It’s the 3rd most wonderful time
of the year! My Mammo time!
(1st is Christmas of course, only 32 weeks and 6 days to go. And 2nd is back to school time, glorious.)
WARNING TO THE MEN FOLK:
I’m going to be talking about boobs, mine for the most part, but boobs in general too. I don’t have an abundance of boobs, but I do have lots to say about them. Their health specifically. So if you want to pass on this post and go on to the next one in your Reader, I’m cool with that. However … if you have a woman in your life you love, you might want to read on. Doing so might help you help her one day.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I don’t love my boobs. They’re pretty small so I have to wear ‘big girl bras’ as my girls call them, aka push-ups, if I want to have any shape to them at all. And so they stay closer to my neck than to my belly button. My boobs are saggy too, mostly from weighing in at 200 lbs once up on a time and from nursing 3 babies. And when I lie down on my back, they slide over into my armpits. Good thing mirrors go on walls and not ceilings [well, for me at least].
But I do love my health. I love to be alive and I’d like to keep it that way for sometime thank you very much. So I take care of my boobies. And my nurse practitioner reminds me to take good care of them by automatically sending me a requisition in the mail to book my annual mammogram appointment. The req form came in last week. So exciting!
I’m at an elevated risk for breast cancer. My mom had two run-ins with it, losing one breast to it the first time, and it not responding to any course of treatment the second time and it metastasized into her lungs. I also have skin cancer, so those nasty cells in general are already in my body. Plus, I don’t have a spleen which is a live-without-able organ but still a big part of one’s immune system, so I can’t fight disease as well as the average person. Add to those a few other more minor risk factors and it doesn’t paint a pretty picture.
BUT … I have paint brushes at my disposal that may help me paint a breath-taking, not boob-taking future. The biggest of which is getting a mammogram done every year.
Recommended starting age varies by where someone lives, their personal risk factors, and current state of health. Due to my risk factors, I started getting the exams done last year at age 45 and I go yearly instead of every two years like many. Ladies – if you are unsure whether you should be getting yours yet, I strongly urge you to book an appointment with your health care provider to find out.
A lot of gals don’t like getting their mammo’s done. Well, I’m not exactly the gal next door I guess, because I look forward to this entry on my calendar. Here are some of the added benefits of getting my boobs temporarily misfigured by some complete stranger …
- I don’t need to use any of those apps out there for so-called brain training. I stretch my mind enough standing naked in a cubicle trying to figure out how to get the hospital gown on without scaring the old fart down the hall if he sees my derriere peeking out. Getting ready for a mammogram beats Lumosity, crossword puzzles, or that piano tapping game any day in my books.
- I despise having my picture taken. So when the situation arises that someone wants me in their photo for whatever reason, I can politely decline and say “Sorry, I just had my boobs photographed recently and I’m not ready to have another pic taken of me just yet”. The snappy chappy is usually so shocked by my reply they don’t know what to say, so I succeed at avoiding being in front of a camera once again.
- It’s a break from the hum drum or the chaos of everyday life and makes for a very interesting conversation starter. Might even be Facebook worthy or the start of a new blog post. I mean really, how many other people in my circle of followers will get to say on my appointment day that they too had theirs done that very same day? None probably. So I’m gonna take centre stage and write about it. I’m single you know. I only get to say I had my boobs fondled twice a year, mammo and physical appt days.
- On a related note, getting my mammogram done is just as special as my birthday or Mother’s Day. It celebrates me, me, and more of me in the hopes that I get to keep all of me intact just they way I am, boobies and all. It’s not just social media sharing worthy, it deserves a cake. Woot woot! I get to buy me a cake!
WARNING TO ALL FOLK:
This somewhat overdramatic story of how I find excitement in my life will be continued again in the very near future. Watch for it. I’ll probably have a lot to say about my boobies then too.
Image source: Terry Robinson user on flickr.com, CC2.0 Generic
In response to today’s Daily Prompt: Chaos
Whilst I am part of “the menfolk” I still believe that this is quite important, and therefore worth reading. Or am I wrong?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very correct indeed Nomnian. It is a very important topic and I’m glad you stayed to read about it. If more of the menfolk out there knew even a tad more about breast cancer/breast health, they might just be in a better position to help save a breast, or better yet, a life. And breast cancer does affect men too, although in a much smaller percentage.
So regardless, I thank you for reading this and for leaving me a note. Wishing you a kindness-filled kinda day … Marianne
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem. A nomness-filled day to you… Nomnian ^^
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your humor is much appreciated. Best of luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Charles. Best to put a little laugh in an otherwise serious and at times dark topic I think. Marianne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spectacular image. That’s exactly what those mammograms feel like. I applaud the technicians who give us short-term pain for long-term gain. And a healthcare system that provides the tests. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here here to techs & healthcare systems, my sentiments exactly.
