Tawanda

I will have to say that I have been a blessed woman...the day I discovered my lump was the beginning of a journey that I continue today...It has made me realize how beautiful it is to live life completely with a smile, never sweating the small stuff.

On July 22nd 2002, I was going to the doctor for a pre-op appt. I was scheduled for another surgery, however while I was there I mentioned to my Dr. that I felt a lump in my breast the size of a small almond. I really had no concerns because I had a mammogram done in Feb of the same year. I just assumed that it might be a cyst or a lump of fat. To make a long story short it was a very aggressive form of cancer. This was a Friday. On Aug 6th 2002, I was wheeled into surgery to have my right breast removed. This began an arduous journey and my fight for life. Guess what I won!!! I live a beautiful life now. I walk in this world as a beautiful woman with a story to share. My story is this PLEASE realized the importance of mammograms, HOWEVER it is as, if not more important to perform monthly self exams. If you remember initially I told you I already had a mammogram less than 6 months prior to finding my lump. Had I waiting until my next exam I would have been dead before the year was out. Although cancer was not something that neither ran in my family nor did I have any true reasons to believe that this disease would ever affect my life. I was taught at an early age to perform self exams on a monthly basis. This happens to be my gift, now I want to pass this gift on to others...so please learn how to perform this exam...get to know and love your breast. Check them regularly and if you find something, run not walk to your doctor. Life is so beautiful and it's just not worth it to be afraid to find something.....trust me I know.....