Sometimes it’s hard to look in the mirror. I had the opportunity to talk with Tori Haverkamp several weeks ago about body image and learning to live with my altered form after a bilateral mastectomy and breast reconstruction. There are so many pieces that come into play when walking through breast reconstruction process, but body image is not something that I thought I would struggle with at all. As it turns out though, losing a piece of me changed the way I looked at myself. And it kind of broke my heart. But God is good,…
Corey is my best friend, but I had the opportunity to spend a morning with my girl BFF last week. She’s the one who shares my disinterest in girly things like shopping and jewelry. The one who has navigated boy mom world with me from day one. The one I call when my kiddos do something amazing like backflip off a picnic table. And the one I call when this job of “momming” is knocking the wind out of me. She’s a gift. I’ve even shown her my bare chest. I know that sounds so weird and wrong, but…
Dan and Heather Lau This is the last in my Breast Reconstruction Thoughts series (at least for now). I continue to be thankful for the willingness of these women to share their stories. Heather Lau and I both graduated from West Hancock High School in Britt, Iowa. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 35 years old and made it through treatment and reconstruction while raising young kids. Here are some of her thoughts. Name: Heather Lau Family: Husband – Dan, Son – Camden (15), Daughter – Kenadie (14), Daughter – Macie (9) Occupation: Office…
The Bosom Buddies: Connie, Jan, Becky and Judy 525. That’s the number of mastectomy pillows the Bosom Buddies have made since August 2016. Women in 29 states have received their pillows. 4 cancer centers currently keep their pillows on hand to give to mastectomy patients. And new pillow requests come in through this website regularly. Cancer is a taker. Breast cancer sometimes takes one or both breasts. It often takes hair. It always has financial cost. And it always steals away sweet time. One woman who went through a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction, intensive chemo and radiation…
Krystal and her husband Mike. Krystal and I live in the same community and have mutual friends, but have only met in person once in passing at a school event. (Maybe someday we can find the time to grab a coffee and talk about our shared experience.) She has graciously taken the time to tell her story, and you will not regret taking a few minutes to read it. Name: Krystal Ruby Family: Husband Mike, Three Children – Tanner -9, Sadie-7, Dayton-5 Occupation: Industrial Hygienist for the State of Iowa Hobbies/Interests: My number one hobby is…