“Lumpectomy or Mastectomy” Monica thought to herself as the storm of confusion rattled in her mind. A week ago Monica went to the doctor to get a check-up, something she hasn’t done in a while. The doctor told her something she never thought she’d hear. Laying in her bedroom, Monica thought back to that week.
(Flashback)
“Miss Lewinsky, I regret to inform you that you have stage 3 breast cancer.” Dr. Hall says in a clear tone.
“W-w-what! Stage 3? Oh my god, Doctor am I going to die???” Monica sobs with fear devouring her.
“Please calm down Ms. Lewinsky, you’re not going to die but we must act upon this now; there are two solutions for this: you can get a Lumpectomy or Mastectomy.” Dr. Hall says.
“Doctor what’s the difference?” Monica replies.
“Lumpectomy is a surgery that requires radiation therapy which can take up to six weeks to complete. There is also a great chance of cancer recurrence. Mastectomy is a surgery that will result in the loss of your breasts permanently and it takes longer than Lumpectomy.” The doctor explains as he hands her the form where she would have to make her decision.
“Of course, if you have mastectomy you can wear a prosthesis or go through a reconstruction.” The Doctor continued
Monica Lewinsky’s family has a history of breast cancer, her grandmother died of breast cancer because it was too late to treat it. After finding out that she herself is now diagnosed with it, she was in deep thoughts of what to do.
Monica started thinking about how her 7 year boyfriend won’t like her without any breast, but she doesn’t want the breast cancer to return. On one hand she loves her boyfriend so much she’d do anything for him but on the other hand she wants to live and be free of breast cancer. So the question is should Monica get Lumpectomy with a risk of the cancer coming back and still have her breast so that her boyfriend won’t leave her or should she get mastectomy and risk losing her boyfriend to live?
“Doctor, my grandma died because of breast cancer, I want to treat it as soon as possible.” Monica said to the doctor with the thought of losing her boyfriend in mind.
“Well Ms. Lewinsky, here are the forms in front of you, make your decision and we shall appoint a surgery next week.” Dr. Hall replied.
Monica looks at the form and dreads on whether to choose Lumpectomy or Mastectomy. “If I choose to go with Lumpectomy, there is a chance the cancer could come back, I don’t want my life to be in danger. But, if I choose Mastectomy, I’m going to lose a part of my body and either wear a prosthesis or perhaps go through a reconstruction. Even though I don’t want to be breast less and I don’t want to lose my boyfriend, I most definitely don’t want my life to be in danger and want to end this once and for all.” Monica thinks to herself as she filled out the form picking out Mastectomy.
Monica loves her boyfriend dearly but sometimes you just have to make sacrifices. Monica was afraid and sad but she wanted to treat her cancer as soon as possible.
“Alright, we will make an appointment for you and you should prepare yourself to have surgery next Monday.” Dr. Hall says as he received the form from Monica.
“All right, thank you very much Doctor. I know I made the right choice.” Monica replies to the doctor as she heads out home.
(Present Day)
It is now Monday, after the surgery, Monica looked in the mirror. As she stared at her reflection, she thought to herself, “I’m as flat as a board, but at least I’ll be alive for a few more years.”
(Flashback)
“Miss Lewinsky, I regret to inform you that you have stage 3 breast cancer.” Dr. Hall says in a clear tone.
“W-w-what! Stage 3? Oh my god, Doctor am I going to die???” Monica sobs with fear devouring her.
“Please calm down Ms. Lewinsky, you’re not going to die but we must act upon this now; there are two solutions for this: you can get a Lumpectomy or Mastectomy.” Dr. Hall says.
“Doctor what’s the difference?” Monica replies.
“Lumpectomy is a surgery that requires radiation therapy which can take up to six weeks to complete. There is also a great chance of cancer recurrence. Mastectomy is a surgery that will result in the loss of your breasts permanently and it takes longer than Lumpectomy.” The doctor explains as he hands her the form where she would have to make her decision.
“Of course, if you have mastectomy you can wear a prosthesis or go through a reconstruction.” The Doctor continued
Monica Lewinsky’s family has a history of breast cancer, her grandmother died of breast cancer because it was too late to treat it. After finding out that she herself is now diagnosed with it, she was in deep thoughts of what to do.
Monica started thinking about how her 7 year boyfriend won’t like her without any breast, but she doesn’t want the breast cancer to return. On one hand she loves her boyfriend so much she’d do anything for him but on the other hand she wants to live and be free of breast cancer. So the question is should Monica get Lumpectomy with a risk of the cancer coming back and still have her breast so that her boyfriend won’t leave her or should she get mastectomy and risk losing her boyfriend to live?
“Doctor, my grandma died because of breast cancer, I want to treat it as soon as possible.” Monica said to the doctor with the thought of losing her boyfriend in mind.
“Well Ms. Lewinsky, here are the forms in front of you, make your decision and we shall appoint a surgery next week.” Dr. Hall replied.
Monica looks at the form and dreads on whether to choose Lumpectomy or Mastectomy. “If I choose to go with Lumpectomy, there is a chance the cancer could come back, I don’t want my life to be in danger. But, if I choose Mastectomy, I’m going to lose a part of my body and either wear a prosthesis or perhaps go through a reconstruction. Even though I don’t want to be breast less and I don’t want to lose my boyfriend, I most definitely don’t want my life to be in danger and want to end this once and for all.” Monica thinks to herself as she filled out the form picking out Mastectomy.
Monica loves her boyfriend dearly but sometimes you just have to make sacrifices. Monica was afraid and sad but she wanted to treat her cancer as soon as possible.
“Alright, we will make an appointment for you and you should prepare yourself to have surgery next Monday.” Dr. Hall says as he received the form from Monica.
“All right, thank you very much Doctor. I know I made the right choice.” Monica replies to the doctor as she heads out home.
(Present Day)
It is now Monday, after the surgery, Monica looked in the mirror. As she stared at her reflection, she thought to herself, “I’m as flat as a board, but at least I’ll be alive for a few more years.”