My Grandma -survivor of 5 go-rounds with cancer- discovered that she had breast cancer at the age of 86. The doctor delicately told her that her previous treatment history indicated she should have a radical double mastectomy, making it clear he was sorry to have to deliver the news. She drew herself up, and without hesitation looked at the doctor and said, “Take them off! I’m done with them!” The radical double mastectomy and early detection saved her life and gave us the gift of more time with her.
Breasts. I’m going to say it again. Breasts. Breasts. Breasts. Breasts. We all have them and I want you all -every single one of you- to do a self-exam this month and every month afterward. Please keep your breasts on your brain (not literally) and take care of yourselves. I want you here for as long as I am here writing. So what do we all do about it?
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
I’m sure you’ve seen all sorts of merchandise and things festooned with pink ribbons. That’s nice, and all, but what we really need to do is get ourselves into a habit of monthly self checks. That early detection of knowing a change from one month to the next will actively save lives. And if you want to make a difference in the realm of research, make a donation to the cause. We don’t know when that cure or miracle treatment could come down the pike, and we won’t know unless research is vast, constant, and well-funded. This month at JCPenney, you can round up your purchases to the nearest dollar amount. Contributions will go to JCPenney Cares (#JCPCares) to directly fund programs supporting breast cancer awareness. In other words, your change can equal REAL CHANGE in the fight against breast cancer.
A Giveaway
Giveaway: JCPenney is generously offering a $100 JCPenney gift card to one (1) Foodie with Family reader. You can use that however you like at your favourite JCPenney. If you want, you can even buy items to donate to your local breast health clinic or someone you love who is undergoing treatment. Maybe some comfy throw blankets? Or some soft, cozy pajamas? How to Enter for a Chance to Win: Answer one of the following questions:
- Have you or someone you love been personally effected by breast cancer?
- Ladies: Do you do faithful monthly self-checks?
- What do you do to help with breast cancer awareness?
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 10/15/2014 – 11/12/2014.
Be sure to visit the JCPenney’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
Reader's Thoughts...
pamela says
My dear friend’s stepmom died almost two years ago from breast cancer, and reading your post makes me remember what a beautiful woman she was, and how much she was (and still is!) loved. My heart is broken all over again.
Rebecca says
Thank you. ♥
Cecilia Parkinson says
My mom, my grandma, aunts, and mother in law have all battled (and beat) breast cancer. It’s hard not to feel like it’s only a matter of time before I face it myself.
Rebecca says
Oh gosh, Cecilia. I know. I felt all kinds of secure before my aunt and Grandma were diagnosed. Now I feel like I have ticking time boobs.
Karen D. says
This is a subject very close to my heart. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 16 years old. She had chemo and a radical modified mastectomy. She went into remission for 6 years. It returned with a vengeance. Her first doctor told her she had 6 months. We took her to Shands Hospital in Gainesville. There they were more optimistic. Even so, they were only able to give her 3 1/2 years. At the age of 53, she died. I am grateful for her faith in God. She knew that she was going to be in heaven. I am grateful for the time I had with her. I am grateful that she made it to my wedding – 2 years before she died and during one of her good periods of time between treatments. I wish she had met my children. They were not born until 4 years after her death.
Cancer is such an awful thing. My brother has also had cancer. His story makes me believe in miracles. He was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at the age of 36. This month, he will turn 45 and is cancer free. He is forever vigilant as he knows it can come back.
Prevention is important, but finding a cure is critical.
Rebecca says
Amen, Karen. I’m so glad your mom was there for your wedding and so sorry she wasn’t there to meet your kids. That’s one of the rottenest (sic) parts of grief… it keeps sneaking up on you at big moments you’d love to share.
Lauren M says
The BRCA gene runs in my family – my grandma and both of my aunts are breast cancer survivors. I am so thankful that my mom does not carry the gene, and can only pray it hasn’t been passed on to my cousins. Breast cancer is a horrible thing, and I am so glad that breast cancer awareness month exists to encourage women to check themselves and get mammograms!
christopher sorel says
Yes have had friends with breast cancer and one lost his wife last year after 3 flare ups. Hard on the kids and my friend. I try to support as much as possible and push my wife to get checked all the time.
Christine says
My maternal grandmother and aunt died of breast cancer, as did my paternal aunt. My mother died from leukemia, and my sister-in-law is a survivor of cervical cancer. (She refused to have an ‘only’ child, so we all sweated through the time it took to conceive and deliver her daughter.) She then had surgery, and has been cancer-free since then. We were lucky.
Since I have had breasts, I have been doing monthly self-exams. My mother made sure I was aware of how prone our family was to it, and made sure I checked regularly. I’m now 62, and still checking. I just wish there was a self-exam for all the other cancers and ailments that run in my family!
