One thing about California – the closet sliding doors are often made of full length mirrors. This means that every day, after my shower, as I walk passed the closet to the bedroom, I see naked self in the mirror.

In many ways, this has helped me heal. It has helped me see myself – my scars – and accept them. My breast surgeon and plastic surgeon both did a remarkable job. Sure, my body isn’t perfect (no ones is), but I’m pretty happy with the outcome.

I do think looking in the mirror every day helps. It helps me accept my body. It is also a constant reminder – so are all the pills I take at 9am and 9pm each day. I am hoping that one day, I will internalize all this change – and it won’t be something that I think about – that the scars will not be a reminder, but rather will just be me. Someday. Just not yet … I’m not there yet. For now, I’ll choose to be happy with the body that I have, and try to accept what has happened and move forward.