The Bakersfield Voice

It is the last day of October and the last day of Breast Cancer Awareness month.  This brings me to tell you about something that I went through at the beginning of the month. 

I went in for my yearly exam/physical and my physician ordered lab work and a yearly mammogram, (which I have been having since I turned 40).  My mammagram came back "suspicious"; therefore, I was sent to have an ultrasound.  The ultrasound came back "suspicious" so my physician ordered a biopsy.  I am usually thick skinned when it comes to medical issues, beings I used to work in the medical field; however, I have to admit that I was extremly frightened at the thought of the "C" word........CANCER!  I knew why my mind was realing... Three years ago to the day that the doctors office called me with the results, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy.

I waited 3 days for the results, and during those 3 days, I looked back on my 44 years on earth and knew that everything was going to be alright.  Initially, the fear  that I had was overwhelming, but after a great deal of prayer,  I knew that God was and always has been in control and He wouldn't put me through more than I could handle.  

The results came back benign and just experiencing the fear I had made me change my attitude about life.  I look at life differenly.  I have always tried to be "in the moment"; however, something within me woke up and now I am more aware of the blessings I have and donot take anything for granted. 

To all of the women out there that have put off having a mammogram...please be proactive and call your doctor for an appointment.  It IS better to be safe than sorry.