Life is Wonderful
I forgot to announce…I’m doing a chat over at eharlequin right now at 12 noon EST. Stop by if you have a chance…the link is on the main page!
Live for today, smile a lot and remember. . . when the sun comes up, you can do anything. We all have choices and decisions to make so make them wisely, and enjoy every moment you have. Life is wonderful.
—Gwyn, breast cancer survivor
That’s a quote from a friend of mine…a sweet woman I met a few years ago through my local TARA chapter. She’s a fighter…a survivor…and she has breast cancer again.
So today, in the midst of my revision madness (no, I’m not done yet) I wanted to remind everyone that no matter how crazy or stressful or horrible life can be…it is, after all wonderful.
Pray for Gwyn’s recovery. She’s going to fight again. Of course! She’s one tough cookie and I don’t have a doubt she’ll beat the crap out of this disease yet again. She has tons of friends praying for her and rooting for her and sending healing light her way…but hey, everyone can use a few more, right?
The click here:
It’s free and it helps.
I haven’t done a mammogram yet. I’m 42 and I’m past due. I’ll make the appointment this week. I promise.
You?
Amen Julie! I’ll be praying for your friend, and all the women who have it. Yes, get a mammogram - y’all are too precious and I want you all to stick around for a long, long time.
Comment by Stacy ~ — August 22, 2007 @ 6:19 am
I work for an OB/GYN group and I can’t tell you HOW IMPORTANT it is for regular mammograms!!!! Some insurance companies even pay for routine screenings yearly beginning at age 35. But aside from mammograms, the most important thing a woman (of ANY AGE) can do is the SBE..self breast exam. My 14-year old does it each month. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month….get a buddy, schedule your mammograms for the same day then go shopping! Julie, your friend is in my prayers.
My mammogram is tomorrow moring.
Now if we could only invent the ‘man-o-gram’…..
Love the new icons, ladies!!!!
Comment by Leslie in GA — August 22, 2007 @ 6:39 am
Ojne of my grandmothers fought and beat it twice - 25 years apart. So needless to say my doctors have already have me to a baseline 2 years ago at the age of 35.
Julie it is because of people like your friend, my grandmother countless friends of mine and my relatives that my sister and I formed a team and walk in the Relay For Life for the American Cancer Society. This past June we raised over $3000 and it was our first year doing it.
Good luck to your friend, a positive mind is key I think in the fight. And let her know there are people who care and will help her fight however they can.
On a ligter note, I LOVE the new emoticons….my favorite is
Comment by Kelly F. — August 22, 2007 @ 7:32 am
Gawd, can you tell I haven’t had my coffee yet?? Sorry for all the mispellings and grammar mess in the above post.
Comment by Kelly F. — August 22, 2007 @ 7:33 am
Julie,
I turned 40 last year and a mammogram was the one thing I dreaded. But I did it and got through it and realized it wasn’t all that bad. Something I will continue to do every year. My mom does not keep up with things. She takes after my grandmother - “I’d rather not know” attitude. Not a good thing!
Comment by Michelle — August 22, 2007 @ 7:46 am
Oh, Julie, I’ll say a prayer for your friend.
As for the mammogram I had a baseline done at 35. I was supposed to go back in March for my yearly, but missed the appointment. Will reschedule today. (And I love the new emoticons, too! Especially this one–
)
Comment by Rhonda Nelson — August 22, 2007 @ 7:55 am
Julie - I will definitely say a prayer for your friend. There’s a book she might want to get, Charles’ aunt sent it to him for his tumor. It’s called “Outsmart Your Cancer, Alternative Therapies That Work” and there are many, many suggestions in there. Some are more “reasonable” than others but some can be used in conjunction with traditional treatments to help even more. Like Kelly said, Positive attitude and faith means a lot, and it sounds like your friend has a wonderful attitude!!
I get to have a mammo every 6 months!
(I love that icon!!!) because I have cysts that they want to keep an eye on. It isn’t so bad…I guess…
Fun, fun emoticons!!!
Comment by Jodie — August 22, 2007 @ 8:11 am
Hi Julie,
My thoughts and prayers are with your friend. Both neighbors on either side of us have had breast cancer. One of them had hers to return 8 years to the day she was first diagnosed. It showed up as a tumor next to her spine which they said was pretty common. She went through a round of chemo and radiation and now it’s back already but has metastisized (sp) to her liver. She has maybe a year and a half according to her husband. It’s so sad but through it all she has had such an upbeat attitude. I admire and respect her for that.
I am 51 and have a mammogram every year and visit my gynecologist every year as well. My mammogram is due next month and you can bet I’ll be there. I even had my first colonoscopy in June–all clear.
For those of you who haven’t had your mammogram–what are you waiting for? Julie–make that appointment–TODAY!! You don’t want me to come down there!
