Cancer and self image

I had a mastectomy in April 2012 and was told that an immediate reconstruction wasn't possible as I was also scheduled for radiotherapy. In all it took 18 months for the first stage of reconstruction to be started and 2.5 years until it was completed. I absolutely hated a prosthetic, I found it uncomfortable and alien, I worried that it would move. I felt like everyone could tell and worst of all I felt like a freak and hated looking in the mirror. Prior to the mastectomy I went through my wardrobe and chucked every article of clothing that was low cut or tight fitting. I bought several shirts that button up the front to make dressing easier. I figured the more abled I felt the quicker I'd recover. I also embarked on an intensive exercise program to get fit and maintain flexibility, which was seriously compromised following surgery. I think I coped because you do, I wasn't thrilled about the situation but it was what it was so I just got on with it.