[Lara]

Hi TP, I’m Lara and am a trustee of the charity. I’m really glad you found us. I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been through so much in such a short space of time, I totally understand how overwhelming it can be. Touch wood you’re getting a whole load of LFS drama out the way in one go and will be rewarded with a long long stretch of good health when all this is cleared up!

So, regarding your upcoming mastectomy decision. It is a very personal and emotionally charged choice to have to make, and no one can tell you what is right or wrong, as it differs with each individual. However, I can certainly share my mastectomy experience with you and how it has/hasn’t affected me.

I’m nearly 26 too, and was diagnosed with LFS two years ago. At that time I was advised of the high risk of breast cancer and that a prophylactic mastectomy wouldn’t be a bad shout. For me personally, I jumped at that option. Having had cancer when I was younger, and my mum dying from breast cancer aged 27, and then learning of all the frighteningly high risks associated with LFS, I was just glad there was one pro-active thing I could do that would reduce my risk. I went ahead with it a year later in July 2014. In the end, because I’d had to have some pretty major surgery on my liver and kidney in the year between my decision and having the mastectomy, I ended up deciding to not even have reconstruction. I had planned to have autologous reconstruction originally (using tissue from my thighs), but after so much surgery/recovery time that year already, I decided I just wanted the simplest path with least recovery and risks, and I haven’t regretted it. They found high grade DCIS in both breasts post-op, so I was doubly glad I’d had the surgery and I feel like I had a lucky escape. The main impact it’s had on my life is that I no longer worry about the threat of breast cancer, long term it hasn’t been a negative experience for me at all. The surgery and my scars mean that I am here and healthy, and that’s a wonderful thing. I’m also in the process of getting a massive watercolour tattoo on my chest, Its awesome.

This is not the right decision for everyone, and I’m really not trying to tell you that you should do the same as me, I’m aware that I did take a pretty drastic route! The point I want to make about it is that I NEVER would have thought I would have made that decision a couple of years ago, but it turned out to be the best thing for me. Having the risk of breast cancer completely removed from my life has been totally empowering. For me, anything that lessens the worry/anxiety is a good thing, and that is what having the surgery has done for me. But it’s not an easy thing to just jump in to, and it took me a fair amount of time to sort my feelings out about it. If you feel that your psychological wellbeing or self confidence would take a dive after having a double mastectomy and you would be happier not going ahead with it, then that is the right decision for you and you should absolutely be fully supported in that.

How do you feel about your breast surgeons? Do you feel like you’ve been given all the info and reconstruction options available to you? It makes a huge difference if you have faith in your doctors. I don’t know where you’re based, but I live in London and if you ever wanted to chat or meet then I’d be happy to. There’s also a couple of really great cancer centres (and breast cancer ones in particular) that offer some great supportive services. Look up ‘The Haven’ and see if there’s one near you, also ‘Maggie’s’ is great. You can email me privately on lara.veitch@tp53.co.uk too if you’d like.

Lara x

[Author]

Posts