Three days prior to my double mastectomy, the protocol was to do a standard "redo" of my mammogram, MRI, and ultrasound. Nothing different was seemingly detected, and the surgery was mapped out, and off I went to have both of my Breasts removed, having just turned 35. During the surgery, something very different WAS detected!! Hidden and completely undetected by all forms of medical technology available, my surgeon found a small tumor that was waiting like a thief in the night to take all that made me who I am..a mother of a special needs child, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and the list goes on. The tumor was encapsulated, but very impatient in its desire to unyield its destruction upon my young body! My lymph nodes had already detected the tumor and were trying to fight...yet they were no match for what this tumor had in mind! They say that in life, timing is everything, and I know now what that means!

I decided to have my double mastectomy for many reasons, having no idea how extraordinarily life saving this procedure would be! After a longer than expected surgery, I awoke to the sight of drains coming out of both side of my body, The drains lead to the sight where my Breasts used to be hours before. Underneath my flesh, there were drains sewn in and a feeling of pain, tightness, numbness, relief, and hope! My surgeon's first words to me after the procedure were, "You made a good decision little lady, you made a very, very good decision!"

Sometimes you just don't know what life has in store, but my experience changed my life positively in every direction! I never, nor will I ever reconstruct my Breasts...it was just never even a thought to me. Life was my goal..and living!! I live my life now in a way that is very different than before! I am a better human being as a result, a better women! I am a better mother in so many ways! I love harder. I laugh longer. I hug more and I am never, ever the one to let go of a hug first! I hold on to who I am loving on at the moment until they let go..something I never did before! When I see my scars, I see strength that I never thought I had! They are my battle scars and I wear them proudly! I love my scars because they are a symbol and a reminder of how and why I am still here..living life!! I do not, nor will I ever wear a prosthetic bra! My "Chest With No Breasts" is a reminder of who I am now..I am different, but I am better than I ever was before! I am happier. I am healthier. I am grateful. I am free!!