October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer touches everyone, in my case, my mother, cousin, aunts, and great-aunts were all diagnosed with breast cancer. My mother was diagnosed at 36 years old. After undergoing a radical mastectomy, and subsequent treatment, she survived and has been a survivor for 30 years! I thank God everyday for my mom and I am so thankful that early detection, she found the lump herself, saved her life.
My cousin was not so lucky, she was diagnosed at the age of 39 while pregnant, although she fought a brave fight for 3 years, sadly she passed away 5 years ago on Thanksgiving weekend, leaving 3 children behind. Her own mother was diagnosed just 2 years ago and I am happy to report that she is doing well and is cancer free.
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I am diligent about doing my own breast exams and you should be too. In addition, ladies, it is your body, you are legally entitled to a mammogram. Do not let the media convince you that a mammogram is unnecessary. Be your own advocate and take charge of your life. I have been having monograms yearly since I was 19 years old, and I won’t lie to you, sometimes it is uncomfortable, but frankly I would rather be uncomfortable for a few minutes than not here at all. Know your family history, practice self breast exams, and get a mammogram! Take care of yourselves as well as you take care of your family and friends.
Go out this month and Walk for the Cure, purchase any and all pink products that you see from Yoplait, to Coke, to Campbell’s soup, all of these products and many more donate part of their proceeds to breast cancer research.
I LOVE YOU MOM, AND I THANK GOD FOR YOU EVERYDAY! THANK YOU FOR SURVIVING TO MAKE ME THE WOMAN THAT I AM.

My goodness. Breast cancer does run in your family. Sorry about your dear cousin. Wonderful that your mother is a surviver. You are wise to check yourself wisely. I do one every several years… after reading this I will double think that. Several years ago, my son was involved in a breast cancer fund raiser, he dressed up as a woman and ran around a track to raise money. I should dig out that picture and share it, so funny.
hugs~!
I am so sorry about your cousin, we were at the funeral on Thursday of a dear friend who had fought hard against Breast Cancer, I will be wearing a pink ribbon this month.
My sweet one, I cannot keep up with your terrific posts! I missed your SOUP RECIPE!!!!!
Oh how I know about cancer. My mom died of OVARIAN cancer, and it is supposed to be hereditary and so I am very diligent about getting ALL PARTS EXAMINED! I am so sorry to hear about the loses in your life, but that GOD indeed for those of your family members who were able to fight and win. Bless you dearest friend! Anita
MY DEAR FRIEND,
I just want to let you know that i have written you TWICE via email and my responses have bounced BACK!! I must have written 4 large paragraphs tonight in response to your beautiful email, but I GOT A NOTIFICATION that my attempt to send it FAILED!! PLEASE KNOW I AM THINKING OF YOU! Anita
OK this is strange. I just got another notification of failure to send you a message, but I think it came to me after I commented HERE. DID YOU GET MY EMAIL TONIGHT? Anita
Thank you, Elizabeth dear, for this touching post. What a blessing to have your precious mom with you. I'm sorry for those you lost.
Praying that we all are screened annually.
Dear Anita and I have both gone through this process with parents and other close, loved ones.
Thank you for your very sweet message…
Sending you peace and love,
– Irina
Good morning sweet Elizabeth!
I have not checked my email yet this morning, but for sure, our systems are working strangely!!!! Wishing you a wonderful TUESDAY and off I go to work…Anita
Hey lovely,
Cancer is such a strange and horrible disease. You poor lovely having such sad experiences with people close to you. That must have been terribly hard.
I always think advice like this can NEVER be given too often….so THANK YOU for the reminder.
Sarahx