October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s more than fashionable pink shirts and pretty pink ribbons it’s meant to be a reminder for women to get their annual mammograms and to bring awareness to the fact that there needs to be more funding and research done to find a cure for breast cancer. For me personally, this used to be a rather philosophical matter and I was quite casual in my approach. I would get tested with my annual exams on a regular basis and think nothing of it. However, a few years ago something happened that would change all of that. One of my friends that I met through the Internet got breast cancer. Patsy and I have now been friends for over a dozen years. She was there for me when I struggled through the devastation of several miscarriages and pain of secondary infertility. Before this experience, if someone told me that they had been diagnosed with cancer or they were breast cancer survivor, I would say something like, “I’ll pray for you. I’m sure you’ll get through this because you’re such a strong person.” Can I just say– I hereby apologize to everyone I ever said that to? I had no idea what I was talking about. Patsy has been gracious and brave about sharing her cancer journey step by excruciating step from her initial, painful, scary diagnosis to her excruciatingly slow reconstruction. I will never forget the pictures of her radiation burns.
I am so grateful that she was brave enough to share her journey with us. Because of her courage, I have a new appreciation for what it means to be a cancer survivor and “thriver.” Trust me, it’s way worse than what you see on TV. If you’ve got a coworker or a relative or your bus driver that’s going through cancer treatments, be extra kind to them. You have no idea what’s going on in their private life. Physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, they are going through an upheaval that you cannot even begin to imagine. Patsy Brock Williams, you are my hero and officially the strongest person I know. You are a warrior. I am proud to say you fight like a girl.
Women, please get your mammograms and a regular basis. If you have the dense breasts, a mammogram might not be enough. You may need to ask for a follow-up ultrasound or MRI. Insurance companies are increasingly paying for these tests, especially if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors for cancer.