A long time family friend was recently diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The news hit hard. She is beside herself as is her family. She had a lumpectomy on Monday. They also took some lymph nodes to be tested. One came back clean of cancer the other had a cancer cell. She'll now be getting a full mastectomy and chemotherapy treatment. We are keeping her in our thoughts and prayers and thinking nothing but positive thoughts for her. There is not much else we can do other than be there for her.
Each of us needs to remember to do our monthly self breast exam. It is simple, painless and only takes a few minutes. Mark your calendar! We also need to make sure we get regular mammograms. They are a necessary evil. Check with your insurance provider to find out what their guidelines are and at what age they recommend you start getting one. Then make that appointment!
In the mean time, arm yourself with knowledge.
Susan B Koman
Here you can pretty much find everything you might want to know. You can also find links to the Race for the Cure and the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk.
BreastCancer.org
Another website with a ton of information including a section with pictures of breast anatomy, breast cancer, breast reconstruction and more.
Both of these sites also have excellent directions on how to do a self breast exam.
Here is a pdf that you can download with an excellent chart for doing your monthly breast exam and keeping track of when you do it. Go and print it, laminate it and then hang it in the shower.
When you are not reading, you can busy yourself with these:
- A cute pair of Pink Ribbon Socks.
- The Breast Cancer mini-issue from Knitty
- An awareness ribbon chart to use for fair-isle or intartia knitting or maybe a cross-stitched piece
I will be wearing my breast cancer support charm bracelet while she is going through her treatments. Every time I see it, I'll be sure to say a little prayer.
6 comments:
I can sympathisize with you, and your friend, I too lost a good friend and coworker to cancer, breast and uterine, almost 8 years ago. She was a truly unique and caring person. We helped her beat the uterine cancer by starting a letterwriting campaign at work.
I worked in a day program servicing the needs of mentally retarded adults, so we got them involved too, and we gave her at least 20 positive thoughts a day, it helped her through her chemo and all of the other treatment that she needed to go thru. We also sent pictures of ourselves, hand drawn "artwork" and general silly stuff. These moments of levity helped her laugh in the face of a difficult battle. Phone calls helped too, our program participants also called her to say HI, and that lightened her spirits.
These are just some suggestions to get your dear friend thru the ordeal. You are right, positive energy does heal, so let the kids get out the craft supplies, and geto ut the camera and videocamera, she will appreciate the fun that goes into all of it, and it will help her in recovery!
Good luck, and I will say a prayer for your friend!
ps check out my blog:
www.thoughtsofaramblingmiki.blogspot.com
{{{big hugs}}} to you during this time, Emily.
Emily, I'm sending all my good thoughts and positive energy your way.
My grandma and mum had breastcancer.
I'm 33 and am avoiding the mammogram like the plague...out of the fear that if i'll go looking i'll be sure to find something.
I'm silly I know.
I try to check my self each month. I have reminders sent to me from iVillage.
Your friend will be okay. Be strong!
Hey Em...(((HUGS)))
I am so sorry for what your friend and family are endeauring. I have never experienced the disease (knock on wood) but I can sympathize that is for sure. I promise to keep them all in my prayers for the strength to handle anything that comes their way.
God Bless!
Breast Cancer support
Common Breast Cancer Myths
The first myth pertaining to this disease is that it only affects women.
Second myth that is associated with this disease is that if one has found a lump during an examination, it is cancer.
Third is that it is solely hereditary
The next myth associated with breast cancer is downright ridiculous. Would you believe, that in this day and age, some individuals still think that breast cancer is contagious?
Conversely, some individuals foolishly believe that breast size determines whether or not one gets cancer.
Finally, another myth that is associated with this disease is that it only affects older people. This is not so. Although the chance of getting breast cancer increases with age, women as young as 18 have been diagnosed with the disease.
You can find a number of helpful informative articles on Breast Cancer support at breast-cancer1.com
Breast Cancer support
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