Care Enough to Check Yourself

"People should be afraid of the cancer, not the mammogram." ~ Nancy Reagan

Trick or Treat

Boo!!! HA!HA!HA! How's that for a trick? Trick or Treat Day is coming and I haven't blogged in awhile so time for lots of ghosts - oops! I meant posts! ;0) I am so very honored that there are some people who check my blog quite regularly, so for those of you, I hope that you find my sudden burst in blogging and posting a treat! ;0)

I have also chronicled the many steps in my journey through the use of this blog and because of that I am going to "tweak" the post dates so that for the most part my comments will remain in chronological order.

The Pink Ribbon

The Pink Ribbon stands for friendships,
too many to count.
For strength no disease can ever surmount.
It celebrates grace in the shadow of pain,
Bringing us together in an unbreakable chain.
A symbol of hope and our goal, which is pure,
Never to rest until we find a cure.
(author unknown)

October is...

It's October and this month means very much to me for many reasons. First of all, it's breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you are reading this on my blog then you are already familiar with information regarding breast cancer in general and specifically my breast cancer. But don't let that be enough. Do something for the breasts, wether they be yours, a loved one's or all of them for that matter. Do a self breast exam, remind a loved one to do one, schedule yourself or a loved one for a mammogram if one hasn't been done in the past year, or donate to one of the many worthy causes. There is a reason for the need of an entire month being dedicated to breast cancer awareness.

This month is also very special to me because it is the first full month that I am entering with my cancer treatments completed. No more weekly or daily visits to Walter Reed. From this month forward every new day is a day entered without medical treatment and a day closer to better health and a full recovery. I heard Robin Roberts (cohost of Good Morning America and fellow breast cancer survivor) state, "this isn't like getting over the flu." She then repeated that statement over and over again, perhaps because what seems to be a simple statement isn't simple at all. In fact, it's actually quite complicated, involved and also very powerful. The statement doesn't need to be extreme for the disease or the impact to be. My body reminds each and every day in many ways that I am recovering from something that most definitely hasn't been the flu. But I am recovering and who could ask for more.

October 1st also marked a very significant milestone in my military career. I reenlisted for the last time which will effectively carry me to active duty retirement in 4 years and 4 months (February 1st, 2013!!!)

Happy October!!! Find a reason to celebrate and enjoy life! ;0)