Natasha A., Buffalo, NY

Age: 41

I'm more than my risk… some fun facts about myself:

Favorite book / authors:
Their Eyes Are Watching God

Favorite TV / Movies:
Army Wives

Favorite Quote:
Buy the ticket, take the ride. Hunter S. Thompson

Favorite Song:
Bonnie Rait's I Can't Make You Love Me

Favorite Superhero:
Superman/Superwoman

Other favorites?
PERSON/CELEBRITY: Robin Roberts From Good Morning America

QUOTE: Scripture From The Bible, "For We Walk By Faith And Not By Sight!"

Cartoon: Tom and Jerry

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My journey

Found out about BRCA1+ / BRCA2+ status more than 2 years ago. Tested because of my mom, grandmother, aunts on both sides of the family. Pancreatic, prostate, and lung cancers also run in my family. I have not had cancer. I began to develop tumors and when I had my bilateral double mastectomy, one grew to be very, very large but was benign. Had an OOPH/ hysterectomy and prophylactic mastectomy. I am still forgoing prophylactic mastectomy due to infections right after the expanders were put in. I had a total of two surgeries putting the expanders in and a total of two taking them out, the last taking both away.

The hardest part of my journey

Having infections and realizing that the breast I once had are now gone. Also backing out of my original double bilateral mastectomy followed by immediate prophylactic and nipple reconstruction as well. The original date was Jan 7, 07 and waited a while and tried herbal remedies and did not eat red meat or pork for over a year. Stopped taking the herbals and started craving for hamburgers and hotdogs then the tumors began to surface.

If I could do it over again

Prayed that all this information was available for my mom over 13 years ago. Other than that, nothing different at all.

My participation with FORCE

Originally I went to the American Cancer Society for help and was advised because I did not have cancer they could not help me. So now I know the difference between pre-vivor and survivor!

Other thoughts

That I asked what could I do, what test could I take to make sure that I did not get breast cancer.