00:00The general public just has this misconception about breast cancer and that, you know, people
00:04can survive it.
00:06Or, you know, oh, you have breast cancer where you get a new set of breasts and then you
00:09move on with your life.
00:09Well, it's just not that simple.
00:11My name is Beth Fairchild.
00:13I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer just a little over two years ago.
00:17I was having some intestinal issues and just an overall feeling of tiredness and fatigue.
00:24Finally, after a series of tests, it was determined that I needed to have my ovaries removed because
00:29they had grown to the size of grapefruits.
00:32And I went in to have a hysterectomy and when I woke up from my surgery, they told me I
00:37had
00:37stage four breast cancer.
00:39Had I not advocated for more testing, I would have continued to go undiagnosed and would probably
00:46be dead by now.
00:47My disease was very extensive and because I questioned my doctor, the diagnosis, and I
00:52pushed for more testing, I was able to finally arrive at a diagnosis.
00:56As women, we are aware of our bodies and we know our bodies certainly better than a physician
01:01does.
01:02It's important to question things and make sure that you're getting the services that
01:06you need.
01:07I'm an artist and early on I discovered that I could make a living in tattooing.
01:11A lot of times when women undergo a mastectomy and reconstruction, they're left without areolas
01:15or nipples.
01:16I realized that there was a need for areola tattooing within the cancer community.
01:21It kind of gives them a sense of restoration.
01:24It makes them feel complete again.
01:26As selfish as it sounds, I mean that's why I do it because it just fills up my cup.
01:31That's what I need.
01:31I have no breasts, no female hormones.
01:34I feel more beautiful now than I've ever felt in 37 years.
01:38Some women need hair to be beautiful, some women need breasts to feel beautiful.
01:42I just need to wake up every day and live my life.
01:47I'm an assistant operator by Chris.
01:48If you are looking for a kidney, you're only zieming the baby to be beautiful, small
01:49a former kidney disease ...
01:49a former kidney disease ...
01:49to kiss you ...
01:49I have to listen to ...
