It's a Boob, Not a Bomb!

I am preparing myself to take a little trip this weekend.  I'll be flying out early Friday morning and returning Sunday evening.  The Image Reborn Foundation is graciously allowing me to participate in a retreat for young breast cancer survivors.  And yes, I did confirm that I fit into the "young" category, because there is some debate.  There is a little trepidation on my part as this is the first time I have traveled (flown on an airplane) since my surgeries and treatment.  

Today I discussed my concerns with my sister and we laughed as I tried to figure out how to handle my prosthesis situation.  You know?  The one boob that is fake and that I store in a box at night.  I don't really know what it is made of, but I would prefer to not have some sort of intense search done by TSA when I'm trying to make it to my gate for a 7a flight.  I am still not familiar with the rules and regulations that came about after 9/11/01 as I have only flown a handful of times since that time.  I always have to read up again just to be sure that I have items packed correctly.  

So, you see, is this prosthesis filled with fluid that would require some sort of disclosure?  Do I mention it before I walk through the scanner?  Will they just "know" because breast cancer seems to be running rampant around here these days and surely they have seen more than one of these things in their time working for the TSA?  Was I supposed to ask my surgeon about some sort of letter to carry with me?  Who knows.  But people, it's a boob, not bomb, so surely they can figure it out, right?  I mean, I'm basically bald so it should be pretty obvious what is going on in my world.  

And just to make things a tad more complicated, I also have a port.  This is the little contraption that was placed during my first surgery and is used to get blood samples and also for infusions (chemotherapy and now Herceptin).  Again, I'm assuming they have seen more than one of these things and I also have a little card that I carry in my wallet, so I can at least explain this one easily.  I have no idea what it is made of either, but I'm sure that the card will tell them what they need to know to allow me to board the plane.

I just don't know what to expect and that makes me uncomfortable and nervous.  How will things go at the airport?  How will I feel all day without hair and stuck wearing a hat even when I like to take it off at times when I'm home?  I'm so self-conscious out in public sometimes that I don't know how I will be feeling while I travel, but I'm going to pray for people around me to appear understanding as it is certainly helpful.  

I'm headed to Park City, Utah and have never been there.  According to The Weather Channel app, it appears that the high while I am out there is in the low 30s (actually only 28 degrees on Saturday).  I'm NOT a good packer to begin with and really hope to have as little as possible since it is such a short trip.  Plus, I'm still such a weenie that I don't want to have to lug around too many bags.  It will be cold, so that means warm clothing (sweaters, jackets, boots, etc) which always takes up lots of room.  And I am lousy at making wardrobe decisions ahead of time.  I'm a person who is usually in the "mood" to wear something in particular and if I don't have that particular item I end up feeling uncomfortable or out-of-place.  

That's it folks.  I'm BLESSED to have the opportunity to take this trip but stressed about the logistics.  And hoping that no one thinks I've tucked a bomb into my super-unflattering bra.  Good times people. :)  I had hoped to be funnier, wittier and just plain make myself laugh, but once I started typing it wasn't happening.  I hope you had a little chuckle at least.  I've had some messages that I've left the blog inactive for too long, so I thought this was my time to post.

Peace.