My name is Orlaith Monks and I am a 51 yr old mother of 3 children, 27,25 and 14.
I was diagnosed on November 16th 2017 the worst day of my life. I had no symptoms but was experiencing menopausal symptoms for years and so my GP was recommending I go on HRT but sent me to a hormone consultant first because my cholesterol was always a bit high.
This consultant wrote a prescription for the HRT but I had to go and get a clear mammogram before starting and so that is where my journey began. Mammogram wasn’t clear so was called back for triple assessment and 2 sets of biopsies later and an mri and I was diagnosed. Following the biopsies My surgeon said she would do a lumpectomy and depending on the result would see going forward. I immediately told her I wanted a double mastectomy. I did it For my own peace of mind and also I wanted to do all I could to be around for my family especially my youngest little girl.
My husband had lost his 48yr old sister to breast cancer a couple of years previously and this played on my mind also. I had my op on December 6th 2017 and when results came back I was Er+ Pr+ and Her2 – and no lymph node involvement. It was confined to the lump of 1.7cm and was grade 1 stage 1. My onco score was 11 so I avoided chemo and radium. I am currently on letrozole but thankfully apart from increased hot flushes I have no other side effects.
I have opted to remain flat and am so grateful to be alive and well. I have started with a personal trainer in the gym to get fit and healthy again and have just finished a run of the Sound of Music with Killarney musical society in the INEC Killarney. Life is good and I’m taking every day one at a time and grateful for each one. Real friends and family are all you need and a positive attitude and outlook are key 
Did anyone hey their periods back after treatment?
Yes i did