After I had my bilateral mastectomy in 2017, I decided on immediate DIEP flap reconstruction. During the process of explaining to me some intricacies of the surgery, my plastic surgeon mentioned that my nipples would always be at attention – um, excuse me?
Women of color are constantly being ignored and underrepresented in all industries and business is no different. This September, For The Breast of Us, focused on #BaddiesinBusiness.
Feelings are like footwear, you can decide on a daily basis which ones you choose to wear. You wouldn’t choose something wack to style yourself in so why would you choose negative self talk about your body? Choose to love your body, it loved you enough to keep you here.
Ever since the development of my breasts, my identity and self-worth have been attached to them.
My post-cancer body is a work in progress, both physically and mentally. I would even go so far as to say that the battle is more mentally.
I had become the patient; he became the caregiver. He saw me differently. Fragile. In pain. Suffering. All I wanted was to be loved in every way — to be a wife, a lover, a sexual being.
Doctors not LISTENING to what I want was genuinely frustrating — and being a doctor myself didn’t make me immune to the frustrations with our healthcare system.
What I put on my body is just as important as what I put inside my body.
A story of how health and fitness can still be healthful even after being diagnosed. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is even more important during and after a diagnosis.
Recognizing that I never used to set healthy boundaries – What does that look like to engage in that process in an act of self-preservation, self-care and compassion towards self? How do I unlearn this old programming where I thought to put me first was a sign of selfishness? Forreal, to put me first has been a struggle!
Your voice, your story, and your support can make a difference. Join For the Breast of Us in our mission to empower, support, and advocate for women of color across the globe. Together, we can create a future where every woman has the resources and support she needs to overcome breast cancer.
On the Web:
www.breastofus.com
www.breastofusfoundation.org
Email:
hello@breastofus.com
Welcome to our community—where hope thrives, strength is found, and sisters in the fight become family.
