Breast cancer is something most of us have been touched by in some way. For many women, it’s a diagnosis that arrives suddenly and changes everything. Whether it’s a family member, a friend, or a personal diagnosis, the words “you have breast cancer” can send shockwaves through every aspect of life.
For Erica Neubert Campbell, that moment came after years of living with fear that the disease might one day arrive. Her mother had battled breast cancer, and that experience left a lasting impression. For more than a decade, Erica went through regular mammograms, doctor visits, and the constant anxiety that comes with knowing cancer runs in your family.
When the diagnosis finally came, she was sitting in her office on a Friday afternoon when the phone rang. On the other end of the line was her doctor asking a question that many people dread hearing.
“Are you sitting down?”
Those three words signaled the beginning of a journey that would test Erica’s strength, reshape her mindset, and ultimately inspire her book, The Mastectomy I Always Wanted.
What makes Erica’s story powerful isn’t just the diagnosis. It’s the mindset shift that followed.
Living With the Fear of Breast Cancer
Long before Erica was diagnosed, breast cancer had already shaped her life.
Her mother had battled the disease for years before eventually losing her life to it. Watching someone you love go through multiple relapses, treatments, and hospital visits leaves a lasting emotional imprint.
For Erica, that experience created a cloud of fear that followed her for years.
Every mammogram appointment brought anxiety. Every doctor’s call raised the possibility that something might be wrong. Even though doctors repeatedly told her she had the same level of risk as other women, the fear never fully disappeared.
Many women who have seen breast cancer up close understand this feeling. The anticipation, the waiting, and the unknown can sometimes be just as difficult as the diagnosis itself.
For Erica, the diagnosis finally came when she was in her late forties.
The cancer was caught early. It was classified as stage zero, known medically as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The cancer was contained within the milk ducts and had not spread.
Early detection saved her life.
But it also presented her with one of the hardest decisions she would ever have to make.
Facing One of the Hardest Medical Decisions
When Erica met with her doctors, they explained that she had options.
She could have a lumpectomy, which removes the tumor while preserving most of the breast tissue. This is a common treatment option for early stage breast cancer.
Or she could have a mastectomy, which involves removing the breast tissue entirely.
Some women also choose a double mastectomy, removing both breasts to significantly reduce the chance of future cancer.
For many patients, deciding between these options involves weeks of research, consultations, and emotional conversations.
For Erica, the decision came almost instantly.
She chose a double mastectomy.
Her doctors were surprised by how quickly she made the choice. They encouraged her to take time to research and think about it. But Erica had already spent years considering what she would do if this moment ever came.
Watching her mother go through multiple relapses had shaped her perspective. If she ever faced breast cancer herself, she had already decided she would choose the more aggressive path.
For her, the decision brought a sense of clarity.
But the most powerful part of Erica’s journey was still to come.
The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything
Once Erica decided to have the surgery, she realized something important.
She had a choice in how she viewed what was happening.
She could see the mastectomy as something being done to her. A punishment. A loss. A traumatic medical event that she had no control over.
Or she could choose to see it differently.
She decided to view the surgery as something she was choosing for herself.
That shift in perspective changed everything.
Instead of feeling powerless, she felt empowered. Instead of feeling like a victim of circumstances, she felt like she was taking control of her future.
She began telling herself something that might sound surprising at first.
“This is the mastectomy I always wanted.”
At first glance, that phrase may sound like an oxymoron. Who would ever want a mastectomy?
But what Erica meant was that she had the power to choose how she approached the experience.
By framing the surgery as her decision rather than something forced upon her, she regained a sense of control during an incredibly uncertain time.
That mindset became the foundation for her healing process and eventually inspired the title of her book.
The Emotional Side of Cancer That Doctors Don’t Talk About
When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, most conversations focus on medical treatments, surgical procedures, and recovery timelines.
But the emotional side of the journey is just as important.
Fear, anxiety, grief, and uncertainty often arrive all at once. Patients may struggle with questions about their future, their identity, and how their lives might change.
