My name is April Bhattacharya and I’ve created this blog to keep family and friends updated with my journey. I hope that others out there that are facing these same decisions find my blog encouraging and informative.

After losing multiple women in my family, including my mother, to breast cancer, I chose to have genetic testing. I found out in March 2010 that I tested positive for the BRCA2 mutation. This does not mean it causes breast or ovarian cancer, but it leads to an increased risk for its development. I have an 85% lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 40% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer. The general population’s lifetime risk for breast cancer is about 12% and less than 2% for ovarian cancer.

After doing much research, discussing things with my husband, talking with doctors and genetic counselors, I came to the conclusion that a prophylactic (preventative) bilateral mastectomy (removal of both breasts) and reconstruction would be my personal best decision. By having this surgery I reduce my risk of getting breast cancer by 90%. I have also taken on a vegan diet. At 23 years old, I am empowered to take steps to prevent breast and/or ovarian cancer from taking my life early. I am grateful to be a woman with options that could change the future of my family.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Surgery Time!

Tomorrow is my exchange surgery! I go in at 9:30AM and the surgery will start around 10:30AM. My husband and I have been cleaning house, doing laundry and getting things ready for me to come home to a nice relaxing place.

I'm starting to get nervous about it all, but I know everything will be okay. I'm excited to get these hard tissue expanders out of me!! I just don't know what to expect for tomorrow. I wonder how I will feel...if I will have a lot of pain...nausea...it's hard to imagine. This surgery is suppose to be easier than the first, but it's still a little scary to go back through having an IV, going under and all of that. I'm such a wimp when it comes to needles haha

I'm about to cook some food for tomorrow and eat something one last time for tonight. I can't have any food or drinks after midnight. That's so hard for me because I'm such a night owl and I always have late snacks. I'm going to eat and put in a movie...maybe that will help me go to sleep or at least be distracted.

Please keep me in your prayers! I'll hopefully post an update soon after surgery.
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3 comments:

Jenn said...

Sending prayers, April! My thoughts will be with you. (((Hugs)))

May 9, 2011 at 7:46 PM
d_hager said...

April, We're still keeping up with your blog through your many wonderful updates. You're doing a good deed and helping so many others who might be making this same decision. We want you to know that you and Sameer are in our thoughts and prayers. We are excited for you ... you have made such good progress and have come so far since that first surgery. Keep up the great work!! Frances Hager (Casey's mom) :)

May 10, 2011 at 9:10 PM
Shelly said...

I have been thinking about you a lot and wondering how you are doing. I hope you breezed through this like a champ, I hope it was a walk in the park compared to the last one. I love you bunches and hope to see an update soon.

Love
Shelly

May 13, 2011 at 12:07 PM

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