This week was jam-packed with appointments. When it came time to sit down and write or edit something worthy of y’all, my brain gave me the big ol’ middle finger for multiple days in a row.

Enter my husband. I’ve talked about him before. He has been my caregiver for most of our relationship. This week, he stepped up with some thoughts about my breast reduction surgery. That being said, I take no ownership of any silly 15-year-old-boy jokes that are inevitably sprinkled below.

Here’s Justin.

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Justin’s perspective

I’m so happy and excited about my wife’s smaller boobs. Yes, I said that. Fifteen-year-old me would punch me right in the nether regions for that, but I’m not 15 anymore. I’m 43, and I’ve been my wife’s caregiver for well over a decade now, and one of the things you learn quickly is to trim the fat where possible to make life easier. In this case, that fat happened to come from her chest.

Nearly 7 pounds of it, in fact. Seven. Pounds.

Seven pounds of freedom for her diaphragm to work better. Seven pounds no longer pulling her chest forward and down, forcing her back to work harder to maintain posture or risk putting that pressure into her lower back, causing additional pain. Seven pounds of unneeded and undesired breast tissue that made wearing a bra impossible and affected her confidence about wearing any clothing that wasn’t loose enough for “the girls” to swing freely, nearly down to her belly button.

Last week, she had her six-week follow-up and she’s healing up well. The incisions are closed, the areola skin grafts are reconnecting better than hoped, and she was officially released to move forward. Some caution is still warranted, however, while the internal healing continues.

And while I certainly notice her new boobs, this procedure has already improved her life in a number of ways.

Keeping score

For one thing, she no longer has to lift her chest to take a deep breath. The effect of myasthenia gravis (MG) on her breathing is very disturbing to me.

I can lift her when she needs me to. I’ve done back and chest percussions. I’ve responded to more seizures than I can count. Helping her navigate post-surgery care is just another Tuesday. I can do any- and everything around the house — yes, even laundry and dishes. But watching her struggle to breathe? Man, that always puts me on edge. If I have an emotional kryptonite, it’s that.

So to see her not struggling as much to take a deep breath, nor having to lift her chest to breathe, is such an incredible sight.

Shawna, 1. Old boobs, 0.

Along with being the husband and caregiver of an MG warrior, I’m also a personal trainer and gym owner. My clientele is primarily women, so I have some experience with the discomfort that breasts, especially large ones, can create. So when I tell you this has been a game-changer for her back pain, I say so as someone who’s seen and heard a thing or two.

If you’re a man, imagine putting on a weighted vest with two 3.5-pound pouches full of sand, and wearing them when you walk, run, jump, shower, sleep, and everything in between. Imagine how they would pull on you and how your back would have to compensate. It’d wear you out the same way it does the women in our lives.

The fatigue from that can affect breathing, moving, possibly even swallowing, because our muscles work together as a system. If one or a set are compromised, others have to pick up the slack, and get tired more quickly as a result. Less boob equals less fatigue equals better life.

Shawna, 2. Old boobs, 0.

MG takes a lot out of you. It takes your health, opportunities, dreams, sometimes even relationships. And all that takes a toll on a person’s confidence.

But one thing people can control is how they display themselves.

Shawna loves to use glasses toppers, which are fun accessories that sit over the frames and are held on with magnets. She also likes makeup.

But now she can also dress the way she wants again. Watching her get excited about pretty bras and tops with built-in bras makes me happy because it lifts her.

Maybe not being able to dress how you like doesn’t seem like that big a deal, but when so much has already been taken from you, having the ability to create and manipulate your appearance takes on more importance. And this breast reduction has provided that.

Shawna, 3. Old boobs, 0.

I think my wife’s life has improved, and that’s incredible. I think she’s happier, will be healthier, and perhaps the “in sickness” part of our vows will have just been moved down a peg in importance. That may not hold. This is MG after all, but it’s working today, and I can’t express my thanks enough for that.

Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.