For Erica, the emotional journey required just as much attention as the physical one.
One of the tools that helped her most was journaling.
At first, she resisted the idea. She wasn’t sure what she would even write. But several nurses and doctors encouraged her to try it.
Eventually, she began writing down her thoughts each night before going to sleep.
The journal became a place to process fear, frustration, and hope. Over time, those scattered entries turned into reflections that would later form the foundation of her book.
For anyone navigating a diagnosis, finding a way to express emotions can be incredibly helpful.
Writing, talking with trusted friends, or working with a therapist can create space to process what you’re going through.
Cancer affects both the body and the mind.
Healing requires attention to both.
Building the Right Support System
Another powerful lesson from Erica’s experience was the importance of support.
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, friends and family often want to help. But the sheer volume of messages, calls, and offers of support can become overwhelming.
One of the most practical pieces of advice Erica shares is to designate a “lead communicator.”
This is a trusted person who becomes the central point of communication for updates and requests.
Instead of answering dozens of messages each day, the patient can focus on healing while the lead communicator keeps others informed.
This person can also coordinate practical support, such as organizing meal deliveries, running errands, or helping with transportation to medical appointments.
For Erica, having someone manage communication made an enormous difference.
It allowed her to focus her energy where it mattered most.
Her recovery.
The Power of Community During a Cancer Journey
One of the most surprising discoveries Erica made during her journey was the strength of community.
At first, a cancer diagnosis can feel isolating. Many patients believe they are facing the experience alone.
But once people begin sharing their story, they often discover a network of support they never expected.
Erica found that many women who had already gone through mastectomies were eager to share their experiences.
Some offered advice. Others offered reassurance.
One woman even pulled her aside after a meeting and asked if Erica wanted to see her reconstructed breasts.
It may sound like an unusual moment, but it turned out to be incredibly meaningful.
Seeing someone who had gone through the surgery and come out the other side with confidence and normalcy gave Erica hope.
It showed her that life after a mastectomy could still look and feel like life.
Moments like that reminded her that sharing personal experiences can be one of the most powerful forms of support.
Turning a Personal Journey Into a Resource for Others
As Erica moved through surgery and recovery, she realized that many women were searching for the same answers she had struggled to find.
Doctors could explain the medical aspects of the process, but they often couldn’t show patients what life would actually look like during recovery.
So Erica decided to document her journey.
She took photos throughout the process, from before surgery to reconstruction and healing. She recorded her thoughts and emotions in her journal.
Eventually, she realized these experiences could help other women who were facing the same decisions.
That realization led to the creation of her book, The Mastectomy I Always Wanted.
The book combines personal storytelling, practical advice, and visual documentation to help women better understand what to expect.
It offers the kind of perspective that only someone who has lived through the experience can provide.
A Message of Strength and Choice
One of the most important messages Erica shares is that every cancer journey is different.
There is no single “right” decision for every patient. Some women choose lumpectomies. Others choose mastectomies. Each path has its own challenges and considerations.
What matters most is that patients feel empowered to make the decision that is right for them.
For Erica, choosing the surgery gave her peace of mind.
But the deeper lesson was about reclaiming control during a moment when life felt uncertain.
By reframing her experience as a choice, she transformed her relationship with the diagnosis.
That shift didn’t eliminate fear entirely.
But it replaced helplessness with strength.
Why Sharing These Stories Matters
Breast cancer affects millions of women worldwide.
Despite advances in detection and treatment, the diagnosis still brings enormous emotional weight.
Stories like Erica’s help remind us that while the journey may be difficult, there is also resilience, strength, and hope along the way.
Sharing these experiences helps others feel less alone.
It provides guidance for people facing difficult decisions and offers encouragement during challenging moments.
Most importantly, it reminds us that even in life’s hardest chapters, we still have the power to choose how we respond.
For Erica, that choice changed everything.
Watch her full episode here:
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