Let's Help Dannon Reach Their Goal

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I am sure everyone has noticed all the pink everywhere.  The stores around her go crazy with it, selling everything from clothes to kitchen gadgets; all pink.  Brandi has been in heaven, because pink is her favorite color.

I am also sure that all of us have a personal connection to breast cancer.  For me, it was my Grandmother and my favorite Aunt.  They both beat the disease and are living full, happy lives.  I also had my own breast cancer scare a couple of years ago, and when I say scare, let me just say that I have never been so scared in my life.  But, thanks to a free mammogram and lots of good doctors, I was told that it wasn't cancer.  I did end up having a breast reduction at that time, which was a huge blessing.

Did you know that 290,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year?  That is a staggering number.  I am sure a percentage of those women are like me, without health insurance, so short on options.  Free mammograms can help so many women who wouldn't otherwise have access to this test.  Dannon is going to help some of these women, and we can help Dannon do just that.

I am sure by now we have all seen the pink topped yogurts.  Under those pink lids is a code.  Simply go to Cups Of Hope and enter the code to help Dannon reach their pledge of donating $500,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. ®.  All the money donated will go towards providing free mammograms and supporting breast cancer research.  They are hoping to raise and donate even more money ($1.5 million) this year than they have pledged. 

You can enter the codes until the end of November, so don't think that just because October is coming to a close that we should no longer think about breast cancer.  I think about it all the time, and worry about my daughters.  Don't you?

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by  Mom Central on behalf of Dannon. In addition, I received a gift certificate and products to thank me for taking the time to participate."

I Fight Like A Girl

I think all of us know someone who has faced breast cancer. My Great-Grandmother died from it, and my Grandmother and Aunt are both breast cancer survivors. As most of you know, I had my own scare a couple of years ago. It was a difficult thing to face, and I do not know what I would have done had my results been different.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many bloggers are sharing their stories, and supporting one another. I have come to realize that that is the thing I love most about blogging; the women who offer emotional support when we need it most. I can't tell you how many times a random comment from someone whose blog I had never even heard of, made such a huge difference in the way I saw things. I have made wonderful, lifelong friends that way.

Many people are making donations towards cancer research this month, and C'Elle is stepping up as well. For every "Protect Baby, Protect Mom" package they sell this month, they will make a $50 donation to the Susan B. Komen Foundation. They will donate $25 for every “C’elle Menstrual Stem Cell” package. I know that there are several diseases that are being treating using stem cells, but I did not know that Cryo-Cell International, Inc is partnering with the National Institutes of Health to explore the possibility of treating breast cancer with the stem cells found in menstrual blood. I hope they are able to find what they are looking for.

If you want to assist the C'Elle Breats Cancer Donation, think about banking your child's cord blood, or about saving your own menstrual blood. I know some of you, like me, are concerned about the cost. But when you think about it, is there really a price you can put on your child's future health? Payment plans are available, so check out the website, and find the service that is right for you.

And remember, ordering this month will help send more money to the Cyro-Cell Breast Cancer Donation. Not only will you be doing something for yourself; you will be helping women who are fighting this horrible disease.

Infection Or IBC?

I just got this email from Today's Health & Wellness, and wanted to share it with you. This was my story a year and a half ago. Thankfully, mine was an infection. Please be aware of these signs, and see your doctor if you notice any of these changes in your breasts.

October 8, 2009

Infection-or breast cancer?

Let's get serious for a minute. You're alert to lumps. You're regular with your mammogram. But when you notice a new rash or unexpected bruise, do you check it out right away?

Maybe you should.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) accounts for a much smaller number of breast cancers, but it is particularly aggressive and easy to miss. The most common symptoms-rednass, warmth and swelling, discolored or dimpled skin, itching and pain in the breast-are easy to mistake for an infection.

Actually, those symptoms are the result of cancer cells blocking lymph vessels in the skin.

There are no specific risk factors, but IBC does occur more frequently in younger women, average age is 58, and African-American women. Treatment has improved a lot in recent years. Whew!

Don't panic, but if you think you might have an infection—get it checked out right away. And let your friends know too. You're all special!

My Story

If you had asked me years ago if I ever thought I would have Plastic Surgery, I would have said "no way". Little did I know that the decision to have it would change my life for the better.

I had always had big breasts, and with each pregnancy, they got bigger. I remember people telling me to enjoy it, because once you stop breast feeding, they get smaller.

That never happened with me.

Then two years ago, (I can't believe it's been that long!), I developed an infection on my left breast. It got so bad I ended up in the emergency room, and they were considering making me stay so they could be me on IV antibiotics. Eventually they let me go, after I promised to come back the next morning so they could see if the two different high dose antibiotics they gave me had started to work. When I went back, there was some, not a lot, of improvement, so they let me leave. They recommended that I go to the clinic to have it monitored, so I did.

