Polly Says Feel Your Boobies...

During the past twenty odd years I have seen many things involving the human breast. Ranging from breast reductions in men to radical mastectomies and breast reconstruction using muscle tissues normally located on the patients own back...

I've comforted elderly ladies whose sense of decency prevented them from taking much notice of their own breasts. The resulting fungating tumour's purulent discharges expunging the contents of their mammaries finally forcing them to notice them.

I've celebrated the negative, the results of urgent fresh frozen section examinations while the surgical team waited back in the OR. I've sorted specimens, applied dressings, cut the sutures and provided the necessary equipment for all sorts of breast related surgeries - and I've faced my own mortality.
Strangely it took me weeks to pluck up the courage to consult anyone the pea sized lump in my breast, despite the fact that I was working in an area with a special interest in breast surgery. Those weeks could have been the difference between life and death had it turned out to be anything more sinister than a harmless cyst. I knew this and still could'nt face the reality of having discovered my own breast lump...

At the age of 25 I was lucky. My lump stayed with me for a few years and finally disappeared when I'd fed two children for nearly three years (in total) - quite obviously they had sucked me dry!

Two things I've identified that prevent many women from completing self examination are modesty or embarrassment and fear. Despite strong media campaigns on television, in newspapers and magazines many women still find themselves uncomfortable with idea of breast examination.

In other cases these women are frozen in fear of what may be. It's so easy to stand in judgement; though having experienced this for myself it's easier to understand. This is why I appeal to all my readers to promote breast examinations. Ladies; it's time to feel your boobies! Visit Feel Your Boobies.com to find out more...

Polly's A-Breast...

Does anyone remember the post I did on breast cancer a while back? Well, just to cap things off my friend Jean did one last week on much the same topic. In her post she tells us about two women who intend to run 60 Miles or Bust ...

If anyone's interested in completing this challenge in the Dallas Breast Cancer 3 Day Walker; just click on the picture to go to the registration site.


Well of course I clicked on the link, and then another link, and well, you know, it's the age old story; one thing led to another and the rest is pretty interesting and amusing. As I was surfing I came across Squad 81 who quite frankly are all as mad as hatter's . If you don't believe me check out their video and website; they appear to be part of the advertising campaign for Company 81 menswear who have sponsored 60 Miles or Bust.

To return to my own blog posts on this subject I revisited Two Tits And A Vote this morning, just to see how the story finished up.
Ultimately Alison; the girl whose breast got the whole thing going in the first place DID eventually get her ultrasound.

It is rather more than unfortunate that it took months of calls, blogging, radio interviews, petitioning, etc to get her that far. Thankfully; after all that anguish it all turned out well enough: she hasn't got the BIG C.

To my knowledge we, in the Midlands of Ireland still do not have any breast care facilities available to us locally; making it necessary to travel long distances to attend already over subscribed facilities in Dublin.

A huge round of applause is well over due for Sabrina Dent who activated in the form of the Two Tits And A Vote Campaign; we'll all have to hope that it achieved something for Irish breasts in general. Let's face it, most of us have them and these day's most of us know of at least one person whose breasts have been devastated by cancer...

My own story is quite simple. As a very much younger woman; working in an operating theatre with breast surgeons, I discovered a blue vein on my Right breast. Knowing that this can be one of the first signs of trouble; cancer's generally have an increased blood supply to their surrounding tissues, I performed a self examination.

To my horror I discovered a hard, pea sized lump and worried about it. One very sunny afternoon weeks and weeks later; lying under the sun on a grassy bank a friend of mine; who happened to be a clinical psychologist persuaded me to visit one of my surgical colleagues for a consultation.

For an educated woman, I sure was stupid! By allowing myself to be paralyzed by fear and the hope that it would resolve itself spontaneously; I had allowed the possibility of cancer to take hold of my mind and body. During the intervening weeks of silent anguish, my 'cancer' could and probably would have killed me.

Thankfully I was one of the lucky one's, and I thank God regularly for that! My lump turned out to be a cyst; nothing more than a harmless fluid filled bag of tissue which eventually disappeared once I fed my boys for a total of three years, between them. Upon my most recent examination all evidence of this little blue nasty seems to have disappeared; leaving me with a clean bill of health.

Meet a lady whose story couldn't be more different from Alison's or my own; that is Susan Reynolds who tells us her story in detail in her Boobs On Ice blog. Unlike so many of the women in this area; ie the Midlands Region of the Health Service Executive; Susan diagnosed and operated upon in a total of 9 days following her initial self examination. While the future remains bleak regardless; due to the type of cancer she has, her attitude and determination remain resolute.

Which ever way you look at it; it is a sobering thought. The only advice I would give to anyone unfortunate enough to have to face this situation is a) check the girls out on a regular basis and b) don't sit and wait, like I did because it won't go away all by itself unless you are exceptionally lucky.

For advice on self examination and breast cancer generally; there is a wealth of information available at the tip of your finger tips, don't let ignorance be the death of you and check 'em out!
OR ELSE...........

Polly Peirce
Purveyor of Fine Hand-made Irish Greeting Cards & Wedding Stationary

Making Memories of Synchronicity

After some consideration and a considerable string of coincidences, I have decided that yesterdays post should have been entitled not "A Tale of Two Titties" rather "A Tale of Three Titties". Read on to discover why...

