10/20/08 23:36 , Categories: Family

Link: http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm

A few weeks ago I went to the Doctor for my annual physical.

I am much better now about going to the Doctor then I was for most of my adult life.

About 4 years ago, my husband intervened and made an appointment for me to go to our new family doctor. I went.

Follow up:

She is an internist and had recently opened her new practice after several years as “chief” at a local hospital.

My husband was worried about my health and had been for some time.

I had not been focused on it at all and was driven each day by family and work responsibilities.

Not taking care of myself was part of the routine.

I found myself in her office. Exhausted, high blood pressure, bad cholesterol and had never gone for a mammogram. Next to tears because I felt bad.

Next, I found myself getting prescriptions, changing my diet, blood work and going for my first mammogram.

At my mammogram appointment, I found that the doctors had questions. Next, I found myself having additional sonograms so we could find answers to their questions. "What was happening to me?" And reality hit me hard. My thoughts were not of how much work I had accomplished. Nor were they about the people I worked with. They were about my children and my husband. My mom and my sister. My mother-in-law and my sister-in-laws my Aunt. My daughters…..my husband…. Thoughts flooded my mind and tears streamed down my cheeks.... I felt afraid and alone…. “How could I have been so careless?’ and “What was I thinking!” Over the years, I took my health for granted. How selfish I had become. “When did that happen?”

At that time I was put on a 6 month watch for breast cancer.

I never miss an appointment.

I remain cancer free.

Everyday, I thank God.

I take this very seriously now.

If you have not been to a doctor in the recent years…please go.

Go for yourself and go for your family and friends.

If you need to have a mammogram ~ DON’T WAIT!

Think about this ... "What happens between YOUR Dash…?"