Breasts - because all good fashion starts on top
Let's face it, we live in a society obsessed with breasts. Boobs. Tatas. "The girls". Whatever you choose to call them.
We are either covering them, exposing them, enhancing them, or talking about them. But the most important question really is….are we taking care of them?
Are you self checking? Weekly? Monthly?
And what about a mammogram?
Are you getting those regularly yet?
Honestly? I would almost rather go to the dentist then get a mammogram. The squishing...the pulling...the flattening. I don't know about you…but "my girls" leave little to the imagination. I seriously cringe at the thought of them finding enough {cough} "material" to do the squishing. Oiy.
But today is mammogram day. And I think it is fitting on fashion tip Tuesday that we talk about "the girls". Because…good fashion starts at the top. The top starts with the boobs. The boobs need to be taken care of. See the connection?
The process is fairly simple. I was in and out of there in 35 minutes.
Go in…review your history…head to a changing room. New to this mammogram I did not have to take off all of my jewelry. As you may imagine this is usually a large undertaking that I fail to prepare for. So today, I planned ahead…yay me! I only wore three rings and one bracelet. And yes, for me that IS planning ahead. Don't judge.
First order of business? Strip. Waist up. Then you get to wear one of their sexy open in the front robes. Can't anyone design something a bit prettier and more fashionable than this? There has to be a market for it. And right now a man must be in charge. This needs to change. Shark tank anyone?
Next my sweet nurse took me into "the room". Getting a sweet nurses is kind of the key to the whole thing. But really, what kind of nurse wants to fondle other people's boobs except for someone who really cares. It cannot be a pleasant job. Men, get your mind out of the gutter!! They are not looking for you to volunteer!
She clearly explained everything that we were going to do…no surprises…except the cold room. Can't they at least try to warm these rooms up a little? For me? Shrinkage is not helping! Then it was time, Cindy (yes we were on a first name basis - I think that is fairly appropriate based on what was coming!) invited me to step up… step up to the beast machine. Okay maybe she didn't called the beast machine. But when I'm looking at the size of my breasts and the size of that machine I always get slightly intimidated.
Big boobs. Small boobs. No discrimination. The device IS called a compressor. Fitting? I think so.
Cindy was awesome. She explained what she was going to do, and what she needed me to do every step of the way. Grab you here. Tuck you there. Pressing here. And now "the squish". She even remembered to tell me to breathe again at the end. Bonus! As I may have forgotten. Sweet Cindy got her workout this morning. Did I mention that I was a full 5 inches taller than her. AND wearing Frye boots with a heel. I'm sure that didn't help.
Arm back in sleeve one of my sexy gown arm, arm out of sleeve two. Repeat.
Really? It isn't that bad. Awkward? Definitely. But not horrid. I am always amazed at the amount of flesh that can be squished flat - slightly impressive.
Does it hurt? Not really? I think wearing high heels hurts more. Waxing? Definitely worse.
All this to say.
Go get a mammogram.
My mother had breast cancer. Twice. My mother-in-law had breast cancer. I've had a friend with breast cancer. Chances are you know someone too. Maybe someone very close to you.
The people in my life fought very hard…And won. They are some of the bravest, toughest women I know.
Facts about breast cancer…because you really should know:
(taken from http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org
- One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
- Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
- Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women.
- Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.
- Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 410 will die each year.
If I told you I wasn't nervous this morning I would be lying.
If I told you I won't be nervous for the next 10 days to two weeks while I'm waiting for results, I would be lying.
The "what if's" are totally running through my mind.
But I know making this proactive choice, is the best thing I can do for myself and my family.
When I was done, I put on my best fitting bra - the one that makes those sad-I've-had-the-best-of-me-nursed-away "girls" look amazing under my striped shirt. Then I took this incredibly cheesy selfie in the dressing room mirror - oh yes I did! THEN I headed to Starbucks for a little reward. Because I deserve it. I did something good today.
Now please. Do yourself a favor. If you are over 40, or if you have a family history, call your doctor TODAY and have them schedule mammogram for you. Under 40? Self check in the shower weekly. You know your body better than anyone. You will know if something isn't quite right. Just BE proactive.
For "the girls" - and because YOU are worth it!
xooxoxoxox
lisa
update: February 2020. I found a lump. I had a mammogram scheduled for the next day. Thank you Jesus. It was cancer. I fought. I won. But I found that lump. Please. I beg you. Self check and go get that mammogram.
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Posted on November 19 2013