Living with the scars..

Today I saw the picture of a fellow breast cancer survivor who like me underwent a bilateral mastectomy the removal of both breast. I think no woman knows what it is to be strong until you've looked at yourself in the mirror after such a surgery. I remember waiting hours in the hospital and when I was finally taken into surgery I felt the tears running down my face and in my mind I said this is it Maria there's no going back.. Post surgery I was in so much pain and discomfort but so happy to see my family faces. One day later I was headed home to recover with two draining tubes on each side that help fluids exit the body. Once I hit my bed oh my God it felt like I had to bricks on my chest and in so much pain but I tried to focus on the positive side of having most of my favorite people around hanging out and spoiling me.  Now once I saw the snitches and staples on my chest it was a little hard to look at but after they were removed it was less painful to see what cancer had done to me. A young 25 year old woman who was so filled of life was so down and depressed asking why? but prayer help me gain a better understanding of what I was going through and instead of asking why? I asked what must I learned from all of this. And as soon as I know it that sad woman was gone and this new positive woman was born ready to face the world. I learned that life isn't perfect and everyone goes through difficult times but its times like these that you learn to be strong as well as you learn to appreciate the simple things of life. Like being around those who truly love and support you or even enjoying the sun shining through your window every day which lets you know you lived another day. "After the storm comes a rainbow.." In this case reconstruction which helped me through this whole transition and feel a bit more normal though I gotta say it isn't the prettiest view because your breast will never look the same again. Though I look at myself and see the scars and disfigurement left behind by breast cancer I'm thankful I could say that its made me feel stronger to know I've survived it all with the help of my family, friends and faith I have in God.