Breast Cancer Awareness 2017

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

It's almost the middle of October, and I should have done this post on the first of the month, because it so important to do all you can to remind all my friends that it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 

I am one of the lucky ones. I have not contracted this vicious disease, despite having a few of the risk factors. For one, I am over 55 and never had children. Also I am Caucasian and studies show that slightly more white women get this type of cancer, and also I was exposed to DES as a child born in 1962, right at the end of the Baby Boomer years. DES exposure, however, took place between 1940 and 1972.

But, while I am relieved that my mammograms continue to come back negative, I think about getting older, and how I have an increased chance of contracting different types of cancers. Life sometimes throws you curve balls you never see coming, I kinda like to fight against that by being diligent about getting that simple test on time, and checking my breasts myself, several times a month! I'm trying to eat better, but find myself slipping into bad habits, since Donald Trump took office!

Shame on me! I should be trying my best, now more than ever to keep my health strong. You never know what's going to happen next, and while I love to put my head in a bag of potato chips, or do what I did  earlier this year, eat four Strawberry Boston cakes in less than a month, I am trying really hard to remember that one day his term in office will end, and a lovely impeachment will begin, and all will be right with the world! Hopefully!

But to my credit... after eating those 4 cakes, somehow I managed to lose 10 pounds! How does that even happen? I don't know but I thank God for it every day!

Now, here is one look at how Stockton

 observes this very important cause!

Lincoln Center is the shopping center closest to where I live, and it did my heart good to see this gentle reminder!

If you haven't had your mammogram yet... GO GET IT NOW!

#10 Leaf Of The Day

October 10th 2017

Stockton, California

 

Mood: Happy/Encouraged

Me :)

 

Dating Mr. Squishy

(Mr. Squishy)

"The only person who can save you, is you.

 That was going to be the the thing that

 informed the rest of my life."

~Sheryl Crow

On being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Well, it's that time again. How did 2 years go by so quickly? I know I need to go, but it's not something I am looking forward to very much. You see, I have a lump. Now, before you panic, I am prone to these things. I have lumpy breasts, especially around certain times of the month, which even at my advanced age I am still enjoying! LOL. I will feel a lump from time to time, and then it will disappear. From what the doctor tells me it's not unheard of, and no one makes a panic because my mammograms always come out just fine. It's been like a toothache. You notice a pain, you make an appointment, and by the time you reach the chair, the pain is gone, and the cavity is gone with it! Let the patient heal thyself! But this time, while doing my usual monthly self exam, which I do bi-monthly now because, hello, not getting any younger, I noticed that one of those little lumpy bumps hadn't left! So, okay, maybe it has a will of it's own, or maybe it's lazy... who knows? But the bottom line is, I have an amazing healthcare plan, so why not go get my annual check and get the good news! Right? I don't take my healthcare for granted, there are a lot of ladies who wish they had a way to get a mammogram, but can't.

I could go on quite the political rant here, but I won't for now. Now isn't the time, but stay tuned, I will be revisiting the subject! Now, if you are reading this post, and haven't had your routine mammogram, will you consider joining me? You don't have to come to my appointment, of course, but will you please schedule yourself an appointment, sometime in the next 6 weeks or so, and then come back here and tell me how it went in the comment thread? Or you can send me an email if you like. And DM on Twitter is good also! The main thing is to take care of ourselves, and each other. We have to, too many folks love us and need us! I don't know if this silly lump is cancer or just a silly little lump, but it's important to find out! Either way, it's all just another part of the adventure!

Pink Promise Rose

(My Garden 2012)

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience

 in which you really stop to look fear in the face."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Mood: Curious

~Me :)

Time To Celebrate My Lady Parts

"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like and do what you would rather not."

~Mark Twain

 

Ugggg! Has it really been three years already? Okay, yes, I know it's time for the doctor to do the required poking and prodding. Actually, I think it may have been due last summer, when I got the original reminder appointment in the mail, but I... ummm... kinda, sorta, ignored it. Then when I had a scheduled appointment I canceled it, well, it was smack dab in the middle of vacation after all. Okay, now it's time to just get over it, and deal with it. Uggg.

Later today I will have the GYN fun, then it's off to a date with Mr. Squishy. Of the two, I would much rather date just Mr. Squishy, but unfortunately it's too important to not keep the other appointment. How could 3 years have already gone by? It really didn't seem that long, but then time flies when you are ignoring your lady parts.

At least I can get both appointments over with in the same afternoon. :)

Ugggg!

 

Remember my friend Clarice? Clarice is a Boob Girl. It's a long story, but one day, years ago, Alan and I acquired a full box of fake boobs. There is not a lot you can do with fake boobs, but not being one to waste things, I decided to make a Boob Girl. I made 2 and sent one to a friend. Clarice makes me smile, and she reminds me that laughter is pretty good medicine. As is keeping doctor's appointments!


 ~Me :)

Lifescript Quiz: How Much Do Know About Women's Health?

My Date With Mr. Squishy

'The only way to keep your health, is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you would rather not."

