PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

I meant to post this the other day but didn't have the time to do so.

This past Tuesday, 8/22, marks four years since I found the lump in my breast that turned out to be cancer.

I was 32 and naïve; I didn't do regular self-exams because HELLO I WAS 32.

I found the lump completely by accident because I was scratching an itch in my armpit. I have had nightmares about what could have happened to me had I not had that fateful itch.

By the time the cancer was detected, it was stage III. I had seen my gyno a few months earlier and she did a thorough breast exam and didn't feel anything. The type of cancer I had - triple negative breast cancer - is a particularly aggressive cancer so it could have grown very fast. There's no way of knowing. I've only begun to be at peace with the unknown factors recently.

Please please please, each and every one of you - men included - do your regular self-exams. If something seems off, see your doctor. Also understand your body. This isn't ONLY about breast cancer. If you're experiencing symptoms that seem to have no explanation, see your doctor and a specialist.

Do not accept being brushed off by medical professionals due to your age. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself/have a friend or family member advocate on your behalf if you can't do it.

I have always been extremely open to PM's from people on here who have questions about my ordeal or concerns about themselves or a friend. If you're confused, you can reach out to me. I have been trained in mentor ship for fellow patients and can provide assistance and point you toward organizations that can help. I focus on the young adult cancer community (diagnosed between 18-39) but have a lot of info on organizations that span all age ranges. I went through the mill: chemo and all its lovely side effects, surgeries, radiation.

September 3rd will mark exactly four years since I was diagnosed AND exactly three years since my last day of treatment. It's sort of an extra birthday for me because of all of this.

Most of you know my story by now. Some of you are probably sick of it. Hey, me too! But if I can help make life easier for someone out there - a patient, a caretaker, a friend of someone who is ill - then that's one of the many reason why I'm still here on this planet.

I'm posting this as I'm on my way for a routine checkup with my surgical oncologist. Wish me luck!

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Thank you for the reminder.

And, Happy Re-Birthday !

PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

So glad you are still here to tell the story, and I'm sorry you had to go through that. <3

May I add, please teach your children how to do a self breast exam. I took my 16 year old for her very first gynecology exam, and the doctor immediately found a breast tumor (and it was the size of a kiwi!). She has no idea it was there and I had never thought to teach her to check since she was so young. Luckily, it was benign. But it did require surgery.

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Thank you for sharing your story

PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Thank you for the reminder. Admittedly, I haven't been doing them in quite some time. I'm going to now. So thanks.

And happy re-birthday!!

My BFF lost her mother and aunts from breast cancer. Because of modern day technology she was able to be proactive. No surprise, but she tested positive for the gene and they found pre cancer cells at age 27. She was told it wasnt a matter of "if" anymore it was a matter of "when." She decided to go for a double mastectomy. She's kind of my hero. But long story short, you HAVE to be proactive and take control of your health. She's now 32, engaged, with a 3 year old. They advised that she have her ovaries removed as well, so she and her long time BF decided to fast track the baby. Thought that was so courageous of them.

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Thank you for sharing again and always being open. Xo

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Such an important reminder. Thanks!!

PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

And don't neglect your pap smear either!

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Definitely appreciate this PSA!!

PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Thank you for sharing! you MUST advocate for yourself. I went through hell medically for 2 years because of inept doctors!

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Don't ever stop telling your story! It's important to all of us

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

thank you. i need to make an appt for my first mammo. just got the script from my OBGYN. im 38

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

your posts on this subject always make me cry... because it happened to you and because you kicked it's ass!

thank you for the reminder.

PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

can I add.. NEVER GIVE UP
Just keep pushing for answers

I'm fighting some invisible thing right now. They haven't figured out what it is yet. But I'm determined to not give up. I keep fighting. For my daughter for my lost father, I won't give up.

I was a size 12 now I'm size 6 and I'm still losing weight. I'm down to just under 120. None of it by choice. When I slipped under 135 I was happy. When I got to 130 I was concerned and started to see my GP. By 125 I was down right worried as was he. By 126 it had plateaued so we thought. But it kept going. Then the blood work got funny. Now my Liver is fatty for no reason. None of it is pretty. I've been pictured, poked, xrayed, thudded and prodded. But I keep going. I fit NO known set of symptoms for them to put me into a category. So I keep being tested. Problem is, with a liver you can't just take a pill. It's either really bad or fatal. Neither are good. Ironically, the Fatal is treatable but the really bad isn't? ???? ??? Ugh. Or there's a slim chance my blood has been lying (ya know for 8 months and numerous tests?).

