I can still remember the feeling. Going down to the cancer institute in Mobile, barely into my 30′s, checking into the waiting room and wonder what I, a healthy young mother, was doing sitting for her first mammogram.
Was it gonna hurt?
Was I gonna cry?
Would this be as embarrassing as a pap smear?
Damn, I hate pap smears.
And worse…what if they found something.
You see, just days before I had found a lump in my breast and went to the Dr. I fully expected her to tell me it was “nothing” or my imagination but she didn’t. She referred me to a specialist. So then I found myself sitting, looking around, wondering why I was there and trying not to stare at the unlucky souls around me that were there for a variety of reasons, but all cancer related.My mind wondering if I would have to endure chemo, would I lose my hair? Would my husband still love me? What about my daughter? Would I die?
It was impossible to keep the mind from racing to places it shouldn’t be going.
Thankfully, my mammogram was cake. Really. The worst part was my height and I actually had to stand on my tip toes to get my breasts into this machine. . I may have found the first great thing about small boobs that will ever be found- it didn’t hurt at all. You cant really smoosh what isn’t there, kwim? It was neither embarrassing nor scary and the room was dimly but professionally lit. The nurse calm and polite. Over in less than 5 minutes and ushered off to a room to do more waiting.
And waiting.
When the Dr arrived and did a scan and left again without a word, I really swallowed a lump in my throat. But shortly after another Dr came and said to me...it’s nothing. There is no more lump. It’s gone. He recommend laying off the soda.
And thus the worst moment turned to the best moment. For me. Not always for everyone else.
Sandy is one of my online blog friends.
She has been battling breast cancer since she got diagnosed just a few weeks before my son was born last year.
On August 8th 2012, nearly 1 year later, she graduated Chemo.
Sandy makes bald look beautiful.
While I personally only had a moment of fear, some women experience an entire battle that can consist of fighting for their lives. I have since had friends and family, including my mother in law, all battle (and win!) breast cancer. To date, I have known no one to pass on as a result, but with breast cancer, and all cancer being so prevalent, I unfortunately feel it’s only a matter of time.
But we can make a difference now.
THE STRENGTH OF ONE.
We all have the power. The strength. Everything starts with one person. With one thought. With one action.
Look at my friend Julie. Last month she shaved her head to raise money for Cancer awareness.
Shaved her head. Voluntarily.
She is just ONE person.
And she has touched a countless many from her generosity, including me.
(picture used with permission from Julie. Learn more about her difference here.)
And darn it if she doesn’t also make bald look beautiful.
Now what are YOU doing to make a difference for ONE?
Here are some ideas. Aside from donating and supporting a friend, do what you can to spread awareness. The more we know, the more we share, the closer we get to a cure.
- Know someone with Breast Cancer? Any cancer really. See if they need a ride to the hospital.
- Volunteer
- Start a charity walk. Be in a charity walk.
- If someone you know is going through treatment, offer to sit their kids.
- Cancer can be financially draining. Put meals in a freezer. A gas card in a hand drawn card.
- Offer your hand. Your shoulder. Your phone number.
The Strength of One also means the power to make a Difference for One.
Now through the end of October, the makers of Freschetta® pizza are helping to promote breast cancer awareness through their The Strength of 1™ campaign, which includes the sponsorship of Bright Pink, the only national non-profit organization focusing on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women while providing support for high-risk individuals.
The mission of this The Strength of 1™ campaign is to inspire everyone to realize they can make a difference – big or small – in the fight against breast cancer. There are many ways to take part in the campaign, including: share a story about how someone has made a difference; take The Strength of 1™ pledge on Facebook; or help spread the word on Twitter. In addition, by sponsoring Bright Pink, the makers of Freschetta® pizza want to show women that they have the power to take their breast and ovarian health in their own hands.
“We are thrilled to join The Strength of 1™ campaign with the Freschetta® brand team to help further spread breast cancer awareness and educate all women about the importance of early detection and risk reduction,” said Lindsay Avner, founder and CEO of Bright Pink. “The Strength of 1™ initiative’s goal is to empower everyONE to make a difference, whether for themselves or for a woman they love.”
Share Your Story
From September 17 – October 12, 2012, everyone is encouraged to share an inspiring story about themselves or someone they know who demonstrates The Strength of 1™ power – someone who took action to positively impact the fight against breast cancer. The size of the act doesn’t matter: from visiting a local oncology unit regularly, to organizing a fundraising event, the Freschetta® team wants to hear the story.
