For Fayette County resident Julia Yager, a routine mammogram in March 2022 led to a diagnosis that changed her life and reinforced the importance of being proactive about breast health. Julia works for Bank of Fayette County and is passionate about giving back to her community. She is married to her high school sweetheart and enjoys spending time with her two daughters and grandchildren. Having always considered herself blessed with good health, her diagnosis came as a surprise.
When her first mammogram revealed a tiny spot, Julia knew she needed to take the next steps. “Since it was my first mammogram, there was no baseline to compare it to,” she says. The team at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville’s Women’s Health Center arranged additional imaging, including an ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram, followed by an MRI. Julia says having the next appointments scheduled and a clear plan helped give her peace of mind during an uncertain time.
Her mammogram was in March, followed by a biopsy in April. After considering her options, Julia decided a double mastectomy was the best path forward for her. Because her mother had also had breast cancer, genetic testing was an important part of her decision-making process. Although the results were negative, Julia wanted to better understand her risk and take a proactive approach to her health.
While she was given the option of a lumpectomy, Julia ultimately chose a double mastectomy with reconstruction performed during the same surgery. The procedure lasted approximately six hours. “I don’t regret that decision at all,” she says. “They gave me the options and listened to my wishes. That was what I wanted.”
For Julia, reconstruction was about more than the physical aspects of recovery — it was also about feeling like herself again. “Something else I thought of was how important it was to feel like a whole woman again after mastectomy,” she says. “Our priority was getting rid of the cancer, but Dr. Kath and August with The Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis did everything possible to make me feel like myself again, both inside and out.”
She says the team supported her throughout the process, from her first visit through follow-up appointments. “They were absolutely amazing, returning calls and answering any question I could think of,” she says. “They listened to my goals and helped me make them happen.”
Recovery took time, but after having her drains removed, Julia began feeling significantly better within a few weeks. Staying active and keeping herself occupied became important parts of her recovery. Her younger daughter, who is passionate about fitness, encouraged her to exercise, and Julia found that gradually returning to movement and a sense of normalcy was greatly beneficial.
Today, Julia says she feels just as much a woman as she did before her diagnosis. Most of all, she is grateful for her doctors and the care she received. She encourages other women to prioritize their mammograms, no matter how healthy they may feel. “Make a plan and get your mammograms, maybe even schedule with a friend, and make a fun day of it,” she says. “A major takeaway from my experience is the importance of early detection.”
And if something doesn’t feel right, Julia encourages women to advocate for themselves, seek a second opinion when needed, and find doctors who listen to their concerns and work with them to make a plan.
By Zoe Harrison
Photo by Tindall Stephens
