Every year around this time I can’t help but think about all of the breast cancer warriors out there. More importantly, I think about my step mother. She first was diagnosed when she was pregnant with my younger brother Landon and noticed a lump on her breast. Being that her mother and grandmother had both passed from breast cancer she knew she had to get it checked. After 2 years of chemo, radiation, hair loss, and a mastectomy she went into remission however, it was short lived as her cancer came back even more invasive than before just one short year later.
I didn’t witness all of the struggles my sisters did with caring for her in the last few months. The terrors, delusions, incompetencies, all of the terrible things that come with stage 4 cancer. Her cancer spread rapidly from her breast to her lymph nods to her lungs to her brain. Finally her body gave out and she lost her battle to breast cancer in November of 2011. Not only had she just turned 40 three months prior but she left behind 4 step children and 2 sons with the youngest only being 5 years old.
Did you know that breast cancer is the second highest cause of death for women globally? That means 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime which astronomical in my opinion. If you aren’t old enough to get mammograms yet then please take just 10 minutes to do a self examination once a month. Johns Hopkins Medical center states that “forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.” Not comfortable with examining yourself? Watch this video below and learn about the different types of examinations there are as well as read more information here.
Still struggling with the thought of trying to remember to do your examination monthly or even yearly? Check out the Early Detection Plan app which is full of the same information as well as reminders for you to stay on top of your breast health and find a health clinic if needed.
Though finding a cure for breast cancer is heavily supported, I believe there is still more we can do so every year I chose at least one easy way to go pink for October. This year, I’ve decided to team up with Glamulet’s Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign to help spread awareness. For every charm you purchase from Glamulet, 50% of the sales will be donated to a charity fund for breast cancer. This campaign is a great way to honor my step mother has she LOVED jewelry, everything pink, and breast cancer ribbon related.
Now before some of you get worked up saying buying a charm and donating 50% of my money to charity isn’t worth it, its just a piece of jewelry then think of it this way. Yes, maybe its just a piece of jewelry but then again maybe you’ll be wearing that piece of jewelry and someone will notice it. And maybe because they noticed it they will remember that they need to do an examination. And maybe just maybe they do actually find something unusual about their breast, YOU would have been a leading factor to their early detection and ultimately maybe saved their life. Yes, its a lot of maybes but those little maybes are sometimes miracles.
The fact of the matter is that breast cancer has no limitations. You can be old or young, sick or healthy, you can even be a male. Take the time to save your own life with an examination or support another woman in need by purchasing and wearing a charm from Glamulet’s Breast Cancer Awareness line.
In Loving Memory of Christel Lynette Blevins
Though this post is sponsored, all thoughts, words, and opinions are my own.
I am so sorry about your step mother. We lost a loved one to cancer as well and I show my support by wearing pink all month long. I buy products from companies that donate to help support breast cancer awareness as well.
It is so sad that so many young women lose their lives to this horrible disease. What a great cause to show your support.
I watched my mother, grandmother and great grandmother battle with breast cancer and it made me so aware of this issue for myself. I am regularly checking myself and advising others to do so. Stay aware! Best of luck in the future with all your endeavors.
Breast Cancer Awareness is so important. So many families are affected by this awful disease. I love the memorial photos you shared of your stepmom. God Bless her. 🙂
I am so sorry for the lost of your step mother :(. I never had a loved one with breast cancer, but my grandfather did have colon cancer. He survived, but watching him struggle was the hardest thing I ever had to do.
I am def. going to buy this charm bracelet to show my support and love.
It’s always so sad to hear these horrible stories of death from breast cancer. My aunt is a survivor and I remember hearing about all the pain she went through. So sorry you lost your stepmom. What great photos!
Breast cancer is such a horrible disease. I hope one day it will be eradicated. Thanks for reminding me that I need to schedule my yearly mammogram!
I will be wearing pink for sure this month! Breast cancer awareness is a cause that is near and dear to my heart as my Nana is a survivor.
I wear pink. I lost my own mother at 16 to cancer, and I remember her every day even though I lost her over 20 years ago. Cancer sucks! I am so sorry for your loss!
Wow- you have really shared a touching story. There always seems to be so much emphasis on the survivors of this nightmare and less about those who we have lost. Not that either is more or less important.
Cancer is mean and ugly. I hope one day they will find a cure.
So sorry for your loss. Our office recently did our local Run For the Cure which was a great way to support the cause 🙂
So sorry to hear about your stepmother. I also posted on Think Pink today, it’s a cause very near and dear to me, as my mom, mother in law and sister are all breast cancer survivors.
