Breast Cancer

Lesson 4: Breast Reconstruction & Prosthesis

Wild By Nature

Some women begin their life as breast cancer survivors and immediately want to make a statement. Others who opt not to have reconstruction choose a prosthesis. I admire the women who have the courage to bare their breasts in national magazines, on web pages and I secretly long for the courage to be one of those who get a tattoo!

A wonderful artist, Matuschka, was photographed for the cover of a national magazine with one breast. The photo was tasteful, elegant and sexy too. She really was ahead of her times. This was back in the '70s when women still were not even discussing breast cancer in public. Now, many women use a tattoo as their personal statement.

I have always wanted a tattoo, but never had the nerve to get one. My daughter, an artist herself, has 4 tattoos. She had wanted one since she was about 10 years old. I told her she had to wait until she was 18. Well, when she was 18, she was away at college. The day after her 18th birthday she called to tell me that she had gotten her first tattoo. It was the beginning of her love affair with tattoos. They all were drawn by her and all mean something special to her. I wish I had the courage. I never wanted something grandiose - just a small butterfly or something on my shoulder or ankle. I was always afraid of the pain and concerned about the scabbing and ugly recovery time.

Actually, that's pretty funny - coming now, from me, who thinks my mastectomy scar looks just fine. I guess if I could deal with surgery and chemo, I should be able to handle a tattoo. I'm still thinking about it. If you have a tattoo, be it breast-cancer related or not, I want to hear from you! Many of us want to hear the "insider's version" of getting a tattoo.

If you decide to get a tattoo, make sure the tattoo artist is someone who deals with mastectomy patients and uses all proper hygienic precautions. Even if you are not considering a tattoo, whether you have chosen reconstruction or a prosthesis, you can still make a statement for yourself any way you want.

I go braless around the house and sometimes to the stores. I wouldn't hesitate to show new women in our support group, or newly diagnosed patients, my scar if they ask to see it. I'm willing to do practically anything to help the newly diagnosed patient. What I am still too chicken to do, is pose for some of the webshots of "before" and "after" or the magazine spreads.

The bottom line in EVERY decision about your breast cancer treatment, reconstruction, tattoo, etc is UP TO YOU. Don't do anything because it will make your spouse happy, or your children more comfortable or be easier for those at work - this is your body, your life, your time - you are the one who ultimately has to live with all the decisions and the ramifications - DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

Sorry! :) I get carried away sometimes. There are many options available to you and I have tried to show some photos, give some links and will include lots of information that you can browse through at your leisure, in the Resources section.

http://www.songster.net/projects/matusch...

http://www.triangletattoo.com/women.htm

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