www.stephmastini/forgotten ones /

  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3e1VvT5dhfI Wonderful video of strong brave women which I am a part of .   It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. I had my explant surgery in February.  Breast Implant Illness is very real.  It’s so important to be supportive and knowledgeable when it comes to breast cancer.   Knowledge saves lives  The Flattie movement is growing in leaps and bounds . Women are getting healthier every day.  It really has taken flight across not only the US but around the world.  It’s not an easy decision but it has truly been transformative for me .  I feel there’s a fire within each woman that takes this step.  I’ve had many breast surgeries and many sets of implants and this is the best decision I have ever made. Check it out .  There’s so many amazing women standing together across the world.                                                          

2008 February Day before Mastectomy  In Japan, they don’t see the cracks or scars as broken pieces. Kintsugi teaches that broken objects are not something to hide but to display with pride.  The unique cracks each tell a story. The breaks become beauty.   They take on a whole new life of their own. I am “kintsugi”.  My art has always reflected my scars.  This has become a whole new awareness for me and my art. I am now in the tenth year of my breast cancer survival.  I was all ready to have final two procedures to finish my breast reconstruction.  At the last hour the night before my surgery, literally the 11th hour I was told that I didn’t have an aide for overnight stay, so anesthesia was out . My plastic surgeon is a real NY curmudgeon,  He was mad at me when I arrived at his office. I walked in and he looked stern.  He said he was not happy about screwing up his surgery schedule.  I tried to explain how it was the Personal Aide Agency that messed my s