Think Pink
Quote de jour
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear in the face."
~Eleanor Roosevelt
It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I feel like burying my head in the sand. But there's too much at stake, so I won't. I had an ultra sound and mammogram this summer. The ultrasound technician breezes through one breast but keeps going over and over the same spot on the other breast. I study her face staring at the monitor and spot a flicker of worry. She leaves the room to consult with a doctor. I'm lying there in my paper gown, covered in goo, and cold fear. I didn't what to think about the possibility of cancer. It's what all women fear but it's what we must face, head on. Two days later, I receive a letter requesting I come in for another mammogram. I'm worried but not in a panic. I remember what the technician said, "If there was something, we wouldn't let you leave."
Everything is fine but my friend is not. I've known her since we were five years old.
She lost a breast to cancer this year. A part of her is missing but another bigger part is transformed by the experience. I don't know any woman who has not been touched by breast cancer, either personally or by a family member or friend. Every lump found is a personal threat. It could happen to any of us but at greater risk, are those with the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2.
I couple weeks ago, I was invited to attend a premiere at the spiffy, Paley Media Center in the CBS building in New York http://www.paleycenter.org/ of In The Family, a documentary about the film maker Joanna Rudnick's own journey with the BRCA1 gene. At first, I hesitated to go. Was it going to be boring? Or just depressing or worse, creepy? I went and it was a revelation. Technically, the film isn't perfect but the powerful message transcends any flaws. My hallmark for a successful film is how long I think about it afterwards. I haven't stopped thinking about it. It's a must see. More more info, interview and film clip, check out their lovely Web site http://www.inthefamily.kartemquin.com/
The doc, In The Family will air today, October 1st on PBS at 10 PM EST. Check your local listing for times.
The Paley Center
It's seems like a new film festival crops up every day. Here's another one of interest. www.breastfestfilmfest.com
This is first film festival focused on breast cancer awareness. It is scheduled to take place on Nov. 21 and 22nd in Toronto, Canada.
There is so much readily available information out there. Here are two of my favorite links. http://www.breastcancer.org and http://www.komen.org There is no excuse for any woman to be mis-informed these days. So, empower yourself by learning, then spread the word. Feel free to forward this to anyone you like and remember, love your breasts.
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop and look fear in the face."
~Eleanor Roosevelt
It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I feel like burying my head in the sand. But there's too much at stake, so I won't. I had an ultra sound and mammogram this summer. The ultrasound technician breezes through one breast but keeps going over and over the same spot on the other breast. I study her face staring at the monitor and spot a flicker of worry. She leaves the room to consult with a doctor. I'm lying there in my paper gown, covered in goo, and cold fear. I didn't what to think about the possibility of cancer. It's what all women fear but it's what we must face, head on. Two days later, I receive a letter requesting I come in for another mammogram. I'm worried but not in a panic. I remember what the technician said, "If there was something, we wouldn't let you leave."
Everything is fine but my friend is not. I've known her since we were five years old.
She lost a breast to cancer this year. A part of her is missing but another bigger part is transformed by the experience. I don't know any woman who has not been touched by breast cancer, either personally or by a family member or friend. Every lump found is a personal threat. It could happen to any of us but at greater risk, are those with the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2.
I couple weeks ago, I was invited to attend a premiere at the spiffy, Paley Media Center in the CBS building in New York http://www.paleycenter.org/ of In The Family, a documentary about the film maker Joanna Rudnick's own journey with the BRCA1 gene. At first, I hesitated to go. Was it going to be boring? Or just depressing or worse, creepy? I went and it was a revelation. Technically, the film isn't perfect but the powerful message transcends any flaws. My hallmark for a successful film is how long I think about it afterwards. I haven't stopped thinking about it. It's a must see. More more info, interview and film clip, check out their lovely Web site http://www.inthefamily.kartemquin.com/
The doc, In The Family will air today, October 1st on PBS at 10 PM EST. Check your local listing for times.
The Paley Center
It's seems like a new film festival crops up every day. Here's another one of interest. www.breastfestfilmfest.com
This is first film festival focused on breast cancer awareness. It is scheduled to take place on Nov. 21 and 22nd in Toronto, Canada.
