"My breasts have always been so very precious to me since I accepted having them it would have been a shame not to have enjoyed the last year of one of them.... now I really see it as a choice between my breast and my life."

Audre Lorde, The Cancer Journal

"I think my body knew there was a malignancy there somewhere and that it would have to be dealt with eventually. Well, I'm dealing with it as best as I can. I wish I didn't have to, and I don't even know if I'm doing it right, but I sure am glad that I had this extra year to learn to love me in a different way."

Audre Lorde, ibid.