My name is Adilah (aka Cancer Chick).  I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in October 2011.  I under went a double mastectomy in December.  My left breast is the one with cancer and I also had cancer of the lymph nodes on that side. This caused me to have a left radical mastectomy.  I opted for a prophylactic mastectomy on the right side because of a strong family history.  My mother and my younger sister both died at 40.  Both had opted to have only the cancerous breast removed.  Several months later, cancer returned in their other breast and after radiation and chemotherapy they both died.  I didn't want to take that chance. Even though my cancer was diagnosed at a much later age (56), I still feel that I have a lot of life to live and I wanted the best quality of life so that I can give the best to my family.  I am currently in my last sessions of chemotherapy.  The doctors believe that I don't need radiation.  I have decided not to have reconstruction and to live my life Boobless.  This is the documentation of my journey.