I’m one of those people who watches a scary movie
through my hand.
Can't wait for the sequel! |
So it is with my scars.
When I took my first shower, I covered the mirror with my
towel so I wouldn’t have to look.
Some would say that was unhealthy – and to that I would say - I agree!
But it’s a lot healthier than being so shocked that buckle at the knees and
slam your head into the wall. Which is what happened when I accidentally saw my belly
scar. Now I can sort of look at
it, in short bursts, but sometimes I have to turn away.
The breasts are another matter. I only peeked at them once
when I was high on morphine and numb to the world. And, if they weren’t
attached to me, I would have barely recognised them as my own. Scarred, bruised, stitched and
misshapen, one looks like a hamburger patty, and the other, the end of a
football.
However, I truly believe my body needs some loving, and that
my little cells need to know that they are in a safe place to heal. They need
to be washed, and touched.
So I’m going Helen Keller on this one. Before going into the
shower I put a 4’ x 4’ patch of gauze over each work in progress, taped only at
the top. And I put another flap
over my belly button which has it’s own scarring issues, as it had to be
relocated. (It’s a long story – and not something I would recommend before
bedtime). Then I dim the lights, cover the mirror with a towel, and hop in the
shower with all the agility of a two-legged pork-chop. Once there I do everything
that Helen would do. I gently wash myself, especially those parts of me that need
a little tenderness. And I do it all without opening my eyes
Post shower -
in the gently lit bedroom - I peel of the gauze and apply some clean new patches.
Same for the 14” belly scar, and button.
Once bandaged, I take a brief look in the mirror, enough to see a sliver. But it is only after
I’ve stepped into a clean white cotton camisole that I allow myself to relax and have a full look.
Lovely! And for now, the little monster has gone away.