by Sheroe

Created on: June 15, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

What I Know About Henry Rollins

Got To Love Him, Anyway!

In 2006, I was diagnosed with cancer in my left breast. I chose to have a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy due to the type of cancer and its location in my breast. I knew if my lymph nodes came back clear, I wouldn't have to have radiation. I also opted for reconstruction rather than an implant. I figured it would be healthier to have a breast made from my own tissue rather than put something foreign in my body.

In 2007, I had four more surgeries. The first was a tram flap delay. I was cut along my belly from hip to hip. Clips were put on blood vessels to encourage the growth of more vessels in my belly fat. The second surgery was a tram flap. I was cut along the same incision. A second cut was made about five inches above the first cut and it intersected with the first incision at my hips. The blood supply was left intact and this slice of belly was routed through an abdominal tunnel, turned upside down and sutured to my chest, to form a breast. The third and fourth surgeries were needed to revise the tram flap. I didn't have enough blood supply to the transplanted tissues and they began to die.

Between my third and fourth surgeries, my husband and I went to Fangoria Weekend of Horrors in Burbank California. We always renew our Gold Circle Seating. It's worth the cost because we're assigned front row center stage seats, ten feet away from the stars.

I was still recovering from the revision. I was weak and tired easily. I was afraid that someone might bump my surgery site. I felt self conscious about the obviously unsymmetrical shape of my new left breast. I could either stay in the hotel room or I could put on a T-shirt that celebrated my survivorship and go watch the panels.

I took my seat in the panel room, arranged my camera on a monopod and waited for the Wrong Turn II panel to start. Tony Timpone introduced the panel members, one at a time. The last one he introduced was Henry Rollins. I sat there with a ridiculous grin splitting my face, watching him.

Henry was the one person I really wanted to see at this Fango. I have a crush on Henry. I've had it ever since I went to see his Spoken Word engagement in San Diego years earlier to watch him perform an angry, political rant.

At one point, as I listened to another panel member, I felt like I was being watched. I looked up to see Henry avert his eyes quickly.

"Oh!" I thought. "He must have been reading my shirt."

I was wearing a grey T-shirt with a yellow

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>