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Mallory’s Story (BRCA1 Mutation)

Breast Cancer Story I am 22 years old, and in May 2012 my sister (27) and I had prophylactic double mastectomies. My mom had breast cancer at 24 and 38, then ovarian cancer at 55 and 57! Just a year before our surgery we found out that we were BOTH BRCA 1 gene positive. Luckily, my sister and I were able to have surgery on the same day, with the same team of doctors, and in the same OR. This meant that we were also able to do our post ops together as well as our “pump sessions” (what we liked to call them). We didn’t get the implants in right away. We were given expanders, and we would head to Stanford every few weeks for a “pump” in order to stretch the skin for the implants.

Just this last December, we had our reconstructive surgeries, and sad to say, I am not done. I was SO disappointed with the results. When I came in for my post opt, I even stunned one of the assistants who was part of the process! Trust me, if I wasn’t getting married in September, and I didn’t want to make sure my future husband’s “first time” was the best night (without the uneven scars and flat boobies), I wouldn’t be heading back into an OR! Unfortunately, I am only 22. I don’t want to live like this and continue to hate what I look like. In April of this year I’ll be going in for a “revision”.

God has really thrown my family and me into a ringer, but we all came out winning, and that is only by His grace and love!! Glory to God and the doctors at Stanford who saved our lives!! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!!!

Mallory
California
Submitted 3-7-2013

The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

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One comment

  1. Brca1 positive

    Thank you for sharing your story!

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