I'm Happy

The Breast Cancer Firestorm

"Women in their 40s should not get routine mammograms

for early detection of breast cancer, according to updated
guidelines set forth by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force."
(CNN)

Did you hear about THIS yet? I've been reading everything I can get my hands on, and also watching every available discussion on t.v. Why? Because my Mom was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer at 43. If she had waited until she was 50 to have a mammogram she would be dead (and then who would I drink margaritas with?)

"The task force is composed of 16 health care experts, none of whom are oncologists."
(CNN)

I'm sorry, you say that none of the experts are oncologists? So, none of them have had to sit in a sterile room while they explain to a woman,her new husband, and daughter that she may die. That chemotherapy, radiation, wigs, throwing up, pain, shots in the leg, hospital beds, would all become daily routine soon. These so called experts spent months looking at charts and graphs and numbers. They studied statistics and cost. They found that 1 in 1900 lives was saved with preventative mammograms. And that one life wasn't enough.

My Mom is that one life.

"...some doctors say the language isn't clear and the
confusion may turn women away from being screened at all."
(CNN)

And how many lives will be lost because women fear their insurance companies won't pay for their routine screening (even though, the current word is that routine mammograms will still be covered for those women who elect to have them). The wording of the finding is obtuse. It is confusing for women. It makes something that is already scary, that much more intimidating. Because as we sit there in that ill fitting paper gown on that table waiting for the doorknob to turn we will question everything. We don't want to bother. Or be complainers. We don't want to be labeled difficult or worried. We just want to be ok. Because after all....

"Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women
in the United States. This year, nearly 200,000 women will
be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, according to the
American Cancer Society."
(CNN)

So what is the answer? I say to fight. To fight for the right to party. No, wait, wrong topic.
The answer is to demand healthcare. Screw this idiot panel. Screw the new guidelines.

Margaritas Mom?

To protect and serve, and ignore crazy women

It has to be here somewhere.

Digging through my purse at the red light I pull out five chapsticks, a wrinkled dollar bill and helloooo fun size Hershey bar!

Ugh! Where is it? Damn. Green light.

Purse in lap. Cell phone ringing. Searching for hole in purse liner where rogue items may have fallen.

And now I am in a full on conversation with myself about organization. I need a list to keep track of all my lists. If I could just stop the car and really look. But all the lights are green. The one freakin' day all the lights are green. Remove lip gloss, neosporin, fortune from a cookie, tampon, eyedrops, mini-scissors, wallet...

I could live in my purse. Where is it? Red light!! Now I can get down to business.

Pen, q-tips, luna bar, penny, cell phone charger...

SUDDEN SCREECHING OF POLICE SIREN.

I look out my window. The police cruiser is awfully close. And his lights are on. And he's looking at me. Gesturing to roll down my window.

"Ma'am"
"Yes Officer?"
"Are you ok?"
"Yes Officer."
"Well you were swerving and then it seemed like maybe you were upset. Yelling at someone."
"Oh, no everything is fine officer."
..still searching in purse.....
"Well maybe you should pay more attention to the road."
"Yes, of course. I'm sorry. I was just uh..looking for something in my purse. Not liquor or anything!"
"Uh-huh. Well I don't think there's anything in that purse worth getting into an accident over, is there?
TRIUMPHANTLY I SMILE AND HOLD IT UP
"What...what is that?"
"MIDOL!"

Merci Beaucoups

As you know I will be adding advertisements to my blog this coming week (as soon as the code is ready and installed) In order to justify the amount of time I spend on here and the money I put into the site I have also added the Paypal Donate button on the right side of the page. Like everyone I too have bills to pay. I will never make my page a pay to read site. I am really grateful to everyone who reads, comments, emails and generally makes my day. I feel like I have this huge extended family and I love it. That being said, if you like what I write and you visit often I would most sincerely appreciate a donation. Every dollar makes a difference. In addition as I said, I love getting email and meeting everyone who reads this silliness that is my life. My email is tshaw024@aol.com.

Thank you.