Thank you so much Jessica for acknowledging Chris. That was the hardest part of my life, but she is no longer sufferring. I miss her very much. She was a good woman, wife, mother and stepmother to you guys. She gave from her heart and we lost a great woman…rest in peace Chrissy!!! I’ve included a link to her youtube video so others can see. I’m hoping one day that you and I can mend our broken relationship…I Love You!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQDyJZNGM_s
Wow, your stepmom was so young when she passed :-(. That must have been so hard. My mom passed away because of cancer too, but she was able to see her kids grow up and meet some of her grandkids too. I feel for you guys!
I JUST made my exam for Nov 5th!
I too am part of the Glamulet campaign and the way I see it – I know I am going to buy myself pretties so I may as well buy from brands that are giving back!
I am so sorry for your families struggles ,and losses. Breast cancer also runs in my family as well. Getting YEARLY checks is imperative!
And yes maybe seeing a simple charm will remind someone to potentially save their own life.
Sorry for your loss. I am lucky not have anyone close to be get breast cancer. I pray that in my lifetime they find a cure that saves women’s lives.
My mom had a breast cancer scare a few years ago. It was really scary. I have a friend who is younger than me, I am 29, who is battling breast cancer right now. Bring awareness is so important. I support every woman who has gone through this and is going through this
I’m so sorry for the loss of your stepmother. You wrote a beautiful tribute to her and I’m sure she would be so happy that you are trying to help others!
I am sorry. My step-sister is in remission from breast cancer. Thank you for sharing and informing.
Thank you for this very timely and important post. I would like to add the fact that breast cancer is not limited to women. Although the numbers are small, men get this horrible disease, too. I know a man who suffered tremendously with this disease and, because it’s not common for men, his treatment wasn’t great. (can you imagine him getting a Mammogram?) Thank you again for the reminder of the value of self-examination and Mammography.
I am so sorry for your loss, but I love your post and I have found SAS Shoes that support Breast Cancer Awareness:) A great way to tshow support
I didn’t know that about SAS shoes! Thanks for sharing!
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute.
Breast cancer is devastating and I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. Thank you for taking the time to raise awareness!
Wow that’s awful that it came back with such a vengeance. I’m so very sorry to hear of the loss. 🙁
I will wearing pink for this month. Breast cancer awareness was really important some families are really affected to that Disease.
My mom is recovering from breast cancer and she’s done with her chemo and radiation treatment. It really helps to be aware of breat cancer so it can be avoided or contained early.
I am sorry to hear about your step mom. We also lost my husband’s aunt to breast cancer. I hope this post raises awareness. This is also a good reminder that we should have our breasts checked regularly.
I am so sorry to hear about your stepmother she sounded like an incredibly brave woman. I lost my grandma to bowel cancer and my aunty had stomach cancer and is recovering. Keep strong and lets unite to raise awareness of cancer.
Fantastic cause to support. It is a beautiful tribute you have written to your step mother.
Sigh…so sorry to hear about this. Thanks for sharing about breast cancer
I’m so sorry about your step mom. Cancer is an awful disease and I have no words to even try to comfort you! I am totally guilty of not taking good care of myself and this post was a good waking up call! Thanks for sharing!
If ever you’re hesitating, just keep in mind that prevention is better than cure. It’s a must that women go through mammogram. At least even once a year.
Lost a really good friend to breast cancer years ago and my father has terminal throat cancer right now so I feel your pain. Cancer really sucks.
I am so sorry for your loss! I always try to support companies that have speciality items for cancer awareness.
This is such an amazing cause and it really isn’t just for women. I had a doctor who was male and made it through breast cancer. It is so important to make others aware. Thanks so much for sharing the awareness.
I have lost friends and family to breast cancer as well and its devastating <3
My Mom had breast cancer back in 1961, and back then they had no clue what to do except cut it out and off. My mom lost her breast and a muscle under her arm, but they did get it all thank God. Cancer and all kinds of Cancer can strike anywhere/anyone whenever. My Dad Died at age 57 of Lung Cancer. My Aunts (mom’s sisters), both died of Cancer, and Mom’s Mom, my grandmother died of Cancer of the Liver & one of those sisters. So you see it can hit anywhere and anyone. Someday we’ll find a cure until then we have to keep on fighting and keep on praying, and keep on keeping on… Sorry for your loss! God bless!
So sorry for your loss but great to share and bring awareness to such an important cause!