Breast Cancer Awareness: Advocate for Your Breast Health

article by Cindy G. Foust

Greetings readers from the comfort of my big comfy chair where you will find me writing this month’s column. I hope this finds you and yours enjoying what I consider to be the beginning of the holiday season. It’s hard to believe we are pulling out the fall decorations and thinking about what we want to dress up as for Halloween. Well, I already kind of dressed up…a little early this year, so I can put a check in that box. Oh, I know what your next question(s) will be, something along the lines of “What did you dress up for?” And then when I tell you, your next one will be, “So tell me again how old you are?” Yeah, so about that. I let Elle Woods aka Brandi Cole (yes, I am calling you out in my column, Sister, which I rarely do, but sometimes you just have to give the credit where the credit is due) talk me into emceeing the Twin City Ballet Lip Sync Battle again. Incidentally, it’s the fourth year in a row I got on a stage in front of a million people and made a complete fool out of myself…which includes dressing up. Like in a ballet tutu complete with a leotard, tights and ballet shoes. Right, so I’ve seen the pictures and let me tell you I look like I need an epidural so I can get ready to push. Can I say that in a children’s column? Well, I am because it’s the God’s honest truth. I’m kind of exaggerating but readers, it gets worse…I ended the night dressed as Dolly Parton lip syncing to Islands in the Stream. “How can we be wrong? Sail away with me…to another world.” I’ll tell you I was completely wrong and I need to sail away somewhere and join my family who have all left town for good. SOS. It always seems like a good idea and the next thing you know I am standing on a stage with an inflated chest acting like I’m the Queen of Country. Hopefully not too many of our community friends are permanently scarred and I can go back to the grocery store soon. Or my job. Or church. Wonder what my moratorium is? 

Anyways, speaking of chests…that’s what we will call “them” this month, right? Because we all know what October represents to millions of women who have survived breast cancer or who are currently undergoing treatment, and that’s breast cancer awareness month. Hummmmm…I’ve been thinking over the past few weeks about what I wanted to say about “it” this month. In the spirit of transparency friends, which I always try to be, hence the visual depiction of my recent costume fallacy, there are days when I just don’t want to talk about “it” anymore, you know? Like I get so tired of hearing about friends, some I have never met, who have to start their BC journey and I just get mad all over again. It’s okay to be mad about “it” I guess, I mean, it’s a good thing it’s okay to be mad because I just am. Now, let me get one thing out on the table, readers, I am totally fine. I am. But what I would also like to say is the past three years (can you believe it’s been that long) have been no picnic. One of the hardest parts are my now every 5-month visits to check-up on my progress. I keep telling my doctor there “is nothing wrong with me” and he said recently, “Cindy you are perfect.” Perfect…makes you think of Bo Derek, right? So I say, “Well, I’m not a 10 but I’m definitely an 8.” Blank look. Crickets. He didn’t even laugh at my joke! He just ask me if I had any more questions. I’m telling you, I just dread these visits all the way around. For you see, readers, when you’ve heard the “C” word as it applies to your own health, you never want to hear it again. At least for me, I just have this fear somewhere deep in my heart and I am not entirely sure how to work through it; perhaps I never will. Even when I graduate to follow-up visits every 6 months, I think I will still feel anxious and worried. Anybody feel my pain? 

One of my greatest heart’s desires is to completely eradicate all cancers, not just breast, but in the breast cancer world, there are ways to be proactive so that someone might never have to go through the treatment. I will always stand on my platform in this column, and thanks be to Cassie for allowing me to, for early detection. I think I’ve shared that my doctor says we are at an 85% cure rate for breast cancer patients, with the other 15% being those that either ignored a symptom or didn’t have their yearly mammograms. 

Here’s where I come in with my platform…have your mammogram. If you’ve been putting it off…don’t. Call and schedule your appointment right now and go have it done. I realize fully that it’s uncomfortable and feels like someone has put your “sister” under a car tire, put it in reverse and backed over it. And then puts the car in drive and backs over it again. I get it. But early detection can save your life so a few minutes of being uncomfortable is a bearable compared to the alternative. Make your appointment. Stop reading this column and call. 

Next, do not ignore your symptoms. Repeat, if you have something out of the ordinary happening with your breasts, call and make an appointment and see your doctor. From the onset of my first symptom to my diagnosis was two and a half weeks. I woke up to something unusual and alarming, called my doctor’s office and started the battery of tests until I had an answer. My doctor told me that some women will ignore their symptoms until the treatment has to be harrowing to save their lives. I know this is frank talk, readers, but I feel so strongly about it that I want to motivate you to have your yearly exams and see your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms that concern you. We know our bodies, and there is no one better to advocate for our good health than ourselves. 

Thank you for allowing me to pivot a bit this month from my usual “children’s themed” storytelling and direct my words and thoughts to those who take care of our Bayou children. Be your best advocate, make your health a priority and stay on top of your symptoms. Nothing is more important than that.

Cindy G. Foust is a wife, mom, author and blogger. You can find her blog at the alphabetmom.com for weekly columns about home life, parenting, small business stories and insight with a smidgen of literacy. Give her a like or follow on Facebook and Instagram.