Survivor Stories

Claudia’s Story: Stay Firm With What You Want For Yourself

By Not Putting on a Shirt / February 10, 2025

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.

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Ruth’s Story: I Have Created a New Identity

By Not Putting on a Shirt / February 3, 2025

Don’t be afraid to challenge expectations and attitudes. Societal attitudes are changing and with greater awareness, being flat is an option.

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Katherine’s Story: I Refuse to Hide What I Have Endured

By Not Putting on a Shirt / January 31, 2025

I refuse to hide what I have endured.
I stand whole and perfect with my scars.
To be honest and valiant. To proclaim the truth.

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Natalie’s Story: Finding My Path Through Mastectomy and Reconstruction

By Not Putting on a Shirt / January 24, 2025

Natalie experienced her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, and shortly thereafter was diagnosed with a genetic predisposition to the […]

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Samantha’s Story: She Wears Her Scars Like a Warrior

By Not Putting on a Shirt / January 19, 2022

Samantha was only 31 with a young family when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She deliberated carefully and decided […]

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Lori’s Story: I Chose AFC for Quality of Life

By Not Putting on a Shirt / January 19, 2022

Lori leads an active lifestyle and chose to go flat ten years ago, before “aesthetic flat closure” was on the […]

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Louise: My Surgeon Refused to Even See Me

By Not Putting on a Shirt / November 5, 2020

When Louise asked her surgeon about revision, he refused to see her and did not refer her to plastics.

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street with three way arror which direction choices

Julie – “It Isn’t Right, But It Is My Reality”

By Not Putting on a Shirt / February 3, 2019

Editor: Julie H. Rose knew that she wanted to go flat from the moment she was diagnosed. And yet, her […]

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