Finding Strength in My One Boob Reflection
My reflection in the mirror is equally hard to see and process. Overnight my breast became a caved in mess of folded skin, sutures and swollen tissue. […] My reflection is not the prettiest it has ever been, but it is definitely the strongest.
Doing the Hard Things: My Prophylactic Double Mastectomy
‘Twas the Night Before Surgery // Wednesday, January 6, 2021 Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. My eyes were glued to my watch – T-Minus 24-hours. Each passing minute another 60-seconds closer to my prophylactic double mastectomy, my thoughts clouded with future scenarios. “This time tomorrow… I’ll be in surgery…I’ll be out of surgery…I’ll be in post […]
Ten Years Later and Still Choosing LIFE
December 14, 2010 I woke up alone in a hotel room scared of the day ahead – scared of recovery, scared of the unknown and scared to let go of my eating disorder. In just a few hours I would admit myself to residential treatment at the Carolina House for my eating disorder. In the […]
Save the Nipples: Meeting My Plastic Surgeon
Whether you are getting your yearly OB check, mammogram or plastic surgery consult, standing naked in front of a stranger is not for the faint of heart. This time was no exception. As I stood topless in front of a man I just met, I looked as far away as I could as the plastic […]
When Your Therapist Says ‘Tell Me More’ – Don’t Run
After months of barely floating above water, I am finally finding my footing on life’s uneven shores. Last week I had a therapy session, and as much as I adore my therapist, I was simply not ‘in the mood’ to go. The appointment was at 2pm and I was having a really productive day in […]
When the [RECOVERY] Jeans Don’t Fit
Are you more inclined to purchase one jean brand over another because the size is smaller?
That is certainly how I used to shop. My worth as a human being was tied into the size of my clothes and the number on the scale. The smaller the number, the more worth I carried as a human being.
I was smarter, faster, better if my size was smaller than the next person.
WHY? Or better yet WHEN did size become a predictor of worth in our lives?
When You Don’t Look Like You Have an Eating Disorder
I looked the part and played the part well: All-American southern belle.
Make up on, dressed to perfection, made the grades, had the friends, and yet behind it all…
I was dying.
A Letter to My Today Show Mom Bod Haters
This week I was thrilled to create and write the feature essay for the Today Parent’s newest “Challenge”. My idea was to challenge moms across the country to embrace their ‘mom bods’ and tell us why the love them. The amazing Parent editor Terri Peters loved it so I created the Why I Love My […]
Ditching the BUSY Diet
Yesterday, I almost forgot to eat…almost. It was one of those work from your car, the hair salon and be the kids’ chauffeur kind of days. I couldn’t help but think of a diet I used to be a big fan of – the BUSY Diet. I grew up hearing the phrase, “I was so […]
Tone Your Body With Love [Not Zero Point Tacos]
It is January 3rd and I have seen approximately 389,876 weight loss ads. My inner scale smasher cringes every time I see Oprah dancing in her kitchen eating ‘freestyle’ tacos. So here is my PSA to all of you: changing your body will not change who YOU inherently are. We come in ALL shapes and sizes. […]