Hey Everyone! I hope that all of you had an awesome day today. The weather here, in NEPA, has been beautiful. I hope that each one of you are enjoying it.
I decided to write about being your own best advocate today. No one knows you better than you. If you don’t know enough to be your own advocate, find someone who can be your voice for you. I’ve been hearing too many stories, recently, about young women getting swept under the rug with regards to lumps in their breasts. Breast cancer strikes 1 in 8 women and does not discriminate based on age, race, color, etc. Since beginning this journey, I’ve spoken with at least half a dozen women with stories similar to mine. If something doesn’t seem right to you, please continue to pursue it. Be persistent. Don’t take no for an answer. Because you know you best, if you think something is wrong it most likely is. Women of mammogram age (between the ages of 35 and 40), GET YOUR MAMMOGRAMS!!! See your OB-GYN on a regular basis. Visit your family doctor yearly. Get your blood work. Take care of yourself. You have too much to live for.
Also, our health care providers need to be aware of the fact that breast cancer can affect young, even pregnant, women. This isn’t something to mess around with. If a patient comes to you with a lump, follow up with this. Women are putting their faith and trust in you. This matter can’t be taken lightly. Refer your patients out to breast care specialists even if you don’t feel as though it’s something serious. You can never be too sure. Specialists are specialists for a reason. I wouldn’t trust an orthodontist to perform heart surgery nor would I trust a dermatologist to perform brain surgery! Be a good quarterback.
Thanks to each of you for posting all of your comments. I love reading what you write and appreciate your love and support. Have a great start to the weekend!
LIVESTRONG and God Bless!
A very good friend of mine’s daughter was diagnosed w/ breast cancer while she was pregnant. The baby was delivered early so she could start her treatment. This too was a case of no one finding anything until she was several months pregnant! She has had chemo/ radiation a double masectomy, the whole nine yards and is now back to full time while receiving more radiation! She is a fighter, just like you, and winning!! Stay as strong as you are!!
Barb,
i am with you on this. i have always, every year, on my birthday month done it all, blood, mamo, bone density, whatever was available to get, i am checking every year. my mom waited till she was 75 to see a new Dr, who had diag.thyroid,diabetes, blocked artery etc. saw the same dr for 40 years prior to that and he saw nothing wrong!!! you certainly need to be your own advocate and stand up for yourself for sure. you do know when something just isn’t right. there is so much info at your finger tips that we need to be at least half informed and then question.
our parents were not taught or ever thought to question the professionals but we need to for our own peace and satisfaction.
Just learned i am going to be a grandma and my daughter’s experience so far is just so more advanced than mine was; but again, continue to ask and get answers that make sense to you so you can move forward with knowledge and confidence.
thanks for confirming that feeling.
“Be kinder than you should, for everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle”
enjoy a sunny Sunday
B