Mastectomy: From Devastation to Resilience: The Stories of Seven Young Mothers in their Own Words

MASTECTOMY was written to husbands, family members, friends, associates, and medical professionals who care deeply about women living through and after the devastation of mastectomy. Seven young mothers openly disclose personal information about their bodies, their sexual behaviors, and their innermost hopes and fears. You will be amazed at how these women struggled to regain a sense of autonomy after realizing that they were no longer in control of their own bodies. A common thread weaves through all of the stories - these courageous women willed to live a full life despite their ordeals. By reading their stories about how they took charge of their lives and journeyed from devastation to resilience, I know you will be better prepared for the mastectomy experience as a patient, a doctor, a caregiver, a friend, or a family member. As you read about life after breast cancer, you will realize the need to listen to their fears, concerns, and discussions of their options. Above all, they need to know that you are there with them. A line from an old movie goes something like this: "Do you know what was worse than going to the dark side of the moon? It was going there alone." When confronted with the devastating discovery of breast cancer, every woman needs information about her options. But even more, she needs to hear: "You are no less a woman. You are not in this alone - I am here with you." The book illuminates the world of mastectomy patients through their innermost thoughts, allowing the reader to feel their devastation and marvel at the ways they created resilience.