IMPORTANT GIRLY STUFF***

I just got back from having my breasts mashed, my body invaded, my arms stuck, and pride wounded. Yep, annual physical about six months late. Besides the fact that I'm old and may be going through early menopause (they're checking hormone levels, etc.) I have gained 40 lbs. over the last 16 months. I told you I'm a stress eater. Doc says, "Get moving!" So Diane, I'm going to start that walking in the mornings. I'm going to say Monday through Friday when I get back from taking Chase to school at 7:30a.m. before I start my work day. She said to start slow with about 15 minutes. I wanted to tell her that that's probably all my fat body could do right now. She suggested Weight Watchers, but money's tight right now. I'm going to check into it.

As for the mammogram, it went okay. It's not too painful for me -- must be all the padding. I laugh every time they put those little b.b. pasties on your nipples. But I have a real good tech who makes you feel comfortable. She told me mine weren't the biggest she's had by far. Some people have to have two and three films to get their entire breast. And I thought mine were a chore to drag around! But seriously girls, get your mammograms. I have a family history of breast cancer, a double whammy with both my grandmother and mother having had it. I am fully aware of what cancer can do to a person. And the sad part is that the type my mom had a high success rate if caught early. Her doctor told her it was eczema. Don't ignore any rashes on your breast or nipples, and don't take eczema for an answer. Get a second opinion. THIS IS IMPORTANT LADIES!!! I know you dread it, you put it off, you hate it. But just do it.

I also have an aunt that is a breast cancer survivor for, I don't know probably 20 years. She caught hers, went through chemo with the attitude of a champ, and with much prayer beat it. She is one of the most productive and wonderful women I know. I'm thankful to have had her all these years. I love you Aunt Ramona!

As far as the Pap smear goes, nothing like gettin those feet up in those stirrups and chatting about the kids is there? I lost all my modesty when I was pregnant. No sense in being shy when they see a hundred vaginas a day. Mine's clean, and I'm proud to say that when they asked me how many partners I had had in the last 10 years I could say 1. She said they don't hear that often. Too much information, you say? Well I guess I've gotten less sensitive in my old age. (I'll 41 Saturday, and hubby is taking me to Memphis overnight without CWGIII. I'm so excited !!!) Besides that, I think too many times we don't talk enough about these health issues. We shy away from talking about them because we're embarrassed, but I have to tell you, our girls and boys these days need to be informed. And informed properly, not with street knowledge.

As for the blood work, I had a wonderful tech this time who actually listened when I told her she would need a butterfly needle. She got it on the first try. Much easier than aiming urine into a little specimen cup, I'll tell you that much. But enough of that. Pray for good results. I can't afford to be running back and forth every month or to be on expensive medication. Don't get me started on prescription costs. LOL.