Category Archives: mastectomy

Luck and Happenstance

Posted on March 13, 2014 by maesprose

Four years ago today I found a lump. A “perfect storm” of happenstance saved my life. My sister, using a hint of guilt, had me agree to say the rosary every day for Lent. It was a Sunday and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Essay, mastectomy, Uncategorized | 16 Comments

A Mantra to Live By

Posted on February 16, 2014 by maesprose

I had a wonderful weekend. All week I did nothing but moan and groan about snow and then the moment Saturday arrived, I discarded my disdain and dove into it with unbridled enthusiasm. Two weeks ago, I mentioned breaking one … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Essay, Lymphedema, mastectomy, Photography, Snow, Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Finding myself

Posted on November 4, 2013 by maesprose

After my mastectomy, I admit I cried.  It wasn’t my breasts I was mourning but my arm and the life I had before cancer struck.  Every year before that fateful spring I would plan a vacation that involved photography.  Some … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, mastectomy, Photography | 14 Comments

A rock in a storm

Posted on April 24, 2013 by maesprose

Liz had her drains removed today.  She got her new breast last week.  I know this and other details though I don’t know Liz and couldn’t pick her out in a crowd if my life depended on it. Her uncle … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, mastectomy, Photography | 10 Comments

Opportunity

Posted on March 9, 2013 by maesprose

OK, so my last post was a downer.  If you’ve lived longer than 30 years, you now know life is littered with such moments.  Should you have lived that long with nothing but sunshine and lollipops, buckle up.  Crap happens … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Essay, Hospital Waiting Room, mastectomy, Vita | 5 Comments

Kelly

Posted on January 12, 2013 by maesprose

I lost a friend this week. My friend lost her life. I knew from the beginning our friendship would end this way.  Yet, I didn’t know how wonderful our friendship would be or how much I would grow from it.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Grief, mastectomy, Memories | 167 Comments

Gone Fishing

Posted on September 25, 2012 by maesprose

Well, not really. My friend Freda flew in from the U.K. and we took off for Maine to photograph.  We’ve brought 7 cameras and boxes of film.  Yes, film.  We’re also using our IPhones just because they are sooo easy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Essay, mastectomy, Photography | 2 Comments

Memories of measured time.

Posted on August 23, 2012 by maesprose

The summer of 2010 was one of the hottest and personally cruelest in memory. Hundreds or maybe thousands of cicadas droned on in the heat with a high-pitched buzz that burrowed into my brain. The hum of the cicadas, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Grief, mastectomy, Memories, Mother | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Namaste

Posted on August 19, 2012 by maesprose

News flash!  I took an all-level yoga class today with healthy people.  OK, in the grand scheme of world affairs that really wouldn’t make a blip on the Associated Press radar.  Yet, what sounds so simple really was a major … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Essay, mastectomy | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A day at the beach

Posted on July 13, 2012 by maesprose

Yesterday, I went back to Atlantic beach.  The temperature was high in the 80’s, with bright sun and the Atlantic Ocean was digesting a storm somewhere out at sea.  The waves were high, frequent and rough.  The water warm, lured … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer, Essay, mastectomy, Memories | 4 Comments