Breast Reconstruction

The summer of 2018, as I was preparing and planning to finally marry the most wonderful man, we noticed a lump in my left breast.  I made an appointment for my routine mammogram in October, the week after our wedding.  About 3 weeks after our wedding, I was getting an ultrasound on my breast “Just to get a better look”.  A month later, I was getting a biopsy to check two lumps.  And by the first week of January 2019 I was starting chemo treatments for my breast cancer.   
In the span of 2 months, I went from one of the happiest moments in my life to my most depressive.  I lost my hair, I was sick, exhausted, in pain, and what was worse, I could not care for my then 3-year-old son, I couldn’t be there to support my two teenage daughters who were 13 and 17, and my brand new husband had to take care of a sick woman (not an ideal newlywed situation).  I never thought at 38 years old, I'd be fighting for my life.


After Chemo was over It was time for my surgical treatment.  The plan was to do my mastectomy and my reconstruction at the same time.  However, while in surgery it was discovered that my cancer had spread to some lymph nodes.  To make sure he had gotten all the cancer, there was not enough tissue left to properly fit implants.  So, tissue expanders were implanted to make room for implants when the time was right.  These expanders are extremely uncomfortable, sometimes even painful, hard things that dig into my rib cage and cause me constant discomfort.

Because of the cancer spreading to my lymph nodes, it was determined I needed to have radiation treatments, which delayed my tissue expander replacement for the permanent implants.  By the end of October 2019, I finally finished radiation, but my skin was badly blistered and burned and needed to heal before any reconstruction could take place.  While all this time was passing, my plastic surgeon had changed practices.  This unfortunately for me his new practice no longer took my insurance.  So, when it came time for me to schedule my reconstruction finally in January 2020, I was told I had to find a new doctor, new insurance or pay full price.

After calling around I discovered there was no plastic surgeon who took my insurance that could do breast reconstruction in my area.  I was devastated.  Heartbroken.  I felt completely defeated.  Then Covid-19 happened, which further devastated my family when my husband’s employer had to let many employees go, including my husband.

Finally, after fighting and trying find another doctor with no luck, I went back to my original plastic surgeon and trying to work out the best deal I could.  In order to complete my reconstruction, to become somewhat whole again and get at least some back of what cancer took from me, I need to raise at least $3,900.00.  This is to pay for the implants, and all the other things required for the surgery (surgery center costs, anesthesia, nurses, etc.).  This price does not include the nipple reconstruction.


With this one surgery, I can finally start putting the pain and trauma of my breast cancer behind me.  I can get relief from the almost constant pain and discomfort the tissue expanders cause me and start to heal both the physical and the emotional injuries this experience has caused not only myself, but also my 3 children and my wonderful husband.