Cancer ~ such an ugly word

Cancer – one of the very worst words you can ever hear uttered!  Hopefully with education and early detection it doesn’t have to be though…I heard those words in October of 2006 for the very first time…well obviously not for the very first time but for the first time when I knew in my heart of hearts it would forever effect me.  It’s like your insides are getting ripped out and your heart just stops for a bit.  If you have never heard those words in such an intimate way you just don’t understand to the depth that I ‘m trying to explain it.  You are forever changed.  There’s no going back.

Most of you know my sweet mom and true bff lost a battle to cancer in 2007.  I heard the news Oct. 2nd, 2006 and she took her last breath April 1, 2007.  It went SOOO quickly and it hurt so deeply.  I will never be the same that’s for sure.  Every award my son gets hurts in a way…every volleyball match my daughter wins has some pain in it because I can’t share it with my mom.  She would be so incredibly PROUD of my kids!  She adored them and I’m so blessed that they knew her even though they were much younger.

Although my mom didn’t pass away to Breast Cancer I’m happy to support ANY kind of cancer to be honest.  So I’m here today to discuss breast cancer as it is breast cancer awareness month.  First be sure to do your part in your monthly self exams.  If you have any history of breast cancer talk to your doctor.   I have put together a little list to help you get out and make your mammogram appointment:

 Top 10 reasons to get a mammogram:

10.  Early detection is the BEST defense

9.  Mammograms work!!  They do what they are suppose to do and you can get results – in fact they get results about 1.7 years sooner than a physical exam would do.

8.  Risks increase with age…I’m 43 and started getting these mammos when I turned 40 as recommended by the American Cancer Society.

7.  You only have to do it ONCE a year…it takes about 20 minutes or less out of your life and could SAVE your life!

6.  You will look great in the pink robe they provide. Ok so that one is a little vain. :o)

5.  You will immediately feel older and wiser – so you might not want to feel older but you will be wiser!  Tell your friends that you had one done and encourage them to do the same.  It’s so easy!

4.  A mammogram is safe and reliable.  All mammograms are safe – the exposure to radiation is equal to dental xray exposure.  Which is so minimal and the results are fast and efficient. 

3.  You want to keep your breasts and hair!!!  If a simple mammogram can keep your breasts intact and hair in place without pain and devastation why not?!?!

2.  Statistics alone!!!  I took stats in college…ugh!  But these stats are brutal 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer.

1.  You want to save your life!  Also spread the word and save the lives of your friends and loved ones.  So you get your ta ta’s squished a bit big deal.  I promise that is much better than the alternative!

This past fall during my regular well woman appointment my doctor found some ‘dense’ tissue in my breast that was a bit tender to the touch.  She suggested I get an ultrasound as I had recently just had my mammo in December.  Everything went well and I was all clear but still why wouldn’t I want to be proactive in a situation like this? 

Quick, no pain and …..you’re done before you know it!

I am teaming up with my sweet friend Katie Knight from Teacher to the Core on our mission to inform all of our wonderful friends about breast cancer awareness!  Here is one of her awesome tips:

{ click picture to visit her awesome blog }

So smart and just so simple – why didn’t I think of that?!?!  Thank you Katie!

So ~ join our mission to save the TA-TA’s.  Spread the word by sharing our blog post or facebook post.  Also enter to win some great PINK swag to better support the cause below:

A HUGE thank you to Michelle’s Place in Temecula for donating these items for our giveaway.  Check out their facebook page by liking them below.

Here’s a close up of the silver cuff:

a Rafflecopter giveaway