Celebrate Women - Young cancer survivor Jenna Skews

Twinsaver Celebrate Women in August - Jenna Skews

Twinsaver honours special Women in August with a special edition pack supporting breast cancer survivors by donating a portion of the 9-pack to charity.

The story of  one of the young survivors, Jenna Skews, hits very close to home. Our Eldest also had to deal with finding a lump in her breast. It was a big shock, as we realized that 18 year olds can get breast cancer! The first diagnoses was that is was non-malignant, and that we should not even worry. Luckily we got a second opinion, and now we know that she cannot ignore it, and needs to check it regularly. So far the fibroadenoma has not increased in size, and the hope is that it will disappear after a few years. But we cannot ignore it! It needs to be checked!

Walking for a purpose - iThemba Walkathon

We took part in the yearly iThemba Walkathon yesterday. We first started when we became aware that nobody is exempt from breast cancer, not even an eighteen year old! It has been a yearly fun day for the family. Unfortunately The Student could not join us yesterday, although she was home (because of the lock-downs at universities), but she still has the rubber arm.

Little Miss did very well, and walked most of the way. She had to be bribed with an ice-cream, and "it's just around the corner", but she made it! (I think we struggled more, being as unfit as we are...) But we finished the 8 kilometres!

It took nearly twenty minutes to get past the starting line yesterday morning at eight. It's not strange if you know that there are 25 000 people taking part. But it was NOT fun stuck in that crowd not being able to move for quite a while!

Of course our beautiful city saved the day with it's skyline, it's purple streets and the friendly people!

That was the final walk for the MomAgain@40 clan!
I am glad that iThemba Walkathon gets so much participation, but it seems that the services and structures are struggling with the high numbers!

iThemba Walkathon 2015 #poutforapurpose #walkforapurpose

A photo posted by Karen Du Toit (@karentoittoit) on Oct 24, 2015 at 10:31pm PDT

Did we miss seeing you there?

Pink walk for hope #ithembawalkathon

It was the annual iThemba Walkathon again today!

It has become a yearly walk for us to do!

It has struck me today that it is a walk for hope! It is about being able to overcome, of being survivors!
The dreaded C diagnosis does not mean it is final! NO!

"Early detection saves lives!" 

We all had so much fun, while we were also reminded of people walking in remembrance of their loved ones!

The Little Missy started the day on a bad note, with a tantrum or two, but it got much better with the walk!

With Cass who was convinced at the last minute to come along

The final hill that felt like Polly Shortts

We made it!

A great crowd of nearly 20 000 people!

Next year we do it again...

Thanks to iThemba for organising a great event!


Related posts:

- Annual pink walk for breast cancer

- iThemba Walk against breast cancer

- iThemba Walkathon 2011

Annual Pink walk for breast cancer

The annual iTthemba Walkathon was again held in Johannesburg.

The family fun walk is a favourite of ours to attend.
It gets the family out in the outdoors and gives us a good exercise for a Sunday morning.
It also helps us to think we are doing our little bit for breast cancer awareness, as well as contributing to a good cause.

Ever since we got the scare when my daughter discovered the lump in her breast, we have become more aware of how important that check-up is. 18-year olds can get breast cancer!

I also have a colleague who went for her regular check-up just a week ago. She is completely clear after she had to go through a harrowing ordeal of a double mastectomy to save her from definite breast cancer in the future. Her story is here.
Now she does not have to worry about the C-sword hanging over her head, and she can plan her life with a long future ahead of her!

Not even the clouds or threats of thunderstorms could dampen  the walkers

Figures of 27 000-30 000 participants were mentioned

There was some enthusiastic walking by the Toddler,
but we  were glad we brought the stroller along

At the finish line!

Related posts:

- iThemba Walkathon 2011

- iThemba Walk against breast cancer (2010)

- Breast cancer awareness

Breast cancer awareness

Ithemba Walkathon 2011

I saw this on Laura's blog at Harassed Mom, from where she was tagged by Celeste over at Reluctant Mom.

I would like to answer these questions as well, because breast cancer is something that you can do something about. Before it is too late!



The Questions:


When did you have your first mammogram?
I went for a test in my twenties when a van came to our workplace. Never again after that!

Does anyone in your family suffer from cancer?
Luckily, no! But my teen gave us a scare about two years back when she discovered a big lump in her breast. It is called a  fibroadenoma, but she now has to have it checked every six months!
See: 18-year olds can get breast cancer

Why have you not gone for a mammogram?
I should have done it earlier... Guilty!
But I went in support of my teen for a sonar in July (also because the doctor insisted), and as soon as I stop breastfeeding I will go for the mammogram!

What were your mammogram results?
The sonar was fine! (A mammogram does not show the correct results when still breastfeeding.)

How bad is “going for a mammogram” on a scale of 1 to 10?
I can't remember that it felt that bad. I would give it a 3

When is your next appointment?
Three months after I stop breastfeeding. Don't know when that is going to happen!

Do you know anyone who has had breast cancer?
Yes, I have a colleague who went through a harrowing experience having to remove both breasts but now are declared 100% healthy. She caught it even before it developed into breast cancer! It is through her that I got the referral for my teen. We now feel very safe knowing that Dr Benn (Specialist in her field) will give us the right advice!

