Barbara Joss, My left breast

About Barbara

Barbara has a strong background in the media. From the age of 12, she appeared as a dancer and actress in films, on TV and in shows in London's West End at theatres such as Drury Lane and the London Palladium.

On arrival in Australia, Barbara continued acting on-stage and TV. She then went on to work as a TV and radio reporter, including making a much-discussed program on male menopause for ABC Radio. She also taught Publicity Practice at various Sydney TAFE Colleges.

Of Interest:

The following are extracts from her book, My left Breast , which you can find out more about through Barbara by calling 02-9418 8875 or by emailing jossco@easy.com.au. The price is $25 inc GST, plus postage & packing $5.00

• How to be with it without it
• How to beat the bogies

How to be with it without it

1. After my mastectomy, it was very important to me to look my best. I found I was coping with the various different losses: breast, hair, etc, in different ways to those suggested by healthcare professionals and friends. For me this quote says it all: "This above all: to thine own self be true." William Shakespeare.
2. Wear make-up so that you feel good about yourself; then when you catch sight of yourself in mirror it will give you a lift.
3. Wear clothes that you feel good in. Bright colours makes me happy. So for me wearing bright colours was an affirmative statement saying 'I'm here and I'm not slinking off being ashamed of the way I look and feel'.
4. When I lost my breast, I wore a prosthesis (which looked quite excellent) as soon as possible and I continued wearing my little figure hugging tops, shirts and trouser suits. With slight modifications, continue to wear your 'style', just try to make more of it.
5. When I lost my hair, I didn't want to wear a wig. Although I'd never worn hats, the answer for me was children's baseball caps - in a range of colours. So many people complimented me on my caps that I continue to wear them with hair. Stick with your own style and you will find the solution to suit you.
6. When my eyelashes fell out I started wearing earrings. By emphasising a different area, you take the focus away from the trouble spot.
7. I find op shops and discount stores are treasure troves for therapeutic dress-ups.

How to beat the bogies

1. Don't wait for the right time to act, it never comes. If it feels right, feel the fear and do it anyway.
   "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only saps today of its strength." AJ Cronin.
2. Try to be open to new ideas and give yourself the chance to hear the options. Take what you like and leave the rest.
   "We cannot climb a rope which is attached only to our own belt." William Ernest Hocking.
   
   "If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed." Ancient Chinese Proverb.
   
   "Before sunlight can shine through a window, the blinds must be raised." American Proverb.
3. Give yourself permission to be flexible. The automatic pilot on an airplane does not work by locking onto a course and sticking to it. In reality it is on course only five to ten per cent of the time. The other ninety or ninety-five per cent of the time it is off course and correcting for its deviation. We too need to make continuous adjustments and accept mistakes as part of living.
   "A man who makes no mistakes usually does not make anything." Alcoholism, The Family Disease.
4. During my breast cancer saga I spent a lot of time trying to understand what was happening to me and why.
   "If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are." Zen proverb.
   
   "If you work on your mind with your mind, how can you avoid an immense confusion." Seng-ts'an.
5. Pay attention to your own needs. Practice becoming aware of what your inner voice is trying to tell you.
   "Don't listen to friends when the Friend inside you says 'Do this!'" Mahatma Gandhi.