My Grandmother found a lump in one of her breasts circa 1930. Her options were limited; her breasts or her life. She opted to have both breasts removed, no further questions asked. It was a courageous choice, and a wise one. She had three boys to raise and she lived another thirty years to do it in.

When you’re faced with the threat of losing your life, losing a body part, especially a part that is not life supporting, seems like a small trade-off.

There’s nothing positive about a positive test result for cancer, though it is possible to have a positive outcome. Cancer treatments have become increasingly tailored to specific types of cancer and specific types of people. The goal after diagnosis is to survive and move on with your life.

A close friend of mine is now a cancer survivor. Following a routine mammogram, she received the dreaded phone call none of us ever wants to receive.

My friend was scared, as anyone would be. She was lucky though; a lumpectomy followed by radiation was the recommended treatment. No chemotherapy. Phew.

Most women have opinions about their breasts. They are too big, too small, too uneven, too whatever. My friend’s opinion of her breasts was, “Too big, too heavy”. 

When her doctor discussed the lumpectomy procedure with her, my friend asked, partly as a joke,

“Why don’t we just reduce them both?”

“Is that something you’d be interested in?” responded the Doctor. 

“Always,” said my friend.

She is now post-surgery, post-radiation. Yes, she’s happy she got the breast reduction she always wanted; it is a positive sidebar to an otherwise frightening situation. But she’s happier to have had the cancer removed. 

Keep your joy.

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger, unless it’s a holiday weekend. Or summertime. Facebook or email.