PINK ELEPHANT MOMENTS

Cancer is nothing to laugh about, but I find that having a great sense of humor in spite of the disease helps tremendously during the recovery process. What's so funny about losing boobs or the thinning hair? I am sharing with you two of my countless real life experiences where I chose to laugh rather than feel embarrassed and cry.

After having a mastectomy on my left boob, I had difficulty wearing some of my clothes. Most tops seemed lop-sided. I decided to stuff my bra with toilet paper, a trick I learned in junior high. 

One beautiful day I wanted to take my chihuahua for a walk along the wharf area. It was a bright, crisp morning with a slight breeze. I was feeling the best I had in weeks.

While minding my own business, a handsome gentleman who was also walking his dog, approached me. "Yeah, I still have it!" I thought to myself. We were ready to exchange numbers when my chihuahua decided to crap. I didn't have any plastic bags, but then I remembered my toilet paper in my bra.  I pulled it out, picked up the poop, and said to the guy, "Oh, this is my emergency stash!"  The guy looked a bit embarrassed.  I looked down at my t-shirt and gasped!  My incision was showing. It was obvious I was missing one boob. I decided after that day to throw away my tighter-fitting blouses and t-shirts, and relace them with more comfortable, flattering tops.

So, now when I hear "Please don't squeeze the Charmin' it has a totally new meaning for me.

I was excited to be attending a local Mardi Gras celebration. I had put together an amazing costume, complete with Mardi Gras mask and matching gold top, gold pants, gold shoes and bright gold/purple/green earrings.

During the judging of the best costume I joined the other contestants in the conga line. Behind me was a high-spirited lady dressed as a fairy princess. Somehow, her wand got caught in my mask! It went crashing down to the floor. As I picked up the mask, I gasped as I saw my wig fly across the dance floor. Instead of feeling embarrassed, I decided to act as if the "pink elephant" wasn't there. I picked up the wig, put it back on my head, and continued in the conga line as if nothing had happened.

I didn't win for best costume, but inside I felt like a winner because nobody laughed at my balding head.

Remember that attitude is important in the recovery process. Laugh and smile as much as possible because it takes only 14 facial muscles to laugh but 72 to frown.