Anyone else 50 or over–Get a mammogram AND a colonoscopy. The procedure itself is cake. The prep is the tough part but it’s sooo worth it. And if they don’t find anything you don’t have to have another one for at least 5 years.
Have a great day everybody,
Cher
Comment by Cher — August 22, 2007 @ 8:37 am
I’ll add your friend Gwyn to my prayer list. I had to have my frist mammogram when I was 30 because my doctor didn’t like the feel of a lump that was in my breast. I’d had the lump since I was 17, but she wanted to make sure. I had another biopsy(sp) done(3rd) and everything is fine, but I know this year she will make me get another one(it’s been over 5 years). I had been told so many scary stories about having a mammogram that I really didn’t want to have it done. Wasn’t as bad as I had been told, no way was it fun, but I know what to expect next time.
Comment by Liza — August 22, 2007 @ 8:44 am
Unfortunately, breast cancer runs in my family. (My grandmother, my aunt, my mother.) Definitely make an appointment.
My thoughts are with Gwyn. You’re right, she’s one tough cookie!
Comment by Erica R — August 22, 2007 @ 8:57 am
Julie, I hope you have the phone in hand and are dialing your doctor’s office as you read this! I lost a close friend to that demon known as breast cancer. Take care of yourself so you can help take care of your family and friends that need and depend on you. I’ll keep your friend in my prayers.
Comment by Barbara-Jo — August 22, 2007 @ 9:03 am
I’ve say a prayer for your friend, Julie. Breast cancer is ugly, devastating and I’ve already known too many people who left us too soon because of it.
Self-exams and mammograms — absolutely essential.
Comment by Caro — August 22, 2007 @ 9:20 am
My thoughts and prayers go out to your friend!
Comment by Darla — August 22, 2007 @ 10:15 am
God Heals
Remember when you heard the words -
and your mind went blank - you were in another world
God heals
Remember in your darkest hours -
when all that surrounds you is pain and sorrow
God heals
Remember friends’ prayers - your family’s encouragement
- glimmers of hope from everyday angels
God heals
Quiet…you can hear Him now -
always there - yet never this close
God heals
It’s just another day -
yet everything has changed - and you hear yourself say
God heals
Birds are singing -
the sky is a beautiful blue - flowers are blooming…
God heals
Truths that you knew as a child -
awakened again with new understanding
God heals
Remember when others can’t -
that life is a gift - each day to treasure
God Has Healed
Author unknown …at least to me
Comment by lisa — August 22, 2007 @ 10:16 am
My thoughts and prayers are with your friend. I think my first message went to spam mail
my first baseline mammogram will be on Oct 15, my 35 birthday
Comment by lisa — August 22, 2007 @ 10:20 am
Julie: Please tell your friend that my thoughts and prayers are with her, too (along with everyone else battling this disease). Although, I only know of one person who has battled breast cancer, I know that as I get older, it will be more prevalent. My mom is already after me to get a mammy o gram (as she calls it). I asked about it at my yearly and was told I was still too young….falling apart, but too young…
Comment by katie — August 22, 2007 @ 10:25 am
Very serious subject today, but an important one.
and prayers to your friend.
First
I had my first mamo, a few years ago when my 44 year old aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, watching this beautiful, healthy, woman go through losing both her breast’s was a big wake up call.
Since then we take part in a walk for the cure every October.
So Julie, please, make your appointment today.
Comment by Tina Martinesi — August 22, 2007 @ 10:31 am
Yes, Tina, Aunt Linda is an inspiration to us all! She is even stronger and more beautiful today. With that said, that was about 4 years ago. Meaning you are over due for YOUR mammogram! Seeing how Mommy is having her biopsy TODAY, why not make an appointment???? Oct 15 is a good day. Having by big sister by my side would make my first time a whole lot less scary! just think about it….
Comment by lisa — August 22, 2007 @ 10:43 am
Julie, I will say lots of prayers for your friend. I am only 31 so no mammogram yet, but will definitely have one at 35. As an aside, for all the young men you love out there, make sure they do self-testicular exams every month. I made my husband do them after we were married and 2 yrs ago he found a lump. Luckily it was just a cyst but he now has an annual ultrasound and visit to the urologist. The prime age group for testicular cancer is 15-35. Tell all the men you love.
Comment by kelly h — August 22, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Anytime a loved one finds out they have cancer the best thing that anyone can do is to be there for support. I lost my brother-in-law last month to cancer but I know he is still with me in spirit. I’m glad I was able to be there for him everyday and in so many ways he was also there for me. So I’m sending Gwen all the love and support she can handle and to let her know that she is not alone, ever.
GWEN
Comment by Carol R — August 22, 2007 @ 11:06 am
Oh my word! Julie what the heck are you waiting for.
You shuld schedule your gyn and your mamo 6 months apart.
