Month: October 2017

I received an email from my State Health Benefits Plan’s BeWell Program about the 5 Myths of Breast CANcer.  I am the Wellness Ambassador at my school and try to educate anyone I can, especially now about their well being and now breast health.  I thought this information was worth sharing with others on this final day of Breast CANcer Awareness Month. Please do not let this be the end of educating yourselves. October is for Breast CANcer Awareness, reminders of what we need to do to be proactive and live long healthy and productive lives. The rest of the year is for education, sharing, and promoting overall health. The organization’s information can be found at the end of the post.

5 Breast Cancer Myths – Busted! And the truths that can help you take control.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.
There are things you can do to protect yourself from breast cancer. Understanding your risk, getting regular screenings, and making healthy choices are the best ways to find breast cancer early and lower your risk of developing the disease. Here are the facts you need to know.*
MYTH:  Breast cancer runs in the family.
TRUTH: Only 15% of women diagnosed have a family history. That’s why all women should ask their doctor about how often to have a mammogram.
MYTH: Men don’t get breast cancer.
TRUTH: It’s rare, but it happens. Less than 1% of all breast cancer develops in men. Whatever your gender, know what’s normal for your body. Regular self-checks can help with this. Report any breast changes or a lump right away.

MYTH:  I know all the risk factors.
TRUTH:  Many people don’t. Having dense breasts and taking hormones for birth control or menopause can play roles, as can being overweight or obese and getting an early first period. Ask your doctor about all your risks.
MYTH: Antiperspirants cause breast cancer.
TRUTH: There’s no scientific evidence linking antiperspirants and breast cancer, so no need to toss your gym bag staple. It’s more important to reduce the risks from lifestyle habits such as drinking alcohol. One drink a day should be your max. Two to three boosts risk by 20%. Quitting smoking may help, too.
MYTH: Diet and exercise don’t have an impact.
TRUTH: Obesity raises the risk of many cancers. Healthy habits can help you reach or maintain your goal weight. Walking 150 minutes per week lowers breast cancer risk by 20%. Eating more fruits and vegetables helps, too.

My CANcer Wisdom to you:  Know that facts and continue to ask questions and educate yourself beyond October 31st!

*Based on recommendations from the American Cancer Society.
Be Well SHBP • BeWellSHBP.com • 888-616-6411

One year ago today, I was given the most horrific news anyone could possibly get…”Michele, I’m really sorry to have to tell you this, but you do have breast cancer and it’s very aggressive…stage 3…”.  It was a Friday, October 14th.  I was at school when I got the news.  I had asked my doctor to call me as soon as she knew.  Dr. Smith delivered our son and she knows I don’t like to “beat around the bush”.  Tell me and tell me now…no I don’t want to sit on a couch in an office, I want to know now!  It was like yesterday, I remember my phone ringing and me asking my colleague to watch my class while I took an important call.  Needless to say, I was devastated.  My whole life flashed before my eyes.  How would I tell my husband, my son, my family and friends….was I going to die, was I going to live, how could I leave this Earth…I have so much more to do, to see.  It was all overwhelming.  After talking to my doctor and discussing the next steps, I went back to my class like nothing happened and continued on with my day.  I had to…no choice, didn’t want anyone to know something was terribly wrong, didn’t want to tell anyone before my husband and didn’t want my students to know.  It was a dreadful day that turned into a perfect storm.