Rebecca says
Wow, wow! I would’ve sweated that, too, Christine! I’m so glad you check yourself and that your sister-in-law is cancer free!
cindyzs says
Have you or someone you love been personally effected by breast cancer? my great grand mother died from it and i found a lump about 6 months ago, which has grown. have NOT been to a doc due to no health insurance or transportation. i guess i have been in denial. i lost my sis to ‘c’ 2 years ago as well and pretty much dont care what happens to me. it is easy to die, but very hard to live. (please no one take offense at my remarks…i dont care to fight at this time but do encourage others to do so and do not mean any offense)
Rebecca says
I don’t think anyone takes offense to your remarks, Cindy, but I’ll confess it makes me sad. I know it’s hard to lose people you love to such a nasty disease. I know it’s hard when the resources are limited. I have to believe, though, that there are resources in your area to help you. Please contact social services and tell them what’s going on. There’s got to be a way to arrange some care for you. And if you choose not to treat it? I’m saddened by that. I am. My readers mean a great deal to me and I hope you’re able to find help.
Melissa @ Bless this Mess says
I”m seriously bawling over this post! A great friend of mine who found out she had breast cancer at age 26, went through a hard battle, won, and has since been married and had 2 babies just announced today that she found out she has color cancer. I’m a mess and this hit home so hard. My auntie is in the throws of leukemia and my 8 year old cousin is on her second round with brain cancer. I’m with you, isn’t there some magical number of family members that can be affected until it’s just time to be done.
Dawn Monroe says
My mom died way to young and fast from breast cancer. She made my sister and I promise to get checked early and often and to encourage friends and loved ones to do the same. I love and miss you mom!
jaye says
It’s fantastic that you wrote this. So many of us think about the importance of self exams but then forget to do them. We think about asking tough or embarrassing questions of the doctor but then don’t ask for one reason or another. We put off the mammogram or colonoscopy for another year. We really must take care of ourselves the way we take care of the people we love.
I lost my step-mother to cancer, too, and it was just so damn sad and awful. I really never understood until I experienced it myself.
We do Relay for Life every year. It’s an incredible, inspiring event. Join if you can find it in your community. Or start one!
Rebecca says
Thank you for doing Relay for Life!! Thank you!! And thank you for the support.
Mandy says
In 2010 at 31 years old I was diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer. I had a skin sparing double mastectomy with expanders.
I had a then 2 and 5 year old. My surgery was April 28th and I started college that June.During that first semester I received 6 chemotherapy treatments, missed no days- making straight A’s. Radiation followed the chemotherapy. It was a very hard time juggling treatments, family, school. Yes, I was very ill. My chemotherapy I was told was experimental and extremely aggressive. But…
People constantly were in awe of my ability to function. When asked how I managed I replied I thanked God every day He gave me the cancer and not one of my kids.
I did what anyone would do but I was grateful, not questioning why me. Why me? Better than my babies. Childhood cancer seems to be rising, so it could have just as easily been one or both of them.
So my strength was my ability to find a blessing of the utmost importance and keep going.
Rebecca says
Oh my word. Amen, Mandy. I’m so glad you’re cancer free. So glad. And I love your point about not asking “Why me?”!
Mandy says
Thank you Rebecca! I am just so sorry you and your family had to experience this. I am okay so far- one day at a time! I have an amazing family I live for!
God bless you and your family! 🙂
KB says
I have four great aunts, two of each grandmother’s sisters, that passed away from breast cancer. My grandma and my best friend’s mom are both survivors, thankfully. It’s made cancer is a really personal topic to me. I’m so glad, if sad that it’s necessary, when people come forward to raise awareness of the problem and raise money for research and support.
Rebecca says
FOUR? Oh, KB. I’m sorry. I’m so glad your grandma and best friend’s mom are survivors.
linda sch says
remember, mammograms save lives!
Rebecca says
True!
Liz says
As a former oncology nurse, I have seen way too many bald women. Thank goodness for the treatments that can save lives, but we need to be able to save more. My MIL is a success story…she was diagnosed in her late 20’s, had bilateral mastectomies, and is alive in her late 80’s. Wishing that for all. And I’m so sorry that Val lost her battle. xo
sara says
tweet https://twitter.com/SaraMama/status/522509945896697856
sara says
One of my dearest friends is a breast cancer survivor at the age of 36! It’s so scary how many people I know who have fought breast cancer within my circle. I do monthly checks now.
Rebecca says
I also have a friend my age who survived breast cancer and had to deal with it while pregnant! Cancer needs to take a flying leap very soon.
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/522503913359278080
Elena says
My mother in law had breast cancer. She was able to fight it and now she is fine.
Anne Weber-Falk says
My mother is a five year survivor of the disease. I do not get regular mammograms but I do inspect my breasts regularly. Cancer sucks.
Rebecca says
Amen, Anne.
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/522497767109701633