Thursday, January 16, 2014

RESPECT a lesson in it

This post has been long in the making. Many of you know that Facebook has decided that mastectomy pics are too offensive and sexual to post. I had a rant with someone as to why we put these images out there. So I am feeling the need to really explain it which is bullshit because I have explain to the fools a million times. For the record I do not seek fame or glory for posting these images. I personally find it therapeutic to post about what I have gone through. It does empower me to see that others are gaining strength from me. For some stupid dumb reason people and I do include FACEBOOK here just does not see that.  In case you missed it lets start at the beginning.....

When you are DX you get scared, really scared. Not the omg there's a monster in the closet but the holy shit balls what the hell is going to happen to my body, health and LIFE!! Your doc gives you the info sometimes in a neat little pamphlet with a smiling woman on the front. BULL SHIT!!! So what you do is Google, yup good ole doctor Google. You want to see what you will look like after a lumpectomy, see I started with that. My nipple was scabbed and destroyed, no one told me that. Nor did I know what the hell it was going to really feel like, you maybe sore is an understatement and hearing it from a triage nurse that never experienced it is not comforting. COMFORT is why images like this which leads us to those who went through it.

after the lumpectomy



You look to see what your chest will look like after the doctors remove the cancer that is trying to eliminate you. You want to really see what the hell is going to happen not a drawn picture of drains. What will you look like after they cut your breasts off and replace them with tissues expanders?? What the hell is a tissue expander going to do? Finding those images takes away some just some of the scary crap that is entering that head. So images like this not only take that out but give you HOPE that you will be OK, maybe not right away.





the first time I saw what was under the wrapping, drains and all





 You want to know how is THAT going to ever heal?? How will I be me? Will I ever be a woman again? So you search for images to bring you PEACE of mind. You try to find something to show you that you will regain your body in some sort of new way. You need to see that there will be healing. That through the pain and the change you will at some point heal.

healing from expanders

healing from impants








healing after the painful DIEP






You get scared that you can not do this. This is not what you have the strength for. But looking at these makes you see that if someone just like you can do this then maybe are STRONG enough. Maybe just maybe you will be able to face cancer because you can see the pain, the healing and the strength in these images. You see it so it is believable. And your friends can help you see that through a picture.




my girlfriends reminding me I am STRONG


You then search for support, cause you are going to need to hear from people that actually get it. You find blogs, Instragms, FACEBOOOK and twitter to be a great outlets. You find others that are going through what you are. You find others that need to see the whole process see through someone else's body. Connecting and reaching out to those in their cancer journey and seeing that you are NOT ALONE is the main reason I do this. Because the friends, no the family we have made is what gets us through. We have an immediate connection because of what we have been faced with.

some of my "cancer family" that I have hugged
And guess what fools its because we searched CANCER not porn. Its all about the sex to the masses that do not get it. Their narrow minds can not take the sex out because there are breasts involved which tells me that we are no farther than we were 50 years ago. Not one of us feels sexual about any of this (TMI but more like lack of). We chose to promote twerking, Save the tatas (instead of save the WOMAN), go braless for breast cancer (what the actual fuck) and breast popping out of shirts. Go ahead click it. YUP that is ok on FACEBOOK but these has been removed, reported and flagged about 20 times. Go frigging figure. I would love some help telling FB where it can shove that video and the disgusting comments that followed. Thanks to a breastie for sending me that.


tough times yes, but tough people stronger
my husband showing me love, kindness and support


I ask you PLEASE, if you do not approve then leave, you know no one is making you read this. I really do not care if you do not want to.  Is it at all possible to have the common curiosity to respect what we are trying to do. R E S P E C T, just like the queen sang it. We all deserve respect which we 
have earned to go about this how we see fit.  There is no wrong or right way to deal with your DX some choose to quietly deal with their BFFs. Some choose to tweet to get comfort, peace, support, and strength from those following them. Lisa Adams was told she was wrong for doing this
by two journalist. Who are they to comment, critique her in any way. They should not even comment on the shoes she wears (I have never seen her shoes but they are her shoes ya know). I ask you for the 100 time do not judge anyone's cancer story you are not the cancer judge there is no friggin such thing.

 Cancer of any beast can not just be wrapped up in a smiling, ribbon. Trust me I do my best to smile, laugh and rock a pink boa but unless you understand all the above the ribbon means NOTHING. Look I do not ask anyone to wear a pink boa, stilettos and a shiny tiara because that is me. Plus they may hate pink and I RESPECT that, are you seeing a pattern here.

And trust when I say if you try to be me you never fill my stilettos, ever. That tiara fits one head and that is mine!





23 comments:

  1. Sister, I laughed, I cried a little, and then I laughed some more. AND on top of THAT, my heart is filled to bursting with such love, admiration and RESPECT for you, you Tiara wearing Queen of Awesome!

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  2. R E S P E C T - S U P P O R T - U N I T E Thanks to you, Annmarie... Thanks to Lisa Adams... Thanks to all who share their lives lived with cancer. When I was DX I was alone and fearful of what will become of my body, my life. Today the internet is an infinite source of information and support to help the new cancer victims and unite us with respect.

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  3. Thank you for sharing your story and your photographs. Thanks to Chris for posting so we can read it! You are an amazing inspiration to a lot of woman to be sure! God bless you and your courage and strength for getting through the hardest fight of your life with grace and integrity! More power to you! I applaud you 100%.

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  4. You are AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing your story and photos.

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  5. You ROCK! Love it - I agree entirely. It's such a tough and emotional sojourn. I am amazed that there are people with absolutely NO compassion or empathy for others - especially those that are fighting for their very lives. Keep telling the story AM... Love you!! <3

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    1. We have been through our journey together that means a lot xo

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  6. I was diagnosed with "just DCIS" December 20. I will require mastectomy. I am choosing double. Your blog is exactly what I need to read. The doctors make it sound like a breeze. I have read and reread your journey so I can see the true picture of what will happen. Thank you for being REAL! I read your thoughts and feel like I could have wriiten them. You are an inspiration.

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    1. Thank you I just what ppl to see they are not alone xo

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  7. AM~ your blog fills a void .... You keep right on writing !
    Annie

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  8. Annemarie, you are absolutely fabulous, thank you so much for sharing your story. I love that you are open, honest and tell it like it is. Like others said, I have noting but respect and admiration for you...xo

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  9. I have followed you on fb. And on your blog. I find dynamic and inspiring and raw which is what it needs to be. I am 39. Double mastectomy 27 lymph nodes positive. I have been through such a roller coaster of emotions. Thank you for you posts.

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    1. Thanks for reading and I'm sending you love xo

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  10. Please visit Jason Vale's website: www.apricotsfromgod.com

    Jason has helped over 40,000 people with all types of cancer.

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  11. If I could give you a standing ovation, I would! I follow your blog religiously and your topics always make me laugh and cry. But this one means so much more because I am a fighter as well and this topic touches me to my core. I created a blog myself as to not offend those on Facebook with my rantings, yet I still can't help but censor myself. Or maybe it's that I can't get my feelings into the exact words that I want. I don't know. But I love your no-holds-barred approach to cancer and treatment. Keep it up woman!

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    1. It's comments like this that mean so much to me xoxoxo sending a hug to you

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