Facing Breast Cancer With a Positive Attitude
July 26, 2007 -
Facing Breast Cancer With a Positive Attitude
When a Rhode Island woman was diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age, she immediately opted for a double mastectomy and threw her breasts a going away party.
Turning a Bad Situation into a Good Party
Sandra Gahlinger, 38, is one of 5 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40.
Gahlinger’s surgeon, Dr. Francis O’Connor, told her she had two options: to treat the cancerous growth that was found on one of her breasts, or to remove both breasts and have breast reconstruction surgery.
After seeing three of her aunt’s die from breast cancer, Gahlinger opted for a double mastectomy.
“It’s my boobs or my life,” explained Gahlinger, ” the decision was easy.”
A week before her surgery, she threw a party to say farewell to her old breasts and celebrate her new ones, along with her new health.
Most of the attendees at the party were cancer survivors who belonged to a support group Gahlinger was involved with.
After a few jugs of wine, and the trading of war stories, the women began openly talking about their new breasts, which they were all very happy and proud about.
Out With the Old, In With the New
Gahlinger underwent the double mastectomy and implant surgery at Newport Hospital and wore mammary antennae on her head while in surgery.
She remains a 32D since she asked her surgeon to make her fuller on top, but not to excess, and refers to her new breasts as her, “cancer consolation prize.”
Dr. O’Connor commended her positive attitude throughout the process and believes it was her positive spirit that enabled the four-hour surgery to only take two.
(Source: Rhode Island News)
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