I am the bald, one-breasted woman in the locker room
There aren’t very many of us.
After my mastectomy in the Spring I became hesitant and secretive when disrobing in the locker room. The woman in the sauna, used to basking in her skin like a lizard, was now covered up and shy.
Missing a breast, physically and emotionally, afraid of the discomfort that hangs in the air when people can see the effects of cancer on you.
Nine months post-mastectomy, I’m living in my second experience of being bald due to cancer treatment, in a new city, in a new locker room. Self conscious and shy…
Until after a few visits to the locker room at the gym, in close quarters with other women, I finally let it go.
It happened in seconds flat one day, when a voice in my head said, “It’s obvious that you are a woman who has had some decisions to make.”
Since then, I’ve been ok with changing openly and padding around the place bald.
No secrets, this is what breast cancer looks like on a healthy young woman.
Today someone was moved to say something while I was changing—that she was six years out from treatment, and she saw me as strong and brave, that I will be in her prayers.
She was led to share her story and listen to mine.
I can see that by standing strong in my body, I offer other women encouragement to do the same.
All the women, who because of their scars or less than average this or more than average that, feel afraid of being seen—I am brave for them and for me.+
She was afraid to come out of the locker,
She was as nervous as she could be.
She was afraid to come out of the locker,
She was afraid that somebody would see!
(Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore!)
-Carri
She was as nervous as she could be.
She was afraid to come out of the locker,
She was afraid that somebody would see!
(Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore!)
-Carri
