A few short days ago I participated – along with more than 37,000 other runners and walkers – in the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure. As a two year breast cancer survivor and newbie to the race, I was totally overwhelmed by the army of support and grace that carried me through the Columbus streets. And try as I might, I couldn’t stop the flow of tears as I high 5’d the bikers who had parked their Harley’s along the route to cheer us on. All in all, it was a day of new and transforming friendships and memories.
Why Mammograms Matter
Yet the one memory I couldn’t shake on such a positive day was the fact that my best friend’s sister had died of invasive breast cancer only a few years before, at the age of 54 . . . my age now. She’s died of breast cancer because she had been too busy to get a mammogram . . . because mammograms were inconvenient. She couldn’t take an hour or two out of her busy life for just one day per year. And, now she’s gone. JUST HOW INCONVENIENT IS THAT?!
You may be wondering why the very first post I write to celebrate aging on my new blog would be devoted to such a downer topic as breast cancer. Well, let me tell you:
- To celebrate aging, the first and most important rule we must follow is “Celebrate Living!”. Much of life is inconvenient, but it’s the inconveniences and difficulties we work through that create the wisdom which gives life meaning.
- We celebrate aging by growing older. Anything that gets in the way of, or threatens to stop that growth must be fought with every bit of strength we have. In other words: Inconveniences be damned! Set your defenses early, and keep checking them, because the enemy doesn’t play by the rules.
- A woman’s lifetime risk of getting invasive breast cancer increases with age, so don’t be fooled into thinking you’re safe when you hit menopause. While our risk is 1 in 257 when we’re between the ages of 30 and 40, it climbs to 1 in 36 when we’re in our 50’s . . . and, it continues to climb to 1 in 24 when we – or our mothers – are between 70 and 80. That mammogram sounds more and more convenient all the time, doesn’t it?!
To really and fully celebrate aging, I’ve decided to create Take Your Mother / Aunt / Grandmother / Older Friend . . . To Mammogram Day! What could be better . . . Two or more smart women supporting each other in staying healthy . . . Followed by lunch . . . Shopping . . . Whatever else you can imagine . . . Just Celebrate!
To Wisdom, in its many forms!
Keep Growing My Friend!
Gail
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