Foreign Body

In 2020, Chantelle underwent an elected double mastectomy with TUG flap breast reconstruction, after discovering she had the BRCA2 gene mutation. 70% of women who have the BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation will develop breast cancer in their lives. 45% of women will get ovarian cancer. Her father died from prostate cancer, as a result of the BRCA 2 gene mutation, and prior to his death, encouraged Chantelle to get tested. This series explores her journey and healing process.

My dad passed away from prostate cancer. They knew he had the BRCA1 gene mutation, but his options were limited when they found it. He encouraged me to get tested. Once I knew I had it, I couldn’t take the chance with my life.

My dad passed away from prostate cancer. They knew he had the BRCA1 gene mutation, but his options were limited when they found it. He encouraged me to get tested. Once I knew I had it, I couldn’t take the chance with my life.

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My body feels foreign. I had to grieve it. I had to learn to feel safe in it again.

My body feels foreign. I had to grieve it. I had to learn to feel safe in it again.

I had so many emotions. I had such great support from my friends and family, but still felt isolated. I didn’t fit into any of the support networks. I was a patient or breast cancer survivor. I felt guilty that I had this opportunity to make a decision when so many don’t. But I still needed to process this decision. I wish I had known there were so many more women facing this.

I had so many emotions. I had such great support from my friends and family, but still felt isolated. I didn’t fit into any of the support networks. I was a patient or breast cancer survivor. I felt guilty that I had this opportunity to make a decision when so many don’t. But I still needed to process this decision. I wish I had known there were so many more women facing this.

After the surgery I was bruised, torn open and swollen. I had to surrender. Some days I looked in the mirror and felt like a warrior and other days I was a total mess.

After the surgery I was bruised, torn open and swollen. I had to surrender. Some days I looked in the mirror and felt like a warrior and other days I was a total mess.

I had ideas about how my body should recover, and those were unrealistic. It was such a big adjustment to live in this new body.

I had ideas about how my body should recover, and those were unrealistic. It was such a big adjustment to live in this new body.

 
I had a TUG flap breast reconstruction surgery. They take tissue and muscle from your thighs and move it to your breast.

I had a TUG flap breast reconstruction surgery. They take tissue and muscle from your thighs and move it to your breast.

I did this for our kids. I want to be here to watch them grow up. They were so incredible throughout this journey.

I did this for our kids. I want to be here to watch them grow up. They were so incredible throughout this journey.

I had to learn to surrender. To let go of what I knew about my body, and wash it away. It was the hardest thing I’ve done. But I’m here, in this body. In this life. Scars and all.

I had to learn to surrender. To let go of what I knew about my body, and wash it away. It was the hardest thing I’ve done. But I’m here, in this body. In this life. Scars and all.

 

The morning routine.

A morning spent with Hannah, documenting her daily life in Nyobok, Ghana for Project GROW.

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TD Bank advertisement documenting local small businesses