Cancer Happens to Older Women
Posted on August 27, 2008, by Kim, under Family, Health & Beauty.
Okay, so this is a more serious post, sorry! I was reminded just the other day by my mom that she was 36 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. By God’s healing hand, she is still with me today and I take that for granted far to much! I couldn’t imagine what life would be without her. Sure, there are times when we don’t see eye to eye, and I get frustrated, but I am quickly reminded what the other option is. I do know that when either one of us leaves this earth, I want it to be on good terms–Love you mom!
Now, I just turned 34 and while I know it isn’t true, I feel like I’ve got a while before I need to start getting those most important exams. I have lost many people in my family because of cancer and I am watching God work in so many lives through a friend who is battling cancer daily. I absolutely hate cancer. I can’t believe it even exists, so with that in mind, think about how I might feel about those dreaded tests.
I know it needs to be done, so my charge to you as a woman who hasn’t gone through the testing–let’s bond together and take care of ourselves! Our families deserve it!
If you are like me and haven’t had your testing, share with me why it’s hard for you to jump right in to have it done. If you have had testing, let the readers know what it’s like with no candy coating! We need to have it done, it’s just a matter of when.
2 Replies to "Cancer Happens to Older Women"
muffin'sgirl on September 24, 2008
I was 21 or 22 when I found a small pea-sized lump in my left breast. A few weeks later I mentioned it at my annual gynecological exam. She felt it, but said she was 99% sure it was nothing. The “nothing” grew in size and became painful to the touch. I went to my family doctor who performed a needle biopsy. When he couldn’t remove anything he referred me to a surgeon. The surgeon decided I needed surgery the next day. I was pretty scared, but, thankfully, was diagnosed with a fibroadenoma. The tumor was removed and I was urged to receive yearly mammograms for the next five years. I have ben tumor-free ever since (I’m 38 now), but I do get uptight about doing my monthly BSE. I’m afraid I’ll find something again. But it’s better to be safe than sorry, they say! So do your BSE each month!
Kims Mom on September 17, 2008
Ok..so cancer…a scary word and when it becomes reality…it’s even more so. I am a survivor of 18 years! I opted into a test case where I decided to have six months of chemotherapy and 33 radiation treatments. I am now 54 and can tell you that I do believe this step may have given me many more years…to enjoy my girls, grand kids (Ethan and Abby) and my sons-in-law. Yes even those boys. Was it worth doing? You be the judge. Even in these economic down turns life it precious and we should be grateful for all of it. Kimberly mentioned that we don’t always get along…and that’s true…and she is right it doesn’t matter..we are family… so girls call your doctors…get your testing done. Up until my diagnosis there was no cancer in my family history. It just happens…history or no history cancer can attack. The treatments are far worse than the before testing…Theresa