As a woman, it was a lot to process when I found out I was losing my breasts to cancer. Besides the shock of having to undergo major surgery, I was overwhelmed by the amount of decision-making ahead.
Looking “Normal”
The first thing I had to decide was whether I wanted to reconstruct the shape of the breasts after they removed the cancer. It was a decision I did not take lightly, because I knew it would impact how I felt as a woman, but at the same time, I hated the idea of multiple surgeries, complications, and risks involved just so that I could look more “normal” again.
While trying to figure out what I wanted to do, I came across a picture of a beautiful survivor who had decided to go “flat,” and there was something about her photo that emanated resilience, power, and bravery.
Accept Yourself
I also discovered online groups of women who boldly shared their stories of going flat after mastectomy, and I was amazed at their fearlessness in the face of this life-altering change. Seeing them proudly accept their new bodies gave me so much hope—I wanted to own my scars with as much confidence as them.
I decided then and there that if I went flat, the only choice left was to fully accept myself, exactly as I am, without wanting to change a single thing. I would go forward with my decision boldly, without shame, rocking that fearless confidence I saw in those women who had inspired me to go flat.
Be Who You Are
Now, as a woman living outside the “normal” standards of beauty, I want to empower people to be who you are. To take your biggest insecurity and fully embrace it as a beautiful part of you that makes you unique.
I openly share my scars and my story, to help others feel that they can go through life-changing difficulties and come out the other side more confident and resilient than ever.
I hope to inspire others to own their journey and find their inner resilience and power.
