Suzan, thank you for sharing a comment--I thought it was powerful too.
I haven't had reconstruction either--probably won't ever but have thought about it and keeping it as an available option I can change my mind about in the future if I want.
There were close to 100 clicks before you commented. Nary a peep before you. Honestly, I wondered what that meant--I asked myself why nobody here had anything to say after viewing all those women in the same boat as us, sharing their very personal scars. Of course people are free to speak up or not without pressure but I think this could be a very interesting conversation amongst us if people want to talk about this topic. Those ladies obviously bared their souls along with their chests--incredible transparency and vulnerability I'd say.
I am a modest person, hate everything there is to hate about pornography and the damage it does in both men and women, the terrible road porn can lead people down,(which I would normally associate with women having photos taken topless) but I did not consider this link pornography at all. It certainly was the first time in my life I've posted a link to nudity anywhere and I was wondering if perhaps I offended anyone here or if the link was inappropriate for me to post here or what, hoping not, sorry if I crossed an unacceptable line in the forum. I wondered why nobody before Suzan said anything after looking at them--if it was too private to talk about or if people just didn't feel like sharing how the photos made them feel. If anyone else possibly feels like sharing now we're talking about it---what emotions did you experience as you looked at those photos? Some of them brought tears to my eyes. Hope and joy stirred in me as I saw the pregnant woman -- a celebration of the life of two people.
Anybody want to talk about how they feel about their scars from a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or reconstructive surgery? Would any of you have been comfortable to pose for the Scar Project? Not me but I commend their bravery to tell their story to the world watching.
I like that quote I shared (unknown author):
"My scars are but brushstrokes in the Masterpiece which is my life" but honestly wish mine was a more attractive brushstroke. My prosthesis is comfortable and looks and feels real with clothes on. My chest isn't pretty without clothes though...lopsided with a huge scar and no breast on one side. I am thankful for my husband's loving acceptance of me, just as I am: through the baldness, blowing up like a balloon with my weight through treatment, one breast completely gone, fighting crankiness and oversensitivity emotionally on Tamoxifen if I can honestly blame it on that, etc. There certainly are a lot of changes in body image that go along with breast cancer.
Actually this is reminding me of a very happy memory of #607 on my 1000 Gift Gratefulness list in my blog
http://jpoliver.com/wordpress/archives/676
When I was grieving the loss of my left breast at the time I was also remembering the blessing of having the joy of nursing two precious babies years before. I'm so thankful I got to do that!
I'd love to hear what you guys are thinking and feeling about this topic if you are comfortable sharing your thoughts.
Paula