This article, which also appeared in CNN, USA Today, and the New York Post, among other outlets, was possible because of the contributions of many people and organizations. 

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Through FORCE, Sharsheret, and my personal network, I met five other mastectomy patients who agreed to speak on the record with journalists. They are Jennifer Bruno, Jennifer Drubin Clark, Susie Dishell, Jeni Golomb, and Rachel Shapira. It is one thing to share these painful experiences in private conversations and small support groups. It is another to share them with the world. Their generosity gave my pitch weight and credibility. 

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Rachel, a genetic counselor, introduced me to 20+ years of research on post-mastectomy complications. According to this, the supermajority of mastectomy patients experience post-surgical complications. However, patients are told that the likelihood of complications is low. The gap between medical research and practice became the framework for my unique pitch. 

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When I kept being rejected by reporters, I again turned to my network. A colleague introduced me to Sammy Roth, a climate journalist. Sammy reviewed my pitch, gave me advice on how to improve it, and offered to share it with his friend Brett Kelman, a reporter with KFF Health News. Subsequently, Brett, his colleague Amy Maxmen, and their editors spent months discussing, debating, researching, interviewing, writing, editing, photographing, and fact-checking to publish this article. 

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Throughout this, my family, friends, and therapist supported, encouraged, and put up with me. 

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Thank you to everyone who made this article possible. 

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