What happened, in summary

Claudia Kressmann was 51 when she reflected on breast cancer diagnosed at 35, while her 3 children were still young. She had felt a lump herself, and because of her age there was first hope that it would be something less serious. The diagnosis was breast cancer, and her left breast had to be removed. A long treatment period followed: 4 cycles of chemotherapy, radiation, and then 8 more cycles of chemotherapy. Her mother moved in to help care for the children, but the arrangement was emotionally difficult for the whole family. Claudia survived the treatment, yet living without the breast deeply affected how she felt in her body. She wore a prosthesis and removed it only in the dark at night. In summer, the prosthesis was uncomfortable, and intimacy became strained because the missing breast felt like a taboo topic. A support group helped during treatment, especially because women who had lived for years after breast cancer gave her hope. Many years later, in 2010, Claudia chose reconstruction with her own fat tissue. Touching the reconstructed breast and feeling warmth there again after 14 years was unforgettable. Since then, she has felt more confident, speaks openly at medical talks, and leads a support group herself.