The naked truth

Naked chest and compression sleeve

Today I feel bold. For some reason, I just feel like baring it all. Maybe that's a good thing and maybe that's a bad thing but in any event, this is my blog and I can do whatever I choose here...it's my space! So, if you're offended by my photo, I'm sorry you feel that way. I'm not sorry you looked because the reason behind my posting it is to let you see what breast cancer really looks like...and this is the mild version! If you'd seen my chest last year, you would have probably been devastated by the ugliness of it. But after 23 months, my scars have almost completely healed. One area is still pretty reddish looking because of a second surgery to remove some necrotic tissue but the original incision has all but faded away. My incisions travel horizontally across my chest and just above them is my Phoenix tattoo. Yes! I have a tattoo. It is symbolic to me and symbolizes rising above the pain and trauma of breast cancer to be a victor. I'm still alive and doing fairly well. I do have daily challenges but I am fighting through them.

The beautiful sleeves I'm wearing are not only decorative, they're medical grade compression sleeves that help combat Lymphedema. I wear them to keep swelling down and alleviate some of the pain. If you look closely, you can see the swelling in my upper arms. I'm really embarrassed by it but am sharing it so you can get a clear visual of what I really look like without a top on. I've tried to be open and honest about everything on my journey in hopes of helping others.

Although my body has been mutilated and scarred, I am so thankful to be living and that's why I have a smile on my face. I pray you NEVER, EVER suffer from breast cancer. It's been the hardest thing I've dealt with in my life to date but God is good and He is faithful. And that's the naked truth!

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