Lights, Camera, MASTECTOMY

Wait, what?

Back in 2009 when I first heard of preventative mastectomy as an option to manage my breast cancer risk, I hadn't really heard of anyone else who had the surgery. It seemed like such a radical option at the time and I was sure that if I did have it that I would be one of the few (like with Cowden's)

Fast forward to 2010 when I made the decision to have the mastectomy. I found great resources! Namely the FORCE message boards. But there was really still no one making headlines for having this surgery.

In 2011, I discovered and became  part of a group called Young Previvors   on Facebook. We've grown, have a public page and loads of daughter group now. But WOW. People my age and YOUNGER were having this surgery. But still, no celebrity behind it.

But that would soon change.

Let's see if I can remember all of the people: Christina Applegate, Sharon Osbourne, Giulana Rancic, Trisha Frick, Allyn Rose, Kara Dioguardi, E.D. Hill, Robin Roberts (the list goes on..)

But I was most surprised to see this:


My Medical Choice

Wait...is that by Angelina Jolie? As in the woman who was so sexy that with one smoldering look she broke up Jennifer Aniston's marriage to Brad Pitt (The gorgeous man he is?) The woman who is arguably still one of the sexiest women alive? SHE cut her breasts off?

Yep. And didn't even have cancer.

Now, this is an awesome move by her to raise awareness for our community. If someone like her cuts off her breasts to save her life....I mean I doubt she's really losing any of her looks. To me, now she's not only a gorgeous woman and a sub-par....ehhh she's ok...actress. She's a fellow previvor. And that makes her a tad bit more human.

However I would like to point out that there have been women for years struggling with the same choices and decisions Ms. Jolie-Pitt herself struggled with. WE set the trend on this one :)

My hope is that having a preventative mastectomy isn't glamorized now. I've already heard the word trend thrown around (yes I used it jokinhgly above). Like last season it was a Coach purse, this season it's foobs. And that makes me cringe. Having a mastectomy is a gut wrenching, soul crushing decision. But those of us who choose that route, make the decision with our heads held high, taking a deep breath, and plunging in. Regardless of what could happen. There are those of us who make it seem like a breeze and those of us (like me) who have every complication known to man.But, in the words of a fellow previvor friend, take heart. We now have the same scars as the sexiest woman alive.

**Please take a few minutes to check out: Young Previvors and read a collection of stories of women who have decided to take control of their destiny. You may even see a familiar face... me not Angelina ;) ***

Of course...

Back in December with the whole switched implant debacle, my PS advised me to wait at least 3 months to schedule my tattoos. She said it'd be easier to tattoo nipples when the girls settle and are as even as possible. They were WAY off after the one got replaced in December!

The original plan had been to schedule my tattoos on my break from school. However, with my switching jobs I knew I needed to get it done by the end of March. I even got a letter from my job saying my benefits would run through March. So I decided to go ahead and schedule the procedure for last week and I was elated. After almost two long years I was FINALLY COMPLETELY DONE!!

But then....

I get a call from my doctor's office saying that my benefits had in fact been turned off on the 15th even though I got a letter stating it'd go until the 31st. So pretty much my job screwed me...

I hurriedly ran my new insurance card for my school's plan up to my doctor's office and am waiting on them to check benefits on THIS insurance plan.

Now, perhaps I should explain. I am well aware of the act that states that any mastectomy that's covered by insurance must have the reconstruction covered as well. And I know that since I've had no lapse in coverage that I would a very good chance of winning if I had to fight it.

But, I'm. So. Tired.

I got to thinking..who needs nipples anyway? Then I realized I do. I need them to feel whole and complete. I thought about ordering more rub-on nipples (fantastic things to have by the way) and I even contemplated taking a peach colored sharpie to the girls... but that'd probably get my clothes all dirty.

There's a local tattoo artist who I know can do nipple tattoos if I'd like. I'll keep that in the back of my mind, but my gut..the same gut who told me to have the surgery in the first place, is telling me not to risk it in a tattoo parlor. The last thing I need is a punctured implant, or worse an infection from a less than aseptic needle or surroundings that lands me a week's stay in the hospital or surgery. Because...

Introducing...

My brand new, without a single post (but soon to come) blog: The World According to Michelle: Life Goes On. The original reason I began this blog was to document my journey through my PBM. Now, that journey is almost complete. I need to get my tattoos done, but Dr. C made me promise not to try to do it until my break from school! I know that there are always people just beginning THEIR journey and I don't want this blog to be so bogged down with other posts, that they can't find my story. I had always wanted this blog to help people so in order to do that, I decided to create my second blog so I can post whatever comes to mind :) I will still update this blog, with my completion of the PBM journey, FORCE news and updates or any other story that's relevant to HBOC. I figured that blogging helped me so much through my PBM that I may be able to apply that same concept to nursing school! Check back for my first post!