What is my point?
Do not accept the advice of doctors when they tell you to not come back again, or that you should wait until the diagnosis is cancer. NOOOO!
We were told not to come back for a regular check-up by a gynecologist...
My colleague was told that she should have her breasts regularly checked until the cancer is finally confirmed... (Scary!)

If you feel uneasy about a decision or opinion, get a second opinion! 
It is your health and your life!

iThemba Walkathon 2011

The slogan: "Early detection saves lives!"

It was the yearly iThemba Walkaton against breast cancer today. There were even more pink people (literally) walking today than last year. We had great fun.Walking and watching all the people dressed to the "pink" passing us on the road.

We got involved from last year when the Teen discovered a lump in her breast. It turned out to be a fibroadenoma, but she still has to have it check every 6 months. Lesson: do not let anyone tell you to let it be... It can turn serious!

I also have a colleague who were told to leave her pre-cancerous breasts until it becomes cancer! NO!
Luckily she did not accept that advice as well! She went to see an expert in breast cancer. Se had to go through the whole traumatic decision of having her breasts removed, but she did it. Last week she got a clean bill of health! She is cancer free, and she can continue with her life!

I registered us for the 8 km walk, although we said we would  turn at the 5 km turn when we feels it is too much! There never came a 5 km turn because they joined us at some stage, so we did the 8 km again! (Pat on back! We got in some serious exercise today!)

The Toddler enjoyed the walk as well! Luckily we could still push her for most of the way!

Getting sleepy

Sleeping

Riding backwards and standing

On Dad's neck

Walking

"Avon Justine iThemba Crusade of Hope raises funds for breast cancer education and awareness in South Africa.
A donation will be made to Bosom Buddies and Look Good...Feel Better."

Related posts:

18-year olds can get breast cancer
The merry ways of Retha Buys: "Happy birthday dear Silliboobs..."
iThemba Walk against breast cancer 

The merry ways of Retha Buys: "Happy birthday dear Silliboobs...."

Pink Ribbon

I have a colleague who decided to have her boobs chopped before they become the dreaded C!

She took charge of her life and health, and I am amazed every day to see how positive and inspiring she is about the life-changing decision she made!

She picked up a couple of lessons along the way, and shared it on her blog.


The merry ways of Retha Buys: "Happy birthday dear Silliboobs....": "Yes, they are one month old today, or rather, one month young! And what a month is has been.... I decided to dedicate this day to lessons ..."

18-year olds can get breast cancer

Two years back we had a big scare. The Teen discovered a big lump in her breast after they had a talk about breast cancer in their group at school.

I immediately made an appointment with the local GP who told us that she suspected it to be a fibroadenoma, but that we could have it checked with sonar. We had the sonar done as well, and they confirmed it! We made another appointment with a gynaecologist, who told us the same thing! Sigh of relief!
We followed it up with a return visit last year to the gynaecologist, and she told us that it was not necessary for us to return...

That made us feels uneasy!

A colleague of mine went through a whole six months of worries about breast cancer where she had a specialist tell her that she could just leave it as is, until it turns into cancer. (Yes, really!) She did her homework, got a second opinion, and had a double mastectomy to clear her of definite breast cancer in the future! If she had listened to the first specialist, she was a definite time bomb for the dreaded C! Now she has been declared cancer free, and she can continue with her life! (I am definitely not using the right terminology, and there is some more of her journey here.)

We saw the same specialist today (Waiting for the doctor). She told us that it was very necessary for us to have a regular check! She has seen 18 year olds with breast cancer! The Teen should have a yearly check and sonar every six months. Fibroadenomas stay fibroadenomas, and they never change into cancer, but the size of it should be monitored. It can also become painful. (We were not told this before today!)

She also sent me for sonar, and I should go for a mammogram six months after I stop breastfeeding.
I was not there for me at the appointment. But Dr Benn asked when last I went. Errrr...

I was reminded that we should listen to the little nagging voice, and when in doubt, always go for the second opinion! Always!
(And there are some scary cowboy doctors out there!)




When last did you do your breast examination?

Wordless Wednesday #47 - iThemba Family Fun Walk against Breast Cancer

Related post:
iThemba Walk against Breast Cancer

iThemba Walk against Breast Cancer

We walked a full 8 kilometers today for the iThemba Walk against Breast Cancer from the Marks Park Sports Complex in Greenside, Johannesburg. Everyone was pink, and we had a whole lot of fun!

We pushed the toddler, and for the most part she was happy to sit for the ride.

I had registered us for 5 km, but when we got our numbers back it was indicated we were up for the 8 km.  When we came to the split during the walk, we decided on the longer route. It was a good exercise as well. I am proud of us!

I am glad that we were able to contribute in a very small way in the crusade against breast cancer. It is a wake-up call every time I see people walking “in-loving-memory-of”!

The motto to remember” “Early detection saves lives!”

The teen and I had a bit of a scare last year when she did a breast examination and she found a lump. It turned out to be a fibroadenoma, and the gynaecologist confirmed this year that it is nothing to be worried about...
But we had a big scare! I can just imagine when you realize the lump is SOMETHING to worry about...

iThemba raises funds for breast cancer education and awareness in South Africa. A donation is also made to the Bosom Buddies breast cancer support group.