Why I'm not having breast reconstruction

Thank you so much for your response, Louise. I want to state categorically that I have never regarded anyone having reconstruction, single mastectomy or bilateral mastectomy as being either a 'freak' or a 'frankenstein'. When Michelle C made those comments about her own perceptions of her own body I didn't take them to be intended as insults to anyone else. I responded that I could relate to feeling that way about my OWN body, and not in relation to anyone else's choices. I believe that this is also what Michelle was trying to say (with apologies to you, Michelle, if this is not the case.)

I think that most of us call ourselves things that we would never contemplate calling other people. In the past, I have berated myself for being stupid, fat, boring, opinionated and rude. The dialogue in my own head had been a nasty form of self bullying and I hope to write about it one day. What helped me improve this was a recognition that I would NEVER speak to anyone else this way. 

As I stated in the original blog, I have nothing but respect and admiration for everyone facing breast cancer and have always supported everyone's right to make personal choices about whether or not they have reconstruction. I think your argument for women being given more information is very well made. I was very fortunate to be able to access a cosmetic surgeon so quickly and to have the option of reconstruction should I choose it. I was very reluctant to write about my choices because I was so concerned that I might cause offence. It is a geat source of sadness to me that this is what has happened. Perhaps I should remove this blog.

In particular, I have enormous admiration for you and all of the work you do to share information about reconstruction. I am sure that you have made it much easier for many women to make a decision they are happy with, whether or not they ultimately choose reconstruction. I am deeply saddened to think that anything I have written has caused you distress.

Meg

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