Preventing My Eventual Breast Cancer

I'm 47 and for the past twenty years I've had a total of 10 breast biopsies and a handful of lumpectomies.   For the past three years, I've had one biopsy after another. Each time doctors thought the suspicious area was more than likely cancer but amazingly they have all been benign. I've tested negative for the cancer gene but due to my family history, as well as my own, my chances of getting cancer eventually is high.  So high, that I am followed by an oncologist and take Tamoxifen which has caused many unwanted side effects.

I've tried to get my doctors to advocate with my insurance company but they refuse even though having a voluntary mastectomy would cut my chances more than 95%. I'm sure the costs of all those procedures through the years has added up above and beyond the $20,000 needed for the surgery. Regardless, I was told by my doctor that asking for a mastectomy was dramatic. My mom battled breast cancer twice and her sister lost her life to breast cancer. While my mom beat the cancer, unfortunately, I recently lost her due to Covid 19.

Losing her, reignited my health journey toward a bilateral mastectomy despite doctors calling me dramatic. I have lost over 70 lbs and lowered my A1C! I plan to raise the money to have a surgery so I won't have to go through biopsy after biopsy and live in fear. I will be 100% open and honest about this journey with you. I am already in awe at the support I am receiving.