What's More Beautiful Than a Little Whimsy?
There’s something about a little whimsy that can change the way you see things. Krystal took something she once felt the need to hide and covered it in gems instead. Her scars have carried stories of cancer, treatment, reconstruction, survival, and strength. Today, she’s sharing the story behind them—in her own words.
Scars are physical representations of my battles with cancer.
This one on my right? I've had it for as long as I can remember.
As a kid, I hated it.
I told people I'd been stabbed. Bitten by a shark. Anything but the truth—because when I told people where it really came from, I became cancer girl.
But the truth is, this port scar helped save my life when I was just 3 years old.
This scar on my left came later.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 32 years old, and through this port, the Red Devil and Taxol ran through my body and helped me fight another battle.
And then there's this one.
From hip to hip.
This scar came from my DIEP flap reconstruction.
At 38, after my third cancer diagnosis and complications with my implants, surgeons used my own tissue and arteries to rebuild what cancer had taken from me.
I hated my scars.
I lied about them.
I covered them up.
I was ashamed of them.
I've cried countless tears over them.
But now…I accept them.
And I'm choosing to love them.
Not because every day is easy.
Not because I've suddenly forgotten the things my body has endured.
But because these scars are proof that I am stronger than what tried to kill me.
Much like my scars, every survivor has a story.
Those stories come with every emotion imaginable. Fear. Anger. Grief. Shame. Loss. Strength. Gratitude. Joy.
And sometimes, transformation.
There is no right way to feel about a scar.
There is no requirement to love the body cancer changed. There is no timeline for acceptance.
But for me, today, I choose to love this body.
I choose to embrace these scars as physical representations of my strength.
And this time, instead of covering them up...
I covered them in gems.
Because what's more beautiful than a little whimsy?
