BRA Day events reveal truth about breast reconstruction surgery
Speakers to share both positive and negative aspects of breast reconstruction surgery
While breast cancer awareness has risen dramatically in recent decades, some aspects of the disease remain less-widely discussed.
BRA Day, an acronym for Breast Reconstruction Awareness, is being held in hospitals around the region with the aim of demystifying breast reconstruction surgery.
The information-sharing session is mainly for women considering reconstruction. It includes presentations from women who have been there and a chance to see the results of different surgeries. Last year 40 breast reconstruction surgeries were performed at hospitals at the Saint John Regional Hospital and St. Joseph's.
"It was unrecognisable"
Since the hardness from the condition never completely disappeared, she was continually screened and eventually diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ. She had a breast reconstruction after a partial mastectomy.
"It was unrecognisable afterward, like an empty balloon," said Clark, who was caring for a baby and a 2-year-old during her recovery.
"It was terrifying," she said. "Your mind immediately races to what's going to happen to them if something happens to me."
Clark said choosing whether to undergo a breast reconstruction was a really hard decision for her. Although her prosthesis was aesthetically fine, she was never able to fully get used to it slipping around while she was wearing it.
"I thought I was being selfish," she said.
"[Reconstruction] wasn't a necessary surgery in my mind. But it was necessary — for my full recovery and my emotional stability, and just being able to keep up with my kids and not worry if my prosthesis was going to fall out."
"It was for my peace of mind, and to feel normal again," said Clark.
A personal choice
Some women don't want reconstruction, she said, for reasons including further health risks, the downtime associated with the surgery, and what it may look like afterward.
As well, "some women aren't eligible for the procedures," said Wheelock.
Since Clark's only treatment was the mastectomy, "it was easy to hide that I had gone through anything."
As a result, she said, she ended up dealing with much of her illness by herself.
"After my last surgery I thought I was going to be excited and full of energy," she said. "Actually, I was really tired. But I'm getting better and better every day."
While she's slightly nervous about the show-and-tell aspect of the BRA Day event, she's also encouraged at the prospect of helping other women know they aren't going through the process alone.
Imparting hope, realism
"BRA Day gets the information out there," said Wheelock.
"Breast reconstruction isn't right for every woman, but they need the information to make that choice for themselves."
Further, hearing from fellow survivors can often be more powerful than talking to doctors.
"It gives them a sense of what it means to women who have actually gone through it," said Wheelock.
"We encourage them to say not just the good things about reconstruction, but also the issues they had and what the recovery was like."
If there's a single message BRA Day organizers hope to impart, said Clark, it's a simple one: "There's always hope."
BRA Day happens on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.at the Saint John Regional Hospital in the classroom at 5 D North. Refreshments will be served; men are also welcome to attend.
A similar event will be held in Fredericton on Oct. 20 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital.
with files from Information Morning Saint John