
At 29 years old, Lesley Murphy was making a living traveling the world, writing about it on her blog The Road Les Traveled, and making her hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers jealous. But that was sidetracked when the Bachelor alum tested positive for a gene that links her to a high risk of cancer. Murphy decided to get a double mastectomy after learning she had the BRCA 2 gene mutation, and kept her readers updated through the entire process, even when it meant showing the graphic, not-so-pretty moments.
Murphy's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, and underwent treatment. (She's now cancer-free.) Murphy and her two sisters decided to get tested for the genetic variations that can reflect a higher risk of the disease. Her sisters got tested first — her older sister tested positive, her younger sister tested negative. Once Murphy took the test, it turned out she tested positive for the BRCA 2 gene. (Angelina Jolie revealed she tested positive for BRCA 1, and also underwent a preventive double mastectomy, in 2013.)
When she got her test results Murphy was actually on her way to her annual gynecologist appointment, so she had someone to talk to right away. "[My doctor said,] 'I would not want to sit on something that's potentially cancerous,'" Murphy tells Cosmopolitan.com. "Right then and there, I decided I would go through with [a double mastectomy.]" Her older sister will explore treatment options once she is done having children, Murphy says.
A post shared by Lesley • The Road Les Traveled (@lesleyannemurphy)
A photo posted by on
Murphy's surgery was on April 11. And the pain during her recovery was debilitating. "Every time I moved I felt like my chest was detaching from my body," she says. But throughout her rough recovery, she posted raw, intimate photos from her surgery and the aftermath, including up-close shots of her surgery and photos in which she posed topless, with her so-called "new" breasts.
A post shared by Lesley • The Road Les Traveled (@lesleyannemurphy)
A photo posted by on
A post shared by Lesley • The Road Les Traveled (@lesleyannemurphy)
A photo posted by on
After her double mastectomy, Murphy had expanders put into her body, and had saline pumped into them once a week to create space for the implants. "The best way I can describe them is like two big boulders on my chest," she wrote. "True story: I tell everyone to poke them just because I think it's hilarious to see their look of shock once they feel how hard they are."
A post shared by Lesley • The Road Les Traveled (@lesleyannemurphy)
A photo posted by on
A post shared by Lesley • The Road Les Traveled (@lesleyannemurphy)
A photo posted by on
Overall, Murphy now says she's feeling "really, really good," and the pain is far less intense than her double mastectomy was. She's even thinking about working out again. But the worst part to her is not getting to travel for two weeks, which is limiting her ability to work. Until she gets back on the road, though, she's being met with an outpouring of support from fans and from cancer survivors. "I never wanted any kind of sympathy by putting this out there. This is more of a story of empowerment," she says. "I want people to know they can absolutely go through with it [too]. It is scary, it is painful, and you will be surprised at how strong you are."
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
-
The 'Bling Empire' Season 2 Cast: Your Guide
Kevin, Kane, Anna, and the rest of the gang are back.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Meghan Markle Shared a Poignant Message About Working Moms as She Calls for More Childcare Support
Archewell is supporting the "National Business Coalition for Child Care."
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Kanye West Told Kim Kardashian She Was Dressed Like Marge Simpson and Her Career Was Over After the WSJ Innovator Awards
This is awful.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
By Bianca Rodriguez
-
Who Is Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles's Fiancé and NFL Player?
"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.
By The Editors
-
Surprise! Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas Are Parents
They welcomed a baby via surrogate.
By Neha Prakash
-
Meghan and Harry Share First Photo of Their Daughter Lilibet Diana
The Sussex's holiday card is here!
By Rachel Epstein
-
The 50 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes Ever
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton
-
Alicia Keys Gets What She Wants
With her jazzy new album, Keys, the singer stopped worrying about everything except what matters: Her own opinion.
By Jessica Herndon
-
Brooke Shields on Reinventing Yourself, Making Friends in Your 40s, and More
The actress and CEO shared inspiring advice during a panel at 'Marie Claire's' "Power Trip: Off the Grid" conference.
By Rachel Epstein
-
Alicia Keys on Her Upcoming Album 'Keys,' Life Lessons From Her Mom, and More
The singer opened up during a special panel at 'Marie Claire's' "Power Trip: Off the Grid" conference.
By Rachel Epstein