Melissa’s Rap: How do you tell your 6 and 10-year-old children you are having a body part (or in my case parts, plural) cut off – just in case? That has been on my mind lately. Honestly, it has been difficult to focus on much else.
A couple of months ago, I was diagnosed with Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia Bordering on Lobular Carcinoma In-Situ. My gynecologist recommended a mastectomy based on my history – 21 plus years of mammograms, where they always found “something”, followed by ultrasounds and needle biopsies and, five times during those 21 years, surgery.
My surgeon, however, felt it best to take things one step at a time, so I had a lumpectomy in January. Thankfully, the area they removed came back cancer-free. However, because of my original diagnosis, I was offered three options:
- 5 years of chemotherapy (Tamoxifen)
- A bilateral mastectomy
- Do nothing (i.e. wait and see)
The Sister Rap 