Participate by visiting Freschetta’s Facebook page. Entries should be between 250-500 words and focus on the positive impact made in the fight against breast cancer. Freschetta® team judges will select the top three stories for public voting. Freschetta® pizza Facebook fans can then vote for their favorite. The final three stories will receive donations to a cancer charity of their choice. The Freschetta® brand will donate $5,000, $1,000, and $500 based on total votes.
Share the amazing stories around you.
You can make a difference.
As One. For One.
Now you tell me, have you ever had a mammogram or breast cancer affected your life in any way?
~trisha
I am proud to be on the Freschetta team to help spread awareness about this program.
I have received compensation for my time.
Posting Freschetta The Strength of 1 campaign information today on my blog. I will be getting my mammagram next week. Thanks
This information needs to be shared with all. Thank you for taking the time to write it. I love seeing more posts to bring awareness around breast cancer and woman with cancer because I feel like sometimes fear overrides us making sure we are healthy and keeping up to date with screening. What a great story Julie has and so nice she allowed you to share a bit of her story and her picture!
Thanks for sharing. I, too, had a scare in my late twenties, but it turned out to be nothing and like you, I had to lay off the soda and… all other caffeinated beverages for a year or so. I haven’t had a problem since, thank goodness!
My mom was 42 when she was first Dx’d. She fought and won, twice. Third time we were not so lucky. Cancer is a wickedly ugly thief. I live everyday without her because of it but I honestly think the hardest part was watching it rob her of her dignity. My heart breakers for anyone that endures it. My memories of my mom are far greater than those of her last days but those painful images will never be erased.
I had my first scare at 31and ended up having a long series of tests. Since I’ve had a second scare. It is likely I will live my life in fear forever because of cancer. But the positive that comes from that is that I Carpe Diem. I forget about the dishes or vacuuming and I live life and make memories. I have no promise of tomorrow and should I be gone tomorrow…I don’t care if my kids remember a perfect house, but I DO want them to remember me in the stands for every sporting event, and for giving them memories no one can ever take away from them.
My Mother’s HS friend lives in NYC. We would go and visit her when Iw as younger, and when I went to college in NYC and got sick she brought me stuff to make me feel better. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a year or 2 ago. She had her breasts removed and chemo. When I bought tickets to a concert for my mother and I, I got one for her too. I thought it would cheer her up and it did. She came to meet us at Grand Central Station with a bright pink wig. She had bought a ton of crazy and normal wigs to cover her head, and it was a rebellion for her. Sticking it to the cancer. She is now cancer free and I’m so happy.
It takes so much bravery to battle breast cancer. I know I get nervous every year at my annual gyno visit when they check for lumps.
Huge kudos for all the strong and brave women out there!
I get basic exams but haven’t had to have a mammogram yet. Different forms of cancer have touched my family and friends and breast cancer is so prevalent. Thanks for sharing yours and other stories, and I loved your tips about ways to give back and help those who are going through this.
I haven’t had a mammogram, but I’ve lost an aunt to breast cancer. She was the liveliest and sweetest person I knew. This happened in the mid 90s, but she still crosses my mind very often.
my mother finished her radiation this summer. she’s suffering through some residual side effects but all is good these days, hoping they stay that way
Thank you so much Trisha! I’m thrilled to say that after all that I have been through, my mammogram this week showed no more signs of cancer!
Last year I lost two relatives to breast cancer within six months of one another, a grandmother which was my aunt and her granddaughter which was my cousin. She was only 38 years old when she died. She felt lumps and went to the doctor but was told they were only cyst. Four years later she was in stage four of breast cancer. ALWAYS ALWAYS get a second opinion and make them biopsy anyway! Doctors are knowledgeable but it’s YOUR life. Better safe than sorry.
My mom is a 22+ year survivor! Praise God! so I try to be diligent when it comes time to go in for a mammogram. I’ve had several routine mammos taken since I’m at the age they suggest you to have them yearly. I still get antsy each time it’s time for one due to my family history but I go because I know first hand that early detection saves lives. Thanks for sharing this campaign!
I currently can’t think of anyone I know that has cancer. The people I’ve known with cancers (only one was breast) have died from them.
I love your ideas on helping. I will absolutely use them when I need to.
I had to have a mammo at 27 years old. The most frightening day ever. I felt the lump and continued to feel it. Since my mom was diagnosed in 2006 with stage 1 breast cancer I knew I had to get in. Luckily, it was only tissue but during that time I had to watch my mom go through radiation treatments. Last year she finished her 5 years of Tomoxifen (sp?) She has been doing well and no lumps have returned. She did have two removed.
WOW! Hugs to both of you Nichol!