Getting your tits cut off sucks but so does getting Breast Cancer. Having lost my mother to cancer and being BRCA 1 positive, I decided to preventatively remove my breasts, then three days before my appointment I got the call...I had breast cancer. The little scoundrels got me before I could get them. I was angry, petrified, shocked, and completely numb. Instead of punishing my boobs, I decided to savored our last few weeks together, got them photographed, dressed them up, took them on a topless field trip to the beach.
I can forever mourn what I "LOST", be miserable, feel scared, feel less than a woman or I can move on by embracing the NEW me. I had a skin sparing double mastectomy. My nipples are gone and in their place are four inch horizontal scars that run across each breast. Under the pects are two implants that are held up by cadaver muscle. But to my surprise, the new boobs have some amazing bonuses. Here are my TOP 5:
5. Facebook and Instagram can’t hold me back.
For Halloween, a week after my double mastectomy, I posted a topless photo of me dressed as the Bride of Frankenstein. No Nipples meant that Facebook and Instagram couldn’t censor the photo. #FreeTheNipples had a whole new meaning for me.
4. I can go topless without being arrested.
I haven't taken full advantage of this one yet, but I have gone to the beach topless. It is a strange power knowing that you can walk down any street without a shirt. In South Florida you see a lot of women in string bikinis that barely cover their nipples. I don't have nipples. By deductive reasoning that means I don't have anything to cover up. FREEDOM!
3. Googly Eye Boob Puppets.
Googly eyes makes everything better and when added to my boobs, instant puppets. The four inch scars are turned into sassy little smirks. I call them the Twins. (Watch them talk in the Video)
2. Expanders are magnetic.
Yes, Magnetic!!! This is a special one just for the ladies with expanders in. The port in the expander is magnetic so the doctor can fill them while they are under the skin but it also means I can attach fridge magnets to them. Great party trick.
1. Light up Titties.
This has become my all time favorite. I show everyone, strangers, my husband's new co-workers, the entire audience at my one woman show. Take a flashlight and place it up against the skin of the boobs and BAM!!! Remember the 1980’s toy, Glow Worm? Those are now my titties. Watch the whole thing in my YouTube Video.
Oh, and the extra bonus…I lowered the risk of a reoccurrence of Breast Cancer. What do you love about your mastectomy? Write it in the comments below!
Do you like my boobs? I have to give credit to my doctors. Dr. Eli Avisar at UM did the skin sparing mastectomy and Dr. Christopher low at vapsfl.com, was my outstanding reconstructive surgeon.