Noun:

1. The branch of medical practice that treats injuries, diseases, and deformaties  by the physical removal, repair, or readjustment of organs and tissues, often involving cutting into the body.

2. British - A place where a doctor, dentist, or other medical practitioner treats or advises patients.

 

Usually, for all people who have breast cancer, at the very least it will involve surgery to remove the tumour.  If you are lucky, and the cancer hasn’t spread, that will be the end of it and you can go back to your pre-cancer life.

 

For many people there will be multiple surgeries.  I had the big DIEP flap op, then another op to create a nipple on the new breast, and to reduce (my already very small) “good” boob to match the new one.  Then, due to the lymphedema in my new breast, I had 2 or 3 further surgeries to try to fix it.  After about 6 years I finally came to the end of the surgeries for my breast cancer.

 

On the down side, it’s stressful, can be sore and you have to be away from your family. 

 

On the plus side, you get a nice sleep, time of work and an excellent excuse not to empty the dishwasher or walk the dog for a while.