Comments on: An Anniversary of Healing http://www.afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/ ~ all shades of beautiful Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:38:11 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Breast Cancer and Hair Issues | afrobella http://www.afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-267746 Breast Cancer and Hair Issues | afrobella Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:34:15 +0000 http://afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/#comment-267746 [...] my Aunty Gemma was diagnosed with breast cancer, I got to see how breast cancer can go far beyond the chest. My [...] [...] my Aunty Gemma was diagnosed with breast cancer, I got to see how breast cancer can go far beyond the chest. My [...]

]]> By: Jenene http://www.afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-159248 Jenene Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:07:49 +0000 http://afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/#comment-159248 My mother's mother died from breast cancer at the age of 42. She didn't seek treatment until the tumors were visible beneath her skin. Breast cancer just wasn't talked about as much then. I never met her. My mother's middle sister died of breast cancer at the age of 59. She found the lump 6 months before she sought treatment because she was afraid. Before she died, cancer ravaged her breasts, lungs, and pancreas. My mother has had biopsies on tumors which mercifully have always been benign. My grandmother's sister and my mother's youngest sister also had breast cancer and survived. Today my aunt shares her testimony with medical students about the power of faith in healing and those talks have led to her new career as a minister (at the age of 58!) The difference between life and death in my family has been early detection and vigilance. I can't fault my grandmother because she was living in rural NC without access to proper health care. But a part of me is still angry at my aunt, who worked for Blue Cross but never bothered to have a primary care physician. Losing her mom at a young age should have been reason for her to get every lump checked out. By the time she was diagnosed, the drs gave her 3 months to live. (She lived another 2 years). Because of my family history, I got my first mammogram last year at the age of 30 as a baseline. I had to force the technicians to do the mammogram although I had a referral. Luckily all turned out well, but I have to be very careful. I haven't had children and my tissue is very dense, making most mammograms kind of useless. My next one will be at 35 and perhaps digital mammograms will be more available. Bella, I am so glad that your aunt is well. And TT your story is an inspiration. I have learned from my family's story as well. I will not ignore my body. I will not let fear write my epitaph. Be safe, ladies!! My mother’s mother died from breast cancer at the age of 42. She didn’t seek treatment until the tumors were visible beneath her skin. Breast cancer just wasn’t talked about as much then. I never met her. My mother’s middle sister died of breast cancer at the age of 59. She found the lump 6 months before she sought treatment because she was afraid. Before she died, cancer ravaged her breasts, lungs, and pancreas. My mother has had biopsies on tumors which mercifully have always been benign.
My grandmother’s sister and my mother’s youngest sister also had breast cancer and survived. Today my aunt shares her testimony with medical students about the power of faith in healing and those talks have led to her new career as a minister (at the age of 58!)

The difference between life and death in my family has been early detection and vigilance. I can’t fault my grandmother because she was living in rural NC without access to proper health care. But a part of me is still angry at my aunt, who worked for Blue Cross but never bothered to have a primary care physician. Losing her mom at a young age should have been reason for her to get every lump checked out. By the time she was diagnosed, the drs gave her 3 months to live. (She lived another 2 years).
Because of my family history, I got my first mammogram last year at the age of 30 as a baseline. I had to force the technicians to do the mammogram although I had a referral. Luckily all turned out well, but I have to be very careful. I haven’t had children and my tissue is very dense, making most mammograms kind of useless. My next one will be at 35 and perhaps digital mammograms will be more available.

Bella, I am so glad that your aunt is well. And TT your story is an inspiration. I have learned from my family’s story as well. I will not ignore my body. I will not let fear write my epitaph. Be safe, ladies!!

]]> By: Denise http://www.afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-159247 Denise Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:45:13 +0000 http://afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/#comment-159247 I'm so glad that your Aunty Gemma is on the other side!!! I remember reading that post last year (wow! i've been a "Bella" for over a year?!) and praying for your "friend." I'm so glad all of the prayers sent on Miss Gemma's behalf have been answered. T.T, I remember reading your submission last year as well. Wow! So glad to hear you, too, are on the other side. I’m so glad that your Aunty Gemma is on the other side!!! I remember reading that post last year (wow! i’ve been a “Bella” for over a year?!) and praying for your “friend.” I’m so glad all of the prayers sent on Miss Gemma’s behalf have been answered.

T.T, I remember reading your submission last year as well. Wow! So glad to hear you, too, are on the other side.

]]> By: Jewelryrockstar http://www.afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-159209 Jewelryrockstar Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:32:52 +0000 http://afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/#comment-159209 This was a great story. Congratulations to Auntie Gemme! You are a fighter and a hero, Auntie. Way to go calling out Mr. man Dr. for his foolishness. This was a great story. Congratulations to Auntie Gemme! You are a fighter and a hero, Auntie. Way to go calling out Mr. man Dr. for his foolishness.

