THE ASSAULT, THE BATTLE, THE VICTORY!!

WHARRAPPP!!!
It's been a minute since I last blogged (I can see my siblings rolling their eyes at me saying seriously Chinma, "a minute?").  Anyways!!! Holla black at your girl, I am back!

So since I last blogged, I have been a busy bee, trying to keep my behind out of trouble.  Being a mommy to 3 wonderful boys, and a wifey to Chika.  Keeping busy with the Ngwa National Association, USA (I am the Vice President) & Ofuobi Women's Organization of CT (I am the President); and working.  Grinding & hustling.

Serious and true talk though, it has been 2 years; exactly 2 years today since I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma of the left breast (say it fast 5 times, I dare you!), 1 year since I completed treatment and have been in remission.  No, I mean cured.  Remission ain't in my vocabulary.  I am not going through that again.  It is not my portion in Jesus' name, Amen!!!!

It is October, breast cancer awareness month. Here are some facts from U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics

About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.

In 2015, an estimated 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 60,290 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.

Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. In 2015, it's estimated that just under 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in women will be breast cancers.

White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than African-American women. However, in women under 45, breast cancer is more common in African-American women than white women. Overall, African-American women are more likely to die of breast cancer. The risk of developing and dying from breast cancer is lower in Asian, Hispanic, and Native-American women.

In 2015, there are more than 2.8 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S. This includes women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment.

About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.

 

For me, it has always been about health promotion.  Preventative care.

Become aware of your breasts.  Don't be shy about it,  being shy could be a death sentence.

Feel your partner's breasts.  Become familiar with them.  It is not just a sexual gesture; it is a life saving gesture.

Ladies, get your mammograms.
Men, get your prostates checked.
Ladies & gentlemen, if you are of the age of 50, get your colonoscopy.
Everyone get your flu shot this season.
Get your annual or bi-annual physical.

God helps those who help themselves.
Don't wait until you feel sick.  Ain't nobody got time for that. Be your own advocate.  Be selfish about your health.

Know that you never walk alone.  Before anything even happens, the Lord knows about it.  When something happens that is devastating, it may be hard to still trust in the Lord; but hold on.  Just hold on.  He shall restore, replenish, fortify and strengthen you.  Never forget it.  He is the one.  The only one that can lead you out of your "Egypt" and on to the Promised Land.