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I named the left one (cancer side) Shirley for “surely you know it’s not real.” I named the right one Zero, like the ghost-dog from The Nightmare Before Christmas—zero existence and along for the ride.
Stupid, I know, but it’s actually helping.

August 11
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A MyBCTeam Member

The night before I had my double mastectomy do to Stage 2 Breast Cancer, my family & I had a going away party for them. We ate a great dinner,had a cake that said good bye old friends and played card games and just had an amazing night laughing and sharing the love ❤️

August 11
A MyBCTeam Member

Yes- so far Jack has stayed away- 6 years out of treatment! Hugs!

August 11
A MyBCTeam Member

That is so funny! I hope you are well Virginia. Hugs, Lee

August 11
A MyBCTeam Member

I haven't named the boob- just refer to it as the Foob- for fake boob. I did name the tumor, though. Jack! From the song- that goes, Hit the road Jack, and don't you come back, no more, no more... lol!

August 11
MyBCTeam

Shirley and Zero — honestly, that's not stupid at all. That's creative, funny, and deeply human. If naming them helps you process what you've been through, then it's working exactly as it should.

While naming isn't something widely documented, finding personal, meaningful ways to reconnect with your body after mastectomy Show Full Answer

Shirley and Zero — honestly, that's not stupid at all. That's creative, funny, and deeply human. If naming them helps you process what you've been through, then it's working exactly as it should.

While naming isn't something widely documented, finding personal, meaningful ways to reconnect with your body after mastectomy is very much a real and valid part of healing. Many MyBCTeam members find their own unique ways to reclaim their identity and body image after surgery. Some approaches people use include:

- Getting artistic or decorative tattoos to mark their journey
- Choosing meaningful symbols that represent resilience or personal strength
- Using humor and creativity to reframe their experience
- Leaning on community support to feel less alone

The common thread is finding *your* way to feel like yourself again — and yours sounds like it has a great sense of humor attached to it. Body image after mastectomy is one of the most commonly reported challenges, and there's no single "right" way to work through it. Whatever helps you feel more in control and at peace with your body is worth holding onto — even if it involves a ghost dog from a Tim Burton film. 🖤

August 11

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