Age: 34 Married with 2 children. Husband’s name is Vince. Cooper is 2 years 9 months and Milla is almost 10 months.

My story:

I have two strong memories from early on in my life. The first is visiting my grandmother in hospital as she battled breast cancer. She was diagnosed at the age of 39. I was only 3 when she died. The second was 11 years later as I watched the ambulance take Mum away, knowing she’d never be returning home. She’d also been diagnosed with breast cancer at 39 . She lost her battle at 41.

For as long as I can remember I’ve lived with the belief that by the time I was 40 I’d be cursed with this cruel disease and be damn lucky to see my 42nd birthday.

I was about 25 when my breast specialist first discussed a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. In layman's terms that meant cutting off my healthy breasts to radically reduce my risk of getting breast cancer. At that age I thought it was crazy. But then, 3 years ago, my brother was diagnosed with bowel cancer. He was 34 at the time and surgery discovered a 7cm tumor that had spread to his lymph nodes. Luckily for him (and my family), after 6 months of intensive chemotherapy he was given the all clear and is still with us today.

But that was enough to make me reconsider my options. I never wanted to hear that terrifying word ‘cancer’ mentioned in my family again. At around the same time I came upon a magazine article about Krystal Barter and I felt like it was talking personally to me. I jumped straight on the Pink Hope website and stayed on it for hours reading everyone’s stories. It was so nice to find a community of women who had lived a similar life to mine. I felt normal.

By this time I’d had a son, but knew I wanted another child so I wasn’t quite ready for the operation. In the meantime I met with a genetic counselor to discuss my family history and genetic testing. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to have the test (unless I paid for it privately) as I don’t have a family member who has survived breast cancer. (And at that stage my brother wasn’t keen to be tested – and that’s his choice.) But given my family history I was put in the high risk category with a 50-80% chance of getting breast cancer before I turn 40. If I had this operation I’d reduce my risk to around 2%. And with a wonderful husband and two beautiful children to live for, I didn’t even need to think about what to do.

So as soon as I’d finished breastfeeding my second child, a beautiful little girl, I met with a breast surgeon. On Wednesday 15 September, 2010 I had my operation – the prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and insertion of expander implants. I had such a positive attitude going into it (obviously with a few teary moments along the way) and I have had the best recovery imaginable. Things were uncomfortable for a little while and 13 days post op I’m still limited with some things like carrying my children and putting the washing out, but generally it’s all good. And my journey has only just begun. I start the ‘filling’ process next week and hope to have my proper implants swapped over by Christmas.

But mentally I feel so strong. I remember lying in my hospital room a few hours after the operation looking over at my incredible husband (he continues to amaze me with the support and love he’s capable of...but that’s another story) and, in my drugged-up state, repeating to myself over and over “I’m just so happy”.

I feel so light. The sun is shining. And for the first time in my life I’m allowing myself to dream of growing old. Last night I was telling my little 2 year old boy that when he grows up and has babies I’m going to be called Grandma. And to me that sounds like the most delicious word I’ve ever heard.