Posts Tagged ‘breast cancer’
I HATE CANCER!
Posted on: October 22, 2012
Five years ago, I rushed from Delaware to New York to be late and miss my cousin’s funeral and burial – it was done on purpose…I didn’t want to see her…I didn’t want to say, “goodbye”.
She didn’t fight long but she fought hard!
Damn It – I HATE CANCER
I MISS YOU CUZ – REST IN HEAVEN UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!
In memory of Debra, I participated in the annual Making Strides to end breast cancer, 3K walk in Wilmington, DE sponsored by the American Cancer Society. I was invited by a friend who is a big supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness and our group’s name was the “Crafty Walkers”. My heart and mind was full and I truly felt Debra’s presence as we walked on a gorgeous Sunday – thank you God. The sea of pink, of men and women; toddlers and teenagers; young and old; black and white; able and disabled all walking, strolling or running for the same cause was a beautiful thing.
Rest in heaven my beautiful Angel.
Linking up this month with BLMGirlsGoPink – hop on over and meet some great bloggers – read inspirational stories as well as breast health tips.
http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=167024&type=basic
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.
Fashion and Fun after Fifty 