That way you are getting checked twice a year.
A cancer discovered in it’s early stages is almost always defeated.
I don’t even want to hear how embarrassing or uncomfortable
it is to get a mamo. You are modern intellegent women with
responsibilities to yourself and your family get with the program.
I am a 2 time cancer survivor so tell your friend she’si n my
prayers too.
Comment by jeannie — August 22, 2007 @ 11:38 am
Why no mammo? Good question. I do my ob/gyn/pap smear religiously and have never missed one. I’m just not great about making doctor’s appointments. I have one tomorrow for a physical and will get the scrip for the mammo then, I promise!
Thanks for all the prayers for Gwyn. She came to the blog and knows we’re all thinking of her. It means a lot.
Comment by Julie Leto — August 22, 2007 @ 11:50 am
Hi Julie, I will send up a prayer for your friend…my mom is a breast cancer survivor…she is in remission and it is her 5th year. I hope she never has to fight that battle again…I worry about her sometimes, but like your friend, Gwen, she is a fighter…I haven’t had mammogram done…they tell me that I have to wait another 2 years before I can…Another very good friend of mine…actually she was my Junior High School math teacher…we are still close, is a survivor as well…she is doing really well right now, but she continues the fight everyday…
In the pink
Mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, daughters, wives and grandmothers
Continue the struggle to stay out of the red and the black
But their lives are just as harsh while they reside in the pink
After bouts with chemo, radiation and swallowing Tamoxofin some come out winners
But some don’t
Those who are members of the survivors club
Try to continue on with a normal life
Worried about everyday things
But the reminders of their struggle and the bridges they crossed
Are apparent in the way they are treated
Like delicate flowers
Many feel stifled by all the attention
Some revel in the glory of survival
While others fight the fight
every second, every minute, every hour, every day
every week, every month and every day in the pink
This came to me as I was responding to your post…it’s still in the rough stages…I will work on it and let you know how it turns out
Comment by Paula R. — August 22, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Julie I spelled your friends name wrong
Gwyn is her name…tell her to be strong and we are 
her on okay…
Comment by Paula R. — August 22, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
Lol Lisa, I’m not due till September, I just got my card in the mail, its really not so bad like everything else us woman must endure in life its a little uncomfortable but so important to do, it was a routine mammogram that found Aunt Linda’s cancer and basically saved her life. So just go and have your boob squeezed!
Comment by Tina Martinesi — August 22, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
wishing u well wishes and good luck,
Comment by kim h — August 22, 2007 @ 12:21 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you Gwyn.
Julie be sure to get your Mammo done. It’s not alot of fun but the peace of mind is “priceless.” I had my first Mammo at 40. I have survived two benign breast biopsies with a yearly mammgram.
Comment by Ardie — August 22, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
I actually don’t mind the mammo as much as I do the annual pap smear. Every year I ask the doctor if we can’t just go have a beer and him tell me everything’s fine and we’ll skip the other stuff. He never agrees, though, and he’s the one that insists I have my mammo, schedules it, and basically demands it. I’m grateful that he’s so thorough though and cares about my health.
Comment by Jodie — August 22, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
Comment by Tina Martinesi — August 22, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
lol I really like the dancing banana
Comment by Tina Martinesi — August 22, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Best wishes & many hugs to Gwyn.
Julie, I don’t know why you have put off having a mamogram but get it scheduled the sooner the better. Several years ago my mamogram showed something they didn’t like so I had to have a biopsy. I was one of those few that did not have a pleasant biopsy but after that experience & knowing how small the mass was on my mamogram I will never again complain about having one. The result was benign. If it had been anything the biopsy would have removed it as it was so small. A mammogram maybe somewhat uncomfortable for just a few seconds but the peace of mind for you and your family is worth it all. Please get it done & remember to do your self exam every month.
Great new emoticons! They are lots of fun.
Comment by Donna M — August 22, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with your friend Gwyn. I hope everything works out for her and she is healthy once again.
I had to stay home today, because I’m
. I hate being sick. You would think with the time off I would be writing. 
Nope, I just opened the lap top and am surfing.
Comment by Patty L. — August 22, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Gwen is an amazing woman. Her strength and the strength she gives to us is beyond belief.
Thank you for reprinting her words. I needed to read them today, not only to be reminded in my own world but to remember that more often than not my trials are nothing compared to the trails of so many others. Yet even in her trail she stands strong.
Comment by Vicki — August 22, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
Hi. I am 44 and have been getting mamo,s since I was 36. I have also had the breast ultra sound twice as well as two pelvic ultra sounds that I had last year. Alll clear on both ,um, fronts! Best wishes and thought to Gwen and all who cope and battle with breast and other cancers.
Comment by Sue Mont — August 22, 2007 @ 3:12 pm
As a survivor I go to the breast cancer site and click every day.
