I like to think I’m a pretty go-with-the-flow kind of person. Sure I’m known for obsessive organization and being a planner and my type A personality for many things, but for big picture things? Totally different. I thrive on sarcasm, and most of the time I can take it just as much as I can dish it out (and oh… Can I). I’m open to different beliefs and ideas, socially liberal, and might jokingly act offended at times, but it really takes a lot for things to get to me. Like deep inside of me, “me.”
I’ve made this whole BRCA/mastectomy thing as lighthearted as possible, and that’s not a front. At all. It’s a serious crappy situation but being serious and dramatic won’t help anything, so I choose not to be that way. And let’s be honest, boob jokes are so much more fun! I’ve been blessed with supportive people surrounding me, and while I know not everyone agrees with my decision, have been lucky to not have those people throw their opinions in my face. Likely because they probably know it won’t change my decision, but regardless I’m grateful for the lack of negativity.
That said, there is one thing that offends me in all of this. Not in a “rock me to my core” kind of offense, but a “cringe and leave a bad taste in my mouth” kind of offense. And I only bring it up with the hope that anyone reading this will be cognizant in what they say to others in my situation. The few times this has been said to me it’s been by truly well-meaning people, and I hope if they’re reading this it doesn’t upset them, but it gets me. I wish it didn’t, but it does. And it happened again yesterday, reminding me of how much I hate it. Again, no harm was intentioned but when this person said “Angelina Jolie cut off her breasts and that’s what you’re doing too!” I couldn’t help but cringe.
“Cut off your breasts” provides such a barbaric image. It fuels the argument that ill-informed bystanders perpetuate about this surgery being self mutilation. And that legitimately makes me want to vomit.
It makes it sound like I’m doing this out of spite, that it’s a spur-of-the-moment overly radical choice. And as I made this decision to proceed in this direction last October, it’s certainly not spur of the moment. And 87% risk of getting breast cancer? Wanting to decrease that? Wanting to live a long and healthy life? Not too radical, if I say so myself.
It’s also a disservice to the surgeons that pour their heart and soul into these women. I consider them legitimate artists, and people who genuinely care for their patients. They are not butchers. And we are not animals being slaughtered.
And lastly, there’s really no “cutting off.” That’s the beauty of technology and skin-sparing, nipple-sparing techniques. Scooping out? Sure. “Angelina Jolie scooped out her breasts, and that’s what you’re doing too!” just sounds ridiculous I know, but that’s really what’s going on here.
Anyhow, not to be on a soapbox, but just wanted to get this one out there. I know no offense is ever meant, but sometimes just a sensitivity reminder can make all the difference. It’s a delicate topic as it is!
Not much news to report… 50 days tomorrow! Just enjoying some good quality time at home and celebrating Father’s Day with my wonderful Dad!
Have a great week!!