October 11, 2015 marks my "cancer free" 3 year anniversary.
I asked my Oncologist when the year milestones are determined. Her response was: "It depends on who you ask."
I will never forget that response. I thought it was so strange because I was asking her. So I said: "Well, I'm asking you."
She advised that some schools of thought are when chemo therapy ends. Others are the date of the surgery. I've chosen to use the date of my surgery as my anniversary date. Mainly because it was during the surgical procedure when the biopsy report indicated that there was no detectable trace of cancer cells.
It's been a wild ride for sure. Obama's Definitely NOT AFFORDABLE Health Care Plan has not helped the journey from a financial standpoint. Follow up care is not covered under my plan for which I pay $543 a month with a $5,900 deductible. The good news is that preventative care is covered.
I cannot stress the importance of breast exams. I've told the story before but some things just need to be repeated.
I was one who routinely got all of the recommended medical screening procedures done. Over time I apparently convinced myself that I did not need to get my mammogram done in 2011 because:
1. I am healthy
2. There is no history of cancer in my family
3. There is longevity in my family
4. [Fill in the blank with whatever lame excuse you can think of]
Life was good. I felt good. I felt so good that on May 13th, 2012 on Mother's Day my son and I jumped out of a perfectly good and operational airplane.
On May 31, 2012 I had my routine exam. On June 4, 2012 I got the call ... you have Stage 3 Breast Cancer. A life-changing moment for sure. A life-saving journey followed.
4 months of chemo therapy and a month for my body to get stronger and then I had surgery on 10-11-12. In case you are wondering, I did request that date.
I've lost many friends to cancer. It's a silent and deadly killer. It has claimed the lives of too many people.
Don't put off any routine exam. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month but we must all be aware daily and be sure that we take care of the routine exams ... all of us ... men and women.
Now is a good time to start asking your loved ones and friends ... when was the last time you had a mammogram or any other type of exam that is designed for early detection of cancer?
You just may save a life in the asking.
What are you waiting for?
What's that you say ... when was the last time I had a mammogram? It was in October 2014 and I am scheduled for my annual mammogram on October 14, 2015. Thank you for asking!
CANCER SUCKS!
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