There is so much readily available information out there. Here are two of my favorite links. http://www.breastcancer.org and http://www.komen.org There is no excuse for any woman to be mis-informed these days. So, empower yourself by learning, then spread the word. Feel free to forward this to anyone you like and remember, love your breasts.
I actually have to get checked out soon, I have been putting it off. I have some discomfort in my left one. Checked it 3 years ago. And taking lots of lemons, ginseng, etc. Have always been normal on the X-ray but I am just plain afraid.
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I hope you have it checked out. Thanks for your honesty. This is all too familiar and yet we mustn't let fear keep us from taking action. Early detection is life saving and a clean mammo is peace of mind.
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Thank you. I will. Might be a few weeks.
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I thouroughly enjoyed your article. It sent me flying to the kitchen to check my calendar. Lucky I did because this is my month for my yearly mammogram. Thank you so much for raising awareness in women.
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You were brave to write about this dire subject. I have a friend who was diagnosed last month with stage 3 breast cancer. She went in because a cat scratch would not heal. They biopsied it and found the cancer. It truly does affect us all. I have had a double lumpectomy, and I know how the fear and anguish rush through you. I hope this will encourage other to get examined.
Penny,
Sorry about your friend. Ironically, her cat might have saved her life indirectly!I don't feel brave but I feel we have to keep this dialogue going. Eventually women will hear the message and act accordingly.
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Layla,
I too had a call back on my mammogramme this year! As I take HRT it is scary. Nothing showed on the repeat performance, so I am hoping it was jsut dust!
Georgie,
This why I'm hoping everyone switches to digital mammograms. They are more accurate.
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Hi Layla, I am so glad to see this blog, I am a breast cancer survivor, since 1989, and had a radical masdectomy
of the right breast and six months later, they removed a benign tumor from the right breast. I know how you felt when you had to return for the second mammogram, you just know there is something wrong, problem with me is no one ever sent me for a mammogram and I was 62, and found the lump myself. I was lucky and it hadn't spread to any nodes or breast tissue, but in those days they did what they thought right to keep you alive, and they took my right pectoral muscles too, I now have grown a big muscle, if you will, over my right color bone to compensate, the body is wonderful. I also kept up with all my checkups after surgery , very important, as in 2001 I had endometrial cancer, probably as a result of having taken tomoxafin for only five years, I think those that kept taking it didn't have the same luck, or unluck, part of a test I think, as I was first told I would be taking it all of my life, I had chemotherapy for the second cancer for which the surgery was performed on October 12, 2001, so another anniversary coming up,seven years now and I am fine. Tell your friend attitude is the biggest help there is,I know everyone has heard that , but believe it to be true for me, never thought the thing would kill me, and never thought of it as being sick, just something to deal with. I know some are not so lucky, and I am grateful that I am. Lived a lot of years and try to help those who are going through it, until a few years ago, I worked for
reach to recovery for the ACS, and visited those who just had surgery to show there is life after losing a breast and yes, I loved mine, and now at 82, Nov.1, I have perky breasts, a good side effect, just a bit of humor here, and it is such a scary subject, I think we need to look at it in all ways, My best to you Layla and to all that read your blog and are afraid or going through the sleepwalking time of letting it all sink in,
Elsie,
Bless you. Comments like yours are the reason I write my blog. Thank-you.
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hi i saw your link on gather.com and your article is great. breast cancer is very scary. my sister had it and it was horrible. I'm surprised that your dr didn't order an mri instead of an ultrasound. the mri's are more accurate than ultrasounds in finding lumps. unfortunately, many insurance carriers do not want to pay for an mri. hope you have a great day.
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Wow, Elsie. Perky ones. I used to have perky ones before childbirth and nursing; but now since I know something is going on but I don't know what (my health insurance is screwed up but I will get it unscrewed ASAP), maybe I can perky ones again.
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Hi Layla, I was touched by your article and I enjoyed to read the comments. The main thing to remember, is know your breasts and have a surgeon examine you, they are the most qualified, and if the result is cancer, you will get treated and then go on with your life. Most breast cancer patients do very well so try not to panic at every check-up. That will do more harm. By the way I also go to yoga, and really it's something every woman should treat themselves to. Anne
Anne,
Thanks, that's good advice and I agree with yoga. It's my gift to myself.
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