Margaritas and Mastectomy

Preparing for a Double Mastectomy with Clinical EFT | Part One

I’m not usually one to share so much about my personal life, but I want people to know that I am human. I go through real-life challenges just like everyone else and honestly, without Clinical EFT I wouldn’t be where I am today.

For the past few years I’ve known that for medical reasons a double mastectomy was in my future. It wasn’t a sudden decision, but that didn’t make it any easier to process. There were so many emotions to navigate, the consequences of not going through with the procedure, whether to have reconstruction, and if so, which procedure to choose. Then came the practical decisions: to have it done locally or in Sydney, and how to prepare.

Tapping has been my constant companion throughout this journey. Beginning with my doctor telling me I’m a gene carrier and that breast cancer is just a question of when and not if. Then the wait for my turn, for the last six months, I’ve been “next on the list.” I knew I could receive notice in advance or be called in last minute. Finally the notice came, and with it came a wave of mixed emotions, relief that it was finally happening, nerves about the reality of it, and the added challenge of timing. I had just resigned from a stable job to step full time into my own business and with clients, upcoming programs and of course my family to support the timing was anything but perfect.

The days leading up to surgery were filled with preparation, getting things in order at home and in my business, making sure my family was set up, buying mastectomy bras and button-up clothing, and tackling all the little jobs around the house that I wouldn’t be able to do for a while. A part of me wanted to acknowledge the moment with a ‘bye-bye boobie party’, yet another part wanted to avoid it altogether, not wanting questions, not wanting to explain, only sharing with a select few.

A friend reached out just days before surgery suggesting we catch up. One minute I was crying, the next I was okay, I didn’t feel up to going out, but in the final hour she said, “Get dressed, we’re going out,” and we did. It was exactly what I needed, gentle conversation, laughter, a margarita and one last night out before a season of rest and recovery.

The Day That Changed Everything

Monday arrived. Dan and I got to the hospital and sat in the waiting area. I was called in, thinking it was just for a routine height and weight check. Turns out, I was actually being taken in for surgery, just like that. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.

Discreetly, I started tapping, squeezing the sides of my fingertips, grounding myself in the moment. As the nurse ran through pre-surgery checks, she suddenly realised what procedure I was having and quickly went and got my partner. Dan came in and sat with me until the moment I had to go. It was such a comfort to have him there.

There was also another presence that day, someone who had asked to be with me in spirit. And they were.

Then came the final pre-op room, where they ask all the questions and do the last checks. This was when my surgeon and I had a discussion about reconstruction, size, shape and what was possible. I had made my decision months ago, but it had taken a lot of tapping to find peace with it. I hold no judgment toward those who choose reconstruction, but for me, the idea of something foreign in my body wasn’t right. Clinical EFT helped me process that choice, allowing me to honour what felt best for me.

A beautiful nurse, Jess, was with me throughout, she reassured me that every emotion I was feeling was completely valid. As I lay there, I continued tapping, discrete tapping when others were around and on all the points when I had a moment alone.

The last thing I remember before going under anaesthesia were tears rolling down my face, holding my nurse’s hand and the other still tapping.

Why I’m Sharing this

I’m sharing because I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I had time to prepare and the privilege of a preventative procedure rather than a cancer diagnosis forcing my hand. Being a gene carrier, my specialist had called me a “ticking time bomb,” and I was able to take action before the clock ran out.

Most importantly the tools that Clinical EFT provided me with carried me through every wave of uncertainty, fear and grief. It allowed me to feel the emotions fully without being consumed by them. It helped me process, prepare, and step into surgery with as much peace as possible.

What’s Next?

Recovery, in hospital and at home. A journey filled with immense love, care, and, of course, a few “seriously?!” moments.

I’ll also be sharing practical tips, both for those going into medical procedures and for loved ones who want to support someone through it. Because whether it’s a mastectomy, another major surgery, or any life-changing event, how we navigate it matters.

Stay tuned. And if you’re going through something big, know that you’re not alone. Reach out for a free EFT consultation.