I laced the bodice of my Dirndl tightly, bringing my breasts to a state of perfection as they all but burst from my dress. I hadn’t worn my traditional Oktoberfest dress for months and I pondered how insane I was as I covered my delectable breasts with my coat and stepped out into the snow. … Continue reading Starkbierfest
Category: Unilateral mastectomy
Return to work
After closure comes the new start. For me this was going back to work. In Luxembourg, they have a progressive return to work program. It means that while you’re still on sick leave, you go back to work part time and build up at your own pace until you’re ready for full time work. I … Continue reading Return to work
12 months of cancer
It’s been a while since I’ve written because I knew what was coming and I’m not sure that I’ve got the courage for it. It’s time to talk about her but it’s difficult. I look at photos of her and it still makes me weep. It breaks my heart to see her, to remember her. … Continue reading 12 months of cancer
A weighty issue
A month in Turkey left me glowing. Revitalised. So much stronger, fitter, healthier and happier than I’ve been in months. My skin glowed, my cheekbones were visible, my eyes bright, my stomach flatter. I walked straighter, I smiled and radiated health. My cravings had disappeared, I wasn’t being ruled by food, happily making good food … Continue reading A weighty issue
It was fate
I swam around an island! I am amazing! If that weren’t incredible enough, it was called Shark Island! And for something spectacular, I did it from a boat! Knowing of my crippling shark phobia and my debilitating motion sickness may make this more impressive. I swam around an islandI'm on a boat When I decided … Continue reading It was fate
Pulse Check
It’s coming to three months since I finished active treatment and as I’m about to change things up radically, I thought I should do a check in of where I am right now. My personality is coming back and is both the blessing and the curse it has always been. Obsessive, diligent planning is assisting … Continue reading Pulse Check
Jessican
I am changing my name to Jessican. During treatment I enthusiastically signed up for a swim holiday in October. Reading the fine print after, I realised that I’ll be swimming 25km in that week and, as a minimum, I should be able to swim 2.2km in an hour before I go. Pre-surgery this would not … Continue reading Jessican
Obsession
Three tears slid down my right cheek to pool on my chin before continuing down my throat to where my breast used to be. I held one hand on my heart and the other on my stomach as my yoga instructor told us our stomach is our core and knows the truth. What is it … Continue reading Obsession
What does a uni look like? (clothed)
I am a unicorn I was devastated when I found out I needed a mastectomy, even more so when I was told it would be unilateral and reconstruction would be delayed at least six months. One of the first things I did was scour the internet for what I would look like with one breast. … Continue reading What does a uni look like? (clothed)
Buddha belly running
My love/hate relationship with running started ten years ago when, as a bit of a big talker, I told my manager that I could whip his ass in a half marathon and he called my bluff and got me to sign up for one. I may talk before I think, but I am also a … Continue reading Buddha belly running
