It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I was diagnosed with breast cancer in this month both last year and actually exactly twelve years ago today. During those intervening twelve years I would celebrate every October along with every other survivor. I would make my donations to the walks, tell every one who would listen to get a mammogram and breathe a sigh of relief that I had done battle and won. I wore my radiation tattoos like a badge of honor. I would see them and remember “that year.” That year of surgeries and treatment that I got through and put behind me. I was a survivor. Little did I know…….

When I was diagnosed last year, I again was very fortunate. Although already invasive, we had caught it early. However my only choice was mastectomy. It’s been a year of mixed emotions and an incredible amount of surgery. I think even I was naive in thinking that the reconstruction process would be simpler. It’s not. Not if you’ve been radiated previously.  Yet, the results they are able to achieve are nothing short of amazing.

I will be having what will hopefully be my final surgery for reconstruction in the next month or so. By the New Year I should finally be recovered and putting this, once again, behind me.  I am again, a survivor. Again, the clock begins.

So I will do what I do every October. I make my donations. I will implore all of you to get your mammograms. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Early detection is absolutely key.  If fear is holding you back, bear in mind that the people who love you would be devastated to lose you. So if not for you, do it for them. If you have a lump or a concern and feel your doctor is not taking it seriously, seek a second opinion. If you have a family history that suggests early screening, do it! Please don’t fall victim to “it won’t happen to me.” We are so fortunate that we actually CAN screen for and treat this disease in so many cases. Please take advantage of that.

As for my radiation tattoos? Because I had skin sparing mastectomy, they’re still with me. I still see them every time I shower. I look at them and my new scars and think “Yup, you’re still a survivor” and even with MS it’s so much better than the alternative.

Now everyone go get “squished!”

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month