Tee Rouse

I read your story in Home Journal and have now been keeping updated through your blog. WOW is all I can say to you. You are a very brave young person, to go through what you are going through is great. I do believe you will be/and are an inspiration to many, many young women. I have my own fun story- I too have been updating through a blog that my husband set up for to share my story with friends and family. I wouldn’t mind if you ever wanted to check it out or share with friends/family it is Teesblog.com.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2009 at 30 years old, I had planned to do a double mastectomy with reconstruction in Aug. and when I was in for my pre-op physical I found out that I was pregnant. I then had one breast removed and planned to do the other after the baby. I had my left breast removed Aug. 18th and then was cancer free, but still went through 6 rounds of chemo as a preventative. I started chemo in my 2nd trimester which was safe for me and baby. I finished chemo Jan. 20th 2010 and delivered my baby 7 weeks early on Feb. 27th. He is doing well and isn’t too far behind as far a preemie goes 🙂 .

I had the gene test in April and it came back BRAC1 positive which I kind of figured it would, and that made my decision to go forth with the other breast and reconstruction. I wasn’t too sure on reconstruction if it was to interfere with raising my son, and I only had a 3 week recovery where I couldn’t lift him so I did it. I had surgery Aug. 6th and am still in the filing process (I call it the filling station).

I’m not sure if you have had the surgery yet or not, but it’s really not that bad. I saw that you were told you can save your nipples, I didn’t have that choice. If I had been told I could save them I probably would of, but mine are gone. One thing I know is I’m cancer free and not at all ashamed of my soon to be new breasts and I don’t regret a thing. Knowing that I lessened my chance of having the cancer reoccur makes me feel great. I’m told to have my ovaries taken when I’m 40, so I will have a total hysterectomy then.

My mother had the gene test and she too is BRAC1 and so is her sister. Her sister is 48 and said that she will do the double mastectomy without reconstruction due to her age, and has been fighting with her insurance company to pay for her to have her ovaries taken out. They say it’s elective so she’s very upset by that.

I think if anything your story will speak out to young women and they need to know that it does effect women of all ages, and now it seems with younger women is on the rise. It makes you wonder what is it, what is causing all this cancer in the younger generation. Many things come to my mind, but it’s hard to pin point it. If you want me to post on your website I will just let me know. I just wanted to share my story with you to help inspire you and let you know you are doing a good thing and are very brave.

Well if you haven’t had surgery yet good luck and if you have any questions, I know we don’t know each other but I can help. Thanks for taking the time to read my story.