I unclasped the bra hooks behind my back in a cold room with flower art and silver tools. “I’ll make a small incision at the left nipple and scoop out the lump,” the surgeon said, as my bare skin turned to putty in her hands. We then talked about mastectomy options, depending on the surgery results. “Trust me, we do beautiful work and there’s a chance you’d even regain some sensation. It’s not guaranteed, but it happens,” she said with a kind smile. I bobbed my head, wishing I was underwater, trying to forget the mother in the lobby breastfeeding.
Marika Price is a copywriter from Los Angeles. If you love books, Greek food, and unending travel bucket lists, she'd love to be friends! Find Marika on Twitter and Instagram @Marikalilly.