Now that I've had scar revision surgery meant to smooth out what was left over from my double mastectomy, I have been wondering if I should still do something artistic. I know that some women choose to have elaborate designs tattooed on their chest. I have seen one, and it was quite stunning. I've been told that some women simply have nipples tattooed on their chest. That strikes me as a trifle odd. Occasionally I feel inclined to give into my dark sense of humor and have "Insert Breasts Here," written across my chest.
Unlike most other cancers where the results are internal, there is no denying that I have had something removed. One does not go from carrying around 44I breasts to entirely flat and not have it be traumatic. Although the proper medical term is double mastectomy, it ought to be considered a double amputation. The more sterile medical term denies the emotional impact in a way that the phrase "double amputation" does not. While I certainly would not compare losing a breast to losing a limb, the removal is just as upsetting from a physical and psychological standpoint. As I have written previously, I had hoped some day for breast reduction. Not breast redaction.
Granted, I could have kept my right breast as the cancer had not spread to it. But that would have meant months walking around with a prosthetic breast on my left side while I finished up my herceptin treatments. When the plastic surgeon told me that breast reconstruction would require eight hours of surgery, that sealed it for me. There was no way I was going through that.
More importantly, I had spent time in the chemo chair sitting next to women who had a recurrence of breast cancer because they only had one breast or part of one breast removed. I decided right then I was going to do whatever it takes to keep that from happening.
When I consulted with the surgeon about scar revision surgery, I finally asked him why I had these skin flaps under my arms. He told me that they had the highly technical term of "dog ears," and that it was actually skin from my back. I suppose that when you are flabby that is something you end up with. Even after scar revision surgery, I still have some of that skin under my arms. I suspect that insurance would not pay for yet another surgery, and, even if it did, I would likely decide to just live with this oddness, because, say it with me, it still beats the alternative.
Evidently my back hasn't received the memo that I no longer have breasts. My ribs still rotate in towards my spine. Apparently my breasts on such a short frame needed extra accommodation. Sometimes it feels as if someone is jabbing me with a thumb. Or hammering a peg. I go in for adjustments, but that only provides temporary relief. At least I know what it is. Does hinder one of my most favorite activities, which is taking long walks.
Sometimes my skin feels so tight that I have to remind myself to buckle up when I get in the car because it already feels as if I am wearing a shoulder strap. I have to remind myself that chest pain I feel is entirely superficial. Literally only skin deep.
Occasionally people hug me too enthusiastically. Since I no longer have padding, my breastbone and cartilage feel all the impact. Perhaps someone ought to write a pamphlet about how to hug a woman who has undergone a double mastectomy. I often find myself having to remind people that they can't squeeze me as tight as they once did, although I am grateful that they are truly happy to see me.
It is a strange feeling to be thinking please don't hurt me when someone reaches out to hug me. I still enjoy receiving hugs, especially what I call big ol' bear hugs. I enjoy the closeness. I just wish folks, including my husband, would be gentler. Kind of ruins the moment when I have to say, "Not so hard."
Keep those hugs coming. Just remember that the woman you are embracing is one of the old and the breastless.
Unlike most other cancers where the results are internal, there is no denying that I have had something removed. One does not go from carrying around 44I breasts to entirely flat and not have it be traumatic. Although the proper medical term is double mastectomy, it ought to be considered a double amputation. The more sterile medical term denies the emotional impact in a way that the phrase "double amputation" does not. While I certainly would not compare losing a breast to losing a limb, the removal is just as upsetting from a physical and psychological standpoint. As I have written previously, I had hoped some day for breast reduction. Not breast redaction.
Granted, I could have kept my right breast as the cancer had not spread to it. But that would have meant months walking around with a prosthetic breast on my left side while I finished up my herceptin treatments. When the plastic surgeon told me that breast reconstruction would require eight hours of surgery, that sealed it for me. There was no way I was going through that.
More importantly, I had spent time in the chemo chair sitting next to women who had a recurrence of breast cancer because they only had one breast or part of one breast removed. I decided right then I was going to do whatever it takes to keep that from happening.
When I consulted with the surgeon about scar revision surgery, I finally asked him why I had these skin flaps under my arms. He told me that they had the highly technical term of "dog ears," and that it was actually skin from my back. I suppose that when you are flabby that is something you end up with. Even after scar revision surgery, I still have some of that skin under my arms. I suspect that insurance would not pay for yet another surgery, and, even if it did, I would likely decide to just live with this oddness, because, say it with me, it still beats the alternative.
Evidently my back hasn't received the memo that I no longer have breasts. My ribs still rotate in towards my spine. Apparently my breasts on such a short frame needed extra accommodation. Sometimes it feels as if someone is jabbing me with a thumb. Or hammering a peg. I go in for adjustments, but that only provides temporary relief. At least I know what it is. Does hinder one of my most favorite activities, which is taking long walks.
Sometimes my skin feels so tight that I have to remind myself to buckle up when I get in the car because it already feels as if I am wearing a shoulder strap. I have to remind myself that chest pain I feel is entirely superficial. Literally only skin deep.
Occasionally people hug me too enthusiastically. Since I no longer have padding, my breastbone and cartilage feel all the impact. Perhaps someone ought to write a pamphlet about how to hug a woman who has undergone a double mastectomy. I often find myself having to remind people that they can't squeeze me as tight as they once did, although I am grateful that they are truly happy to see me.
It is a strange feeling to be thinking please don't hurt me when someone reaches out to hug me. I still enjoy receiving hugs, especially what I call big ol' bear hugs. I enjoy the closeness. I just wish folks, including my husband, would be gentler. Kind of ruins the moment when I have to say, "Not so hard."
Keep those hugs coming. Just remember that the woman you are embracing is one of the old and the breastless.
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