Ms. Mastectomy News Flash! Breast Cancer Survivor Jodi Jaecks Wins Fight To Swim Topless in Seattle's Public Pools

Once upon a time, Jodi Jaecks had two beautiful breasts. And for most of her life, they went everywhere she went: to the grocery store, the post office, the movie theatre, the library, the gym.  Then one day she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After considering her treatment options, Jodi opted for a double mastectomy followed by a round of chemotherapy. Suddenly, Jodi Jaecks was breastless in Seattle! She was also exhausted. But eventually Jodi’s energy returned and she decided to go swimming at Medgar Evers Pool in the Central District.  Much to her chagrin, wearing a swimsuit top was painful — it pressed against her nerve damaged mastectomy scars. So Jodi asked permission to swim topless.  And even though public nudity is not illegal, the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department  repeatedly declined her requests and enforced their policy that women must wear tops in city pools.  With the support of other cancer survivors, Jodi pushed the issue for months. Then one day her story made headline news, and — surprise! surprise! — the parks department relented.  For now, Jodi Jaecks is the only woman allowed to swim topless in Seattle’s public pools — and only during adult lap sessions. But Ms. Mastectomy predicts Jodi Jaecks is not done making a splash.