Lilly's Story

First I apologize for the delay. I had the blog set to post at 6 pm instead of am.

Without further delay. You all remember Lilly Gayle, she was the first to go Under the Covers with me last Friday. Today, she's here to share about her battle, and victory, over breast cancer.



I’ve been a registered radiologic technologist with a bachelor’s degree- BSRT(R) since 1982 and a registered mammographer- BSRT(R)(M) since 2005. As such, I’m an advocate of the FDA and American Cancer Society recommendations for women concerning their breast health:


But in June 2007, when I went to the doctor to get a refill on my migraine medications, I realized it had been 18 months since my last mammogram. No problem. I was only 47 and I didn’t have a lump, pain, or any risk factors.


What are risk factors for breast cancer?
Being female
A first degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer: (mother, sister, daughter, maternal grandmother, maternal aunts)
Early menarche--younger than 12
Older age at menopause--over 55
Years of artificial hormones after a hysterectomy
Nulliparity (Never having children)
Not breast feeding
Late first time pregnancy


So, on June 14, 2007, after I finished with my last patient, I got one of the other mammographers to take my mammogram. We didn’t have digital mammography then and had to wait for the films to fall from the processor. And the moment I saw that spiculated lesion lying next to my chest wall in my right breast, my heart sank. I’d seen enough cancers in my career to know. But it was the Friday before Father’s Day weekend and the radiologist had already left for the day. So, I had to wait until the following Monday for the doctor to read my films.


I didn’t mention my fears to my family. We even hosted a Father’s Day cookout by the pool. And on Monday morning, the radiologist looked at my films and confirmed my suspicions. It didn’t look good. He ordered a diagnostic mammogram, which consists of additional imaging and sometimes an ultrasound.


I told my husband and daughters I needed additional films but played it down for their sakes. My youngest daughter had just graduated from high school and my oldest daughter was married and living in Germany. I didn’t want anyone to worry.


On June 21, 2007 I had the diagnostic mammogram. The radiologist recommended a biopsy and broke the news that he thought it was probably cancer. By this point, I was expecting the news. So, I didn’t break down. There was still a chance the biopsy would come back negative. At least, that’s what I told my family. But in my heart of hearts, I knew. My youngest daughter got upset. Then my husband got upset. So, we made a pact then and there that only one of us could get upset at a time, no matter the results. If one person lost it or started to cry, it was up to the other two to talk them down.


We kept that pact, even after my diagnosis was confirmed.

On June 28, 2007, I had a biopsy. And on July 3, 2007, I got the news. I had breast cancer. Both DCIS-ductal carcinoma insitu and an invasive carcinoma. I broke down briefly at work and again when I told my mom and husband. But then we went to the beach for the July 4th weekend and had fun. But when I came home, my life changed.


On July 13th, I had a lumpectomy. The doctor removed a larger portion of my breast and implanted a port-a-cath into my chest wall. The port-a-cath would be needed when I started chemotherapy. I also had a lymph node biopsy. The sentinel node and three other nodes were removed from under my right arm. None showed any sign of cancer, thank God. I was still in Stage 1.


I had my first round of chemo on August 1 and started loosing my hair on August 13. I took chemo for eight weeks and was completely bald by Halloween. After chemo, I had to have an MRI to see if the chemo worked or if I would need to have a mastectomy. The MRI was negative. I started daily radiation treatments October 12 and finished before Christmas. In December 2007, I was declared cancer free.


But I continued seeing both my radiation oncologist and my medical oncologist until late 2008. I also had mammograms every six months instead of yearly until this year. I finally graduated to yearly screenings.


I still have to visit my medical oncologist every 3-4 months but I no longer see a radiation oncologist. I also had my port removed in December 2007 because if the cancer does come back I can’t have chemo again. I’ll have to have a mastectomy and radiation. I’m hoping that never happens.


I’m also hoping all women over 40 will do monthly breast self exams (BSE) and have yearly mammograms regardless of family history.


For now, life is good. I’ve been to Germany to visit my oldest daughter and my youngest daughter completed the radiography program and is now attending radiation therapy school. And in May of this year, my first book, Out of the Darkness, was published by The Wild Rose Press. No, it’s not a story about my battle with breast cancer. It’s a paranormal, vampire romance.

Out of the Darkness

Her research could cure his dark hunger if a covert government agent doesn't get to her first.

Vincent Maxwell is a vampire with a conscience seeking a cure to his dark hunger. But when a scientist looking to create vampire soldiers captures and kills a fellow vampire, Vincent seeks out Dr. Megan Harper, another research scientist who discovered a link between a genetic light sensitivity disorder and vampirism. Dr. Harper could hold a key to a cure and the answers to Gerard’s death. But getting close to the beautiful scientist could endanger both their lives.


When researcher Dr. Megan Harper meets Vincent Maxwell, she believes he suffers from xeroderma pigmentosum, the genetic disease that killed her sister. Sensing a deep loneliness within the handsome man, Megan offers friendship and access to her research files hoping Vincent will offer her a position in his company. But they soon become more than friends and Megan learns the horrifying truth. She's entered the dark and unseen world of vampires and Vincent is her only hope of survival.

Have you felt your tatas today?

Erotic writers have many occasions to handle breasts. We stroke them, mold them. We talk about them, think about them, write about them. We like them lucious, young, perky, a perfect handful, abundant, soft, luscious... lets face it, breasts are pato of the landscape of our business. We need breasts, we love breasts.  And I think we wall agree, the best kind of breasts are healthy breasts.

