Network News - Winter/Spring 2010 - Canadian Breast Cancer ...

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Scarred, Single and Sexy By Lynda McHenry It has been almost five years since my bilateral mastectomy. I was diagnosed with DCIS (Ductal carcinoma in situ) right before my 39th birthday. My older sister, Maureen, was diagnosed at age 41 with an aggressive, invasive breast cancer. If it wasn’t for her, I would never have known to look for it. I would be well on my way to an early grave. My Aunt Pauline had passed away at age 47 of bilateral ovarian cancer, leaving her adopted daughters when they were just 10 and 13. My dad, Fred, was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 64. My illness suddenly confirmed a family history. My best option, according to my dad’s research, was to remove all breast tissue to reduce the risk of a recurrence. Thankfully, as my pathology report showed a precancerous condition in the other breast, I had a surgeon who supported my decision. I originally was hoping for a TRAM flap procedure (a tummy tuck and reconstruction all in one operation). However, I was not a “good” candidate for that type of surgery. I apparently wasn’t “fat” enough and the end result could leave me with stomach bulging issues. I was thinking, I have that problem now, but at least I can do sit ups if I want to fix it! The Latissimus Dorsi flap reconstruction was also not a good Lynda in a dress! option as I need those muscles for my job. I’m a lifeguard. I need to be able to swim WELL. So that left implants (Baywatch here I come!). I was told that even with the largest implants that they made, the surgeon would have trouble making them look right due to the broad span of my chest wall. I wasn’t keen on going that route anyway. My final conclusion was to “leave well enough alone.” I was symmetrical and avoiding another surgery sounded good to me. It would give me incentive to go to the gym to make my stomach as flat as my chest and it would be a constant reminder of just how precious every day is. My youngest daughter was going through puberty, I was going through liberty. I am sure I’m saving a bundle on bras. Most woman I know who have had reconstruction surgery are married. I went through my illness and operations as a single parent with three daughters. Without a spouse, I didn’t have to include anyone else in the decision-making process. You could probably flip a coin as to which was easier. Fortunately, I had very supportive family members and friends. It was a blessing to have my e-mailing buddies. Sort of like journalling with feedback. This leads me to where I am today. I’m a single 41-yearold breastless wonder. I have never been dainty and feminine. I am not comfortable in dressy clothes. I wear a tank top and shorts at work and I love it! Most people I encounter at work are aware of my surgery. Wearing prostheses seemed like a “false front” since they would know Lynda at Peter Hemingway Fitness and Leisure Centre in Edmonton, Alberta “they” weren’t real. It doesn’t bother me to be flatchested in public. Occasionally someone will complain of their “AA’s” and I say “at least you have nipples! Some of them still think my scar tissue gives me more cleavage than they have! Go figure! My friend, Sue, who is also 40ish, single and breastless said, “So what do you say to someone who could be potentially in a relationship with you? ‘Hey, I’d like to be upfront about something’ or ‘I’d like to get something off my chest’ then pull out the prostheses and slap them down on the table.” We both know that half the men out there will not be interested once they find out we don’t have any. It is a good thing that we both know that they are not the ones we would want to be with anyway. It does make things a little more awkward, though. Losing a physical part of my femininity was strange. What else could make me feel like a woman? Having my ovaries removed and sending me through surgical menopause? Hot flashes. Yes, hot flashes make you feel like a woman. You bond with other women who know what those little power surges feel like. How odd that the absence of more womanly components could create new, very female experiences. Yet, does it really matter? What is more important is what makes me feel like I’m alive. Quality of life counts. My life expectancy may have been only 47. My sister passed away last year, a week before her 47 th birthday. She missed her son’s graduation from high school by a month. When I turn 48, it will be a very large milestone and cause for celebration. I have done everything I can possibly do to reduce 26 Network News Winter/Spring 2010
the risk of hereditary cancer. A risk I describe as similar to holding dryer lint to a match. Could the match be a simile for stress? We may never know how external contributing factors play a role for someone with a predisposition to cancer. It is important not to blame ourselves for something we were born into. I feel vibrant watching my girls grow up. Trying snowboarding for the first time, building a snow fort, teaching them to drive a car, introducing them to great oldie TV shows like “Quantum Leap” and “M*A*S*H”. Laughing out loud. The hugs that never seem to end, the family photos, the extremes of teenage PMS to uncontrollable giggles. I feel empowered when I create things in pottery. I feel energized after a good workout at the gym. I feel fortunate when I catch a beautiful sunrise. I feel pure joy when I hear Kim Robertson play her harp and Israel Kamakawiwo’s version of “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” I feel radiant savouring good chocolate. I feel vivacious flirting with the young man at work who calls me “pretty lady” and blows me kisses. (Shhhh, don’t tell his girlfriend!) What could be better than all that? Our genetic results are inconclusive, but our geneticist says that we are diagnostic of a genetic mutation. There is no test for my beautiful daughters. They will have to rely on surveillance until something better comes along. I am grateful they have the power and knowledge to guide them through our family journey. My dad has cheated death and celebrated his 77 th birthday last August. He has sacrificed many joys to achieve this. There is hope that my daughters can do the same. Lynda and friend doing the “cleavage pose” When I grow up, I’m going to be a Grandma. Something my sister never got to be. I can hardly wait! • Lynda McHenry was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, the youngest of four siblings, and has spent the past 16 years living in Edmonton. Her three daughters are first and foremost in her life. She has primarily worked in the field of aquatics and continues to work as a lifeguard for the City of Edmonton at the historical landmark, Peter Hemingway Fitness and Leisure Centre. She has been passionate about pottery for the past six years, becoming somewhat accomplished. She has completed five sprint triathlons in the past two years. It is through these endeavors she continues to enrich her life with joy and zeal. Lynda enjoying the mountains More Resources About BRCA BreastCancer.org: BreastCancer.org covers news about BRCA at http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/genetic/bcrisk_abnrml_genes.jsp?gclid=CJ-U4fn6qaACFUFM5QodMgNzbA Looking for BRCA Support? Find it Online on Facebook: BRCA1/BRCA2+ Canada is a networking group for Canadians with BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genes and their families. Members must request to join and the group has limited public content. Find this group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38249555928&ref=ts or search for it on facebook by typing in “BRCA1/BRCA2+ Canada.” Network News Winter/Spring 2010 27
Page 1 and 2: Canadian Breast Cancer Network Wint
Page 3 and 4: e part of a remarkable Board of Dir
Page 5 and 6: CBCN Board Members, staff and parti
Page 7 and 8: carry a BRCA mutation. If you would
Page 9 and 10: January 2009 and after several scan
Page 11 and 12: What is BRCA? By Dawna M. Gilchrist
Page 13 and 14: 5. Where possible, and if patient/f
Page 15 and 16: Hormone Therapy After Risk Reducing
Page 17 and 18: Knowledge is Power Interview with J
Page 19 and 20: Informing Women of the Risks and Be
Page 21 and 22: Susan Armel is the senior genetic c
Page 23 and 24: BRCA1/2 Testing: Navigating Through
Page 25: having surgery but is not currently
Page 29 and 30: At present, we are recruiting women
Page 31 and 32: Familial Breast Cancer and No BRCA1
Page 33 and 34: ‘E’ is for Empowered - Are You
Page 35 and 36: Continued from Page 30 Top 10 Thing

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