FeelthemupFriday





One of the hardest things about watching people suffer is that so often you can't do alot to help. 
Geography, lack of knowledge or simply not having the skills can make it a huge exercise in frustration. 
Recently I wrote about my family friend. Our euphoria at her initial results was turned to despair a few days later, when the pathology results showed she needed a radical mastectomy and months of chemo, instead of the initial lumpectomy and radiotherapy as first hoped.
Which, by the way, I still thought was pretty bloody awful, but when it comes to breast cancer, it was an infinitely more preferable option.
And being on the other side of the country means I can't cook a meal, babysit her kids or sit with her when she's in hospital as I would love to be able to do.
So last night, when I was hanging out on Twitter which I do ALOT I admired the truly fabulous Carol Duncan and Naomi's new profile pics which were delightfully pink.
The conversation went like this:


Carolduncan: I think all the ladytweeps need pink



   
Me:  maybe we could have a pink Friday where we turn them pink? And raise awareness about breast exams at the same time? #thinkpink


*prompt reply from Carol*


Carolduncan: #feelthemupfriday


Me: Lets do it!


Now only Carol could up with such a succinct name for this event. She's written her story here. 
And so on Friday I will be doing something for my friend. I'm turning my avatar pink and I'll be tweeting non stop about the importance of self examination.
I hope you will ALL join in feel them up Friday.

· breast cancer, self exam

Take a moment

She's just weaned her 9 month old baby.

Her little girl turned 3 a few days ago.
In her professional life she is the person we turn to when we are sick. In fact, we bring our children to her when they are sick.
She's near my age.
She's the kind of person I admire and I wish I had half her brain power.
She's an amazing friend and is loved by a wide circle of people.
But here's the thing.
She thought something was weird when she was breastfeeding, but put it down to a blocked duct.
So she left it.
Because when you are a mother of small children, let's face it, caring for yourself comes way down the list of priorities.
Then she stopped breastfeeding, and it was still there, and it was still sore.
So she had it checked.
You know,
just in case.
And now she's undergoing major, life-changing and please, please oh please God, life-saving surgery this week.
She has NO family history.
She didn't have any contributing factors typically looked for in a breast cancer sufferer.
I'm too far away to be of any practical help to her.
But I can do this.
Please my dear precious blog friends and readers, take a few minutes this week, and do a breast check.
Please. 

· breast cancer

-