Breast Cancer Awareness: Don’t Wear Pink For Me
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (just in case you didn’t know), and there are pink ribbons everywhere.
For those that don’t know me, I am a two-time breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed the first time at 32 in 2010. Then, just a few weeks before my husband returned home from his third deployment in 2014, the cancer returned.
Nothing says “Welcome home, Babe,” quite like the words “The cancer is back.”
Most of my 30’s have been spent being scanned, injected, radiated, operated on, in ICU, in surgery, swallowing pills, in pain, boobless, bald, and on a couch.
At least that’s what it feels like.
That’s the reality of breast cancer.
The pink ribbons are beautiful and I truly love the month of October. People will call me to check up on me. They will text me and say things like, “I saw this pink thing and thought of you.” They will post pictures on Facebook of pink ribbons they’re wearing with the words, “I wear pink for Marily.” I have a whole drawer full of pink ribbon gifts I’ve been given over the last five years since I became a breast cancer patient.
I’m touched by all of it, truly I am. I am thankful for all of the support.
This is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Believe me, I am very aware of breast cancer.
I’m aware of breast cancer every time I’m too tired to keep up with my kids.
I’m aware of breast cancer every time I try to reach for something and my radiated skin won’t let my arm stretch far enough.
I’m aware of breast cancer every time my head itches from wearing uncomfortable wigs.
I’m aware of breast cancer every time a shooting pain goes through my chest.
I’m aware of breast cancer every time I swallow my daily pills.
I’m aware of breast cancer every time my deteriorating bones ache as a result of five years of treatments.
I’m aware of breast cancer every time my arm starts to swell and ache since there are no lymph nodes left in my arm to drain the fluids.
I’m aware of breast cancer every time I have to explain what the compression sleeve on my arm is for.
I’m aware of breast cancer every time I have to put prosthetic breasts in my bra to try to look and feel like a woman again.
I’m aware of breast cancer every time I look at my completely flat chest and the long scars where my breasts used to be.
I don’t need to be reminded of the realities of breast cancer. I see them and I feel them every day.
I will for the rest of my life.
Five years ago, I didn’t know much about breast cancer except for what I had seen in Lifetime movies. I was young, healthy, breastfed my kids, and had no family history of breast cancer.
Then, on Sept. 17, 2010, I was sitting in the doctor’s office when he took my hand and said, “I’m sorry to tell you this, but you have breast cancer.”
I have heard the words, “You have breast cancer,” twice in my life now. I will be injected, scanned, poked, made to swallow pills, and in pain for the rest of my life.
I don’t need a pink ribbon to make me aware of breast cancer.
The pink ribbons you see everywhere this month are for you. The pink ribbons are to make you aware of breast cancer.
Did you know that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lives?
Did you know that the two greatest risks for getting breast cancer are being a woman and getting older?
Did you know that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women, ages 20 to 59?
Did you know that most breast cancers are not hereditary?
Did you know that the survival rate for those diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer is 99%?
Like I said before, I was young, healthy, and active when I was diagnosed. I breastfed my children. I have no family history of breast cancer. I was stupid to think it could never happen to me—don’t be stupid like me. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. My breast cancer was advanced because I didn’t think that it could happen to me, so I ignored the signs.
Know your body and tell your doctor if you notice any changes. It’s not just about a lump. Tell your doctor about any change that you notice. There are many warning signs of breast cancer:
- Lump, hard knot, or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
- Swelling, warmth, redness, or darkening of the breast
- Change in the size or shape of the breast
- Dimpling or puckering of the skin
- Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
- Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
- Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
- New pain in one spot that does not go away.
Cancer is awful. It’s painful, exhausting, and horrible for the patient and their family.
Please take care of your health. Talk with your doctor. Know the signs.
Wear the pink ribbons for your mother, your sister, your daughter, your wife, your aunt, your cousin, your friends. Wear the pink ribbons for your father, your brother, your son, your uncle, your husband. Help to spread breast cancer awareness.
Don’t wear pink for me. It’s too late for me; I’m already very aware of breast cancer. I will wear a pink ribbon for you.
