Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
This story was shared by a woman who received a diagnosis for breast cancer when she was only 27. Here is how she underwent a mastectomy to overcome her illness.
It all started when I noticed that my nipples were bleeding. After seeing various doctors, I had to remove my milk ducts, and they told me that I was at a high risk of getting breast cancer.
Some time later, I noticed there was a lump in my breast. Since I was at a higher risk of getting breast cancer, I went back to the same doctor to get a biopsy and mammogram.
After one week, the report came out and the doctor broke the news to me: I had Stage 0 breast cancer.
A tough choice: Chemo or surgery?
Image: A biopsy of my breast.
When I received the news, I remember thinking, how is this happening? I’m only 27. I had no family history of it, and I was still so young.
Everything suddenly turned numb. I did not know how to feel. I felt like all my hopes and dreams were gone.
Fortunately, the cancer was in its earliest stage. The doctor told me I had two choices:
- I could get a mastectomy, which was a surgical procedure to remove my left breast.
- I could let the cancer spread a little first, and then opt for chemotherapy to eradicate the cancer cells.
I didn’t want to lose one of my breasts, but I was even more worried about the side effects of chemotherapy.
After thinking it over for a day, I made the tough choice and decided to go with the mastectomy.
The day I broke the news to my parents, we were having dinner just like any other day. They were shocked, especially when I told them my decision to go for the mastectomy.
I thought it would be tough for me to deal with everyone’s feelings, but they hugged me and told me everything would be alright.
Adapting to life after a mastectomy
Image: My tube collecting the fluid
Two months later, I went for the mastectomy. I had never gone through major surgery before, and I was terrified of the outcome. But the surgery went off without any complications, and the next day, I woke up to find scar tissue where one of my breasts used to be.
After breast surgery, my scars didn’t heal immediately, and I had bleeding for a month from the site wound. I had a tube attached to drain the blood and I had to wear an uncomfortable post-surgery bra for about 6 months.
One of the side effects from the surgery was that all my lymph nodes from my left underarm were removed along with my breast tissue. Since I had no natural antibodies in that part of my body, the smallest cut could cause an infection.
If I suffered a scratch or insect bite in that area, I had to apply antiseptic immediately. This is something I would have to do for the rest of my life.
Joining a breast cancer support group
After the surgery, my doctor suggested getting implants to restore the shape of my breast. At the time, I dismissed the idea.
I was simply so heartbroken, and it was really hard for me to accept my condition. It felt like nobody could understand what I was going through. The thought of regaining my confidence in my body after the surgery was far from my mind.
I asked God, how could this happen to me?
Then I found a support system for breast cancer survivors. Most of the women are in their 40s and 50s, and I was the youngest in that group. It made me realise just how rare my condition was at my age.
After I heard their stories of how the implants improved their lives, I decided to go for it. It’s a decision that I am so happy with now, because my implants make me feel just like a regular woman that can go out and still have cleavage.
How surviving breast cancer changed me as a person
After everything that has happened, I have changed completely as a person. I find that I am more at peace with myself. I can come to terms more easily with life’s difficulties. I don’t stress about small issues, like where to eat, what to wear, or if someone is running late for our meeting.
I have learned to take things more casually and let go of issues. It makes me appreciate things more.
My plan now is to eat and live my life healthier.
I’m also grateful for finding a network of other survivors that is encouraging and supportive of my decisions. We have a Whatsapp group where we share memes and tips about upcoming cancer screenings.
Here’s what young women should know about breast cancer
Now, I am building a youth community to raise breast cancer awareness in secondary schools and universities.
I want to spread the knowledge that breast cancer does not only happen to women that are above 40. If you have reached puberty, you have a chance of getting breast cancer. Yes, that even applies to girls as young as 12.
With more awareness, young women should start going for check ups even in their 20s.
I want to teach young women how to check their breasts and perform a breast self-exam. It should not be something that is taboo and it should be something that’s talked about more openly.
I hope that by sharing my personal experience with In Real Life, others can read and learn from it.
Do you have a story of overcoming a terminal illness?
Submit your story to this Google form or hello@inreallife.my and you may be featured on In Real Life Malaysia.
Read also: I Battled Breast Cancer: Story of A Survivor.
You might also like
More from Real Mental Health
I Worked 29 Hours Of Overtime And My Boss Told Me To Stop
This story is shared by an anonymous worker who had his first experience of working under a decent boss after …
4 Spine-Chilling Horror Stories That Allegedly Really Happened According To These Malaysians
Here are some hair-raising horror stories shared by these unfortunate Malaysians.
Malaysians Share The Hidden Challenges Of Working in Singapore
Working in Singapore seems like a glorious start to a great career, but for some Malaysians, there were hidden challenges …
