When was your last breast self exam?

If it's been 30 days or more since your last breast self exam, it's time to do it again.  It doesn't take long, it isn't hard, and it doesn't hurt. It MAY save your life. Don't be foolish by skipping it. Do it. Now, please.


Not sure how?  Here are some links to useful info:

• http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-detection
• http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam/bse_steps.jsp
• http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/BreastSelfExam.html

Now, please create a recurring monthly appointment in your cell phone, computer, or other calendar that you rely on for your appointment keeping, to do your monthly breast self exam.If you feel a lump during a breast self exam, contact your doctor and request a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. If your doctor doesn't take your concerns seriously and won't order the tests, go to another doctor. EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES - including your own. 


Prayer requests: 

• Praise and thanks to the Lord for reaching my 2 year survivor milestone this coming week (28th) and for His continued protection and ongoing healing and guidance.
• For clarity and strength as I consider a major reconstructive surgery that I may undergo in one month. May the Lord guide me and my surgeon to make the right decision, for the right reasons.
• For healing and comfort for a sister warrior in crisis with metastatic breast cancer.

Breast cancer sister warriors powwows

Every Thursday I go to UCLA to join other breast cancer survivors, currently in treatment, for what I like to call the sister warrior powwow. It's a wonderful support group with several women from all walks of life, and all types and stages of breast cancer represented. These women are amazing. They get it. I need them. I love them. Occasionally a few of us get together for lunch and laughs after our group meeting is over. This past Thursday we had a really good laugh when three of us walked into a restaurant, took off our hats and looked at each other and realized that we represented the three stages of chemo hair - gone while in chemo, just starting to grow back 6 weeks post-chemo, and the cute pixie cut about 6 months post-chemo. We had the server take a picture. As I was preparing to post this I realized that the three of us in the picture below are currently all the 30-somethings in the group. Love you, ladies!

Jessica, Julie, and Tira January 28, 2010