Everything is coming up ...... PINK!

Today is the second anniversary of my diagnosis of Stage 3 Breast Cancer.  I am winning this fight!! 

I have to tell you though, being diagnosed the day before Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a complete bitch.  While of course it is great to raise awareness, the whole time I am trying to wrap my head around the diagnosis and deal with the on-slaught of doctor appointments while trying to keep my life on track, everywhere I look there is some pink-effing-something reminding me that I could die.   Every time I saw pink something I wanted to punch someone in the face for reminding me about breast cancer.  At least that is what I thought at the time.  Okay maybe I was a bit stressed out…..

Now, I am seeing through “pink eyes.” I realize how important awareness is.  It is surprising how many women don’t get regular mammograms or hesitate to get something checked out by a doctor.  People – if you notice ANYTHING different about your breasts or surrounding area – GO TO THE DOCTOR.  I’d had a normal mammogram in February and had Stage 3 breast cancer in September.  The minute I noticed something wrong, I called the doctor and because we acted quickly we prevented the spread of the cancer to my lymph nodes.  I am one of the lucky ones!

 While the parade of pink events and fundraisers can be overwhelming, they have raised a load of money to both do research for the cure and to help women without resources fight this fight.   Most importantly, they might make some women who haven’t done so think about getting a mammogram. 

I was surprised to find out that Washington DC has one of the highest mortality rates in the country for breast cancer.  There are many breast cancer charities working to change that, including Susan G Komen Foundation, the Prevent Cancer Foundation, Planned Parenthood and the GW Mammovan Program.  I hope as you look at your charitable giving (or buying) options this month, you will think about donating to one of these organizations. 

Breast cancer is not a fair fight, we need to do everything we can to swing the odds in our favor!