This is from Lilly Gayle, a registered  radiologic technologist,  erotic romance writer, and breast cancer survivor:

Women 20-39 should have a physical examination of the breast (CBE or clinical breast exam) at least every three years, performed by health care professional such as a physician, physician assistant, nurse or nurse practitioner. CBE may often be received in the same appointment as a Pap smear. Women 20-39 should also perform monthly BSE.(Breast Self Exam)


Women age 35 should have their baseline mammogram.

Women 40 and older should have a physical examination of the breast (CBE or clinical breast exam) every year, performed by a health care professional, such as a physician, physician assistant, nurse or nurse practitioner. CBE can often be performed in the same visit as a mammogram. Monthly BSE should also be performed.

Women 40 years of age should receive a screening mammogram every year. The National Cancer Institute recommends mammography every one to two years for women between 40-50 years of age. Beginning at age 50, screening mammography should be performed every year.

Guest Post: Wookies Girl

If you use Twitter on Wednesdays, you may notice more avatars of cleavage than normal. Don't worry, it's just boobiewed.

Boobie Wednesday works to remind women and men about breast cancer awareness on a weekly basis. I can not tell you how much I admire these women for taking the time to educate and keep the fight against breast cancer on the forefront of every one's mind. Once a year is not enough.

Without further ado, my friend and a driving force of boobiewed, Wookiesgirl.

I’ve been asked to write about a very important subject for you. Breasts.


Not just my breasts, although I could talk about those all day. I want to talk to you about all breasts.

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? It’s the time of year you will start to see all sorts of consumer merchandise suddenly sporting the pretty pink ribbon that represents Breast Cancer. You’ll also see nationwide races and walks to raise money to help find a cure. One of the most popular is the Susan G Komen 3-day.

Another fund raising site helps raise money to fund mammograms: www.thebreastcancersite.com

There are many sites and organizations out there doing their part to raise awareness and fight Breast Cancer for men and women.

Twitter has also become an avenue for people and organizations to bring about awareness. For over a year now I’ve been participating in the weekly Twitter event known as #boobiewed or #boobiewednesday. When you add either of these two (what Twitter calls) hashtags to your tweets, it becomes a searchable link.

Every Wednesday women and men put up various avatars sporting either bare chests or cleavage. Some are actual pictures of the Twitter user, some are pictures of models they’ve found attractive, but either way it catches the eye, which , in turn, captures the attention. The question is asked: What is #boobiewed? And then, the awareness begins. I am very proud of my breasts and I am happy to display my cleavage if it helps bring awareness.

If you look up the @boobiewed Twitter page, you will see that the bio mentions a bunch of crazy Twitter chicks having fun and making a difference. They also post to Facebook and Myspace. These women have hearts of gold, and I have become personally acquainted with one of the founders, @shimmer418. She is strong, smart, and talented. Her goal is to make a difference by bringing about awareness.

They have a website as well: www.boobiewednesday.com. The site is in place to educate and encourage men and women to do regular self breast exams. They also invite cancer survivors, family members and supporters to send in stories to be posted on the site. It’s another wonderful way to help educate people.

I’ve recently started helping out the ladies of @boobiewed. This month I wrote a blurb in regards to October being Breast Cancer Awareness month and gladly sent them pictures of my cleavage to display along with the post. We ran a contest to pick two new hashtags for the month of October. #Tatatober and #Knockertober were the winners.

I’ve also started taking the night-shift on their Twitter account and re-tweeting posts and information to the Twitter population. I am honored to be of service to @shimmer418 and the rest of the team. Thank you, @boobiewed team, for allowing me to be a part of your wonderful cause.

Although I’ve not personally had Breast Cancer, I do know a handful of women who have. Last month, a close friend was diagnosed with stage 4 Breast Cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. She also opted for reconstruction. She is a strong and beautiful woman, and she has an incredible attitude. I’m hoping to encourage her to write her story so it can be posted on the site. Another close friend found a lump and was diagnosed with Breast Cancer a few years ago. She had the lump removed and is currently cancer free. I’ve spoken with her recently about writing her story for the site.

Breast Cancer is not biased. Until there is a cure, no one is immune. If putting up a picture of my cleavage helps bring awareness, I am happy to do it. If it encourages you to support in your own way, even better. Not everyone approves, and that’s okay. It takes a lot of courage to put a picture of your cleavage or bare chest up, for hundreds, possibly thousands, of people to see. Some are fake breasts, some are real breasts and some are reconstructed breasts after a mastectomy. I commend the men and women who do this weekly.

Like I stated above, I’m proud of my breasts. It’s my way of giving back and showing my support to the wonderful women in my life that have fought and are currently fighting this disease.

Remember lovelies, regular self exams are the key to early detection!

A big thank you to Lynne Roberts for asking me to write this guest post for her blog. It’s an honor and a privilege that I don’t take lightly.


Love to you all,

WookiesGirl

My motivation

When I was a teenager, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She opted for a partial mastectomy because she didn't want to go through chemotherapy. I was lost in my teenage self-focus so there was never that fear of losing her. She was my grandma, a permanent fixture in my life.

She quit smoking. I remember wondering why she quit smoking when she had breast cancer, not lung cancer. Now I know. For her, cancer was real. It was no longer something that happened to someone else.

Last year, a friend of mine from high school was diagnosed with breast cancer. This struck even closer to home. Someone my age with breast cancer.

Real.

She discovered the lump during a self-examination. The lump was on the side of her breast, almost in her arm pit. She went through chemo and had a lumpectomy. She lost her hair, too much weight, but never her spirit.

Breast cancer is very real, it doesn't discriminate. I know some women don't check their breasts because they're afraid of what they'll find. I will admit that I fell in that category not too long ago. It is scary. And what you know won't hurt you, right? Wrong. The only thing scarier than finding breast cancer, is not finding it. Found early, breast cancer is very treatable.

So, this month, I'll be touching my breasts... will you?