A Very Special Boobie Wednesday

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month I asked Veronica of Boobie Wednesday to Guest Post for me. And she agreed! I wanted you guys to hear her story because it's so incredible. So here you go! And thank you Veronica!

"Almost 3 years ago, i started Boobie Wednesday (www.Boobiewednesday.com )   with my friend Christal. The idea behind it was to remind women and men to do their self exams for breast cancer. The difference with us is that we remind them weekly. Using Twitter and Facebook we have always reached out to, and included people across the globe. My reason for doing it was because at that time my oldest 2 children's Aunt Tonia, who happens to be the same age as me, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Before that moment i had never really self examined, thinking as most people do, not me, and if i don't look for it, i cant have it. The importance for helping survivors and people who recently had been diagnosed get the information they need, and helping others understand that anyone, male or female, can get breast cancer has always been our top priority.
     Back in July of this year I went for my yearly PAP and physical exam. My Dr. figured since i was getting ready to turn 40 it would be a good time to get my first annual Mammogram done. Breast cancer does not run in either side of my family and i always self exam. I've never had any signs or symtoms, and even the doctor didn't find a lump. Within 3 days of my first mammogram i got the call i had to have it redone. They said that something was showing on the pictures so i went and had it re-done. As soon as it was finished the radiologist met me in another room and said that the finding on the first and second mammograms were the same and i had to go for a biopsy. In the next instant he says, "1 out of every 3 patients we get with these finding have breast cancer."
    The next week i went in, 2 days after my 40th birthday, for my biopsy. On August 19th, i got the call that i had Non-invasive Ductual Carcinoma or DCIS in my left breast. I had recently started a new relationship and all i could think about was how will he handle this, is he going to walk away, and how am i going to tell my kids? I don't know how i have gotten so lucky but my kids were wonderful saying we will beat it together, and my boyfriend Tim said that having breast cancer didn't change anything, and that we wasn't going anywhere.
On September 14th i had my first lumpectomy. 13 days later i had my second one done. Last Friday i got the call that i am cancer free and i start radiation October 17th. The roller coaster of emotions I've been through in the last 2 months has at moments been overwhelming, but I'm strong. I'm even stronger because i have so many people that care about me and are standing behind me in case i trip or fall along this crazy road I'm on. I have all the survivors i have met through Boobie Wednesday to answer my questions when no one else can. I've been scared, angry, and wishing that i could have just one more day where i wouldn't know, or have to think about me personally having breast cancer. No worries, no cares, no fears, but it's not going to happen. I wake up eveyday now thinking how lucky i am though because i have so much more that i ever thought i did. "

If you guys don't follow Boobie Wednesday on  Twitter I really think you should!!!!

XOXO,
Allie