I haven't posted in two months and I've debated posting this. However, I've had so many people say "what are expanders?" and I am here to educate.
What you will see herein may be graphic to some. This post will contain raw, unedited photos of my breasts... if that's what you call them.
My therapist wants me to work on the process of grieving all I have lost, particularly my body. So, here goes...
In January of this year, I was this vibrant girl... long, thick hair, no chemo damage.
What you will see herein may be graphic to some. This post will contain raw, unedited photos of my breasts... if that's what you call them.
My therapist wants me to work on the process of grieving all I have lost, particularly my body. So, here goes...
In January of this year, I was this vibrant girl... long, thick hair, no chemo damage.
February 22, 2017: The last day with my breasts.
**WARNING**
**BELOW, THE IMAGES ARE NSFW. Please refrain from scrolling down if you are not in private.
February 23, 2017
My breasts, gone. Breast tissue removed and small expanders placed for future expansion under the pectoral muscles. No, it's not pretty.
February 24, 2017: The day after mastectomy, day 2 in the hospital
In this photo, I was trying hard to smile after a lot of crying. I was in a world of pain AND grief.
February 26, 2017: This is how I had to shower.
Do you see the tubes coming from the sides of my body? Incredibly painful. 4 tubes, 2 on each side.
March 01, 2017
Down to 3 tubes. Still very painful but more manageable.
March 10, 2017
Ouch.
One tube remains.
March 26, 2017
Slowly healing.
June 12, 2017
In the Plastic Surgeon's office for an expansion
The bandaids are where the needle was inserted to push saline into the expander and continue to expand the size.
June 26, 2017
Expansion time again.
Before ^^
And After...
July 17, 2017
Another expansion
This is with the needle actually IN the expander! See the needle? The doctor is pushing saline into it.
After...
The NEXT STEP is surgery to replace the expanders with permanent implants. That surgery is scheduled for December 4, 2017.
No, I will never have nipples. I can have some tattooed on, if desired.
More than likely, I will have artwork tattooed on, like shown below:
I will be an artist's canvas.
The journey continues.