Bald solidarity family photo

The above photo is one of my favorites because it accurately displays my family’s devotion to one another, our sense of humor, and our collective strength. This photo was taken when MY MOM was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. By a professional photographer portrait style. My family is awesome.

I want to be very clear, MY MOM WAS A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR. Her death had nothing to do with breast cancer.

That being said, my friend LBN over at Freckles in the Fog posted about one of her friends who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29. Dena, whom I have not yet met, writes about the importance of young women doing regular self exams and how to do them here. She writes beautifully and thoroughly about why this is important and I encourage YOU ALL to read it, woman or man (Yes, men get breast cancer too).

I won’t promise that I will remind you every month to do an exam. I will tell you I am putting it into my calendar with an alarm for myself. Figure out what reminder might work for you. Do it.

________

Thank you, Dena for reminding me to be vigilant. May your strength and that shared by your family and friends continue to sustain you as you  journey towards healing.