Beginnings

My name is Erika and I am 21 years old. In three months, I will be getting a bilateral, prophylactic mastectomy. I have the BRCA 1 gene, which gives me a genetic predisposition towards breast cancer and ovarian cancer. There is a chance that I will live my life and never get breast or ovarian cancer. However, the chance of that happening--or not happening--is very, very slim. So, you're 20 years old, and you just found out that you have to spend your entire life being poked and prodded in hopes that when cancer does finally strike, it won't be too late. What do you do? Me, I'm taking control of my life. I can't spend my life crossing my fingers and waiting. It isn't me. I don't want cancer to be part of my future, so I will do whatever it takes to protect myself. I am choosing the mastectomy, I'm sacrificing second base. It is an extreme decision that isn't for everyone. Even if it is your choice, it is a crappy choice to have to make. But I know that it is the right decision for me. This blog is to show the world my journey so that other young women in my position can have a resource to turn to so they can better comprehend the choice that they have to make.