]]> By: chelsea http://www.afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-159191 chelsea Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:50:01 +0000 http://afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/#comment-159191 Hi Bella, I know you are such a resource and wealth of information for so many women. I don't know if you know off "Sisters Network" but it is a national Survivorship organization for African American Women with chapters all over the country. My family and I have been active with the chapter in Richmond, Va, thanks to an Aunt touched by Breast cancer, for years. It provides support for women, their spouses, and other family members. dealing with everything from self esteem, intimacy with your wife for men, spiritual issues, treatment and more. Beyond support for survivors, spreading the word about detection and providing resources: especially in underserved communities is a big part of their outreach. Check out the website at sistersnetworkinc.org As black women our chances of dying from this disease are far worse than our white counterparts so we have to act!!! Thanks Chelsea Hi Bella,

I know you are such a resource and wealth of information for so many women. I don’t know if you know off “Sisters Network” but it is a national Survivorship organization for African American Women with chapters all over the country.

My family and I have been active with the chapter in Richmond, Va, thanks to an Aunt touched by Breast cancer, for years.
It provides support for women, their spouses, and other family members. dealing with everything from self esteem, intimacy with your wife for men, spiritual issues, treatment and more. Beyond support for survivors, spreading the word about detection and providing resources: especially in underserved communities is a big part of their outreach.

Check out the website at sistersnetworkinc.org

As black women our chances of dying from this disease are far worse than our white counterparts so we have to act!!!

Thanks
Chelsea

]]> By: jeneensy http://www.afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-159186 jeneensy Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:35:28 +0000 http://afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/#comment-159186 Wow. Thank you for sharing. So many of us go through pain, yet so few of us talk about how to navigate it. J.neensy brooklynmagic.com Wow. Thank you for sharing.

So many of us go through pain, yet so few
of us talk about how to navigate it.

J.neensy
brooklynmagic.com

]]> By: Sabrina97 http://www.afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-159181 Sabrina97 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:29:41 +0000 http://afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/#comment-159181 Thanks for your courage Aunt Gemma! Thanks for your courage Aunt Gemma!

]]> By: Ladybrille http://www.afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-159179 Ladybrille Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:47:02 +0000 http://afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/#comment-159179 We just published an interview with Maimah Karmo, our main feature for october, who was recently on Oprah about her breast cancer diagnosis. I tell you while conducting her interview, I could not help but feel angry that her doctor kept telling her she could not get cancer and ignored her request for a basic biopsy. Her insistence is what saved her life! Don't get me started on the disparity when it comes to how minority women are treated in the healthcare system. Life happens. As such, I have experienced my share of health troubles and it always amazed me how doctors sat up when they found out I was an attorney, litigator for that matter. They did a 180 attitude in how they addressed me and treatment options. Ladies insist, persist and if your doctor is giving you idiotic statements, trust your gut and move on to another healthcare provider who can give you the treatment you know you deserve. I am glad your aunt is well. Cheers, Uduak Editor in Chief Ladybrille Blogazine We just published an interview with Maimah Karmo, our main feature for october, who was recently on Oprah about her breast cancer diagnosis. I tell you while conducting her interview, I could not help but feel angry that her doctor kept telling her she could not get cancer and ignored her request for a basic biopsy. Her insistence is what saved her life!

Don’t get me started on the disparity when it comes to how minority women are treated in the healthcare system. Life happens. As such, I have experienced my share of health troubles and it always amazed me how doctors sat up when they found out I was an attorney, litigator for that matter. They did a 180 attitude in how they addressed me and treatment options. Ladies insist, persist and if your doctor is giving you idiotic statements, trust your gut and move on to another healthcare provider who can give you the treatment you know you deserve.

I am glad your aunt is well.

Cheers,

Uduak

Editor in Chief
Ladybrille Blogazine

]]> By: Shannon Nelson http://www.afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-159177 Shannon Nelson Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:45:00 +0000 http://afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/#comment-159177 I am so glad your aunt was willing to come out and speak more about what happened to her. And you had every right to be angry about the dr.! I would've been too! I'm happy to hear that she is doing better. xo I am so glad your aunt was willing to come out and speak more about what happened to her. And you had every right to be angry about the dr.! I would’ve been too! I’m happy to hear that she is doing better.

xo

]]> By: InstantVintage http://www.afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/comment-page-1/#comment-159172 InstantVintage Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:33:13 +0000 http://afrobella.com/2008/10/09/an-anniversary-of-healing/#comment-159172 What a wonderful story, Bella. I'm glad she made it through. What a wonderful story, Bella. I’m glad she made it through.

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