(downtempo guitar instrumental)
- [Voiceover] My story began seven years ago
when my father tested positive for the BRCA mutation.
I booked an appointment to get tested immediately,
and I also tested positive.
The doctors told me that, in my case,
this mutation gave me an 87% risk of developing
breast cancer, and up to a 40% chance
of developing ovarian cancer.
I felt like a ticking time bomb.
I knew that I could control my fate.
A month later I underwent a full hysterectomy.
My husband was very supportive.
As were my family and friends.
I searched online and, thankfully after awhile,
I found a handful of women who were also BRCA positive.
This group of ladies have become some of my best friends.
A few weeks later I got the call to schedule my mastectomy.
I immediately got online to let my BRCA sisters know.
Just knowing that they were there
and checking in on me, helped.
It was during that time that Terry,
one of my BRCA sisters and I decided
to start a Facebook group.
The group started with 11 women from all over the globe.
It now has 5,600 members and it's growing daily.
Over the next two years I suffered complications
and an additional four surgeries.
I then had to find a new surgeon
and he had to start my reconstruction over completely.
That made five.
This was not only physically exhausting,
but emotionally draining.
The sisterhood was so grateful to hear
the truth about the surgery.
To be able to ask questions
and talk with someone who lived it,
Because there's a chance of developing breast cancer
in the milk ducts, I decided not to keep my nipples.
And with all my complications I had no desire
to have more surgery to recreate them.
So, I have a large incision line
across both sides of my chest.
A few months ago I decided to share what I hope
is the last step in this journey.
I turned my mastectomy into a work of art.
And I defined beauty on my own terms.
I covered my incision lines on my left breast
with a gorgeous floral tattoo.
And it really transforms the way I see myself.
I chose to keep the right side uncovered
because I like to see both where I've been,
and where I've gotten to.
Although it was not an easy decision,
I decided to share my journey.
Because so many women feel ugly and scarred
after their mastectomy.
And there are so many ways
that women can feel beautiful again.
I am so proud of what I've done
and what I've accomplished so far.
And through it all, I have the support and love
from all these women who understand me and where I've been.
And I'll continue until a cure is found.