"Mastectomy Moons" Are Helping Patients Find Peace Before Surgery
Our take
The quiet resilience woven into the human spirit finds expression in unexpected forms, and the recent emergence of "Mastectomy Moons" offers a poignant example. These personalized lunar calendars, crafted by artist Michele Kraus Bennett, provide a ritualistic framework for women facing mastectomy surgery, acknowledging the inevitable grief and offering a space for introspection and gentle preparation. The act of marking the moon cycles, aligning them with appointments, and reflecting on their personal significance, transforms a potentially overwhelming experience into a series of smaller, more manageable moments. It’s a beautiful illustration of how creativity can be harnessed to navigate profound emotional landscapes, a theme we’ve explored before in pieces like [A Surprise Pregnancy, a Metastatic Breast Cancer Diagnosis, and the Long Journey Ahead] and [Palace Flags Are Flying at Half-Staff as King Charles Shares “Profound Sadness” Over the Loss of “Dear Cousin”], both of which underscore the universality of loss and the diverse ways individuals seek solace. The concept goes beyond simple coping mechanisms; it's about reclaiming agency and finding beauty amidst a challenging reality.
The power of this practice lies in its understated elegance and focus on self-connection. It’s not about aggressive positivity or dismissing the pain, but rather creating a container for it—a gentle, rhythmic framework to hold space for grief, fear, and ultimately, hope. This resonates deeply with the ethos of quiet luxury and intentional living that we champion. The visual simplicity of a lunar calendar, combined with the deeply personal meaning it holds for the individual, exemplifies a refined aesthetic that prioritizes feeling over ostentation. We've also observed similar themes of finding strength in quiet moments, as highlighted in [Dolly Parton Never Got to Experience One Special Moment With Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis], demonstrating a cultural appreciation for understated grace and enduring connection. The "Mastectomy Moons" initiative, therefore, feels less like a trend and more like a natural evolution of a growing desire for meaningful rituals and personalized wellness practices.
What’s particularly compelling is the shift in how we’re approaching healthcare and patient support. Traditionally, medical interventions have focused primarily on the physical aspects of treatment, often leaving the emotional and spiritual needs of patients underserved. The rise of initiatives like this suggests a growing recognition of the importance of holistic care, one that acknowledges the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. This isn't about replacing medical treatment; it’s about supplementing it with practices that nurture emotional well-being and empower individuals to actively participate in their own healing journey. The beauty of the moon calendar is its accessibility; it requires no specialized training, no expensive equipment—only a willingness to engage in self-reflection and find solace in the natural rhythms of the world. This democratization of emotional support is a powerful and necessary development.
Ultimately, “Mastectomy Moons” represent more than just a clever concept; they signal a broader cultural shift toward embracing vulnerability, prioritizing self-care, and finding beauty in the face of adversity. The initiative’s success highlights the power of art and ritual to provide comfort and meaning during times of profound change. As we continue to witness an increasing emphasis on personalized wellness and holistic healing, it will be fascinating to observe how similar creative interventions emerge to support individuals navigating life's most challenging transitions. Will we see this model expanded to encompass other diagnoses and experiences of loss, or will it remain a unique and poignant offering for those facing mastectomy surgery?
With certain diagnoses, grief is inevitable. How you cope with it is up to you. In 2012, Michele Kraus Bennett tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation, which indicates an increased risk for breast cancer. Nearly a decade later, after years of screenings, MRIs, mammograms, and blood tests, she finally scheduled her preventative prophylactic mastectomy for Dec. 1, 2021 . . . along with a road trip across the West Coast. "I was like, 'I'm going to go show my boobs a bunch of stuff,'" Kraus Bennett tells Popsugar. "'I'm going to go show my boobs Joshua Tree.'"
These kinds of "mastectomy moons" might seem a little unusual from the outside looking in. To some, the lead-up to a major surgery isn't the most opportune time for such an impromptu vacation. But for people like Kraus Bennett, there's peace in these moments of spontaneity — not to mention a unique opportunity to grieve, celebrate, and escape on one's own terms.
The trip was partially inspired by Kraus Bennett's actual honeymoon in 2020, which also involved a road trip. "We loved it so much, and at every moment in life, I always think: Is this an opportunity to do something really memorable and big?" After planning her mastectomy, Kraus Bennett had the same thought. "This is something I could just pass by, or I could really celebrate and mark this moment and do something exciting." Thus, her pre-surgery road trip was born.
Image Source: Courtesy of Michele Kraus Bennett
Kraus Bennett's trip started with a flight from Portland, OR, to Los Angeles. From there, she and her husband rented a sprinter van and started making their way across scenic camp sites along the West Coast. In various Instagram galleries documenting her journey, Kraus Bennett describes rugged rocks and blue skies, quiet mornings and peaceful hikes, soft sunrises and cold sand.
"As it turns out, I had cancer on the road trip, but I didn't know," she says. "We camped at this place called the Alabama Hills and we were all alone in the campground . . . it was like $8 a night. It was so pretty, and we would just go on walks in the evening." Throughout her trip, she also explored Death Valley, went horseback riding, visited Meow Wolf Omega Mart in Las Vegas, had breakfast in Palm Springs, saw the Hoover Dam, and spent time at Disneyland. "I took my bra off in the bathroom before Tower of Terror," she laughs. She looks back on the memories fondly.
Image Source: Courtesy of Michele Kraus Bennett
Kraus Bennett says the road trip allowed her to find some levity in a dark situation. But it also gave her space to come to terms with all the changes that were about to take place. "The other night, floating around in the pool, waving my arms around, I tried to feel the cold water on my chest, and feel how my breasts float, because that will change," she wrote in an Instagram post from Nov. 18. As a synchronized swimmer, the grief felt especially heavy. "I remember standing in the shower and being like, 'I'm not going to feel the water on my chest,'" she tells PS. "I have to soak this up."
"I went on this trip and really did something special."
When her operation finally came around, Kraus Bennett went in with a clear mind and a calm soul. "There's nothing else I can do to prepare. I feel really good about this decision," she thought to herself. She credits the mastectomy moon for helping her step into this mindset. "I made the choice and I went on this trip and really did something special," she says. "It was really nice to be celebrated and get to say goodbye."
Everyone is operating under different circumstances. But if you have the means to schedule a trip before a similar surgery or major life change, Kraus Bennett would definitely recommend it. "I think stuff like this is always a good idea," she says. Beyond all the fun memories, it also helped her approach a longer health journey in the best headspace possible.
"I felt like I was as majestic as the places we were visiting," she says. "It gave me so much more peace and happiness."
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Chandler Plante (she/her) is a staff writer and PS Fit Producer. She has over six years of industry experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine, a social media manager for Millie magazine, and a contributor for Bustle Digital Group. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and is based in Los Angeles.Read on the original site
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