Breast Cancer Awareness

The Arch in St Louis lit up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness hit me in the face 20 years ago when my best friend, Neola, was diagnosed.  She and I always confided in each other every time it was "that time" for the mammogram each year because we had fibrocystic breasts and it was always a very apprehensive time for us both.  There were always new cysts discovered at our annual exams.  So we would support each other while patiently waiting for the results.
This time for her she had found a new lump and insisted the Dr. do more testing.  He tried to reassure her it was just a benign cyst, but she wasn't having it.  She had "the feeling".  And I Thank the Lord every, single day she did. Behind that cyst she had found, there was cancer in another tumor.  And it was in both breasts.  Can you imagine that she might have gone another year? All I can say, is OMG.


BE PROACTIVE.  Please, please, please don't be afraid to challenge your Dr. or get another opinion.  There is not a doubt in my mind that this saved her life.  She is a SURVIVOR because she spoke up, challenged, demanded further testing.
Her journey was isolating and difficult.  She chose to close herself off to us all.  I would call, still, often and talk with her husband.  I wanted her to know I was there for her.  Right after the surgery I stopped by several times while she was still in St Louis recovering to talk, gingerly hug and love her.
One of those days when I stopped by I was on my way to get an invasive ultrasound of the new lump they had seen on the Mamm.  I didn't share this with her because I just didn't want to worry her.  That day she chose to show me her double mastectomy scars.  We cried together and hugged and I told her I was grateful she was smarter than the Dr. and we laughed.  
I went on my way to Missouri Baptist Hospital for my appointment, but this time it was so different.  Because my possibilities had just become more real!  I started sobbing, mostly for her, but because I was scared, too.  When I arrived, needless to say I was a total mess.  I'm not one to blubber in public, but I was blubbering bad.  This was right before Mo Bap built their fabulous Womens Breast Health Clinic.  But they had started the program.  An RN met me in the waiting room.  I couldn't even coherently tell her what was wrong!  She took me into a private room and I was finally able to share about my visit with Neola.  She was so kind and compassionate.  We got me calmed down and prepped for the procedure.  The Radiologist that day was just absolutely wonderful.  The RN had told him the story, and he was also so kind and compassionate. I was able to get my all clear results very quickly and will always be grateful and devoted to Missouri Baptist and their fabulous staff. 
Neola's breast cancer started my jewelry business.  Not that it was much of a business, but I began donated all the proceeds from sales of BC Awareness bracelets to Susan G. Komen for research.  I still donate when I can.                           

     This was a piece donated for a fundraiser for a friend's male relative

      

This is one of my later BC Awareness bracelets that I believe was also for a fundraiser                  

Please, be aware, be proactive, be a voice, be a supporter.

ONE in EIGHT woman are diagnosed with Breast Cancer