I've Got No Strings
Leigh Harlline and Ned Washington (from Pinnochio)
I have been walking around with this song in my mind....blasting at times for the past 18 months. It keeps me up, keeps me bouncing, keeps me smiling.
In order to understand the relevance of this tune, it is important that I tell you that I am a breast cancer survivor and that I elected in my treatment to proceed with a double mastectomy. In non- medical terms that means I gave the doctors permission to remove both my breasts...even though there was only cancer cells evident in the one.
Once you recover from the surgery it is hard to adjust to the idea of feeling feminine without the one physical trait that identifies us as such. It takes a while to get let go of the programming we have gone through growing up - the images that we have in mind of what it means to be a woman. Once you get past that part, then the struggle is finding clothes that work. But once you get beyond that it is the best thing in the world. So freeing, so fun, so liberating.
Ok, speaking to the women here....just imagine, waking up, throwing on a t- shirt and going out for the day. No concerns about feeling exposed or loose. Ok, if that doesn't do it for you, imagine a hot summer day, you are going to a wedding....imagine just throwing on a dress and underwear and you are done...no straps, no binding, no 'I can't wait to get home and rip off this bra!!!'. Ok, I had to go through cancer diagnosis and treatment but I consider it my reward for a job well done.
One day I woke up fully accepting my new persona... and the song came blasting in my brain.
I've got no boobs to hold me down
To make me fret
To make me frown
I've got no boobs
But now I'm free
There are no boobs on me.
Catchy tune. It has become my mantra. If you know anyone going through breast cancer treatment and considering treatment options, throw the song their way and see if it fits. It might just help them in the decision making process.
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