Comment by Estella — August 22, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
Julie- when I turned 35, they did a base line. Imagine my surprise when I got a call that they had found something. Turns out they were only cysts, and once I quit wearing underwires bras on a daily basis, they went away and over 10 years later, I have never had a bad mammo again. I get one every year. Just find someone who has a comfortable machine. Those puppies can hurt!!
Now I have to go play with all the new icons!!We have a
and 
but I don’t see a kitty. 
Comment by ev — August 22, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
I’ll be praying for your friend, Julie! And do go get your mammo…I put it off too, just got my 1st last year, but I have promised to stay on top of it. Too scary not to and now that I’ve had one and know what a breeze it is, it’s lost most of its fear factor.
Comment by Leslie — August 22, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
Julie, Prayers & good thoughts to Gwen. My cousin (a nurse) had 2 bouts 15 years apart & both breasts removed, but, she’s still going strong. My neighbor has had liver cancer for 4 years & was given less than a year to live. He has survived with natural products, completely changing his eating habits, & lots of visits to Alanon to learn acceptance.
I have a mammo every year, & started when I was 40 when no one had them at that age. They’re not a big deal, & well worth the peace of mind. Please make the appointment.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — August 22, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
Ev - I’d heard someone on this site say their doctor told them to quit wearing underwire bras and that it had helped (maybe it was you). And I’d also read that somewhere else. So, since I have to the mammo/ultrasound thing every 6 months I gave up my beloved underwires (it’s the only way I have cleavage!
) to see if it helped.
The next time I was there I asked my doctor and he said there was absolutely no correlation, that it was like saying by wearing tennis shoes you could avoid retinal problems, they were that connected. It’s one of the only times he’s ever made me mad. He delivered my second child and is a friend of the family but I seriously considered finding a different doctor because he was so unwilling to even consider it. My cysts hadn’t changed at all in size, but I’ve still give up on the underwires and am still hopeful to prove him wrong. Boy, would that not be satisfying!!!
Tina - congrats!! The chat was over by the time I got home
. I hope you enjoy “Stripped” as much as I did. I thought it was awesome!!!
Comment by Jodie — August 22, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
I had my second mammogram this year and my first biopsy. Luckily it was ok, but… They’re going to watch it.
Why do they always feel the need to cushion good news like that?
My prayers are with your friend, Gwyn.
Comment by Lynn Matherly — August 22, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
great topic julie!
quick question though. at what age should you start getting mammograms? I will keep Gwen in my prayers. Good luck with your revisions! 
Comment by tyne — August 22, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
Tyne, doctor’s vary on what they say, but 35 if you have a history of breast cancer in your family and 40 if you don’t. I’m two years overdue.
Comment by Julie Leto — August 22, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
Oh…and I’M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ME! Because I’m DONE!!!!!!!!!!!
Not that I’m excited or anything.
I’m going to blog next week about the experience…but for now, I’m just done!
Comment by Julie Leto — August 22, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
Congratulations Julie!!!
P.S. Did I mention how much I love the dancing banana….
Comment by Tina Martinesi — August 22, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
Julie glad you are done
You just gotta love that guy.
No luck at waldenbooks for OVEREXPOSED
I’ll keep looking though.
I’m sure it is
Comment by jeannie — August 22, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
Tyne - my doctor does a baseline on everyone at 35 - 30 if there is a history in the family - and then every year once you turn 40.
Tina - my online chapter of RWA has the dancing
and I use it all the time. But we don’t have the 
over there or I would use it! That is too funny to me!
No luck on me finding “Overexposed” yet either!
Yipee - Yahoo, Julie!!!! Excited for you and for us - that means you’ve got a new book on the way!!
Comment by Jodie — August 22, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
Hugs on your friend, Julie. Hoping she beats it twice.
I had a mammo at 35 baseline and I’ve been going yearly … had a scare last year … it was fine. And I do mammo/sono each year b/c they say at my age they’re dense and the sono helps see more. EVERYONE needs to go.
Comment by Carly — August 22, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
I missed out on the eharlequin thing today. It was already finished when I got to the site. Congrats Tina…you will love Stripped.
Comment by Liza — August 22, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
I’m looking forward to reading Stripped, and having an autographed copy is just icing on the cake
The funny thing is when I went to the eharlequin chat, I got there late, was a little overwhelmed with eveyone talking all at once, but it was fun and I’m glad I did it! 
Comment by Tina Martinesi — August 22, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
Congrats on finishing Julie….it is time to
I can’t wait to read what you have next…
On a sad note, I too have been unsuccessful in procuring my copy of OVEREXPOSED…I am not happy…majorly
off…I feel like 
Well, congrats again Julie…
Comment by Paula R. — August 23, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
Blog Hopper…
Hi There. I’m blog hopping….
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