Nicole’s Story
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Nicole (00:00):
She got my husband on the phone and she told me, “You have breast cancer.” And I was like, “Okay.” And I think in that moment I was in shock because I never expected to hear those words. I just felt like everything was fine the year before, which it had been. And there it was. I got in touch with a very good oncologist and they sent me to their surgeons and I realized that their options, some of the reconstructive options that I wanted or desired were not available to me. And so I had to make a decision like what do I want, what’s best for me, and where do I go for that service? So I was given the option to have implants for my reconstructive surgery. And I decided that that just didn’t fit what I was looking for. I wanted to be whole again, but I wanted to be whole again with all of me.
(00:53):
And when I came to the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery, those options were given to me. So that’s when I reached out to a person I knew who had had breast cancer and she told me about this wonderful place, the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery. And that’s when my life began to change. So when I decided I needed to make choices and I decided to call the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery, I was contacted by a Ms. Liz and she gave me an education call. The most informative call I could have ever had. She walked me through procedures. She told me where to look on the website. She told me to look at the results. And then she talked about insurance, a big deal because I was out of network. So insurance, I had questions and she talked to me about everything I needed to go through.
(01:46):
So what was so most impressive to me was when I came into the room, both of the doctors, the doctor that was going to take away the cancerous tissue and the doctor that was going to make me whole again were in the room. Dr. Mary Jo Wright and Dr. M. Whitten Wise were the best doctors that anyone could ever have. Dr. Wright took her time. She was compassionate. She showed me and talked about all the procedures and all the things that a woman goes through and everything that you would need to do and follow up. And then Dr. Wise came in and told me how he was going to reconstruct, how he was going to make my body look whole again. And I think that taking that time with me to let me know that he cared. I mean, I could feel the care. I just felt comfortable knowing that I was in good hands.
(02:34):
The team was awesome. And I say that because every member of this staff took their time to talk to me, answer any questions, get me some water, whatever I needed to make it through. I knew the surgery would be long. I knew I was coming through, but I also knew that I had the right people with me to make that happen. The follow-up care was wonderful. I received a call every week from one of the physician assistants checking on me, checking if I needed any supplies, checking if everything was going smoothly. I was asked to take pictures and I did. And soon as she got them, she would call me back and say, “Okay, I like how this is looking or we need to do something else.” And that didn’t feel like distance to me. That felt like home and the results were remarkable. And what I mean by that is that I looked better from surgery than I think I did prior to surgery.
(03:40):
If I want to wear a bra, I can. If I don’t, I don’t have to. I just want to encourage women that there is hope, that there are options, that you can find remarkable results. And I found mine with the Center of Restorative Breast Surgery, of course, but I want to make sure that people know that there is life after breast cancer. It is not a death sentence.
The CRBS team didn’t just perform a procedure –
they helped me reclaim my sense of self.
While pursuing a job opportunity in Texas, I scheduled my routine mammogram. Following the mammogram, an ultrasound revealed that I needed a biopsy on two suspicious areas in my right breast. I left that appointment feeling shook to my core.
In October 2020, while awaiting the biopsy results, my doctor delivered the crushing news: “Your biopsy shows invasive ductal carcinoma.” I had breast cancer. The trajectory of my life and career shifted dramatically in that moment. Overwhelmed and numb, I chose to return to Mississippi for treatment and to be with my family for support.
The following week, I consulted a surgeon recommended by my oncology team. I left the appointment in tears after learning about the limited surgical options: removing my breast tissue and undergoing reconstruction over several months, involving implants that might need replacement in ten years if everything went well. I knew, emotionally, that I couldn’t handle this approach.
Seeking alternatives, I reached out to a colleague who had faced a similar diagnosis. She told me about someone she knew who had gone to the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery in New Orleans. I researched the center online and decided to call. I was warmly greeted and given an appointment for the following week to meet with the physicians.
When I entered the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery, its upscale spa-like ambiance made me feel welcomed. Meeting Dr. Mary Jo Wright and Dr. M. Whitten Wise was a pleasant experience. They explained various surgical options for my type of breast cancer, listened to my concerns and answered all of my questions. I decided to proceed with the DIEP flap procedure.
My surgery was scheduled three weeks after my initial visit. Although I felt anxious on the morning of the surgery, I tried to stay calm and prayed for strength. The procedure and recovery took nearly 12 hours. As I began waking from anesthesia, I heard a reassuring voice say, “She is going to be pleased.”
That evening, I awoke in a room that resembled a luxury hotel. Despite experiencing some pain and the need to walk the same day to aid in my healing, I felt a sense of comfort. When I returned home, I was initially too frightened to look in the mirror, so I avoided it.
The next day, I gathered the courage to look in the mirror. Even with the drains still in place, I was pleased with what I saw. The physicians at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery and St. Charles Surgical Hospital had given me back a part of my life. I returned home with breasts that came from my own body, without the need for implants.
I am here to say this journey was not easy; chemotherapy is a beast, but the work done by the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery (CRBS) is phenomenal. Despite the trials, I found hope and strength in the compassionate care I received. When I look at myself in the mirror, I still love who I see. The CRBS team didn’t just perform a procedure—they helped me reclaim my sense of self. I am deeply grateful for their expertise and support through one of the toughest times in my life. Thank you, CRBS and staff, for giving me a new chapter of hope and healing.
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Schedule your complimentary breast reconstruction education call with us to learn more about your personalized options.