Outnfree just sent me the book with that title. It means "a Bunch Of Outrageous Breast-cancer Survivors". It's a book about women who tell their stories of courage, hope and healing.
As many of you know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and just went thru a mastectomy and have started reconstruction work already, which is painful when they inject the saline to stretch my skin. Even today, 2 days later from the injection, my breast is very sore. In October, I will go to the oncologist and find out what my chemo regimen will be. My final pathology report revealed it was a 1.7cm tumor and nodes (2) were negative. It's estrogen postive so that means I will go on hormone blockers at some point (this is good news that it was estrogen positive. I was grade 2-3 (meaning that it was medium to fast growing cancer).
I have already returned to work .......... we will see how it goes. It's good to return to some normalcy.
Outnfree is also going thru treatment. You have read of her cancer.
Dansk has cancer and we all have been with him during his journey.
I found my lump because I was doing my BSE (breast self exam) in the shower. I did NOT do it regularly on a certain date, just now an then. I did NOT get a mammogram on my birthday this year....I was busy with vacation and work. I should have had one last year. I could have caught this sooner but I think I did catch it soon enough.
How many of you dear ladies have had your mammogram? It didn't hurt!! Go, if you over 40 or nearing 40. Go as soon as your doctor will let you go... going before you have cancer gives you a "baseline" mammogram ... a picture of your healthy breast, that way if you have changes your doctor can note them in later years.
I know a dear friend who is over 45 and has NOT had her mammogram. I am going to help her make her first appointment and try to go with her if she can get it scheduled for a Monday which is my day off.
I do know that exercising will decrease your risk as will eating low fat foods and limit red meat. I said decrease not eliminate your chances.
I now buy organic products ... (you can even buy organic wine) in order to elimate the hormones and fertilizers that are used in the crop production and milk industry.
Breast cancer needs to be cured but until then we all have to do what we can to stay healthy and early detection is the key. Most women with breast cancer survive. It is life threatening, it is scary but it is treatable.
Thank you outnfree .... and thank you Dansk for talking so candidly about your fight and your journey.
Love,
Kelly