My cancer journey has not been an easy one.
In early December, I underwent an extensive oncoplastic surgery where nearly 60% of my breast tissue was removed and reconstructed. Unfortunately, the pathology report showed that clear margins were not achieved. What followed was one of the hardest moments of my life — being told that I would need to go back for further surgery, possibly a mastectomy, after chemotherapy.
Suddenly, I was forced to make decisions I had desperately hoped to avoid:
implant versus DIEP flap reconstruction, single versus double mastectomy — all while managing the emotional weight of being a 40-year-old mother to two young girls.
With a diagnosis of stage 3, grade 3 breast cancer, one positive lymph node, and ER/PR positive, HER2 negative disease, my treatment plan involved chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, and long-term hormone therapy. Every option carried consequences, risks, and uncertainties — including concerns about infection potentially delaying radiation.
During this overwhelming phase, I realized how dangerous it can be to rely only on social media opinions or anecdotal experiences. That’s when I connected with Indian Cancer Treatment (ICT).
What made ICT different was their structured, clinical, and unbiased approach. Their oncology panel reviewed my reports in detail and helped me understand the why behind each option — not just what could be done, but what made sense for my specific case.
They didn’t push me toward a particular hospital or procedure. Instead, they helped me weigh surgical choices, reconstruction timing, and the importance of aligning surgery with chemotherapy and radiation — all from a long-term outcome perspective.
Most importantly, ICT gave me clarity at a time when I felt completely lost. Their guidance helped me move forward with confidence rather than fear.
I am deeply grateful for their expertise, honesty, and compassion. When cancer forces you to make life-altering decisions, having the right medical guidance truly makes all the difference.
Thank you, Indian Cancer Treatment, for standing with me during one of the most difficult chapters of my life.
— Crystal Lavigne
Ontario
