Marissa, Double Mastectomy at 27

Marissa Sousa - Fun loving, hard working, mother and spouse with aspirations to have a career as a police officer.

Marissa has been dealing with severe Fibroadenoma breast disease since the age of 14.  This condition has progressively worsened through the years.  She has undergone 3 seperate breast surgeries removing tumors and multiple biopsies.  Each year the fibroadenomas have multiplied and by 2014 there was no regular breast tissue remaining.  Marissa could no longer pick up or care for her son independantly.  Simple tasks such as dressing herself were impossible.  Sleeping comfortably and wearing a seatbelt had become excruciating.  Her Oncologist decided that a double mastectomy was her only option.  Some questionable cells found in a biopsy and a high risk family history of cancer left her no choice - somthing you never think you'll have to face at the age of 27.



On August 24, 2015 Marissa went in for her surgery; a DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforators) Double Mastectomy.  The skin and fat were removed from the lower abdomen and transferred to her chest to reconstruct a breast, after mastectomy.  On August 25 she was rushed back in to the operating room for emergency surgery.  A blood clot had developed in her right breast and it needed to be removed asap.  Marissa has started her recovery but not without her share of setbacks.  Her right nipple did not recover from the surgery and has since been removed.  The doctor also informed her that it is most likely the left one will need to be removed in the new year.  She will need a further surgery to close the DIEP flaps.  Unfortunately her abdomen did not heal as hoped and she will need a reconstructive surgery as well as further reconstruction on her breasts including nipple/areola tattooing, none of which is covered by OHIP.



Now Marissa is faced with giving her body the proper time to heal and prepare for future surgeries while being stressed about her families financial well being, as the primary income in the household.  Her employment insurance runs out in December which forces her to return to a physically demanding job before her body has healed.  It is impossible for her to work the hours required to support her family, pay for the additional surgeries and put in her required hours needed in time to requalify for EI once she is off work for another surgery.  Her spouse is working 2 jobs including a night shift job but is also needed at home as much as possible for their 1 1/2 year old toddler and to assist in Marissa's care.

The physical, emotional and now financial strain is taking its toll but Marissa appreciates she is lucky to have a better chance at a healthy, cancer free life.  Although she is such a strong, brave woman, she is feeling very depressed and defeated with the state fo her physical appearance - as any woman would, especially a woman in her twenties.  These reconstructive surgeries will aid in her physical and mental health and hopefully give her the self esteem she needs to once again feel like a beautiful, vibrant, independent woman/spouse and mother.  We thank you for reading Marissa's story.... and for all of your support.