A friendly reminder

I’ve never been good about going to the doctor. In my defense, I’ve had times in my adult life where I was without insurance, but even fully insured, to say that I was not good about my checkups would be an understatement. Maybe I thought things would take care of themselves. But as I get older, I realize the importance of keeping a handle on things. Like any machine, the human body needs maintenance. Let a small problem go, and before you know it the whole thing is broken down.

When I first came to Ohio, I didn’t have a doctor for the first few years, so when I started working at my current job and had insurance again, I made it a priority to find one. My first visit was eye opening. My blood pressure was through the roof, my heart rate, beyond frightening. In the past few years we’ve gotten that under control (mostly.) My doctor is wonderful. Since I am easily overwhelmed, we tackled my health issues one at a time. She encouraged me to get a blood workup. She noticed a suspicious spot on my face and referred me to a dermatologist. (Thank heavens she did, it was precancerous). She encouraged me to follow through with all the things I’d put off, including a mammogram.  I knew the benefits of early detection of any kind of cancer. I’ve also seen the toll breast cancer has taken on friends. Breast cancer definitely doesn’t take care of itself, so why did I wait until I was 55 to have my first mammogram? I don’t know, but I go every year now. I went this morning. Was it fun? Not really. Was it uncomfortable? Heck yes. Will I go again next year? Absolutely. My body is the vehicle that gets me around and I’m done taking chances with it!

So here’s a friendly reminder… If you’re forty or older and have never had, or are putting off getting a mammogram, please make an appointment today. We have to take care of our girls, girls I always kind of dread going, but I make myself, and I’m always glad I did. So today was the day and now I’m off the hook for another year. And I even got a “booby prize” lol.