CHEST CONFESSIONS. A BOOK YOU JUST NEED TO HAVE, BY CHRISTINA WILSON

Being diagnosed with breast cancer is not a good thing. But the incredible women whom I’ve met along the way? Wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Here’s the story. I went to sleep away camp with NYC comedian Jason Andors. Many years later, we reconnected on Facebook and most recently I noticed a post of his announcing the release of Christina’s book. I couldn’t believe it, his childhood friend (her dad is his Godfather) was not only a breast cancer survivor, but also an advocate. And now an author.

He kept this under his hat because Christina didn’t tell ANYONE about her breast cancer (with the exception of a handful of friends and family) until she launched her book. Needless to say, the reaction from her friends and family was overwhelming and supportive.

When I saw this post, I immediately asked Jason to introduce me to Christina. We began texting and just couldn’t wait to meet in person. We made a coffee date in NYC. I took one look at her book Chest Confessions and thought, this is a book that every woman should have. Whether you have breast cancer or not. It’s one of the most honest and relatable resources that I’ve seen in a very long time. It makes a beautiful coffee table book as well!

I don’t want to spoil it for you, but Christina had quite the journey. From a misdiagnosis to complications with her breast reconstruction, and everything in between (including divorce), she truly addresses so many of the emotions and real-life situations that we must endure. Christina also offers some pretty amazing advice as well. Without further adieu, here is my exclusive interview with the lovely (and beautiful) Christina Wilson:

 

Why did you decide to write this book? 

“I wanted to very candidly tell my story of my journey with breast cancer.  Educate women about being their own health advocates.  The goal of this book is to prevent what happened to me from happening to other women and to give hope that anyone can completely rebuild their body and life. I also needed to reveal myself and finally go public with my truth that I kept so private for many years.”

Why did you decide to keep your breast cancer a secret?

“I didn’t want anyone to look at me differently.”

How and when did you reveal your journey with the rest of the world? How did that feel?

“I revealed my journey with the rest of the world the day I released this book. It was a liberating, cathartic experience. A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders after all these years.”

What was the worst part of breast cancer for you?

“The awful physical and emotional side effects from the chemotherapy, radiation and botched reconstruction surgery that took years to fix.”

What was the one big lesson that breast cancer has taught you?

“That feeling physically well is a blessing. Never take it for granted. That you never know what someone is going through.”

Tell us about your love for Sex and the City. I love that we both still binge watch it! How does it make you feel when you watch it now? Do you miss the old Christina? Or are you truly embracing the new person you’ve become?

“I started watching Sex and the City from the first episode when it premiered on HBO in June of 1998. Since then, I don’t think a week has gone by that I haven’t seen an episode. I actually can relate to it in a way even more now since I’ve been back in the dating scene post-divorce these last 5 years. Being single and living in NYC, I think I’ve experienced almost every storyline (ha).

I do miss parts of the old Christina. It would be nice knowing what I know now, but turning back the age clock about 20 years. I’ve not only embraced the person I am now but am at the best point in my life. I finally feel very happy, comfortable and confident in my skin.”

What do you hope to accomplish with this book? Will you be doing book signings soon? If so, when and where?

“To make all people aware, not just women, to be their own health advocates. I want everyone to understand how powerful our minds are, and that we’re capable of achieving anything we want to. I’ll be doing book signing events during the course of the next few months, stay tuned!”

When will your book be available on Amazon?

“You can purchase it now exclusively on www.chestconfessions.com, and I’m offering free shipping. In March it will become available on Amazon.”

Explain the process of writing this book. Was it difficult to go back to your past? Did the writing help you heal? 

“I sat down and wrote it in chronological order. Yes, it was very emotional and brought back a lot of painful memories of my misdiagnosis, treatment, how hard it was to rebuild my chest from the mastectomy and my divorce. The healing component was looking at my life now and how far I’ve come, how much I’ve overcome and how much I have to offer other women. I’m filled with information, so utilize me!”

Your photographs are beautiful. Tell us about the photographer, and what it was like to pose for these photos. What was going through your mind? Especially the one of you in front of the Chrysler building. 

“The photographer is Scott Goldberg who became a good friend. He was patient, compassionate and captured what I wanted to show to tell my story. I felt such a sense of release and relief topless on that rooftop with the Chrysler building in the background. Lots of emotions … feeling good enough about myself to expose my new breasts to the world…strong, like I’m back and better than before in my beautiful hometown NYC. “

Are you at peace with your body now? If so, what do you think has given you this peace? 

“I feel physically good every day again which I’m grateful for. It took years to heal from all the drugs and radiation. I am at as much peace I believe as I can be with my breasts. They look good and they’re physically comfortable, unlike the first set of implants and reconstruction I had. The very few men I’ve been intimate with since my reconstruction and divorce that have seen them; liked them…so that helps :)”