* Encore* 34. Breast Cancer • Sex and (Self) Love After a Double Mastectomy with Amy Marcs – Jackie Shea

Amy Marcs, Sex and (Self) Love after a Double Mastectomy:

In 2009, Amy received a breast cancer diagnosis and intuitively knew that a double mastectomy was her best option—no easy decision for “a petite Jewish girl with great boobs.” (No easy decision for anyone, ever). Marcs loved her breasts—her journey through the grieving process is heartbreaking, touching, inspiring and hilarious. It’s a grieving process that many sick people can relate to as all of us lose a part of our identities we were once attached to. We get down to business in this episode, intimately discussing sex and (self) love after a double mastectomy.  Today, on the other side, Amy (and her new boobs) tours her one woman show, “Nice Tits,” and speaks out about the specific pains of breast cancer and double mastectomies. (http://nicetitstheshow.com )

Weekly Challenge:

“Take your broken heart and make it into art” -Carrie Fisher

I love this challenge, my friends! Amy wrote as a way to move through her experience so it’s only fitting that her challenge to you is to find a creative expression on your journey. I did it, and it worked wonder. Check out how creativity helped me heal in this blog post on my photo 365 challenge. You can do anything: Paint, draw, garden, take photos, write, sing, pick up an instrument, color, act, dance, knit, sew, make pottery, and the list goes on. There’s no shortage on creative outlets, AND you have the time (and energy)! Commit to ten minutes a day if you can and if you’re bed bound like I was then pick something low-impact. Keep me updated on my Instagram @sheajackie. I’ll be looking for you #holweeklychallenge

Discussed in this Episode:

• DCIS
• BRCA genes
• How Amy got diagnosed (when mammograms don’t work)
• Amy’s treatment protocol
• Double Mastectomy
• Finding a doctor right for you
• Amy’s grieving process (goodbye parties for your boobs)
• The surgery
• How to save your nipple
• 3D nipples
• Amy’s writing and performing process
• Losing parts of your identity
• Sex after a double mastectomy
• Dating after cancer
• Following your own truth
• Humor in the face of illness
• How creativity can save your life

Resources Mentioned:

• DCIS
• Tamoxifen
• Aware causes pink necklace
• Iyengar yoga
• Vinni Myers/ 3D nipples

Other Episodes Like This:

• Ovarian Cancer at 29 years old
• How to Navigate a Cancer Diagnosis

Support this Podcast:

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Happy Listening, my friends!