BatgirlPMS

WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK AND I ACTUALLY GET TO SEE YOU??

Not using a throw away for this as I'm actually fairly open about this part of my life. Blowgoat - I don't have Polands but I DID have a 2lb breast tumor that surfaced during early puberty. I developed breasts early and one just kept growing. We're talking SIGNIFICATLY larger than the other.

I endured endless teasing at school "BatgirlPMS why don't you go unstuff your bra?" "OMG why do you stuff your bra? Just stop." etc. during years 5 and 6. Finally over summer break between years 6 and 7 my mom heard about a bra shop that offered prosthesis for women who underwent a mastectomy. I got a special bra that had a pocket for the prosthesis which slid over my "normal" sized breast and at least made me look equal. I had HUGE boobs for a 13 year old, but I was able to mostly mask that by wearing baggy shirts.

At the age of 14 we fought and fought and fought the insurance company and they ultimately ended up denying our claim. My plastic surgeon donated his time and ate the cost of the surgery suite to get me a reduction surgery. Oddly enough the tumor had been misdiagnosed (by a different plastic surgeon) as extra breast tissue. When I was cut open, my skin slid back and the tumor was there in all it's glory. (Oh an benign, I should mention that.)

This was 18 years ago. Today I'm a happy, healthy, well adjusted woman who has the lightest scar imaginable. Even though half my breast is still numb, it's cool.

While I endured SEVERE teasing about my breast sizes in elementary school, my parents were awesome and helped me get through it. I also was one who always marched to the beat of my own drum and have a will of steel.

That being said, when she starts to develop and if she only develops on one side, don't be afraid to go to a specialty store and get her a bra with a pocket and a prosthesis. You may have to end up buying multiples as she grows until she hits her "final" breast size. This is the best advice I can give you to help her make it through adolescence mostly unscathed. While I wouldn't trade my experience for anything, I'm not sure I'd want to go back and do it all again. And god I can only IMAGINE what it would be like now with social media and tweens.