Time for a Little Squeeze???

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  No doubt you've seen plenty of pink ribbons in print advertising this month.  Followers of my blog and friends and family already know I am a two-time cancer survivor.  Next month, I celebrate my 1st anniversary of completing my radiation.  Do you remember what it felt like when you graduated from 8th grade or from high school?  That's kinda what it feels like when you "graduate" from radiation therapy.  I got pretty emotional on my last day (Of course I did...I cry at birthday parties).  Hell, I get emotional thinking about it now.  The whole radiation experience was one of those life things that I felt compelled to document with photos, partly to get past the pity parties I occasionally went through.  Haven't scrapped it yet, but when I do, I'll post it on another blog that I'll start eventually.

But I digress...

So, usually my birth month (June) is a signal for me to take care of my health issues, like my annual visit to the doc for my meds, making sure I take care of any annual tests that are needed for someone, mmmmm, over 50, let's say.  Don't ask me why I do it then...so many people do it at the beginning or end of the year. 

But I digress...

After I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I vowed that I would send an annual reminder message to all my friends and family to make sure they set up their appointments for their mammograms.  I didn't do that this June (although I mentioned it in an August post about the Relay for Life).  Other health issues took the front seat.  So before I digress again, I'm just going to come out with it.  Have you scheduled your mammo for the year, or have you asked your wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother if they have??  This is important...VERY important. 

You'll note I didn't mention chemo in my treatment.  I feel (this could very well be simplistic thinking) that I didn't need chemo because I caught my BC early enough.  And I strongly believe that's because I go for my annual mammogram.  Whether or not it's true, what matters is that I have been given an opportunity to pester the hell out of those I care about to make sure they get in for their mammograms.  So here I am, pestering you.  Yes, I'm grateful that you visit my blog.  I'm very grateful when you leave comments.  So allow me to be grateful to celebrate your health.  If you haven't already done so, please schedule this year's mammogram. 

Oh, and one more thing...don't forget your BSE!!  It's best to do that on a set day each month.  Pick a day... The first of the month, the first Monday, the first paycheck.  Just pick a day.  What's that???  You don't know what a BSE is??  It's something every woman should know!!  It stands for Breast Self Exam. 

Do your loved ones a favor.  Do yourself a favor.  Get 'em squeezed!!!