Breast Reconstruction Testimonial

00:00:07.574 --> 00:00:11.290 I started with Dr. Linville as his Patient Care Coordinator. 00:00:11.360 --> 00:00:16.950 In doing so, in working with him, we began talking about my scenario. 00:00:17.417 --> 00:00:21.355 Prior to starting with Dr. Linville, I was a two-time cancer survivor. 00:00:21.522 --> 00:00:25.459 I had four-stage colon cancer in 2004. 00:00:25.626 --> 00:00:29.630 I went through some serious chemotherapy and came back from it. 00:00:29.696 --> 00:00:31.730 Went clear 15 years. 00:00:31.800 --> 00:00:34.668 We also found out during that time that I carry Lynch syndrome, 00:00:34.735 --> 00:00:37.890 which puts me at high risk for recurrence of cancer. 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:41.074 Because of that, they were testing me and screening me every year. 00:00:41.141 --> 00:00:47.970 In 2019, during a routine screening, they found a stage 2B ovarian cancer. 00:00:48.040 --> 00:00:52.930 I had surgery that year and went through several rounds of chemo. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.130 Right at the end of my last chemo was when I became Dr. Linville's 00:00:57.200 --> 00:01:00.570 Patient Coordinator, and we began working. 00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:05.432 One day we were talking about my history and my genetics, 00:01:05.499 --> 00:01:09.069 and we realized that I had never been tested for BRCA1, 00:01:09.136 --> 00:01:10.237 only Lynch. 00:01:10.304 --> 00:01:16.090 Because of that, Dr. Linville asked me to go get an MRI, and I did. 00:01:16.160 --> 00:01:20.490 The MRI found a stage 1 cancer in my left breast. 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:25.385 Because it was so early, we were able to stage and plan out 00:01:25.452 --> 00:01:30.057 a course of action that basically would restore me 00:01:30.123 --> 00:01:34.661 after the double mastectomy better than I was to begin with, 00:01:34.728 --> 00:01:37.730 which seemed so crazy to me. 00:01:37.800 --> 00:01:43.003 But yet here I was in the right place with the right guy at the right time 00:01:43.070 --> 00:01:45.005 starting this journey. 00:01:45.440 --> 00:01:47.441 We did five surgeries. 00:01:47.527 --> 00:01:52.507 We had to remove the breast cancer, we had to do a double mastectomy, 00:01:52.573 --> 00:01:56.490 and we had to do several rebuilds to get me to my final. 00:01:56.560 --> 00:01:59.560 The final is absolutely gorgeous. 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:03.657 If you are ever in the office, whether you are here for a reconstructive 00:02:03.724 --> 00:02:08.730 visit or a cosmetic visit, I am Dr. Linville's Cosmetic Coordinator, 00:02:08.796 --> 00:02:12.733 but I am also walking in the same shoes as all of our patients 00:02:12.799 --> 00:02:15.690 who have gone through reconstruction surgery. 00:02:15.760 --> 00:02:18.572 I invite you, stop by and say hi.