Keri Haberstroh's Breast Cancer Story, Chapter 2: Mastectomy and Reconstruction at Age 25

A reality-based comic strip chronicles the life of Keri and Doug Haberstroh, young newlyweds fighting breast cancer. Keri was only 25 when she was first diagnosed with invasive / infiltrating ductal carcinoma. In this second chapter, Keri plans for and undergoes a modified radical mastectomy; a tissue expander (saline implant) is also inserted to prepare for reconstruction of her left breast.

Meet Doug Haberstroh

Why I Am Telling Keri's Story

My name is Doug, and I am a breast cancer husband. I'm here to share the story of the love of my life. It was Keri's dream that her thoughts, ideas, and love be shared publicly, so others could learn from her experience.

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Keri's Mastectomy and Reconstruction

A New Breast Lump
Keri is ready to move on to the next phase of treatment: surgery, but she finds a new lump in her breast that needs to be checked out.
Preparing for Breast Surgery
Keri sets a date for the big surgery. The suspicious lump in her right breast is just a benign cyst and nothing to worry about.
Recovering from Surgery
Keri is not yet back to full strength after breast surgery (left breast plus lymph nodes) and insertion of a saline implant expander. She reports that the drain to remove fluid is "horribly uncomfortable."
The Routine After Starting Breast Reconstruction
After breast surgery, Keri can't drive or lift things. Worst of all, it hurts to laugh: "Then things aren't so funny." But, at least her hair is growing back in "full fuzz."

Learn About Breast Reconstruction

After Your Mastectomy or Lumpectomy: Reconstruction Options
Read patient stories about breast reconstruction. Learn about the types of surgery and what to expect before, during and after the procedure.

How We're Telling Keri's Story

See the Entire Story Told in Comic Strip Form
The comic strip captions are excerpts from emails Keri and Doug sent to loved ones during Keri's treatment. Doug is re-publishing those emails in his blog. Together, the comics and Doug's SharePosts tell Keri's story - from start to finish.

Keri's Breast Cancer Comics

Episode 4: Mastectomy and Implants - Click the image to view the full version

Mastectomy, Breast Reconstruction - age 25

Learn About Keri's Type of Cancer

Invasive/Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
70% of women with breast cancer have a diagnosis of IDC. Start with a great FAQ from Expert Patient PJ Hamel.

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Mastectomy and Reconstruction Comics

Episode 4: After Mastectomy, the Implants
After Keri's left breast and lymph nodes were removed, a saline implant tissue expander was placed in her chest, as the first step in breast reconstruction.
Episode 5: Life with the Expander Implant in Her Chest
Keri has to sleep with three pillows under her back and can't use her arm.

Table of Contents: 6 Chapters

The Next Chapter: Not Again...!

Chemotherapy Again, After Surgery

In August 2005, Keri was looking forward to almost being free of breast cancer. Fate, however, had other plans. "It just really sucks," she writes.

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