was incredibly valuable in preparing my emotional wellbeing.
The connection amongst women who have made or are making the same decisions, was powerfully reassuring.
I went into hospital the day prior to the surgery, as it was scheduled to start early. Bright and early the nurse woke me. Nervous and scared, I was prepped for surgery. 11.5 hours later it was over.
This first night I was watched very closely, with hourly checks. The same nurse from the previous night was on, so we had already bonded and formed a relationship.
The first few days were tough. I struggled with nausea, and it took a few days to figure out which pain relief was best. I was bruised and battered, but my breasts were the same again, which gave me such comfort. From day three I was up and moving independently. The more I moved, the better I felt. I spent seven nights in hospital before making the 6 hour trip home.
The recovery took time and patience. I listened to my body, resting when I needed to, but continuing to increase my mobility as much as I could. By my 2-week check-up, I was walking straight again and able to fly to Sydney on my own.
Three months later I had the second stage of the DIEP done, right in the peak of Sydney’s lockdown. My town has just come out of lockdown so I almost postponed, but after much consideration, I decided to follow through in the fear that I might never finish the process.
This 5 hour surgery was a ‘walk in the park’ after stage one. I was up and moving within hours and only stayed in hospital overnight. During stage two, Dr Dusseldorp created nipples, changed the shape of my breasts slightly, performed liposuction and revised part of the ‘dog ears’ on my abdomen. I now just have the tattooing to go.
I am incredibly glad I had breast reconstruction surgery. It was painful, it was frightening, it was mentally draining but it was worth it. It gave me back my self-confidence and is a daily reminder that I am stronger than breast cancer.
I could go on for days about the things my friends and family did for me. My best friend organised a surprise paint and sip where everyone painted me (left).
She and my sisters organised everyone to send me a selfie with a different theme for every chemo session. I got so many selfies from friends and family all over the country.
The night before my cousin got married, my Mum made tartan bandanas for everyone in our family to wear (Scottish heritage) so I wasn’t the only one wearing a head scarf.
I am very lucky.
Photo credit: EM Photography eleishamaddison.com
Alecia’s best friend is a photographer who documented her cancer journey.
Alecia, 39, lives in regional Australia, and chose a double mastectomy
Note: just as no two individuals are alike, no two surgical results will be exactly alike. Seek surgical advice from a FRACS qualified professional.