-Mark Twain

We met a couple years ago. I don't think I would say it was love at first sight, but he left an impression on me all the same. He was tall and slender and he had me at "Hello." The big galoot said to me, "Baby, no doubt about it, I'm good for you! So I gave in to his power, and we had our rendezvous. Then he didn't call me for almost a week! Sheesh! But when he finally did follow up, he said with a smile, "Kid, you're aces!" What could I do, I knew then and there, I would meet with Mr. Squishy, at least every couple years or so! Funny how fast 2 years comes and goes!

LOL. Ok, I used a little bit of humor to share the fact that I am having my annual mammogram today, at 1:30 to be exact. I am 47 and that's just what you have to do at my age. Sheesh... "my age." What isn't too humorous is the fact that, according to the Centers for Disease Control, excluding certain types of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. In 2009, there were nearly 200,000 new cases of breast cancer and a little over 40,000 deaths occurred because of it. Damn cancer! If you are 40 years or older, you should be screened for breast cancer every 1-2 years. I like the feeling of taking care of myself, so going to this appointment actually makes me feel good about being proactive with my own health.

How about you?

Have you had your mammogram this year?

Are you taking care of your health by making appointments for the necessary screenings you need?

This goes for my guy friends who read my blog, because 440 men died of breast cancer in 2009!

Take care of yourselves.

For your families, for your pets, for your co-workers, for me.

Stay my friend, stay healthy.

:)

-Carly

Weekend Assignmnet #235: Button Up

"It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something."

-Leo Buscaglia

Weekend Assignment #236: Design a button ( a badge, a pin...). It can say anything you like as long as it's clean and not defamatory. Or maybe you prefer a photo button. You can just describe it if you like, or tell us what it says - or you can actually create the complete design.

Extra Credit: Have you ever designed a button or other apparel before now?

-Karen Funk Blocher, of the blog, Outpost Mavarin

Two things that mean a lot to me are coming up very soon, so I kinda got excited about this Weekend Assignment. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and of course with the election in November, it's a good time to remind folks to get out and vote on election day. Although, given the recent events with the on again, off again, she says bailout, he says relief package machinations, I think folks will be going to the polls in great numbers this election to make their feelings known. Oh well, I made the effort anyway. I never really know if my little voice is heard, but at least I know I put it out there, so I can feel good about that.

It disturbs me that we spend so little on cancer research, and yet money can always be found to fund this idiotic war in Iraq. Cancer is a very real threat to us, attacking someone new every day, and yet very little is being accomplished to get a comprehensive health care package together so that more folks will be able to afford the tests that can save their lives. Diabetes is on the rise, to an alarming rate, and because there are so few subtle symptoms to it, people are walking around not even realizing they have diabetes. So, here are the buttons I would distribute if I could, they are messages that ask folks to take some personal interest in the world, themselves, and those they love.




Extra Credit: Nope, I haven't designed any badges or buttons before, but I do design some graphics for my sidebar from time to time. Especially to bring awareness to certain causes and charities I feel particularly passionate about.

-Carly
"October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month"

The Long Day In The Universe

"To wish to be well is a part of becoming well."

-Seneca

I am putting in my entry extra early today because it will be a very long, very busy day for us, all of us have appointments for our 10,000 mile check and recheck! Elvis starts off the day, with a visit to D."B" for his annual A1C test and all his usual shots and pokes. He has been doing really well, so I don't anticipate anything unusual happening with this test results, but I am a nervous mommy all the same.

Alan sees his people doctor at about 2:00 PM. He and I have the same doctor, which is nice because we both really like our personal care physician. She is super, and she makes Alan feel comfortable. The last doctor he had, had the bedside manner of a slug. That's never good.

My appointment comes at 3:30. As I said in a previous entry, I had already done my lab work, so I pretty much know what to expect. My results were good...

HGB A1C = 5.9

Glucose Fasting = 94

Creatinine = Normal

I am a little disappointed in my Glucose Fasting. I had a reading of 89 in November, so that means it is up a little, but at least my A1C is holding steady at a good number. :) Although I am already trying just a little harder to lower that number when I take my next test in four months. Crossing Fingers.

I will be done with the doctor by 4 PM, and then I have to zoom across town to my next appointment with Mr. Squishy! You know him, right? He introduces himself as "Mammography... Squishy Mammography." LOL. As busy as things sound, it will be a nice evening when all of it is done. Alan is taking me out to dinner after my Mammorgrahy. :) Sounds like a plan, and really the busy part isn't so bad. I actually look forward to taking care of myself. It makes me feel better about being on that side of 45.

Yeah, yeah... I know, I still have a few months before I turn 46, but I am not afraid of my age. I think I am smarter now, I feel comfortable in my own skin. I know I make better decisions then I did in my 20's and 30's. I have a lot self confidence, and besides, just look at all the beautiful women who are, or about, my age. Michelle Pfeiffer, Helen Hunt, Diane Lane, Demi Moore, and Courtney Cox. All of whom have amazing style. Especially Michelle Pfeiffer. She is gorgeous! Yeah, I am in some pretty good company. :)

Have you had your annual Mammography yet? How about an A1C test for Diabetes? If you are over 40 both of these should be checked yearly. There's no time like the present. :)

-OndineMonet
"The Pink Rose"
Berkeley, California
February, 2008
Late Afternoon