Page 27 - Plasticos-magazine-7

y mission to educate patients about breast cancer and

breast reconstruction really began at the time of my
Mfirst diagnosis in 2002. Although I did not begin my
active advocacy until after my second diagnosis in 2014, I was
preparing for work then and did not know the true scope of and

how it would turn out over time. The experiences, surgeries,
treatments, and people I would meet along the way during both
breast cancer diagnoses put me on a path of work I find great
passion and purpose in doing.

My first diagnosis was an early stage breast cancer. I was treated
at a leading cancer facility, MD Anderson, in Houston, Texas.
The treatment plan was a lumpectomy. They had to perform

two lumpectomies since the breast surgeon did not get clear
margins the first time. I had no lymph node involvement. At the
time, the suggested adjuvant treatment was eighteen weeks
of chemotherapy followed by six weeks of daily radiation.

Chemotherapy was grueling. I was hospitalized after my third
treatment due to neutropenic fever. I began taking injections
to boost my red and white cell counts. Losing all my hair, loss
of weight, mouth sores, nausea, and fatigue made a lasting

impression on me and my family.

Radiation treatment was relatively easy compared to
chemotherapy. I had very little burning of my skin. The only ill

and lasting side affect was scarring and tissue fibrosis. I worked
at this regularly when I was able to return to the gym but never
felt like I regained my full range of motion. I took five years of
tamoxifen as prescribed for my ER/PR positive breast cancer.

Education and teaching are my passion. Returning to work
with students made me feel as though I was getting back to a
normal life again. The road ahead looked bright and promising

27 VOL 7, 2021