Defined by the sum of our parts or the parts of our sum

[Twinklestar]

@Sehrysh

Some of you know I have a colleague who’s returned to work after seeking treatment for breast cancer. Today we had a very candid conversation about what she had been through. One of the most interesting comments she made was that she felt that life wasn’t worth living after the loss of her breast (she had a single-side mastectomy). She defines her self and self worth through her physical being and having lost a breast she no longer feels like a complete woman…So my question to the women - do you define your gender through your physical being? Women - would the absence of a breast, uterus or other female appendages make you feel like less of a woman? Men, how would you view a woman who had lost her breast or uterus, etc. - does that affect your understanding of her femininity?

She is mourning the loss of a body part. She is being honest. Is she married and does she have children? A mourning/grieving is very normal however hopefully she will find that life is about more than breasts, uterus,etc…if she has already experienced childbirth, marriage they might be less detrimental