if that title won't drag you in...I don't know what will! LOL!
first...an update on me...
went to the doctor...had a good experience (minus the gross bruises from the blood draw)...and got some good news...in a way...
first...when i explained my symptoms, and said that i had been chalking it up to stress...i heard something for the first time..."you're a woman...women blame it all on stress"...that made me feel a little better. i wasn't crazy...and i wasn't alone. did you know that women are more likely than men to ignore health issues? we women think we can do everything and when we aren't feeling up to par...well...we still keep on trucking...and ignore those little prickles at the back of our minds that say hey...maybe we have a problem. unfortunately (and fortunately in a way) it looks like i've been letting stress get the best of me...and overall my health is ok! (need to lose some weight...but one step at a time right???)
but (second)...i also was educated on something else...
i lost my father to colon cancer...over 13 years ago...unfortunately the family history puts me a bit at risk...so it's been recommended that i at least meet with a specialist...and look at having a colonoscopy soon...HELLO...i'm only (almost...give or take a 2-3 days) 35! I'm not supposed to have to worry about this yet (OR EVER)...but...it's time for truth...I'm at risk, my father was diagnosed at a relatively early age, and I need to be checked earlier than is normal...so...when i get up the nerve (sooner than later i promise) i'll make the call and find out what i need to do...still absorbing this right now...was not expecting to be told i need a camera shoved up my rear before i'm 40! anyways...
third...all this talk about screening for cancer earlier than "normal" happened to occur at the same time the Komen vs Planned Parenthood stuff was happening...so that leads to the BOOBS topic...
since we are being truthy...i'll be frank about it...
unfortunately my family roots have issues with breast cancer as well...my grandmother (on my father's side) lost her breast (and eventually her life) dealing with breast cancer...at a time when it wasn't something popular to talk about or advertise pink ribbons for...my mother had a biopsy around 16 years ago...which was thankfully negative...but still...if her boobs were at risk...then mine are too...
5 years ago (7 weeks shy of my 30th b-day) i noticed a slight deformation in my right breast...and at the time i actually said something to my doc (military doc...one of the good ones!) during my annual exam...he could see it also and recommended a mammogram...i was supposed to deploy in just over two weeks...and i was scared...and then I got mad....
no way the breast clinic could get me in...6 month wait at least (lack of equipment, funds, personnel...and an large influx of those needing screening)...a young female, with a family history of cancer, about to deploy to the persian gulf...was not high enough a priority...(what my thoughts and feelings were when i heard that are so dark and ugly...i won't go there now)...yet...i was lucky...my doc (being one of the good ones) called BS (as much as he could) and pulled all the strings and favors he had...and got me in for an ultrasound...which thankfully indicated normal tissue aging and no significant formations or lumps or anything...
since then...I have to say i'm pretty rigorous about my breast self-exams and take a good long look in the mirror at them pretty regularly...no lump or bump or whatever will pop up unnoticed!
why do I share this story?
I'm lucky...I have good doctors...I have good health insurance...and I will go to the mat defending my rights as a young (just don't ask my kid if i'm young) woman and my breast health!
so many are not so lucky...
so feel up your boobs...and if something doesn't feel right...get it checked...if you can't afford or can't get an appointment...or whatever...call Planned Parenthood...call your church...call your friends...do whatever it takes to find out if there is a problem...
and tell your friends. remind them to squish the ta-ta's...whatever it takes...
we have to stick together...be it blood bonds, friendship, or the web...and remind each other...WE ARE WORTH IT!
now go check your boobs!
Hugs to all!
Lesley
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