Mammogram Part 2

The day of my mammogram, I prayed that God decrease my anxiety so I could go, get it done, and not reschedule. I was feeling antsy seeing that I'd had a weird dream that I was afraid could be a foreshadowing. I dreamed that me and my grandma were at the park and I was telling her how I was afraid of my mammogram results. She then reached over, squeezed my left breast, and a thick, red, waxy material came out of it. I woke up, not believing that could be a good sign. 

As the time rolled around to go to my appointment, I felt oddly calm. I credit this to my aunty and nephew coming with me, even though they stayed in the car. The doctor's office was oddly quiet. It was towards the end of the day. I was apprehensive, but my anxiety was at bay. 

Let me just say thank you to the sweet Jamaican woman who performed my mammogram. She was patient and kind to me as my anxiety eventually showed up and took over the show. With my left breast awkwardly compressed in the mammogram machine, I started crying and had the urge to rip my boob out of the machine (which would have been painful and possibly would have left me maimed) and run. 

Once it was over, I was told my results would be available in a week. So I was shocked to get an email the next day saying my results were available online. I immediately rolled over and called my gyno office. 

"I can interpret your results, but moving forward,  we probably aren't the appropriate place to call to get your mammogram results," a doctor who wasn't my doctor said before putting me on hold. Uh, okay. After about 30 seconds she popped back on the line and told me everything was fine and to get a mammogram again in a year. That's when I started crying. 

You want to talk about literal tears of joy?! I was so grateful to God. I truly didn't have the bandwidth to deal with more bad news or another health issue. I'm already overwhelmed trying to lose weight and keep my marbles.

A few moments later,  I dried my eyes and took a deep breath. Another fine crisis avoided to be readdressed next year. 

Mammogram

I'm scheduled to get my first mammogram today. Am I scared? Well, I'm up in the wee hours of the morning blogging about it. You tell me. 

I don't want to go. I may cancel depending on high my anxiety is. I'm told it's going to really hurt. I'm beyond nervous and petrified something may be wrong. Listen, my who-ha has already put me through the ringer. I just found out I need gum surgery. I'm not losing any weight, and my grandma had dementia so when I forget something, I panic. Now I have to worry about my boobs? Being a grownup is ghetto. 

Not long ago it felt like this milestone was a way down the road, now it's at my doorstep. And having watched all those breast cancer horror movies on Lifetime growing up didn't help. Man, I thought I had worries as a kid because other kids made fun of me. I didn't know what worries were! I just want to read my Babysitter's Club books and watch Nickelodeon, not live in fear of my own breasts! 

I don't want to talk about this anymore. Wish me luck. 

Lady Lumps pt 1

The other day I woke up with a pain in my left boob, the problem boob.
I got up and went to the bathroom to investigate the situation to find that I had some type of lump above my areola.
I was not surprised. My left breast has given me nothing but problems since I was 13-years-old. Unusual sensitivity in my breast caused me to have to go to the doctor with my mom when I was in the 8th grade, only to find that I had a bacterial infection. I had to take pills, and since then, my left boob has been saggier and considerably more pancakey than my right one.
Now I know some of you all are reading this and holding your breath. I know what you are thinking: The Big BC. But I was not thinking that at the time. I was thinking, Great, more s&*t that I have to deal with. Keep in mind, I was also not completely awake. I rolled my eyes at my boob and went back to sleep.
Now, when I woke up for real, cancer was most definitely on my mind. I went back to the mirror to study the situation, rubbing the lump and to me, it didn't feel like cancer. I, of course, am going off of a breast cancer display that I felt on in college during some type of AKA sorority breast cancer workshop. A breast cancer survivor had a display of a set of breasts and told me to press down on both with two fingers and tell her when I felt something. It took a while before I felt something small and sharp deep in the display breast.
"That's the lump," she said with a stern, straight face. I catalogued that in my mind for a moment such as the one I didn't know I would be having 14 years later and went back to my dorm with my friends to get ready for a party.
My mind was racing a mile a minute. This bump on my breast hurt! I remembered a doctor in a Lifetime movie telling a patient in the movie that breast cancer didn't hurt. I exhaled a sigh of relief.
But then I panicked! That was a made-for-TV movie, not real life!
Then I remembered, when I went to Planned Parenthood for a pelvic exam, I was given a breast exam. The nurse said I had healthy breast tissue. Again, relief.
Then I panicked! That was six years ago!
But wait, I thought, I am only 34. Relief.
Then came the panic. I read an article not too long ago about how women younger than 40 and dudes are getting increased breast cancer diagnoses.
I decided to do what I do best: ignore the problem. However, that went out the window an hour later when the bump on my boop started leaking.

The Sea Bags Nautical for a Cure Collection

Sea Bags Maine creates bags and other accessories from recycled boat sails. You wouldn't think that old sails could be turned into something cool and fashionable, but they can be. They are even being used to create a special collection for Breast Cancer Awareness Month: the Nautical for a Cure Collection.