Have you ever been through a storm and thought it would never end?  A feeling of fear and uncertainty encompassed your every thought…then daylight…sun…calmness.  We face storms all the time in our relationships, work, abilities, etc.  Storms come when we least expect them and when we are warned and take time to prepare.  I was warned (I found a lump) and I was prepared (I got my mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy).  What I least expected was it to be malignant.  My storm was this tumor that took over my breast.  All my life, I had been rather healthy, energetic, and strong.  Now this cancer entered my body like a hurricane, typhoon, any type of extreme weather you could think of, and destroyed my thoughts of the future I had intended.  Cancer ravaged my mind, soaked my spirit, and flooded my body with unwelcomed cells.  My storm was raging inside me and clouding my vision.  A year ago today, I allowed a diagnosis to change my way of thinking, my attitude, and my hope.  Then, there was a calmness, an acceptance and a will to live.  “So what do I need to do first Dr. Smith?”  The storm seemed to relinquish my mind and allow me to see the light.  It was time to fully understand what my family was about to face and how we were going to get through it.  God told me that if anything, I would see his face.  If I was ready to live and fulfill his purpose, I would see his glory.  As I reflect a year later, I understand more now what I heard God speak into my heart.  My storm has blessed my life with new visions and opportunities, new purpose in life and appreciation for everything I have.  I thank God everyday for His mercy and His grace and know that I am covered.  Now with that comes more responsibility.  Education in early detection and prevention, nutrition and a healthier lifestyle, all of which should be shared with others.  My writing has been therapeutic for me, but I hope it continues to be educational and inspirational for others.

After the perfect storm, there usually lies a perfect rainbow.  During my storm, I had to learn about the rainbow.  Learn about the gift of life and what that really means.  A diagnosis is not death, it’s a diagnosis.  It tells you there is a problem, an issue, a situation, a concern…however, you want to call it, a diagnosis.  No doctor, and I have seen several, told me I was going to die!  No doctor said, you might as well give up!  My God, doesn’t even conceive of these thoughts so I had to come to my own understanding and see that rainbow that God provides after those storms.  Psychology will tell you that each one of those colors has meaning and can provoke thoughts that those colors represent.  As a student of psychology, I know it is true and believe in God’s purpose in the smallest to the biggest of storms and rainbows.

My rainbow: Red gives me the energy to go on as I am covered in the blood of Jesus, Orange allows me to be optimistic, Yellow gives me an intelligent mind to read and understand the journey, Green keeps me balanced and able to see how I can demonstrate growth through the struggle, reborn in this world and renewed in my spirit, Blue brings me peace, trusting in only Him as doctors are used as his vessels, Indigo continues my woman and mama intuition, I still have a husband and a son to take care of and need my senses to be of sound mind, and Violet leaves chance to my imagination.  I can continue to dream BIG, fulfill my purpose of this Earth, and be the light that God wants me to be for others.

My CANcer Wisdom to you:  You may not be able to prepare for the storms that come, but if you awake to a new day, you can assess the damage, clean up the mess, and make a plan to rebuild, emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually!  There will be storms and there will be rainbows…will you wallow in the storm or be hopeful for the rainbows?

This is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

On this day the Lord has made, we enter into the 1st of October, the Sabbath. The beginning of Breast CANcer Awareness Month. This is the time of year when we are reminded about getting our mammograms, self-breast examination, donating to research and various organizations and walking for survivors and those still continuing to fight the good fight. Little did I know almost a year ago, this would be the month I would be diagnosed.

Please let this month be a reminder to go to your doctor and get those mammograms!  Take the time each week to do self-breast examinations.  Early detection is the best way to combat this ugly disease.  Take it from me as a witness….I have very dense breasts and I do self-examinations.  I went for a mammogram because I felt a lump in my breast that I could grab.  When I had the mammogram done, you could not see what I felt.  I had to get an ultrasound and a biopsy to get the full picture.  That mammogram would not have been enough.  Knowing your breast and being able to recognize changes is crucial to early detection.  Although technology has advanced what physicians are able to do, there are always instances where one test is not enough.  Thank God for self-examinations!  If you are a woman with dense breasts or even fibrosystic breasts, alert your physician so they are more diligent as they review your mammogram.  It may also prompt them to conduct more indepth tests if you have any concerns.

My CANcer Wisdom:  Please encourage your sister friends to do their self-examinations and get those mammograms done.  Don’t put it off until later…

My October posts are dedicated to one of my best friends Kelly L. Golliday.  She fought a valient fight and remained the most positive and spiritual sister you could ever know.  She inspired me and continues to be my Angel in Heaven! Rest well my sister💗

    Sunrise 1/28/71-Sunset 7/28/08