(Originally posted October 2011)
It's taken me most of the month to figure out what I wanted to write
this year and today as I walked through the American Airlines
concourse at O'Hare International Airport, it came to me. High above
me were flags lining the corridor with the pink ribbon marking
American's official sponsorship of the Susan B. Komen Foundation. As
I rolled my bag straight down the middle it was as if I was
participating in my own little Boobie Parade. 2 days ago I had
successfully completed my 5th anniversary check-up and had been
upgraded to bi-annual rather than quarterly visits. Next month I go
off the dreaded tamoxifen. Every day I get farther from my diagnosis.
But no matter how far I get from the event that changed my life, the
need to get annual exams should stay front of mind for all. My
message is the same as always:
*if you are a woman - schedule a mammogram, keep the appointment, take
Advil before and buy yourself a gift after; if the news isn't good,
surround yourself with friends and humor
*if you are a man - support the women in your life to put their health
first - they will always choose you, their children, their obligations
and the world at large BEFORE they prioritize themselves so you need
to be the one to ask, push, drive, support and love
Get your Mamms-Grammed and I hope everyone gets their own HEALTHY
Boobie Parade this year.