Claudia was diagnosed with two different types of breast cancer in both breasts at age 51 after her yearly mammogram. She knew she didn’t want reconstruction because she wanted to minimize surgery. She found the NPOAS website and used the resources there to advocate for her choice, finding an excellent surgeon who supported her choice and gave her a great surgical outcome. She doesn’t miss her breasts, and her advice to people facing mastectomy is to not let others push you into choosing something you don’t want, but to stay firm in your own decision for yourself!
When I was ushered into Dr. Jones’ office, instead of an exam room, I knew something was amiss. Before he could say a word, I asked “You found something?” “Yes, in both breasts,” was his reply.
It was January 9, 2023 and I was 51. I had been undergoing yearly mammograms since age 40. Since 2018, my routine mammograms revealed abnormal findings which required additional testing. In 2021, I had biopsies done, with benign results. So, by November of 2022, the abnormal routine mammogram requiring additional testing felt “normal”. When I went in for the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound, there were 4 medical professionals in the room, the technicians, nurse, radiologist and they busied themselves testing, opining, reviewing, consulting. When it was all over, the radiologist told me, “I was worried before seeing you, but having seen you in person, I’m not so worried, but I am going to refer you to Dr. Jones.”
Based on the radiologists’ comments, I considered forgoing my appointment with Dr. Jones. However, days later, I received a certified letter confirming the appointment with Dr. Jones. I had never received a certified letter about a doctor’s appointment – highly unusual. Maybe I should have been alarmed then, but I wasn’t. I saw my visit with Dr. Jones as an abundance of caution and expected it to be uneventful. He told me that he had undisputable confidence in his ultrasound and mammogram technicians, and he had me repeat the testing during my office visit. (Dr. Jones’ US technician is a breast cancer survivor.) The results concerned him, and he ordered bilateral biopsies. Having a prior history of multiple tests and biopsies which were benign, and with no family history of breast cancer, I fully expected these biopsies to also be benign. I was mistaken. I had invasive ductal carcinoma in the left breast and invasive lobular carcinoma in the right breast.
As I sat listening to Dr. Jones on that January morning explain to me about my type of cancer, assuring me that the cancer was caught early and was treatable, about the treatment I might need, about the advances in breast cancer treatment, and in reconstruction, I interrupted him to ask, “What if I don’t want to do any reconstruction?” “Then you don’t, more and more women are deciding to not do reconstruction,” he said.
In the whirlwind that follows the breast cancer diagnosis, I read as much as possible to inform myself on the disease and the treatment necessary. In my research, I found the Not Putting On A Shirt page. I discussed my diagnosis with my gynecologist, a breast cancer survivor (she had a single mastectomy and went flat). I switched surgeons to her surgical oncologist, Dr. Corsetti.
I knew I didn’t want reconstruction, even before finding the term, “aesthetic flat closure.” I am not afraid of surgery, but I see no good reason to put myself in a situation that may require multiple surgeries for revisions and so forth. Also, I have hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder which can complicate surgical healing. Less is better in my book.
Armed with the valuable information from Not Putting On A Shirt, I met with Dr. Corsetti to discuss my AFC. He was on board 100% from the get-go. We settled on the Y incision as we decided it would give me the best chance to avoid the dreaded “dog ears”. I even told him to extend the incision as far back as needed, a tip I believe I read on Not Putting On A Shirt. He consulted with my hEDS specialist, whose wife is yet another breast cancer survivor.
My pathology revealed cancer in my lymph nodes, so radiation was recommended. The radiation resulted in radiation fibrosis, and I have what I call ugly wound healing due to my hEDS, but I am pleased with my AFC results.
Dr. Corsetti and his nurse practitioner were instrumental in my post-op care. I had no post-op complications. They were always available and referred me to an occupational therapist immediately who helped me with healing and who I credit for getting me back to being able to function in everyday life. She got my arms moving and helped me gain function to be able to move my arms into the dreaded radiation position. I returned to her after radiation to help with the fibrosis.
On a side note, the drains were a living nightmare! Admittedly the experience with the drains was exacerbated by my hEDS.
The decision to go flat was an easy one for me. I briefly pondered what my breasts meant to me. My breasts developed at an early age, and I remember being a pre-teen/teenager and feeling embarrassed about my developing body. I had a child and breastfed. At age 51, I was past childbearing age. At this point in my life, my breasts were only a source of sexual pleasure. I’m not diminishing the value of healthy sexual life, but I knew that reconstruction would not provide the same pleasure. I saw no benefit to breast mounds that would serve no function, other than attempting to deceive the world into thinking my body still had breasts. Before my surgery, a casual acquaintance gave me a book about “all you need to know about breast reconstruction”. I returned the book telling her that I was going flat. You woulda thought I slapped her by the ugly look she gave me. I ugly cried once, but it was from post-op pain. I liked my breasts when I had them, but I haven’t missed them. In full disclosure, I am single, I live alone, and I am (pathologically) independent, so I did not feel a need to discuss my choices with family or friends to decide on AFC.
I don’t hide my flat chest, I have never worn prosthetics, and people don’t seem to notice. The only time I had anyone stare at my chest, was at a family Christmas event, the year before last, when my niece’s mother-in-law’s mother kept staring at my chest.
I used to buy clothes to fit my breasts, not anymore, although I just realized that I haven’t bought anything new since I had surgery. I gave away some of the clothes that no longer worked with my breast-less body. I read a tip that some dresses and tops can be worn back to front, and it’s true!
The only advice I would offer is don’t let anyone push you into choosing something you don’t want. Stay firm with what you want for yourself.
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