Under Your Knife

by Adriana Ford

 

“I took this photo just minutes before my second breast reconstruction. I already had the mastectomy and temporary implant and was just about to go under for my LD flap reconstruction, creating a new breast using a muscle from my back. At the time of this photo, I had just had a consultation with my surgeon, and just like the first time, he had to draw on me, so that he could plan his work.  There is not much quite like the relationship between a breast cancer patient and her surgeon. We must put complete trust and faith in them, for the outcome of their work may affect our feeling of femininity, sexuality, and confidence, for potentially the rest of our lives. There is a feeling of vulnerability. We are not just under their care, but under their knife. I will always be so thankful for my surgeon’s empathy, professionalism and meticulousness.”