Save Your Ta Tas

Written By: Kim - Nov• 03•11

If you are squeamish about breasts, do not read my post.

I had my annual mammogram recently. Despite the fact that breast cancer does not run in my family, I have had an annual mammogram since I turned 40. Statistics show that almost 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. It’s an annual test. Despite the fact that gravity, age and birthing children has impacted them in a negative way, I happen to like my breasts. But, I like my life more.

©2011 Crystal Woroniuk courtesy of stock.xchng

A mammogram is not the most comfortable test. Just imagine this tender body part sandwiched between two pieces of concrete. Of course, this is after the radiology technician has contorted you so and completely stretched your breast until it feels like its going to separate from your body. To top if off, you cannot hold on to the machine and you have to turn your head. The only thing you don’t have to do is cough. Why hasn’t a better breast cancer detection system been created? When men get tested for testicular cancer, it’s a blood test. A blood test people, not a pound your mounds in to the mammogram machine test.

My 11 year-old daughter has been with me the last two times I have had my mammogram. It just worked out, based on our schedules, that she was with me. I also think it sends a clear message to young girls: It is your responsibility to take care of your body. There is nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. Is it weird? Yeah. Do I like a stranger handling my breasts and putting them on a cold slab? Nope. But taking care of my body is more important than a few minutes of topless embarrassment.

My daughter wanted to know if it hurt. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being off the chart pain, I said it was a 2. Yeah, it hurts, but it’s not nearly as painful as dental pain or childbirth. And, the uncomfortable part only lasts about three minutes. We can suck it up for three minutes to save our lives, right?

I talk with some people who say, “I don’t like to see the doctor.” Well, who the hell does? It usually means you are sick, taking tests to see if you might become sick or taking tests to see how sick you are. But you should not bury your head in the sand. An annual check up for all of us is a necessity. It might even save your life.

I hear other people say, “I can’t find the time.” But you have time to get diagnosed with a disease that could land you in doctor’s offices, outpatient clinics and hospitals? Didn’t think so.

Save your ta tas. Get your annual mammogram. And, while you are it, get your annual check up to save your other parts as well. We want you around for a long time.

Lawyers, Cops, Firemen and Doctors: How Did I End Up Here?

Written By: Kim - Feb• 12•11

I have always been fascinated with television shows about lawyers, police officers and medical/emergency personnel. Years before anyone coined the phrase “reality television” shows like “LA Law,” “Hill Street Blues,” “CHiPs,” M*A*S*H and “St. Elsewhere”, “China Beach” were shows I grew up watching. ER was the last medical drama I watched until “Grey’s Anatomy” was launched. Once ER’s Dr. Mark Greene died of brain cancer and I bawled like a baby, I just couldn’t and didn’t want to watch the show anymore.

My current television DVR list includes “The Good Wife,” “Private Practice” and now “The Chicago Code.” The only show I can recall watching recently about the publishing industry was “Ugly Betty.” Other than the Dad on “Eight is Enough” who served as a newspaperman and “Lou Grant ” from the 1980s and 1970s respectively, I do not know of any other shows centered around the publishing business. I get it. We’re just not as exciting. We don’t make the news; we cover it.

You would think that my interest in these types of television shows would have steered me toward a different career path. What keeps me interested in good television shows is not what the characters do for a living, but how the characters interact; what they say; the decisions they make. The writer determines what the characters say. Therein lies my passion and true calling.

When I look back, the signs were there that I would end up in the communications or publishing world: asking my Mom for and pointing to books when I rode in the shopping cart as a toddler; taped conversations to my Dad while he served in Vietnam; long love letters to my parents as I left for college; sentimental or funny cards for special occasions — I only pick out the ones that really speak to me.

© Tey Teyoo via stock.xchng

Becoming a wordsmith was bound to happen. I just didn’t see it at first: I wanted to be a doctor. But the chemistry, biology and calculus classes left me realizing that I could not take three more years of these kinds of courses plus medical school. Since I was working part-time retail through college, I thought perhaps a business degree would fit nicely in to my life plans. I took one accounting class. Enough said. The spring of my sophomore year, I took a speech communications class. Loved it and the professor encouraged me to consider a journalism degree. I had finally found a degree that would lead me down a career path.

Despite the fact that I was making half of what the marketing degree graduates were and regardless of the ups and downs of the publishing industry; I have never regretted my choice. I have met amazing people along the way and learned their stories. I then told those stories to you. How many folks out there can say that?

Publishing professionals were the first social networkers — we just didn’t call it that.