To make a long story a little shorter, I ended up at the surgical oncologist, because they were thinking I had inflammatory breast cancer. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. I just had an infection that wouldn't go away, so he referred me to a plastic surgeon, who recommended I have a breast reduction. To give you an idea of how big I was, they removed fifteen pounds of breast tissue.

I promise you, the day after my surgery, I knew I had made the right decision. I was in a lot of pain, but my back felt better, and I could see my feet again. It was a long, and painful, recovery, so I would recommend thinking long and hard before making the decision to have plastic surgery, but I would do it over again in a second. In fact, I keep asking myself why I waited so long to have it done.

The Best Decision I Have Ever Made

July 7, 2008. This was the day I had my breast reduction.

July 8, 2008. This was the day my pain free life began.

I no longer have back pain or shoulder pain. I no longer have to but my bras at expensive department stores. I no longer have low self confidence.

If you are considering Breast Augmentation in LA, let me share my experience with you. I had very large breasts for most of my adult life. I lived daily with the pain associated with large breasts. I had indentations in my shoulders where my bra dug into my skin. I had awful posture, because I was always hunched over, trying to make my breasts appear smaller. I know now that that did not work, and it just contributed to my pain. I had always thought about having a reduction done, but I was always too scared to do it. I had never been put under, although I had three c-sections, and I was nervous about that.

Then about eighteen months ago, I had a spot appear on my left breast. I was originally diagnosed with cellulitis, and even though antibiotics helped, the spot just continued to get better. I was eventually sent to a surgical oncologist, who sent me for all kinds of tests. Although I had no lumps, I heard the term "inflammatory breast cancer" often. Luckily, that was ruled out, and I was sent to a plastic surgeon for a reduction. I was told that would be the only way they could get rid of the spot.

I was terrified for weeks before my surgery, and looking back now, I can see that I was worried for nothing. The surgery was the best thing I have ever done for myself. The recovery was hard, but that was mainly because they removed so much breast tissue (15 pounds) and I had hundreds of stitches. Now, almost a year later, I am doing wonderful. I would recommend this surgery to anyone who is living with large breasts. The end result is more self confidence, and beautiful breasts.

My Family Of Survivors

I have a family history of breast cancer. It seems inevitable that at some point in my future, one of my sisters, or even myself, will be diagnosed with this awful disease. I know they say now that family history doesn't mean you will definitely develop it, but it's scary none the less. My Great Grandmother had it, my Grandmother had it, and my Aunt, my mother's older sister, had it. The good news is that both my Grandmother and my Aunt are breast cancer survivors.

You all know about my scare. I never admitted it at the time, but I was pretty worried. I knew being overweight, and having large breasts were risk factors, and with my family history, I was certain they were going to find something. Luckily, they didn't, but who knows what my future holds. I am thinking about ways that I can increase the odds of survival if I do someday get diagnosed with breast cancer. I have written about C'elle before, and all the amazing things they are doing with a baby's cord blood. They are also doing pretty amazing things with the blood from a woman's monthly cycle. Right now, you can enroll now for only $299 ($400 off the regular price!!! ) by using the Promo Code CN400. Consider this an investment in your future.

Join The Pink Sisterhood

My dear blogging friend tammy invited me to join The Pink Sisterhood and I want to invite you all to join it too.
One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.

• Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.
• Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer
• Seventy-seven percent of women with breast cancer are over 50.
• Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54, and the second cause of cancer death in women 55 to 74.
• Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.
• Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival.
• Facts taken from Women's Health
  And now here is the tag and the rules:
  

1. Put the logo in your blog.2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you.3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs4. Add your link to the list of participants below5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.
PINK Sisterhood :
1- Fara 2- Massy 3- N.O.Y 4- Mariuca 5- A Great Pleasure 6- LadyJava 7- Kim 8- Pink Thoughts 9- Turn-u-Off 10- Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 11- STAY AT HOME MOM 12- Fida Abbott 13- Also Mommy 14- Janice Ng 15. The Painted Veil16. Mommys Little Corner 17. Black Tie And Sneakers 18. A Little Girl Talk 19. my kids are my world 20. you're next

Feel Your Boobies

October is breast cancer awareness month.

Make a promise this month that you will do your self breast exams, and go get those mammograms. I had my first one last year, and it truly wasn't as bad as I had feared. Most of you know about my scare. My great-grandmother on my moms side died of breast cancer, and my mom's mom and sister are both breast cancer survivors. This makes me nervous about my future. (although the reduction helped reduce those fears a little) I know I make it a point to feel my boobies. You should too! (not mine...feel your own!)

For more info, check out these sites:

american cancer society

susan g komen breast cancer foundation

breast cancer