Posts Tagged ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’
Annual Mammogram
Posted on: October 19, 2012
As wives, mothers and caregivers we often take care of other’s needs before taking care of our own. I missed my annual GYN appointment by 6 months, but I didn’t forget to make an orthodontist, dental and vision appointment for my sons. I received a letter to schedule my annual mammogram in May, but didn’t make the appointment until this month.
It’s hard to forget to schedule a mammogram in October because of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the pink reminders are everywhere. In my family there are 6 cousins and an aunt who had Breast Cancer and unfortunately, one cousin and the aunt succumbed to the disease – RIP Aunt Hazel and Debra! At my job there are several Breast Cancer survivors as well as a woman currently undergoing treatment after being in remission for 10 years. She like so many other brave women remains positive, and upbeat as well as looking good in their scarves and wigs.
My 11th mammogram was this morning, I started going to Papastavros Imaging in Glasgow at the age of 40. I do not like doctor’s appointments and get nervous but I manage the stress by talking. I talk constantly, stopping only to hold my breath for the x-ray, and because of this I can honestly say that I have never felt any pain.
After entering the dressing room, and given a top gown which I never know how to tie, waiting to be called in is nerve racking and waiting for the results is even worse. There are two types of regular screenings, a “CC”, which is a straight down view and the “MLO”, a side view. If you are called back for a follow up, a Spot Paddle is used and it targets a specific area on the breast. The Spot Paddle is more painful because it pinches that targeted area. A few years ago I was called back and immediately went into a panic mode. Amy, my technician explained that a call back does not mean cancer. It can be a vein, an artery, or dense tissue seen on the x-ray, a change in your breast due to your menstrual cycle or even the technician or the machine. So don’t panic and if you have a low tolerance of pain try talking through it, you’ll be surprised how quickly it goes and the sooner you can get to your deodorant.
A great article from Sunday’s USA Weekend Magazine, by The Doctors
You feel a lump in your breast and immediately panic. It’s understandable: Breast cancer accounts for nearly one in three cancers diagnosed in women. But most lumps, as well as the majority of other breast changes, actually are caused by benign conditions. Three examples:
Breast lumps. They could be cysts. Most often found in women in their 40s, these round- or oval-shaped fluid-filled sacs are not cancerous, nor do they raise your risk. No one knows exactly what causes breast cysts to form, but some science suggests excess estrogen may play a role. Cysts sometimes can get bigger and become painful just before menstruation.
Any new lump needs to be checked. To confirm the mass is a cyst, your doctor will need an ultrasound or a fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy. If the cyst is large and painful, it can be drained via the FNA.
Nipple discharge (that’s not milk). It could be non-cancerous tumors. Called intraductal papillomas, these benign growths develop within breast ducts. Causes and risk factors are unknown, but single tumors in the large milk ducts near the nipple result in clear or bloody discharge. In most cases, they do not raise breast cancer risk.
Tell your doctor about discharge, especially if it’s bloody, which sometimes does indicate breast cancer. If a papilloma is diagnosed, your doctor will likely remove it and a part of the duct the tumor was found in.
Pain. It could be your period. Some women feel a dull ache in their breasts a week before menstruation, often accompanied by swelling, but symptoms subside once your period starts. Women who have fibrocystic breasts, a prominence of scar-like tissue and cysts, may feel pain around their cycles.
Breast pain often resolves on its own, but over-the-counter pain relievers or a supportive bra can help. Trimming dietary fat to less than 20% of total calories also can decrease pain from fibrocystic breasts.
The Doctors is an award-winning daytime TV show.
OOTD – Popping Pink
Posted on: October 10, 2012
Hello friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday. Like the sun that will be popping through the clouds this afternoon, I am popping a little pink with black. Black Boots or Pink Pumps was the dilemma this morning and I am not going to reveal which one I chose. Tell me which one you like better?
Sweater – Rainbow Shops// Top – Ross// Skirt – Goodwill // Boots – closet staple // Pumps – Mossimo via Target // Necklace and Earring Set – Jewelrymax.net// Ring – Beauty Max Beauty Supply Store
Dollar Tree Deals
Posted on: October 8, 2012
Dollar Tree is now accepting manufacturer’s coupons which makes a lot of items FREE! I had a $1.00 off coupon for the Pepperidge Farms Jingos and they are awesome. I also have coupons for Campbell soup but around the holidays it’s cheaper at the grocery stores.
Cotton balls, 100 count
High heel insoles and cushions
e.l.f. lIp liner brush
L.A. Colors 2-color eyeliner with sharpener
Nail stickers and L.A. Colors Nail polish – I needed another pink for #31daysofpink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
OOTD – Tuesday Then & Now
Posted on: October 2, 2012
Hello friends and Happy Tuesday. Today’s outfit is a dress that was previously worn in August, also on a Tuesday (here). Transitioning it from summer to autumn by adding a faux leather jacket and peep toe shoes replaced with leather pumps. The jacket was thrifted from Goodwill and the pumps are Carlos Santana, which I didn’t realize when I found them at The Salvation Army. These pumps are classic, timeless and very comfortable.
If you follow me on Instagram (ablake48) you know that I’m participating in #pinkfor31days, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are wearing pink nail polish for the month of October and I started with Revlon’s Fuchsia Fever. I’ve lost 2 cousins and an aunt to this deadly disease and have 5 cousins who are breast cancer survivors. A co-worker is now fighting her second bout after being in remission for over 10 years! If you are over 40 and haven’t scheduled your annual mammogram yet, please do so today, I’m scheduled for next week.
Have a fantabulous day and don’t forget to schedule your mammogram appointment – Smooches!
Fashion and Fun after Fifty 