Reviews from

A Leaf on the Wind

Viewing comments for Chapter 59 "Bad News"
Autobiography of abuse

19 total reviews 
Comment from medicnate
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Another very good chapter.

I loved this bit:

Having large breasts made no difference whatsoever. Breasts had been nothing more than a state of mind; an attitude based on old, archaic beliefs, which no longer had a place in the modern world.

Great work.

~medicnate~

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2009


reply by the author on 17-Jul-2009
    I lived at a time when there is a defininte line between old belief and new beliefs. It is sometimes odd to look back and realize I lived through so many changes in societies views and beliefs of who people were and where their place in society was..
Comment from CALLAHANMR
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Hi Valerie:)
I am amazed at how casual you were at the prospect of breast cancer and mastectomy. I suspect this was a carry over from low self-esteem. One thing I use hypnosis for was to help ladies increase their bust size. Believe it or not, women with under sized breast can increase up to two cup size within about four weeks. More than once, i was asked if the increase could be stopped. Not always.

Just afew specific comments:

1. Ironically I always found wearing a [brazier ==> Brassiere] Ironically I always found wearing a brazier extremely uncomfortable and took advantage of the sixties by going braless. {I'm certain that wearing a brazier would be uncomfortable considering the definition: {A brazier is a container for fire, generally taking the form of an upright standing or hanging metal bowl or box. It might be a little hot too.]

2. I picked out several attractive bras and as I entered the dressing room, the clerk stopped me and asked if I had the correct size. I told her I did but she insisted on measuring me. To my amazement, I was not a size 34B but a whopping 38D. {No wonder you were always uncomfortable wearing an under size bra. It's amazing what a distorted view we have of ourselves. Dr. Maxwell Maltz, one of my professors taught that a person must have an accurate and positive view of one's self before setting goals, otherwise he or she will get stuck in a continuing pattern of limiting beliefs.}

3. Just before I went into the operating room, I pointed to my right breast and asked Sara if she was going to say goodbye?
She kissed me on the cheek and laughed, "Why? We never really bonded." Sarah never let me forget I did not breast feed her. {You might be interested to know that my first writing success was a book I ghost wrote for a pediatrician. "Bottle or Bust" a book about breast-feeding was adopted by the La Leche Society and distributed to new mothers for over forty years.}

You can never guess where a career will lead.

This is anothe well-written chapter.

Roger

 Comment Written 27-Mar-2009


reply by the author on 27-Mar-2009
    Thank you for your kind and detailed critique of my work. I sincerely apreciate all your help. I agree, it is amazing what a distorted view we can have of ourselves. The old expression "Mind of matter" is perfect here.
Comment from FredCollingwood
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That is shocking news. Not to be insensitive, but how could anyone mistake a 38DD for a 34B? I can tell the difference between a 34B and a 34.2B from 100 yards.

I checked the category and confirmed that it is non-fiction. I'm sorry to hear what you've gone through. I'm sure your sister cares. Sometines people have their own way of dealing with difficult situations. I hope you're doing well, now.

 Comment Written 23-Mar-2009


reply by the author on 23-Mar-2009
    Close your eyes and imagine a girl brow beaten since birth to beieve she is ugly, unattractive. When you are continually put down you begin to believe what you hear and when you look in the mirror you see what others say they see, not what is really there. For most of my life I was what people told me I was. It is amazing what the human mind will do under that type of criticism and stress. Thanks for the high rating.
Comment from jodeecee
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Just a couple small things, great work...

"Usually I wait for the test results before answering that./space/ However,

only to speak with /m/om. I listened while /m/om spoke and it became clear she had not asked her how I was doing.

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2009


reply by the author on 22-Mar-2009
    Thank you for your help and continued interest.
Comment from jojosug
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God, its never ending. As things appear to go right, it takes a dive for the worse. I understand that calmness, as the worst has already happened, you can manage this. I often feel like that. This is a really well written chapter and conveys your unusual response to a very difficult situation well. Keep writing.

Jo

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2009


reply by the author on 22-Mar-2009
    Thank you for your kind review. And yes, my reaction was not the usual but it just wasn't the worst thing that had happened to me.
Comment from KYPollard/El Gato
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Your chapter is well written. Thank you for sharing one of your most private and precious moments with us. I found no errors while reading. Good job.

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2009


reply by the author on 22-Mar-2009
    Thank your for your kind review. I sincerely appreciate it.
Comment from DecrepitOldBag
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Oh dear Valerie. Your life has been shown in your book as a catalogue of disasters running one into another. I cannot believe how your sisters did not support you! It makes me want to reach into the page and shake them!
Very well written indeed. I noticed no spag or typos. Great writing.
Warmest wishes
Kat

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2009


reply by the author on 22-Mar-2009
    Yes, I do seem to have had some ups and downs....but like I said, I survive it all! Thank you for you kind review.
Comment from penelope
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Amazing all you've been through, Smurphgirl. I can almost understand your reaction to being told you had breast cancer. After all you experienced beforehand, nothing much could rattle you. Again, your writing is very professional and you express yourself well. I didn't spot any spag issues. Yes, your sister's reaction is strange, to say the least, but I'm sure you'll explain it later. I hope so anyway. Penelope

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2009


reply by the author on 22-Mar-2009
    Thank you for your kind review. Yes, I will explain her rection at later time.
Comment from laurelp
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Interesting chapter. It is strange how women are fixated on the size of their breast. But funny that being around in the 60's I also chose to go braless and have never looked back. I had them lifted back up when they started to sag. More expensive but better then wearing that contraption. The writing was excellent as always. I found no errors.

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2009


reply by the author on 22-Mar-2009
    Thank you. I appreciate your opinion.
Comment from Cranial Thinker
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Oh,this is so mind bending,its as if you kinda suspected something negative that time around,and sub-consciously you
prepared yourself for whatever that came your way,as you where more then ready to take up the battle of going through whatever to win and be done so you could carry on with getting your life together.Losing was never an option.Wow,this is getting more and more interesting,please give me more,I need this.Job again,extremely well done,I just wish I had a six.Cranial Thinker

 Comment Written 22-Mar-2009


reply by the author on 22-Mar-2009
    Thank you so very much for you kind and detailed review. Yes, I was sub-consciously prepared for whatever came...you are also correct whan you say losing was never an option. Again, thank you so much for your high rating and continued interest.
reply by Cranial Thinker on 22-Mar-2009
    You truly earned it,Smurphgirl.Cranial Thinker