Thanks for the best wishes! Marianne
LikeLike
Marianne, I know it is very important to have a mammogram , thank you for the reminder. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome Ranu. Here’s to normal ones for both of us! Marianne
LikeLike
You made me laugh, and you made me think! Thank you for reminding me that while looking after ourselves is no small matter, there is no reason to be disgruntled about it!
I have to see the Doc pretty often because of chronic health issues – next time I go, I will be going with a better attitude!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ju-Lyn, glad you got both some laughs and some new thoughts because of it!
Sorry to hear of your chronic health concerns but yes, a good attitude can make a world of difference. Plus it’s good for the soul’s health too I believe.
Thanks for the visit and the note, blessings to you … Marianne
LikeLiked by 1 person
I found this post so amusing in the way you took the light-hearted approach. And yet, it is such an important thing for women to have done. I had a baseline mammo done at 36, and luckily am off of the hook for a while. But I can guarantee that when the time rolls around I will be there happily obliging to the mashing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Atta girl bedlamanddaisies! Good to hear re: the baseline one. Here’s to many future ones just as picture perfect.
Happy mashing and smashing, whenever your next day for that comes! Marianne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marianne… what type of skin cancer do you have? I just got a biopsy this evening so was kind of curious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have 3 types, all the non-malignant ones and I truly thank God for that!
1) a tumour over my left ear that is basal cell, 2nd surgery for it coming up in 2 weeks 2) squamous cell, the spotty skin one, various places, mostly on my back 3) actinic keratosis, for most just age spots but for me because I have the other kinds, very likely to turn into the squamous cell kind.
My mom’s turned malignant so I’m at high risk of the same happening to me but for now it’s just a ‘wait and see’ approach with regular checks on them. Plus operating on the tumour as needed when it grows which it’s doing now hence surgery #2 coming up.
Blessings to you and wishes for a clear biopsy result Paula! Marianne
LikeLike
Oh that very much sucks. Thank you for the well wishes, but unfortunately she’s pretty confident mine is basal cell and is talking about setting me up with an appointment with the surgeon when she calls back with the results. It’s right underneath my eye so it’s kind of in a precarious place. Glad all of yours are non-malignant, at least that’s a huge positive!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep that’s a bad spot, sorry for that for you. Good news is basal cell rarely rarely spreads or becomes melanoma. It can grow more like mine is but doesn’t pose much of a future risk beyond that.
Take it one day at a time and stay positive. And – WEAR A HAT!!!
https://alongthesideoftheroad.wordpress.com/2015/08/03/i-bought-a-hat-i-dont-like-hats/
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is indeed a very important subject! I get my boobs checked up every two years with a mammogram. Mine are small, but I certainly wouldn’t want to lose them. I know two ladies who had had breast cancer, both of them are survivors, but I have lost one very good friend to cancer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My condolences on the loss of your friend Piedra. It is such a difficult disease to battle. Congrats on getting yours checked out regularly, keep it up!
Wishing you a kindness-filled kinda day … Marianne
LikeLiked by 1 person
The best part about you is that you tackle even difficult situations with a pinch of humor. Thanks for sharing this post it makes me determined to take my mom for a mammogram test on her next visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Megha. Humour does help take some of the load off I believe. And good on you for helping your mom get to her appt!
Wishing you a kindness-filled kinda day … Marianne
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] about it. Her reply: “ugh”. She got off lucky that I didn’t mention her in yesterday’s post about it. But today’s a new […]
LikeLike
“Mashing & smashing … not just for potatoes anymore.” Best tag line I’ve seen in a while, and very descriptive, too! I was surprised after visit to up my happy pills’ dosage when doc inquired re mammogram for me. I didn’t think it was still recommended on any kind of regular basis for old farts like me (over 60). I may or may not schedule another one, especially since I’m not high risk and don’t have a family history. If I do, though, I’ll try to remember to share your tagline with them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks hbsuefred. When I was trying to finish up the post, mashing & smashing were all I could think of for some odd reason. So in they went haha!
I hope you do book in for a mammo. Sadly, breast cancer has its highest incidence levels in self-proclaimed old farts like you, gals over 60. Although your risk is low as you say, I’d hate for anything to change that statement for you. Make the call, go get your gals mashed & smashed!
With love and blessings of course … Marianne
LikeLike
I m glad I found this blog ..
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I am as well Shilarya. Hope you enjoyed your visit along the side of the road and that I’ll see you here again.
Wishing you a kindness-filled kinda day … Marianne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loving your blog and reading one at a time. Do a pitstop at mine, when time permits and have a read of ” the dreaded c word ” i think it would invoke inspiration, happiness, laughter and certainly make you think
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much Uma. I’m happy to know you’re enjoying the blog!
And yes, I had already read and liked your ‘Dreaded C Word’ post. I am sorry we share this terrible ailment, although yours has obviously been a more difficult journey through it than mine. Here’s to a bright and cancer free future for both of us!
Thanks again, hope you’re having a kindness-filled kinda day … Marianne
LikeLike
Yes cheers to that
LikeLiked by 1 person