How did I get here?
I wish that I could tell you that I agonized over the decision to have a preventative mastectomy at 28, that I weighed the emotional and physical implications of the surgery over months and months of careful consideration. But I didn’t.
My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2013. During the process, she tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation. I was told that I should wait until I was 30 to be tested, to which I responded: “Hellllllll no, thanks.” I had already made up my mind that if I was positive, I would have a mastectomy at 30. I’m a worrier, and the idea of future cancer hanging over my head made me crazy.
In February 2014, I tested positive for the BRCA2 mutation (since my mom was BRCA2 positive, BRCA1 was pretty much off the table).
Fast forward to August 2015, I was at my yearly appointment with my geneticist and she found a lump. She was quick to assure me that it was probably just a cyst, but that I should have my yearly MRI soon just to make sure. The MRI led to an ultrasound-guided biopsy, which led to where I am now. My doctors are still pretty sure that the lump is benign, but are taking it out to be sure.
Once I knew I’d have to have some surgery, I decided to go ahead with my mastectomy earlier than I planned. This lump is a pain in the butt and I didn’t want to go through this all again if another one shows up. What sealed the deal for me is that my doctors didn’t question my decision.
I have the gene, I have a lump, I have dense tissue (which is a whole other issue - hey that rhymed!), so why wouldn’t I want to have the surgery? Obviously it’s not such an easy choice for everyone, but it was for me.
