Monday, November 18, 2013

Should Young Women Get Mammograms?


 About a month ago I unexpectedly discovered that I had a lump in my right breast.

{Don't freak out...no, I do not have breast cancer...but, this discovery was a great wake up call.} 

 {Side note: Even though I am more than happy to be an open book regarding my life...there is something about writing the word breast on my public blog that makes the prude in me squirm. I know..I'm ridiculous. I didn't realize that any topic in writing was outside of my comfort zone but, evidently I have discovered it.  How odd.

I digress, because I am young(er), it has never really crossed my mind to have a routine breast exam (or ever for that matter) and I certainly wasn't expecting to schedule a Mammogram appointment during my 30th year of life.  I am so thankful that the discovery was made at all.  That in itself was a bit of a miracle.  Perhaps God was giving me a nudge to take my health a little more seriously going forward.  

Due to the fact that breast cancer does run in my family, I immediately felt a mixture of emotions upon making the discovery.  I am not a very reactive person and I am not one to "freak out," but, I sat quietly on the couch and tried to process the information and prayed about what to do next.  I felt a little nervous, anxious and overwhelmed  about the unknowns and yet at the same time I could feel God's peace and His presence.  

I talked with my Mom and texted a few friends and asked for prayer and then I quickly scheduled an appointment for a Mammogram after being prompted to do so. I may very well have ignored the situation for a while had I not been urged otherwise.

I was so impressed and thankful that they were able to schedule me in later that same day.  This gave me very little time to over think the situation. 

I was told that Mammograms can be a bit uncomfortable, so I was prepared for that possibility but, it really wasn't too terrible.  Uncomfortable yes, but bearable. More than anything I felt awkward about having my bare chest smashed between two x-ray plates in front of a technician.  I have been known to say awkward things in awkward situations.  Unfortunately, Mammogram day was one of those days for me.  To be honest, I'm a bit too embarrassed to repeat here on this blog what I said there, though I am giggling to myself at the mere thought of it. hehehe  Sometimes I remind myself of Chandler from Friends and I am not proud of that fact...'nuff said.

I was told on more than one occasion by the nurse staff, "you are so young.  We hardly ever see women your age in here."  I thought about that.  I suppose that is a good thing.  The last thing I wanted to hear them say was that the offices were booming with 30 year old women coming in to have suspicious lumps checked out.  Praise God.  Yes, that is a great thing!  Then I wondered, wait, why am I here?  Please just tell me that the lump is nothing and I will be on my merry way.  
 

As it turned out, I had not one but, three lumps in my right breast.  The fantastic news is that the lumps were cysts, no surgical removal was required and I was given the all clear sign.  I exhaled a tremendous sigh of relief and quietly squealed, "thank you Jesus."  As I said before, I am not a very reactive person but, if you could have seen the me inside of me, I was jumping up and down for joy and running around wildly screaming praises.  Can any of you relate to that or is it just me?  

I was strongly urged to take all breast lumps seriously going forward and I was advised to get Mammograms regularly to monitor things.  I took this advise to heart and I plan to be much more proactive going forward. 

I wrote this (very out of my comfort zone) post simply to encourage young women and all women for that matter, to check for lumps on a regular basis, or make an appointment yearly for an exam and then to immediately make an appointment to get a Mammogram if anything suspicious is found.  Even if you are unsure, make an appointment to put your mind at ease.

Initially when I discovered the lump, I doubted myself and I figured it was nothing.  I didn't even know what a lump was supposed to feel like.  I actually waited several days before telling anyone about it because, I didn't want seem like I was being "dramatic."  I am so thankful that I finally decided to address the situation because it was in fact a lump and it could have been cancer.  

So, if anyone has been putting off making an appointment to get a Mammogram (even if you are young(er) like me), I hope this post will give you the nudge you needed to do so.  Get er' done, please.

Breast cancer is a very, very serious thing and I will tell you that just the mere thought of having breast cancer for one day rattled me tremendously.  It was a huge wake up call and once again it challenged me to remember just how precious and beautiful life is.  It reminded me that every day is a gift and not to be taken for granted.   

Much love to all breast cancer survivors, to all who have battled it in the past or are currently battling it.  God Bless each of you today. 
Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Thankful

I just dropped my kiddo off at preschool and she didn't even look back to say goodbye.  It's a good thing that I'm not terribly sensitive! lol  I'm just so thankful that she is loving her school experience.

I can't believe that we are already a week into November and that the holidays are upon us once again.  I also can't believe that my little girl will be four years old in just a few short months. I guess I will never get used to the fact that time goes by much faster than I'd like but, I am so thankful for every day that I get to be alive and soak up this wild life.   

I'm thankful for sunshine, warm fires on chilly nights, coffee in the morning, unexpected phone calls and text messages from friends and loved ones (thanks Anna:)!, Pandora...free music is awesome!, Uggs-the best invention ever, my Jesus Calling daily devotional - seriously amazing, the cheery bright green chairs in my living room that I am currently staring at -happiness, my glasses - it's nice to be able to see clearly, my home -it's so cozy!, my health - arms to hug my loved ones and legs to run and greet them, my neighbors - they are all  freaking awesome, Netflixs - cuz we use it UH-LOT, my camera - the memories it allows me to capture are priceless, my husband - he works so hard for our family, my daughter - she is such a happy kid -such a ray of sunshine, my laptop - so I can sit here like a lazy sloth on the couch instead of at a desk, being able to hear - the laughter of my little girl and the sweet melodies of worship...okay, I will stop there for now...so hard to stop!

What are you thankful for today? 
I hope that you all have a blessed November. xo


I'm sure you already knew this but, Daisy adores her Daddy. They have a special bond. A silly one.  She is more wild with him.  They wrestle, they fish, they play corn hole, they smash faces, they tickle...it's funny to watch the two of them.  I'm very thankful that my little girl has a great relationship with her Daddy.  I can tell that these two will always be buddies. 
A photographer's view...also, a mom's view.  Daisy has super wavy, fine hair and it still has a slight strawberry tint to it.  So pretty. Oh hey, see my blue TOMS...I'm thankful for the friend who gave them to me:)...you know who you are.  I had never owed a pair before and now I'm hooked and trendy like the rest of 'Merica.  Yeah!
She's laughing...just in case you weren't sure and she is loving it:). She is quite ticklish unlike her Momma.  I'm thankful that I am not (really) ticklish...it's like having a super power to remain calm in the midst of a tickle.  It might come in handy some day...you never know!
And here we are singing her favorite song, Overcomer by Mandisa. We created hand motions that we do together and she asks us to sing it over and over and over again. It's a great song so I don't mind. I hope she always holds tightly to the truth.  She will always be an over-comer with Jesus in her heart!  I am thankful that my little girl gets so excited when we talk about Jesus!
and then came the best part...feeding the ducks and geese. We came with an entire loaf of bread and left with nothing. Fat, thankful ducks. Happy Daisy.
Sometimes I like to stand back and observe my family from afar and get a different perspective.  It's sweet to see the two of them enjoying a moment together in the great outdoors.  Life is beautiful.