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The Breast Way To Celebrate A Clean Bill Of Health

A new body for a new lease on life.
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Reconstruction after mastectomy can be liberating.
Voyagerix via Getty Images
Reconstruction after mastectomy can be liberating.

As I dragged my heavy head off the pillow I was welcomed to recovery by a gigantic smile.

"Danielle, you're in recovery. The operation went fine; I just need to take a look at your wounds. Are you okay with this?"

"Yep."

My head crashed into the pillow and my eyes were dreary. This was the moment I had been waiting almost two years for; the moment of truth. I made myself stay awake even though it felt so good to shut my eyes and drift off.

The recovery nurse unbuttoned one of my hospital gown buttons and I was still chilling in a magical world of pixie dust and after effects of anaesthetic fun.

"Oh my gosh, he's done a beautiful job."

This operation meant more to me than aesthetics. It meant I would again have my second shot at this thing we call life.

Here it was: the moment I had been waiting ever so long for; *cue big, heavy, dramatic music*.

I saw symmetry and I saw two "humps" on my chest...

B - O - O - B - S ! Or they can be called: F - O - O - B - S.

Foobs is a term popularised by breast cancer patients to mean former, future, or fake boobs. Often used during the various stages of reconstruction after mastectomy.

It's hard to find the words to describe exactly how I felt seeing my brand new body for the first time. It was as if the world made sense again, and I was finally back on the path to live my life. Boobs don't just mean that I'll be a bigger booby gal rockin' bikinis down at the beach this summer. That's just the fun part.

The reality is that I was almost taken from this world a couple of times. My body turned against me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 26, and to follow; during chemotherapy I had perforated, gangrenous appendicitis. This operation meant more to me than aesthetics. It meant I would again have my second shot at this thing we call life. I took control of my future, my body and my mind.

If you would have asked me three years ago to remove both of my breasts I probably would've started hyperventilating, blubbering, and then I would've sunk into a stubborn state of ultimate refusal. After almost waiting two years following IVF, mastectomy, chemotherapy, life saving surgery, radiation therapy... it's FINALLY done.

I feel somewhat relived, like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. During my time in the ward I didn't hesitate to show all family members and friends my new chest. It was as if I was just given a shiny new toy and wanted everyone to see.

As pink warriors we all go through times where we ask the universe "why me?". Maybe because I am in my late 20s, my zest for life is incredible. I don't sit here daily and ask why? Don't get me wrong, I do sometimes have these thoughts but I cannot and will not let them consume me. I am determined I will:

Live a healthy life;

Love my fiancee with all of my heart;

Love and look after my family;

Love and share experiences with my friends;

Spoil myself with what makes me happy;

Chase the sun around the world; and

Stand up for what I believe in.

I believe that fighting doesn't mean giving up. Sure, I get incredibly frustrated when I can't get comfortable (these tissue expanders feel like bricks underneath my chest!). I swear, I curse and I scream, but that doesn't mean I will ever give up.

Don't get me wrong, enduring a seven-hour procedure, having your lat dorsi muscle transferred from your back to your chest, having two expanders sitting in your chest is plain hard. I can't go to the gym, I can hardly sit up for more than half an hour and I experience waves of horrendous uncomfortable pain. But... I now have two foobs. Two reasons to love and never ever give up on life.

The fills begin next week... and I say pump 'em up!

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