A Breast Reconstruction Timeline

Many times readers want a broad overview of diagnosis to breast surgery recovery. What does this look like in someone else? While we can’t generalize, Tina Ruark-Baker has chosen to share with us her breast reconstruction timeline.

Tina is a previvor who chose a prophylactic double mastectomy after testing positive for the CHEK2 BRCA mutation. For Tina, this felt like choosing life over death. Facing a family history of breast cancer and her own high risk, she decided the preventative mastectomy was right for her.

Tina’s story speaks to a lot of what we stand for at ITC: our right to informed decision-making, ownership over our own journey, and the life-changing power of community and support along the way. The snapshots of her timeline leading up to and through her mastectomy and breast reconstruction recovery remind us that this truly is a journey. It touches each part of our lives. Many thanks to Tina for sharing her experience with such openness, honesty, and humor!