BRCA Breast Cancer: Susana's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Susana, a preschool teacher, noticed a hollow or indentation in the lower part of her breast. Cancer was already familiar in her family, and she knew she carried a BRCA gene mutation. The diagnosis led to removal of both breasts. Surgery was difficult: the drains did not work well, the wound did not heal properly, and allergic reactions added to the complications. Because of those problems, chemotherapy had to be delayed until her body was ready enough to continue. Susana’s story was written at a very recent point in her recovery, on the same day she was saying goodbye to treatment. Her support system mattered throughout the experience. Her mother, sister, friend, husband, and school colleagues were present when she needed them most. She also discovered quiet walking as a therapeutic refuge, using movement to calm herself and slowly rebuild confidence. Caring for herself became part of healing too, whether through makeup, small weights to strengthen her muscles, or a cooking course that helped her eat better. She valued the professionals who cared for her, including surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists, and she especially needed people she could talk to openly about fear and worry.