Jessica (00:00):
January of 2025, I went in for my annual mammogram, got the call back, going to need some additional scans. After a biopsy and other screening, it was February 27th of 2025 when I got the call that it was confirmed to be cancer. I got a referral to the breast doctor. She gave me a few surgeons that I could reach out to, that she could write me a referral to. And Dr. Wright and the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery was one of the recommended surgeons. The doctor said a lot of great things about her and her practice and her work, and so I called that day. They were able to get me in quickly, and I met with Dr. Wright for my consultation. Within a month, I had surgery. I was not aware that the mastectomy and the reconstruction could be done at the same time.

(01:01):
And after my consultation is when I found out that I would not have to have multiple surgeries. Dr. Wright and the breast surgeon worked together in the operating room and they performed everything at the same time. After I researched it and thought about my long-term and longevity of sustaining implants and having to come back, I though for me, the best option was natural tissue transfer. When I look at my scars, they’re very minimal. I am just amazed at the work. When you think or hear of breast cancer and you look on the internet and you see pictures and you don’t know what your body’s going to look like, the thought is like, how am I going to look natural? How am I going to look like myself? After surgery and after a year of healing, the scars are there and those will be a part of me, but you can’t really see them.

(02:09):
You really have to be looking to see scars. The work was just phenomenal. For me, the reconstruction gave me the confidence of being a woman in her forties to not be ashamed or embarrassed of our body. We go through motherhood and we experience breast cancer and we want it to be us. And when you have the opportunity to not only fight and beat cancer, but have a glimpse of hope of having this mommy makeover and being able to be in a swimsuit, in a bikini again, and that for many women, I know is a moment where you can be proud of you and who you are. Look at how far you’ve come. I have to say that the care has been excellent. Dr. Wright and her team, from the second you walk in, they take care of you. They greet you with a smile. Their bedside manner is phenomenal.

(03:22):
It just is a warm feeling and comfort to know you have a doctor who will advocate and fight for you, but also take care of you. The most empowering part is the resilience you find out that you have. It’s the courage to fight and knowing that you have a team of doctors and you have the center who stands behind you and that you’re not fighting alone.