Tomorrow is the one month annivesary of the day I found my lump. Tomorrow I was going to post this, but today I feel so down and awful that I thought maybe I'd do it today to make myself feel better.
I want to know that my cancer is making an impact on people in a positive way. In other words, I want to know that because *I* am sick, *you* will take care of yourselves....so here it is:
Please post to me with your promise that you have given yourself a breast self exam or done a testicular self exam in the last month, or that you will do one TODAY.
I need to know that something good is happening. When I check this blog, I want to see DOZENS of comments, one from each of you, promising me that you are doing self-checks. Not that you'll do it "some time" or that "when I remember, I will," but TODAY (or that you already have this month). I'll ask the same question next month.
Please leave a comment telling me that you're taking care of yourself by telling me that you've done your BSE or TSE. Mostly, people don't comment in my blog, and that's okay (although I do love to see who is checking on me...you hit the "0 comments" line and it will bring up a place to post comments)...I know you all are busy and I appreciate that you take the time to check on me (I know you do because people reference the blog to me all the time),but today I want your promise. Please post it to me.
Thank you.
K
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18 comments:
Are you kidding? Every day. Obsessively.
I have also been bugging everyone I know who doesn't read your blog (my mom, sister, in laws, etc.)
So far I've only bugged my husband about the testicular cancer self-check. People in the grocery store tend to look askance at that advice coming from me.
Michele
On CD 7, girlfriend :) (two days ago). The reminder is a fantastic one. You might want to consider posting a similar thought on the boards...I'm sure everyone would love to hear from you.
Hummingbird
How about a BSE, a mammogram and two breast ultrasounds in the last month? Think that covers it? ;-)
Chin up, Lisa
Since my grandmother's breast cancer diagnosis last year, I've been very good about this, but your experience has had a huge impact. I went to one of the links you posted, which showed what a 3cm tumor looks like, and I was stunned. I know it's silly, but I've always done my BSE looking for a BIG lump (My grandmother's tumor was over 10 cm -- don't get me started on how she let it go for so long!). It wasn't until I read about your staging that I realized I was looking for something the size of a pea. How easily I could have missed that! I immediately did another BSE, and I'm sure I will continue to be much more careful and thorough from now on.
Bryona
I'm in - last one was 2 days ago but, as Michele said, obsessively...
Love,
Susan
Got one breast left...BSE is taken care of for that one!
Kristina,
You betcha...even though pregnant you've got me doing them. Besides that, I hug my little daughter very close and cherish each day more because of your great reminders of how blessed we are!
Shannon Miller
My grandmother is also a breast cancer surviour and since her experience I also check regularly. Since I am not ovulating I check on the first of each month. Since this started for you, I check every couple of days (right in there with the group of "worriers").
My friend, Tanya got her biopsy report back - benign. But she was told to have every lump check out and not to assume that future lumps will also be benign (because she has fibrous breasts).
I found a hard spot on my right breast - mastitis. So I have been feverish for 2 days now! Mike says, "It's hard to take care of 3 kids!" Yaaaa.
You know that I have sent out emails to collegues at work and friends wishing them "healthy breasts" and reminding them to check.
Haven't asked any guy to do a TSE...but I certainly will. Starting with my husband (knowing him he'll ask me to do it for him!)
This is not for naught - your experience is going to save another person's life!
Love you. Corina
Kristina,
You betcha! I love that Ovusoft reminds me on cycle day 7, but I checked again today just to make sure. I had a scare when I was in college with a lump that turned out to be benign, but it woke me up to the realities and I do my checks now.
I hope you know that even though I'm in Scotland, I check your blog often and love to hear your thoughts, struggles, and joys. I hate that I can't be there physically to help out and hang out, but it helps me to be able to pray for you specifically and a lot.
Thanks for your beautiful heart and spirit. Keep fighting!
Love, Jenny Sorensen
I checked myself shortly after hearing your news.
Lynn Herink
Have done my BSE this month and seem to check every time I have a shower. I have also hounded my friends to do this regularly, great idea from Carolyn, I'm going to order my shower card today,
Love you, chin up,
Barb
Hi Kristina-
I have been following your story and wanted to let you know that I check my breasts at least once a week. My MIL is a 2 time breast cancer survivor and we've been following the same advice from her for years.
Take care,
Julie* (from Ovusoft)
Thank you for sharing your story. I have done mine be/c of it. I'm amenorrhea most months and I hardley do BSE even though my mother is a breast cancer survivor. Thank you for reminding us and being so open with your experience.
My family's prayers our with you.
With gratitude,
Fran
Done.... mammogram Thursday, they said no news by now was good news. Prayers and peaceful thoughts to you and your family.
(And glad to hear Mozart will be fine.)
Thanks for the reminder, Kristina - I have both breast and ovarian cancer in my family, and although the ovarian is more prevalent, I know I need to be doing my BSE more often. So, thanks to your reminder, I did the first one I've done (other than when my doc does them for me at my annual) in about 3 years. *gasp* I really don't know why I slack off about this, but I'm sure reading your blog regularly will help to remind me.
Glad Mo is on the mend!
No worries--I've done them regularly since I found a lump (benign) in my early 20's. Never hurts to get a reminder, though.
And thanks for keeping us all updated with your blog. I'll try to get better about adding comments when I check in!
Much love to all of you,
Lori
Yes Kristina, I checked myself shortly after hearing your news, and will much appreciate the monthly reminder.
Absolutely!!! Between your story, Ronne's story and several others here locally in Ohio, you are ALL in my thoughts daily and I do BSE regularly. You are making a difference. God bless you.
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