Lets talk about BOOBS

April 19. 2008

TOUCH YOUR BOOBS, that is all I have heard since my Mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Funny thing though, although I am a hypochondriac about everything else related to cancer, I almost NEVER touch my boobs. I hate touching them. First of all, I have fibrocystic breast, which means that they are already lumpy... I can't tell one bump from the rest. I want to touch my breast, I want to want to touch my breast, but I don't. I don't feel like I could memorize the bumps, much less notice if one was abnormal or not.

I found this link on how to give oneself a breast exam, and it has great diagrams, which I am going to follow and record tonight.

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/self_exam/bse_steps.jsp

Attached are pictures that I was taking at Victoria’s Secret before I got kicked out. As I watch my Mom lose all attachment to her breasts, it is incredible to me how much emphasis society puts on women and the beauty of their breasts. My poor boyfriend told me that my breasts were perfect only to hear a twenty-minute rant on how I wish I could get them removed. The fact is I hate breast, and the risks and discomfort they impose. I am a AA cup size, and have worn training bras all my life; I didn't even fit into a single bra at Victoria’s Secret. My Mom has talked about her insecurities when dating, and how she is going to explain the scars that have replaced where her size D boobs once sat. Although she did buy some fake rubber boobs that go into a bra, my Mom has been one hundred percent happier with those things gone. She was so amazing through the entire process. I mean right before the mastectomy she threw a bye, bye boobies party. Incredible! The experience of my Mom's cancer and my Dad's were very different.... very, very different.