boob in a box

I went to into my room to get dressed yesterday morning and found my new prosthetic breast sitting on top of its box.

My boys had been playing 'Pirate Treasure Hunt' (although I think it was really an excuse for soon-to-be-eight years old S. to look for hidden birthday presents) and I gather the box on my shelf had been too much for two curious boys to resist.

I immediately went to tell my spouse. Should I talk to S. about his find? Did I think it would be more traumatic if I talked to him or should I just let it go? My husband, who had his hands full baking a cake for my three-year-old's birthday, said in so many words that he didn't think it was a big deal and that, while I could talk to him about it, I really didn't need to worry.

So I decided to wait for the right moment. A couple of hours later, I had the following conversation with my older son:

"Did you take something of mine out of that box on my shelf this morning?"

"Yeah. It was a white, squishy thing. What was that?"

"Um. Well...You know when I had my surgery...it left me flat on one side. This is to make me look the same on both sides."

"Cool!"

Pause.

"So it makes you look normal."

"Yeah."

"Cool."

End of conversation. Kids really do take most things in stride.

My prosthethis has provided a real lift to the spirits, is comfortable to wear and makes my clothes fit better. It is really bizarre, though, thinking that I will be putting my breast away in its box every night and taking it out again every morning.