This will likely be post and run due to my own lack of time for forum at the moment, but I feel I need to share this.
Firstly, thanks to lovely (tall!) Adrienne from The Rich Life on a Budget blog who brought it to my attention, I have read the news about Angelina Jolie's recent medical procedure.
The full article from NY times is here.
And thank you Angelina Jolie for being so honest and open, and understanding the power of your public profile and what it can do. You use this power so graciously.
My mom was diagnosed breast cancer when she was 36 and lived until 51 - very long time given the late stage of her cancer when operated and against all prognosis she was given when first diagnosed.
(Which is why the most important thing I have learnt from her is that POSITIVE ATTITUDE will get you very very far. And that there is ALWAYS sunshine after the rain, always. These are the life facts for me, because I witnessed someone living them, and I am planting them my son's way of thinking, his conscious and subconscious mind.)
Being 36 myself, a few years ago, I have had emotionally the most difficult year of my life. I could relate to my mom's experience more than ever, being the same age as her and thinking how she must have felt when her life was suddenly struck by a shocking diagnosis and everything that followed (operation in another city, long separation from us, long recovery... husband and small children - I was 8 and my sister 4 - she could lose and who could lose her...)
And I admit that even today self-examining is difficult for me. I am afraid. I too have a child now, a husband, a life to live in which to experience and see and learn so many new things.
I am still to undergo my first mammography.
I find comfort that apart from my mum nobody else in my family had breast cancer, but some of my other aunties did have some other forms. So, naturally, it is always at the back of my mind.
When faced with the option to do certain medical test, my main decision point is asking myself "What would I do with certain results?" This is why, e.g., I didn't want to do AC when I was pregnant. Knowing that there is are chances of X% of something happening still means that there are (100-X)% it will not happen. In such case one can almost choose which side of the equation to look at as the most informative. But, pregnancy is one thing, it lasts 9 months and then you know.
Chances of developing cancer are something you live with. Once the number is out, it is out and won't leave the mind. This is why I too am also thinking and thinking if I should testing to show my risks because in all honesty I don't know which number would be that turning point to make me decide this way or the other. This may be immature or irresponsible attitude, but that's how it is in my case right now.
Just sharing this in hope you'll be inspired and find strength and source of inspiration for whatever you're struggling with when it comes to this issue.
Firstly, thanks to lovely (tall!) Adrienne from The Rich Life on a Budget blog who brought it to my attention, I have read the news about Angelina Jolie's recent medical procedure.
The full article from NY times is here.
And thank you Angelina Jolie for being so honest and open, and understanding the power of your public profile and what it can do. You use this power so graciously.
My mom was diagnosed breast cancer when she was 36 and lived until 51 - very long time given the late stage of her cancer when operated and against all prognosis she was given when first diagnosed.
(Which is why the most important thing I have learnt from her is that POSITIVE ATTITUDE will get you very very far. And that there is ALWAYS sunshine after the rain, always. These are the life facts for me, because I witnessed someone living them, and I am planting them my son's way of thinking, his conscious and subconscious mind.)
Being 36 myself, a few years ago, I have had emotionally the most difficult year of my life. I could relate to my mom's experience more than ever, being the same age as her and thinking how she must have felt when her life was suddenly struck by a shocking diagnosis and everything that followed (operation in another city, long separation from us, long recovery... husband and small children - I was 8 and my sister 4 - she could lose and who could lose her...)
And I admit that even today self-examining is difficult for me. I am afraid. I too have a child now, a husband, a life to live in which to experience and see and learn so many new things.
I am still to undergo my first mammography.
I find comfort that apart from my mum nobody else in my family had breast cancer, but some of my other aunties did have some other forms. So, naturally, it is always at the back of my mind.
When faced with the option to do certain medical test, my main decision point is asking myself "What would I do with certain results?" This is why, e.g., I didn't want to do AC when I was pregnant. Knowing that there is are chances of X% of something happening still means that there are (100-X)% it will not happen. In such case one can almost choose which side of the equation to look at as the most informative. But, pregnancy is one thing, it lasts 9 months and then you know.
Chances of developing cancer are something you live with. Once the number is out, it is out and won't leave the mind. This is why I too am also thinking and thinking if I should testing to show my risks because in all honesty I don't know which number would be that turning point to make me decide this way or the other. This may be immature or irresponsible attitude, but that's how it is in my case right now.
Just sharing this in hope you'll be inspired and find strength and source of inspiration for whatever you're struggling with when it comes to this issue.