There are some who would say that there is no such thing as coincidence; just synchronicity. Since I posted my blog yesterday there have been an amazing string of coincidences, which have just popped up out of the blue, all of which are very much related to the subject of yesterdays post.

The first of these is actually fairly hair-raising; as it concerns what has turned out to be a national scandal; regarding the state of the health service. Last nights headlines; on the national news, informed us that a local hospital, ie Midlands Regional Hospital at Portlaoise was under scrutiny following complaints about its use of antiquated equipment.

It turns out that as long as six years ago, complaints were made to the HSE about the outdated state of mammography equipment in use at that time in the Radiography Department. As if this wasn’t bad enough, it appears that this same outdated equipment is still in use today; in 2007.

The concerns raised; in writing by staff of the radiography department, were that use of such equipment could, in fact, "...lead to the possible misdiagnosis or indeed failure to diagnose breast cancer." The letter also stated that modern digital mammography equipment was needed as a matter of urgency.

Apparently, with the matter having been discussed at length in the Oireachtais(Parliament); there are up to eight women whose diagnoses are now in question; because of this matter not having been addressed previously. At a local level, my friend; whom I mentioned yesterday, ie the lassie who was recently married and is now awaiting a second mastectomy and reconstructive surgery; must be wondering how and if this affects her. She was diagnosed and had her initial surgery in Portlaoise. I should imagine you could cut the atmosphere in that household with a knife; please excuse the appalling pun.

This then leads me to my second coincidence and that is the subject matter of a motivational e-mail received by me from my new friend and mentor; Fly Lady. It was in fact a testimonial, from a grateful Fly baby; who having carted her wedding dress around through seven house moves finally decided that it was clutter. She was never going to wear it again but had an inspiration as to how she could dispose of such a precious item appropriately. She contacted the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation with a view to donating her dress for re-sale or re-use.

I have just had a quick gander around their website and am amazed at what I have found, it really is an inspiration. I wish that we had something like it over here; in Ireland, as I am sure it would get lots of support. I particularly like the idea of turning wedding dresses into quilts; which is a novel idea and practical too, to check out the website and have a look at what I am talking about click here.

Funnily enough I have been wondering about my wedding dress; in much the same way as Fly lady’s correspondent. However, still being a novice at this, I am still in two minds about it. That said, it isn’t that unusual to find second hand dresses for sale in the local charity shops, which of course is what is was musing over.
Another idea was to have it refashioned and dyed a beautiful shade of deep green for use at a formal function some time in the future. I had even enquired about this service of a local dressmaker. Finally however, I think I might just hang on to it and dismantle it myself for use in my occupation of making cards, at least that was the idea until I came across Making Memories! I wonder how long it’d take to make up a luxurious satiny quilt…

This of course leads me to my other coincidence which is the amazing story of a third friend, whom I had completely overlooked in my eagerness to post yesterday. Please excuse my lapse…?

Anyway, without mentioning anyone by name, or giving too many details; you know who you are, this third lady has endured hell and survived. She has two grown up children, both of whom are simply gorgeous and a mighty credit to her in spite of a disastrous string of events which occurred around the time of her breast cancer. She survived chemotherapy, mastectomy and divorce; unfortunately not quite in that order.

From having a comfortable life, in what one can only call the Garden of Eden; she suddenly found herself penniless and homeless; her now estranged husband having taken the carpet; in which she had woven her and the lives of her children; from under her. Incredibly she has survived against all the odds and remains an inspiration for us all; for my part I can only hope that my children will turn out half as well as hers have.

With a deep understanding of the process which every woman goes through, this lady has given herself over to the Irish Cancer Society. She distributes collection boxes throughout the province actively fund raising, and spreading the word & support wherever she can, including talking to schools about her experience. This is her way of giving something back for which she is to be highly commended.

Speaking of this remarkable lady, she is long overdue a visit and a belated birthday present and card. Maybe if I am lucky, I can squeeze this in before this evening’s activities take over, for now though, it is time to get myself organized to collect LB from school…

Take care now; & don't forget to check yourself out;

Polly Px Polly Peirce
http://www.freewebs.com/vincacards/

SayreSmiles: A Tale of Two Titties

Once upon a time I had two friends, both of whom were diagnosed with breast cancer.

One of my friends had emergency surgery, radiotherapy & chemotherapy.Despite all the odds has been in remission & married her childhood sweetheart a couple of weeks back. Congratulations!!! The bad news is that unfortunately she is now awaiting a second mastectomy & reconstructive surgery; following the appearance of a new primary growth.

My other friend, the extravert who thought so little of flashing her titties from the back bedroom window at the Halloween Party all those years ago is dead. She was too embarassed to flash at her GP; it killed her.

Both women were 32 years old when they were diagnosed. Their tale has affected me far more than I can begin to say. My own health has suffered over the past few years; not with anything nasty, thank God, and these two ladies have unbeknown to themselves helped me get my life into perspective.

If I am not well; I shouldn't be pushing myself to work, while pushing my life and my loved ones away. Life is too short for that & it has taken something pretty drastic to make me see that there is more to life than a career.

Thank you to SayreSmiles for putting me back in touch with my two friends and thank you for a wonderful, thought provoking blog; see the link below:

SayreSmiles: A Tale of Two Titties

And yes, this post is little more than an elaboration of a comment I posted on the original page. By Golly, doesn't it make you think though?

Thoughtfully yours;

Polly Px