Cure Pink Mariner Stripe Handbag, $150

For the remainder of the year, 20% off of each purchase from the collection goes to the Mane Cancer Foundation to support prevention and screenings.

Cure Pink Stripe Foldover Clutch, $85

Cure Pink Maritime Rope Bracelet, $40

ShoeDazzle x Susan G. Komen for October

As we all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We all have been touched in some form by this horrible disease that has claimed so many lives. Many of us want to donate money to research, but it is hard to settle on an organization that you can trust that will give your gifted funds to where they are needed. 

For the month of October, ShoeDazzle is giving 100% of the proceeds made from the sale of this shoe to Susan G. Komen. Giving has never been so fashionable! Visit the ShoeDazzle site here.

Pink Post: Dr.'s Remedy Nail Polish

Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Care is a healthier alternative to traditional nail care products. The products include wheat protein, tea tree oil, garlic bulb extract and lavender and do not contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, camphor or pthalates or DBP. Throughout the month of October, Dr.'s Remedy is donating 10% of the proceeds of the sales of their enriched pinks to Living Beyond Breast Cancer.  

PURITY Pink Nail Polish, $17

PEACEFUL Pink Coral Nail Polish, $17

PROMISING Pink Nail Polish, $17

Pink Post: The Natori Pure Luxe Full Fit Bra

During the month of October, Natori will donate 100% of sales of the Pure Luxe Full Fit Bra in the Rosy Pink/Hot Coral colorway to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Natori Pure Luxe Full Fit Bra is the perfect choice to represent this amazing initiative. With its sleek design, silky fabric, and delicate lace detail, in the BCRF signature pink, this bra is a standout for year-round wearing. Retailing for $70 and available in sizes 32B through 36G, this bra flatters all sizes and offers comfortable support. For every purchase of the Natori Pure Luxe Full Fit Bra, 100% of sales will go directly to fund BCRF and its mission to eradicate breast cancer by supporting critical research.

This program is valid October 1, 2015 – October 31, 2015 at both Natori.com and at the Josie Natori Boutique in Manhattan at 253 Elizabeth Street.

http://www.natori.com/Bras/Full-Coverage/Natori-Pure-Luxe-Full-Fit-Bra

Pink Post 4: Julian Chang

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During the last few days of the month, do your part to contribute money to finding a cure for this disease by shopping at JulianChang.com . Anything pink purchased is 20% off, and proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation by Julian Chang. 

Pink Post 3: flopZ

As you probably know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is one of my favorite months out of the year because I feel like real attention is given from all communities to Breast Cancer and seriously doing what needs to be done to help with prevention, recognition, and the overall eradication of a disease that has taken the lives of so many women globally.



When it comes to fashion, many of our favorite retailers discount or give proceeds of the sales of many pink items to Breast Cancer Research. Flip Flop line flopZ is giving 25% of the sales of their Siam Pink Flip Flops with Pink Straps to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Make your purchase today here. 

Pink Post 2: Bright Pink

Bright Pink is a non-profit that focuses on educating women on Breast and Ovarian Cancer. Through helping women at a young age to recognize risks and symptoms, they are helping women save their lives and the lives of their friends and family. They recently held their Bright Pink University event which graduated 20 more ambassadors to continue to further their mission. Carli Feinstein, the organization's Chief of Staff, helping me to understand more about this amazing information.

Women after registering for the Brighten Up Educational Workshops.



Q: How did the organization get started?

CF: Bright Pink was founded in 2007 by Lindsay Avner who lost both her great-grandmother and grandmother to breast cancer and watched her mother fight breast and ovarian cancer at a young age.

 

Q:How many ambassadors do you currently have?

CF: We currently have 60 Education ambassadors and 21 Support Ambassadors. Our Education Ambassadors are responsible for reaching 150 women each quarter through Brighten Up™ Educational Workshops and our Support Ambassadors are responsible for facilitating monthly Experiential Outreach Groups and supporting growth of their local high-risk networks.



Attendees at a Brighten Up class.

Q: Why do you look to get women involved at such a young age if their risk of being diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancers is low?

CF:One in eight women faces a lifetime risk of breast cancer and it is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 15 to 54. Ovarian cancer, while far less common than breast cancer, still affects many women: one in 67 faces a lifetime risk. Ovarian cancer is known as “the silent killer” because its symptoms can be difficult to detect. As a result, 2/3s of women diagnosed will die as a result, making ovarian cancer the deadliest gynecologic diseases.

Q: What is your suggestion to young women that are afraid of these topics?

CF: At Bright Pink, we believe that knowledge is power. We encourage young women to understand the true potential and gift that understanding their risk for these diseases can provide them. We ask them to collect their family history from both their mom and dad’s side of the family, and then complete Bright Pink’s Assess Your Risk tool at AssessYourRisk.org for a personalized risk assessment. You can print the results and take them to your next doctor’s appointment to help determine what steps you should take in your journey to take control of your breast and ovarian health. Knowing your risk for breast and ovarian cancer does not make you a victim, it empowers you to be a strong advocate for your health.