It's exhausting and trust me more than once I want to just give up. But I'm here to say STAY WITH IT!

PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

You're my hero. As is everyone else who is fighting something.
Thanks for the reminder and I pray for a clean bill of health for you going forward!!

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Thank you for posting this and for always sharing your story. Your oncologist may have saved your life but I have no doubt your advocacy is saving the lives of others. You are awesome!

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Thank you for sharing!

You are so inspiring!

PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Thank you for sharing and for the reminder!!!! You are a real life hero for what you've been through and for being such a source of knowledge and guidance to others!

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Thanks, everyone! Appointment went great and I go back to see him in six months. (I see my oncologist once a year - that's new, I used to go twice a year but recently graduated to once a year!!! - my surgical oncologist twice a year, and my plastic surgeon once a year)

Glad that I reminded people to make their appointments!

Xelindrya - really sorry to hear about your health issues! Happy to hear that you're advocating for yourself and working toward an explanation. I hope you find some answers soon

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by Xelindrya

can I add.. NEVER GIVE UP
Just keep pushing for answers

I'm fighting some invisible thing right now. They haven't figured out what it is yet. But I'm determined to not give up. I keep fighting. For my daughter for my lost father, I won't give up.

I was a size 12 now I'm size 6 and I'm still losing weight. I'm down to just under 120. None of it by choice. When I slipped under 135 I was happy. When I got to 130 I was concerned and started to see my GP. By 125 I was down right worried as was he. By 126 it had plateaued so we thought. But it kept going. Then the blood work got funny. Now my Liver is fatty for no reason. None of it is pretty. I've been pictured, poked, xrayed, thudded and prodded. But I keep going. I fit NO known set of symptoms for them to put me into a category. So I keep being tested. Problem is, with a liver you can't just take a pill. It's either really bad or fatal. Neither are good. Ironically, the Fatal is treatable but the really bad isn't? ???? ??? Ugh. Or there's a slim chance my blood has been lying (ya know for 8 months and numerous tests?).

It's exhausting and trust me more than once I want to just give up. But I'm here to say STAY WITH IT!

So sorry for what you're going through. I hope that everything turns out okay!!

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

thanks for the psa...i've been putting off my baseline mammogram for 3 years and after reading your message, made an appt for tomorrow morning to just do it. hugs to you

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Posted by MissJones

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by Xelindrya

can I add.. NEVER GIVE UP
Just keep pushing for answers

I'm fighting some invisible thing right now. They haven't figured out what it is yet. But I'm determined to not give up. I keep fighting. For my daughter for my lost father, I won't give up.

I was a size 12 now I'm size 6 and I'm still losing weight. I'm down to just under 120. None of it by choice. When I slipped under 135 I was happy. When I got to 130 I was concerned and started to see my GP. By 125 I was down right worried as was he. By 126 it had plateaued so we thought. But it kept going. Then the blood work got funny. Now my Liver is fatty for no reason. None of it is pretty. I've been pictured, poked, xrayed, thudded and prodded. But I keep going. I fit NO known set of symptoms for them to put me into a category. So I keep being tested. Problem is, with a liver you can't just take a pill. It's either really bad or fatal. Neither are good. Ironically, the Fatal is treatable but the really bad isn't? ???? ??? Ugh. Or there's a slim chance my blood has been lying (ya know for 8 months and numerous tests?).

It's exhausting and trust me more than once I want to just give up. But I'm here to say STAY WITH IT!

So sorry for what you're going through. I hope that everything turns out okay!!

Ohveronica, I'm really sorry to hear this. I hope everything is ok.

Re: PSA - Please do your monthly self-exams

Don't ever think that we'd be "sick" of your story. It is a powerful reminder that we are all vulnerable, no matter the age. Your strength and bravery through it all is incredible, and to hear you're helping others?
I needed this reminder and jolt in the ass! Thank you