Save the Boobies

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I thought I’d share my story with all of you.  I don’t normally share such personal things, but I thought now would be a good time.

When I was nineteen years old, I went in for a routine check up and during my exam, they found a lump in my right breast.  As a mother of a two year old, I’m sure you could imagine how terrifying this news was for me and my family.  Luckily, the doctor I had was amazing and sent me for a mammogram.  Yes, at nineteen, I had my first.  I was lucky!  Don’t get me wrong, the machine squishing my boob flatter than a pancake was no picnic, but I know how fortunate I was to receive the care that I got.

Lucky for me, it turned out to be nothing, but for many others that is not the case.  I have heard it time and again from young women that their doctors won’t do mammograms because of their ages, and it sickens me.  I have known a few young women that were under the age of thirty that got breast cancer and died.  It’s very sad, and this notion that young women don’t get it, is total bullshit!

I had another scare when I was twenty-five.  This time they found lumps in both of my breasts.  Talk about some scary shit!   By now, I was married and had two babies that relied on me.  I think what really nailed it home for me was when my mom and I were sitting in the waiting room, filling out my medical history.  My mom explained that my great grandmother had, had a double mastectomy, but still ended up dying from breast cancer.  Strike two!   I knew I was doomed!  How was it that I could possibly have this happen to me twice?  Well…it turns out that through a lot of prayer and tests, I didn’t have breast cancer, but I have fibrous breasts and that’s what the doc had been feeling all along.

Over the years I have been lucky not to have another scare, but I know it’s not like that for some.  This year I was part of an anthology, Bound, with some other really great authors and 100% of the proceeds went to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  I want to thank each and every one of you that supported that cause!   Every year, I try to do something that will honor my great grandmother, Jessica Virginia.  In the years past, my mom, sister and I have participated in the Race for the Cure, in her name and for many others that have lost their battle.

Please…I ask all of you to remember to get yourselves checked!  It may be nothing, but if it is, finding out early can save your life!  This goes for men too.  Men also get breast cancer!   All you need to do is participate in a Race for the Cure and you will see how many male survivors there are as well.  Cancer sucks, but together we can support each other and remind one another how important early screening is.  Save the taters people!   They’re the only boobies you’re gonna get!   Let’s keep them healthy and beautiful!   To those of you who are fighting this shitty disease…I salute you!   You are true warriors!   And remember…you are NEVER to young to check your own breasts and if you find something, be your own warrior!   Demand that your physician take a better look at what’s going on.  It just might save your life!

Much Love and Boobie Checking,

Aly