I know all you men out there like breasts, right? Some like them big and some like them small, but in the end, you like them all or shall I say love them all? This is the important part of this assignment for all you men out there. Believe it or not you can actually help your woman maintain her health by noticing and talking about any abnormal lumps you may feel in the breast when you are …..uh…..examining them. Yeah that’s it, examination. My friend’s husband noticed a lump in her breast and it was cancer. She received immediate treatment and she is doing quite well now thanks to him. Women are encouraged to give themselves exams but another opinion never hurts and that is where you guys come in.
Now to be fair in my public service announcement it would be unfair if I left you fellows out of the discussion. Men can also have breast cancer. My Grandfather has had both breasts removed about 8 years ago due to cancerous tumors growing there. You fellows should check yourselves and don’t be too embarrassed to ask your physician about anything you find.
Breast cancer is devastating for women. Mastectomies steal a part of our femininity from us. We don’t feel sexy. We feel deformed. It is incredibly emotional, the damage it does to your self image and self worth.
How do I know this? I didn’t have a husband or boyfriend find my lumps. I happened to have gotten an MRI on my shoulder as a result of a bike crash which left my rotator cuff in shambles. This was a blessing in disguise for me. As a result I have had a double mastectomy. Chemotherapy took my hair. The avatar pictures that I have posted were me before breast cancer. I am embarrassed to have posted these pictures now because I have been dishonest with myself and you readers out there. I have been living in the past, enjoying the ability to be able to flirt again. To be noticed again. As Gezemice correctly pointed out, I am underweight for a woman 5’9” in height at 123 pounds. But not really given what is missing and the anemia I am struggling with. She encouraged me to see a doctor, concerned I may have an eating disorder, and I wish that was it. I am happy to say I am doing fine. Latest tests were negative and my prognosis is good. I am supposed to see a plastic surgeon in a few months about reconstruction. I actually still play great golf. And I work out constantly to rebuild my strength. And mountain biking starts up soon.
Now this blog is not intended to draw pity from any of you. And I certainly do not want to depress anyone. Rather to come clean with myself and perhaps do some good for all of you. Please heed this warning. Check yourselves. See your doctor’s. Get the uncomfortable things looked at (mammograms, paps smears, prostates, colonoscopies, etc…) and you may live long enough to see the Cubs win a World Series.
This blog has been cathartic for me. Thanks for listening and get out there and give some examinations (ask for permission and warm up your hands, first….LOL).
I think I am done for a while. Have a great spring.
Amanda Victoria
