A woman who underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at age 32 has revealed all the things doctors don’t say about breast reconstruction surgery.
When personal trainer Amanda Butler noticed a small lump in her right breast in July 2022, she didn’t take it seriously.
‘It felt small, like a cyst. I asked my friends to check it out and they assured me it was probably nothing,” recalls the 34-year-old Californian.
‘I was about to go on two work trips, which made it difficult for me to find a gynecologist for a check-up. I had never had a mammogram. I wasn’t sure where to start.
California-based personal trainer Amanda Butler, 34, has documented her battle with breast cancer on her social media.
Amanda was first diagnosed in 2022, a few months after finding a lump in her breast. In the photo, Amanda after surgery.
Amanda explained that after returning from work trips, she tried to get an appointment but there were long waits everywhere. And she, stuck at work, kept putting it off.
“I attended a friend’s wedding and there, in an unlikely twist, a gynecologist performed an impromptu breast exam on me in the bathroom,” Amanda blushed.
‘When I returned to Los Angeles, a friend recommended Valley Breast Care, which offered free mammograms and ultrasounds, especially for those without insurance.
“The technician noticed something unusual during the exam and called the radiologist, who recommended a biopsy.”
A few days later, at age 32, Amanda received a call to come see her results and was told she had breast cancer.
“I was at the peak of my life,” shared Butler, who works as a digital fitness trainer for several brands.
“I was fit and healthy. I exercised all the time and stayed away from processed foods, alcohol and sugar. I had no family history of cancer. The news came as a complete shock. I couldn’t understand why this was happening to me .’
Beyond the obvious health implications of her diagnosis, she also felt overwhelmed by what this would mean for her career and how she would present herself to the world.
She ultimately underwent a double mastectomy in May 2023. Pictured is Amanda before surgery.
After her double mastectomy, Amanda went through the reconstruction surgery process and shared what doctors might not tell their patients about the procedure.
‘I was terrified to think that I was going to lose not only my breasts but also my physical strength and everything I had built up over the last few years. I felt like the rug was being pulled out from under me,” she admitted.
Amanda was initially diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, meaning the cancer was encapsulated and had not spread beyond the cells.
‘I was offered the option of a mastectomy (removal of both breasts) or a lumpectomy (removal of the cancerous mass).
“After discovering that I had the BRCA2 gene, which increases susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer, the recommendation changed to a mastectomy.”
Mentally, Butler couldn’t even process the idea of a mastectomy. She was still trying to come to terms with having cancer.
‘I had a PET scan and an MRI, and on those scans, my lymph nodes lit up. The cancer had spread, raising my diagnosis to Stage 2, which required chemotherapy and a longer treatment plan,” he explained.
Amanda underwent surgery before going to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles to freeze her eggs.
Six rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, 25 cycles of radiation and reconstructive surgery followed.
“After my reconstructive surgery, I learned four things that doctors often don’t mention about breast cancer reconstruction,” she explained.
‘For me, the emotional side of recovery was incredibly challenging. Being confined to bed all day, unable to leave the house, exercise or socialize drove me crazy.
“The depression became very real and I finally started taking antidepressants to cope with it,” she admitted.
‘Another thing I learned was that nerve pinches in the chest, arms and armpits can be worse than the surgical pain itself. Imagine the tingling feeling you get from licking a D battery, but all over your chest.
“I was taking nerve blockers for weeks to control this discomfort,” he added.
‘Lastly, I never imagined that I would end up liking my new breasts more than my old ones. I have always had large breasts, which was a challenge for my active lifestyle. As a fitness trainer, having smaller, more manageable breasts has been a silver lining,” she described.
The American Cancer Society also offers comprehensive resources intended to guide patients through the reconstruction process, describing different options, such as implants versus a “flap procedure,” as well as what to expect in the weeks afterward.
Amanda wanted to serve as a resource for other women fighting cancer and decided to launch the Cancer Baddies virtual support group.
Through it all, Butler remained committed to staying positive and documented her journey on social media.
‘My online community grew and someone suggested I hold meetups.
‘This led to the creation of a virtual group called Cancer Baddies. Women from around the world come together to talk about cancer, its treatment and recovery.
‘The avalanche of stories encouraged me to continue sharing them. I receive messages every week from girls as young as 23 who are diagnosed with breast cancer. “There aren’t a lot of resources for younger women, so I wanted to give them a safe space.”
In addition to creating supportive communities through her groups, Butler also shares tips and advice.
‘When you suffer from cancer, doctors give you all the information they can, but usually it is not enough. “Often, most of what you need to know about your treatment is discovered from other cancer patients or through trial and error,” he explained.
To close this gap, she recently published her book Remember When I Had Cancer?: Your Complete Guide to Chemotherapy.
‘I wanted to put it in the past tense: “Do you remember when I had cancer?” so that every time a cancer patient reads it, they are talking about their cancer in the past,” he said.
The book includes sections on chemotherapy, egg preservation, and hair preservation, as well as practical tips on what to pack, eat, and drink during treatment.
Although Butler is still receiving low-dose chemotherapy, he considers this a chapter in his journey, a long chapter but one he hopes will help others leave cancer in the past tense.
‘While cancer has been the hardest thing I have ever gone through, it has also taught me a lot. I have learned the importance of mental toughness and the power of community.
‘If you are going through something similar, remember to stay strong and seek support. Distractions can help, and documenting your journey can provide comfort and help to others in the future,” Butler concluded.
