Today marks the 1 year anniversary from my bilateral mastectomy (aka double mastectomy). One year ago at this time I was being admitted into the hospital. It was my first surgery ever. My first time ‘going under’. I was optimistic that day, thinking I’ll have the cancer removed and go about my life. Heck, I had just started working again and already had to take time off for a medical procedure. When the surgery was over I remember waking up feeling pretty OK and my first question was, ‘did cancer hit my lymph node?’ Luckily the answer was no… I can go about my life. Plot. Fucking. Twist.
A week later we got a call from my surgeon with the final pathology results. In that moment, my life and my families life changed. Not only did results come back that cancer had gone aggressive (upgraded from Stage 0 in March to Stage 2 in April), but I needed to remove my right nipple immediately since cancer was sucking on my teet AND it DID hit my lymph node (micromastatic). It was such a blow to my normal positive outlook.
Looking back I can confidently say cancer was only a bump in the road. Did it change my life forever? Yep. Sure did. You know how? Because I refused to lay quietly. I told my story whenever I could and I’d like to think, because of me, I might have saved a few boobies. Because my life forever changed, those that went and got a mammogram because I reminded them, also forever changed. We’re all tied together, somehow, someway. 2022 might have been a shitty year, but the things I experienced and the things I learned might have made someone else’s 2022 and beyond better. For that, I’m grateful. It’s true what they say, ‘you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only option.
THE PAST (April 2022 – April 2023):
3 Surgeries (Double Mastectomy, Nipple Removal, Port “installed”)
16 rounds of aggressive chemo (4 of those being “The Red Devil”)
28 rounds of radiation
2 injections (so far) of ovarian ablation (aka Zoladex), 2 years to go
Pill – daily estrogen blocker (Tamaoxifen), 5-10 years to go
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UP NEXT:
May 22, 2023
Surgery to replace expanders with silicon boobies. Peace out uncomfortable expanders!
Surgery to remove port. Peace out port!
Hot flashes continue and hair is growing in curly! Looking forward to new boobs just in time for summer!
You are such an amazing and kick ass warrior. Katie you are such a beautiful and amazing person. SURVIVOR.
While I do not know you personally, I feel like as, being a Drive listener, somehow a part. I posted somewhere much further back (FB maybe?) that I had lost my Mary to ovarian cancer after her four year battle. Like you and your drive to motivate and inform other women to get tested, do monthly checks etc, Mary did the same with ovarian cancer to all she could reach.
I think your sharing and being so open has probably saved some, many others that you come in contact with and to the loyal Drive listeners. Listening to your hubby talk about you, and getting to hear you from time-to-time, brings tears to my eyes (yes as a man), but it’s so uplifting as well you sharing your journey in the hopes someone else will be alerted and get checked.
You’re a true warrior, brave and war-torn, but forging ahead and doing so with dignity and purpose. Mary would say to “you go and preach girl”, so keep it up.
Katie, you are quite a gal and as you said you may have helped others which is wonderful. You have had a wonderful attitude and I am certain all your family and friends are very proud of you.
Onwards and Upwards! Xoxoxoxoxo
Hi Katie! So much happiness to you for being a “Thriver”!!
Before getting reconstruction, PLEASE go see a physical therapist to release all adhesions and loosen all scare tissue using grastoning and cupping.
After surviving 24 rounds of chemo 10 were the red devil, continuing with 32 rounds of targeted therapy, 35 rounds of radiation, double mastectomy with both nipples removed, (stage 3B), I ended up with frankenboobs). Totally mutilated.
If I had this done while the tissue expanders were in, I would have had a totally improved outcome.
I’ve been spreading the word about this so other women and men do not end up needing a revision after everything they’ve been through.
I’ve been talking to all of my providers about this and now they are referring patient post lumpectomy or mastectomy so they have the best outcome for reconstruction surgery.
All the best!!
Dena Porter, RN, MSN,MBA
Katie you have always been a strong girl/woman and nothing seems to stop your drive! Now I will have two Cali curly haired girls! Love Ya!
Always been a superhero in my book! Much love Katie! XOXO