October 20, 2011

Why I Wore Lipstick

Twenty-seven-year-old Geralyn Lucas landed her dream job at 20/20. She was ready to have children with her husband. But life threw an unfortunate monkey wrench into her plans. Geralyn Lucas was diagnosed with breast cancer. She knew something was wrong with the lump found during a self-exam. She really knew it was bad news when two men in white coats stood before her in the examination room, both of them crying. One of them being her husband.

Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy begins with Geralyn in a strip club. She's there to make a decision: mastectomy or lumpectomy. She clearly sees we live in a boob-obsessed beauty-driven world. She wondered if she'd be as attractive with only one breast. Will her husband Tyler ever stop crying? Will she be respected? And why did this happen to her, a young woman under thirty?

Geralyn Lucas holds no emotions in. It's gutsy. It's funny at times. And it's a fresh perspective on the touchy subject from a survivor's point of view. She makes the reader feel every ounce of fear, uncertainty, sadness, pride and victory. Wearing red lipstick became her armor. It gave her strength and power. You can feel her boldness through the words. Feel her pain and struggle through the pages.

When I chose this book for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I had no idea it would be this personal and detailed. Whether you know someone who suffered from breast cancer or not, it will touch you. It will encourage you to do self-exams. It will change your outlook on cancer as a whole. You will learn to sympathize and not pity. As actress Kim Cattrall said, "Read this book and you'll never wear lipstick the same way again."

Watch the Today Show clip below of Geralyn Lucas and the Lifetime movie based on the book. Remember, save the boobies!


Title: Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy
Author: Geralyn Lucas
Published: September 2005 
Pages: 208
Edition: Hardcover
Rating: ♥

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