The Yearly SOTB

Yes, it's that time of year again...time for the annual "smushing of the boobies," as I call it. The SOTB has never been something I dreaded. Having large breasts, there's always been enough for the technician to smush. Now yes, I have to admit, it is a bit freaky seeing a part of your body laid out on plate, so to speak, and smushed flat as it can be...that part of the body just should not look like that normally...ever!

My first mammogram occured at age 32 when I had a car wreck. The seat belt locked down with such force that after a few days I had horrible bruises on my left breast. After they cleared, I noticed several small, pea-sized lumps in that breast. As a precaution, my doctor had me have a mammogram. As he suspected, these were calcium deposits left from the bruises and cleared up in time with me taking vitamin E capsules.

The next mammogram was the requisit baseline test at age 35. And since the age of 40, I have faithly gone each year for the SOTB. I go to the same facility each year and it is, for a mammogram, an extremely pleasant experience. It's basically two women, one up front and the technician. They have lovely, roomy gowns that they keep heated and it's very efficient and quick.


This year, at the SOTB, we went digital! Yeah! Not only is it less radiation for me, but it takes less time and the technician can review the films right there, and I don't have to wait and go back if it didn't take correctly or get the portion they needed. With paperwork (including having to step across the lobby to my gyn's office to get the order), I was out in 40 minutes.

Since I'm walking the 3-Day this year I almost had my husband take a picture of me at the door to the mammogram office, but decided that would be just too corny. Suffice it to say that I'm happy it's over for another year and the SOTB went very well! Don't forget to have your yearly SOTB if you haven't done it recently...it takes very little time and is well worth any discomfort you may feel. It's a good thing!

Women to Kick Off Fundraising Efforts

By Deanna Allen
Staff Writer, Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - Snellville resident Jennifer Taylor will walk in memory of her mother, grandmother and a friend, while Lisa Granholm of Grayson will lace up her sneakers in memory of her aunt. Lawrenceville resident Catherine Baker will walk to honor her grandmother.

These Gwinnett women are three of five who have formed the Rack Pack, a team of people who have committed to spend three days walking 60 miles toward a cure for the disease that has taken loved ones from many of them.

“It’s amazing how many people I know have been touched by breast cancer in so many ways,” said Taylor, who, along with Granholm and Baker, started the team. “Each of us are walking for different reasons and in memory or in honor of different people.”

Katie Beirne of Suwanee and Leslie Yokeley of Duluth round out the team’s Gwinnett members, all committing to raise at least $2,300 each to participate in the 2009 Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day. The event is in October and benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust.

“I can name seven people I know right off the top of my head who have been afflicted with this horrible disease,” Granholm said. “I have three nieces and I would love for them to never have to have a mammogram. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

Baker’s grandmother, Edna Bloch, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1981, four years before Baker was born. Bloch underwent two rounds of chemotherapy, which caused her body to shut down and made that form of treatment unusable. That forced her body to fight the disease on its own.

Bloch, who lives in Snellville, will celebrate her 86th birthday in August.

“She is truly a survivor,” Baker said. “Without her courage and fighting strength, I wouldn’t have grown up with a grandmother. It is because she fought the fight and won that I will walk in her honor this upcoming October.”

Of the more than 350 teams registered for the Atlanta 3-Day, the Gwinnett-based Rack Pack is ranked No. 2 based on personal donations - about $7,600 as of Thursday - made even before fundraising has begun. The team is moving toward a total goal of raising $25,000 for the cause through various fundraising efforts, the first of which is planned for Saturday.

The team will hold a “Save 2nd Base” event, including a raffle, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bethesda Park in Lilburn, coinciding with the park’s opening day activities for the spring baseball season. Rack Pack team members will hand out information on the Breast Cancer 3-Day and accept donations. Raffle items include baseballs signed by Atlanta Braves Jeff Francoeur and Yunel Escobar, a Braves jersey signed by Brian McCann and gift certificates for various products and services.

In case of rain Saturday, the fundraising event, along with opening day activities for the park, will be postponed.

For more information on the Rack Pack, visit the team’s 3-Day Web site at www.the3day.org/goto/therackpackatl or e-mail Taylor at jtaylor@assessmentplus.com.

Nothing Can Get Me Down!

I had the BEST day today! It was just good all the way around so I have to talk about it. So first I got to work and our 3-Day team got an unexpected donation for our first fundraiser from the Atlanta Braves! We requested a signed piece of memorabilia (shirt, ball, bat, etc.) but hadn’t heard anything. Our team captain got a baseball signed by Yunel Escobar. Awesome! Another prize for our raffle!

Then I had a dentist visit. Believe it or not, I was excited to go today. Last fall they discovered I had the beginnings of periodontal disease, gingivitis. I had to use antimicrobial mouthwash, buy a Rotadent (not cheap!) and start flossing. I also have to go to the dentist every three months for a check-up. The first time I went back I had no improvement, and to be honest I knew I wasn’t doing everything I should have on a consistent basis. After my surgery in December I got serious and started using my Rotadent every night and morning, using my prescription flouride toothpaste every night and flossing at least once a day. It finally became a habit. And I knew that I would get a good report today. And I did!!! I had 13 pockets of infection in late November that measured a “4,” meaning my gums were infected and unhealthy. Today I only had four pockets that measured a “4!” All the bleeding had stopped which means no more infection at all! The hygenist and the dentist were thrilled! As was I! This time I don’t have to go back for four months. Plus, the hygentist hooked me up with a free Rotadent head and a gum stimulator in addition to all the other goodies (toothbrush, Listerine, floss).

The day continued to be good when I got back to work. The $100 that my brother/sister-in-law donated to my 3-Day fund hit the web site which means I only need $150 to reach my $2300 minimum goal to be able to walk! Amazing…I am so thrilled with the generousity people have shown. It has truly restored my faith in the goodness of people’s hearts.

So what else could happen to make it a good day? I left work and got side-swiped by a car not 2 minutes after I drove out of the parking lot! I pulled over (the car was right behind me after it happened), but the driver went right on by! Are you kidding me? I sat there, jaw hanging open, just flabberghasted. Then I came to my senses and went after him! Yes, I chased him! He totally knew what he did and raced off, obviously thinking I would not give come after him. I did. His mistake was turning at the first red light. This enabled me to quickly catch up with him at the next light which was red…totally got his license plate number (GA AFE 1825). I then proceeded to call 911 and report the incident. A police officer came, took all the information and was very excited that I had the full license plate number. I was also able to give an accurate description of the car and a little about the driver. He said that put us way ahead of the game in finding him and coming to a resolution. I would not want to be him; I’m sure his insurance company will not be happy about this. The really sad part is that there’s probably less than $1000 worth of damage to my car; he would definitely have been better off just pulling over and giving me his insurance information. Now who knows what will happen; he might even lose his insurance or the rate will go up at the very least, I’m sure.

So you see, even though I had a bozo hit me and run off, nothing can get me down today. I am just happy to be alive, happy to have a great job, happy to have a great husband and family, and happy to be healthy. Nothing can get me down today! And tomorrow is Friday…how much better can it get?

Love is in the Air!

Yesterday I met with Wanda, the cousin of my brother-in-law by marriage, to go over the details of an upcoming shower we are giving together. My husband's nephew, Brad, is getting married on May 30 to the wonderful Catherine Heath. I am so very excited for the two of them! I haven't given a shower in a long time and this one is a pleasure to give. Brad and Catherine met while Brad was completing his Ph.D. at UGA. Brad is now working in Greenville, SC at his alma mater, Furman, while Catherine is working part-time and completing her schooling. They are a wonderful couple and deserve much happiness!