Forum Discussion
A struggle with the new me
I look at the mirror
and do not like what i see
the body that once was normal
now seems so far away from me
it is hard to come to terms
with the battle scar
that now replaces what...
I lost my left breast in 2010 so I understand how you feel.This was my second bout of breast cancer in the same breast.I first had a lumpectomy in 2003 and then 7 years later it came back,so no choice.A mastectomy is much more confronting and takes awhile to get used to.I'll be honest -I still don't like my naked reflection and I DON'T do naked in bed.But you know what -I don't HAVE to like my gnarled chest.There are other bits of my body that I don't like either- just as there are bits that I DO like.But I like myself and I like my life and I'm alive.I feel better when I'm wearing my prosthesis and I've had to "doctor"alot of my clothes/swimsuit -clothes shopping can be a pain sometimes.It's normal to grieve for a part of your body that you've lost- it's a big adjustment but over time you do.I am here anytime if you want to chat about these issues.Your poem reflects how alot of us feel after a mastectomy - sad but truthful.
Here is a verse I like :"My body may be lopsided but my life is balanced."
Tonya xx