Starting with breast cancer

December 17, 2008 at 9:12 pm · Filed under breast cancer awareness and tagged: breast cancer awareness, DIEP flap procedure, health, reconstructive surgery, support

Three Christmases ago I learned I had breast cancer for the second time, and for the second time my life was spared because of early detection.  Even though I lost both breasts and endured 18 months of hell, I emerged healthier in body and spirit, and now I gladly devote myself to supporting people whose lives have been touched my breast cancer.  I love to hear from women all over the country who are facing or recovering from some stage of treatment.  I am particularly interested in reconstructive surgery since I had the latest and best DIEP flap procedure and have a flat tummy to show for it.  I am a DIEP sister and will sign off with my motto

I am alive…and I have cleavage!

Pinkster

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cancer gifts

December 16, 2008 at 6:25 am · Filed under Jamie's breast cancer story, breast cancer awareness, humor and tagged: humor, tattoo

Did I tell you that I got a tattoo around my reconstructed navel? And a jeweled piercing? My son plugs his ears and yells, “LALALALA!” until I cover it up, and my husband just rolls his eyes (I am 61) but I have a flat tummy, thanks to breast cancer, so why not?

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Celebration of healing poem

December 15, 2008 at 9:19 pm · Filed under Jamie's breast cancer story and tagged: healing

A friend wrote this poem for me to commemorate the end
of my healing journey. She gave it to me on the anniversary
of my mastectomies with a scalpel, and told me that when the
time was right I could throw the scalpel away.  That day was
yesterday, and here is what she wrote.

Feathers

For ties that bind
and ties that cut
and ties that lay us down

For knives that cut
and knives that bend
and do not look around

The knives and ties
that cut your heart
while healing that above

They do not see
what’s clearly there
the feathers of The Dove

The Dove sees them
with their intent
to heal what is above

Not ever seeing
what’s beneath
those feathers of The Dove

Feathers soft
that stroke you now
you cannot feel above

Yet feel
those feathers underneath
 in your heart where lies The Dove

Goodbye to knives
goodbye to ties
The Dove can now fly on

For what is above
is finally healed
and now The Dove says, “DONE”

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