"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Breathe."

She took his hand in hers and placed his palm where her breast once lived. One of the most often discussed feminine attributes, now she had none.

Before the cancer, she had never given much thought about her boobs, tits,  mams, or one of a thousand other nicknames. From the time of her first
menstruation, they had fully occupied their space on her chest.

She had never equated her womanhood with her breast size before. Now, she wondered if her lack of visible mammary glands meant that she was no longer perceived as a woman by others and most importantly by herself.

How common it is to hear people complaining about the size and shapes of breasts. They have been described as too big, too small, irregularly shaped, or
comparatively different sizes. The complaints come from both sexes.

Liz had thought her breasts were on the small side but had always teased big-bosomed friends about their lack of perkiness. They could keep their buxom builds and she would gladly wear scanty halters to show off her pierced darlings.

Of course, there had been lovers in the past that had made comments about their nominal size. However, her lover of the past couple years, Mick, had made it
clear from the start that anything larger than a champagne glass was a waste.

It seemed odd, but for months following the double radical mastectomy, she couldn't visualize what her breasts had looked liked before the cancer. She
remembered the fear that filled her heart when they had swelled and lactated blood.

The skin covering her breasts became hot to the touch and red with inflammation. Far from the inflammation of erotic play. It wasn't long before they turned hard to the touch and visually misshapen.

She knew they were no longer pretty. They had become as ugly as the cancer that had reared its ugly head and taken over her life.

Never once, did Mick say they were any less than perfect. He never turned away and always told her that while the cancer was ugly she remained beautiful.

Liz had always been a proud and confident woman. She held a prestigious position in a Fortune 500 company as well as holding seats on various charity boards.  Many of her friendships dated back to grade school and she valued them as much as they did her.

It was through one of these valued friendships that she met Mick.

A mutual friend was a featured poetry reader at a local theater. After her presentation, both, Mick and Liz had gone back to congratulate her. The rest, as
they say, was history.

Mick was a semi-starving artist living the stereotypical bohemian lifestyle.

The sexual chemistry between them was undeniable and immediate. They had sex for the first time before their first date. Their first kiss lasted until the following daybreak.

Liz knew they could never be more than terrific fuck buddies, as their lives were too different. She had a job with responsibilities while he was living his dream.

It was about a year later that the cancer invaded and took over her life. She was sure once Mick knew the situation he would be gone. After all, he was gorgeous to look at, intelligent, fun, and only thirty years old. He could still have a real life.

She was more than a little shocked when he became her main source of support. He refused to leave her side.  Mick took her to doctor appointments and therapies.  He was the one to empty the emesis basins and wipe the perspiration from her brow.

On the days she felt a little stronger he would take her for short walks in the park or hold her quietly in his arms as they lay before the fire. He refused to let her think or believe that she was any less the vibrant, sensual, and beautiful woman that he first met.

Although their lovemaking had become far less frequent and substantially tamer than it had been, the passion steadily increased. Since her breasts could no longer be fondled, he would worship her ankles, the back of her neck or the small of her back.

Regardless of all he had said and done prior to her surgery she wasn't sure how either of the would feel postoperatively.

Although there were, still many emotional issues to deal with. Mick had become so much more to her than a lover. He had become her best friend, brother, and
confidant. She knew she had fallen totally in love with him.

His fingers lightly traced the scar tissue on her chest. This was the first time since the surgery that she had felt comfortable enough to let him see and
feel what the cancer had taken away.

Gently, he guided her back to lie on the bed. His mouth moved towards her breasts.

"No Mick --."

"Shush,"

His lips returned to her chest. Lightly, gently, he kissed the scar tissue. Mick then let his tongue move up her neck and enter her mouth.

"God, I love you Mick."

"Liz, I was so afraid that I would lose you that I know I never want to be without you. With breasts or without you are the total and complete woman for me."

He then moved down her body leaving little kisses on her tummy and thighs. Her legs opened and he joyfully licked her outer lips.

The ringlets of hair surrounding her sex were already moist with arousal. Liz dropped her fingers between her legs and held herself open to his hungry mouth.

Mick's lips wrapped around her clit and sucked.

"Oh yes, Mick. Make me come."

He broke the suction and licked her engorged clit with firm pressure.

Her eyes burned as tears rolled down the sides of her face. Never had she felt so exhilarated. The tension that had been building within her for so long seemed
to flush itself out of her body with her tremendous climax.

Mick loved her taste and could hear her sobs of joy.  His tongue continued to lick and probe her womanly folds. Repeatedly, he sent her to release and peace.

"Come lay down and let me climb on top."

Mick rolled over and watched as she straddled his erection. Her wetness slid effortlessly down his shaft. He watched as she bounced up and down. Just
as he was going to come, he realized it didn't matter to him that she had no bobbing breasts. Her smile looking down excited him.

His hands clutched her hips as he thrust himself deep inside her and came harder then he could ever remember.

Yes there was still emotional baggage to deal with.  But, they would deal with it together.


*****

If your are a woman or someone who loves one
DON'T wait until symptoms appear. Participate in
monthly self-breast examination. If you don't know
how, contact your local health care provider TODAY.