Women's Health

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Comment by Becky DeShazo-Westly, Admin Team on April 4, 2010 at 7:28am

Also a reminder about heart disease since that is also a leading cause of women's death

Comment by Becky DeShazo-Westly, Admin Team on April 4, 2010 at 7:27am

How about a reminder for annual gynocological exams?

Comment by Girlriders - Katie on April 3, 2010 at 5:24pm

Can anyone suggest any other helpful topics for this page?

Comment by acalliste on March 28, 2010 at 11:48am

Great news! Heal up quick! :)

Comment by Girlriders - Katie on March 27, 2010 at 8:47am

Excellent to hear Becky!! Heal well, can't wait to see you on the road again!

Comment by LaurenOE on March 26, 2010 at 10:29pm

Glad you're home and everything went well.

Comment by Becky DeShazo-Westly, Admin Team on March 26, 2010 at 8:32pm

Hi Ladies,
I am home from surgery and everything went as planned and anticipated. Skin saved, old tissue gone, expanders in and now for the healing process. Still no chemo or radiation. Thanks to all for the well wishes and concern.

Ride safe everyone and get in a few miles for me!!!

Comment by Girlriders - Katie on March 20, 2010 at 9:25am

Alex - very good point about the self exams, and good point that age really doesn't matter. I'll find some info on self exams and post above.

Comment by Becky DeShazo-Westly, Admin Team on March 20, 2010 at 7:47am

Janet,
I know what you mean about lacking in the boobies department. Small dense breasts have an increased risk as well. I am glad that you are scheduled. One of my co-workers with small dense breasts was diagnosed last year and that is what prompted me to get my mammo scheduled. So I am glad that I could get you to get yours done.

Ladies, I am going great. I will keep everyone posted on how I am doing and we can now have a new summer event added, Watch Becky Grow!!! They have to expand the chest wall to make room for the implants, so at some point I will say that is enough, and then will have the implants in.

Comment by 04ninjachic on March 19, 2010 at 12:37pm

Really sorry to hear this Becky - keep your head up and please let us know if you need anything! And please keep us posted on your progress.

Get your mammograms ladies but also don't forget about your monthly self exam. When I was 18 I found a small mass in my left breast (about the size of a pencil eraser) that either was missed or wasn't there when my gyno examined me 4 months prior. Within a month I had a biopsy done to determine if it was cancerous - lucky it was not and my ordeal was over (kinda, long story) but who knows what would have happened if I hadn't found it when I did.

Comment by Girlriders - Katie on March 19, 2010 at 7:44am

Janet - THANK YOU!!! I will add that info to the top of the page asap. Great information, I didn't know they existed.

Comment by Janet on March 19, 2010 at 5:52am

COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER OUTREACH, INC. RESOURCE GUIDE:

Seminole County Health Department Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening
Free clinical breast exams and mammograms for uninsured and
underinsured women ages 50-64 in Orange, Lake and Seminole Counties
who meet low income requirement.
Call 407-665-3700 for appointment.
http://seminolecohealth.com/Maternity/bccs.asp

Florida Hospital Komen Breast Care Program
Free screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds
for uninsured women 40-49 who meet low income requirement.
Must have prescription from a physician.
Call 407-303-7341 for information/appointment.

American Breast Cancer Foundation
Key to Life Breast Cancer Screening Assistance Program
Financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured women of all ages for
clinical breast exams, screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms,
ultrasounds and biopsies.
Call toll free 1-877-539-2543 to apply for assistance.
http://www.abcf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=dsp&page=mammogram

Emery Medical Solutions
Discounted rates for digital screening mammograms, digital diagnostic
mammograms, MRI, ultrasounds and biopsies for patients referred by
COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER
OUTREACH.
Call us at 407-864-6458 for information.

Florida Radiology Imaging
50% discount for the uninsured.
Call 407-834-8722 to schedule appointment.

Shepherd's Hope
Assistance with obtaining diagnostic mammograms for uninsured who
are symptomatic, meet low income requirement and are
Shepherd's Hope patients.
Call 407-876-6699 ext. 0 for information.
http://www.shepherdshope.org/index.php

YES! to Mammograms
Free digital mammograms for uninsured Brevard County residents.
E-mail YEStomammograms@cfl.rr.com or call 321-914-3153 for
application.
www.yestomammograms.org

Cancer Care Centers Foundation
Financial assistance for transportation, rent, utilities and medication for
uninsured and underinsured cancer patients in Brevard and Indian River
counties.
E-mail info@cccfoundationinc.org or call 321-952-0898 for information.

Brevard County Health Department Women at Risk Mammogram Program
Free clinical breast exams, screening mammograms and diagnostic
mammograms for uninsured women 50-64 years old in Brevard County,
who meet low income requirement.
Call 321-634-6377 for more information.

United Order True Sisters Inc.
Free screening mammograms for uninsured Brevard County residents.
Must have prescription from doctor.
Contact Sylvia Shapiro at 321-773-0591.

Bert Fish Medical Center Women's Breast Health Program
Free mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women ages 40-50
who are residents of Southeast Volusia County. Must have prescription
from a doctor.
Call Patty Tanner at 386-424-6334 for more information.

Volusia County Health Dept. Saving Our Selves Program
Free breast exams, screening and diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds
and in some case, biopsies for women 50-64 with limited income and are
uninsured or underinsured.
Contact Margaret Smith at 1-800-226-6110 for appointment.

Pink Ribbon Thrift Shop (Holly Hill, FL)
Holds drawing the first of each month for a free screening mammogram
for the uninsured. To enter the drawing, visit Pink Ribbon Thrift Shop at
1629 Ridgewood Avenue in Holly Hill, FL.

Halifax Medical Center
Free screening mammograms for Volusia County residents 40 and older
who are uninsured and meet limited financial requirement. May also
help with diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds. Must have a
prescription from a doctor.
Call 386-254-4210 for more information.

Osceola County

Comment by Janet on March 19, 2010 at 5:49am

OK LADIES-Katie, maybe we can post this on the page instead?
In my case-the main factor keeping ME from getting my mammo is lack of insurance/cost. I am UNinsurable-another long story I will not open that can or you will not shut me up.
Let me put my anger energy to better use here then.
Here is a link for HELP for FREE/REDUCED mammograms:
http://www.compassionatehandsandhearts.org/mammogramresourceguide.html

There is a decent list on this page of links for almost all circumstances. Hope this helps. I know I am taking advantage and, considering my grandmother died of metastatic breast cancer, my age, and yes smoking history, I need to thank you Becky for the kick in the arse.
Things happen for reasons-Know your struggles ARE doing others some good. Thank you ;)
LUV J

Comment by Janet on March 19, 2010 at 5:38am

Thinking of you and wishing you well, Becky. I am also finally scheduled for my first mammo end of month-about time at 44-but ... Always made the joke: If I have a lump YOU could tell me from across a room. Trust me, know better, but considering my lack of boobies-this is kinda funni. Hope you can find some humor thru this-I am not making light of your situation-just my sick Irish family upbringing and, hell, what keeps me sane in this scrwed up world.
Keep us posted. We are amazing with medicine these days and you are in very good hands with your surgeon. Still-do not forget to be your own advocate and keep on top of the docs and your personal research/education in all of this. I am not a doctor nor even practicing nurse any more, but still "in medicine" and, if there is anything I can do or find an answer for you for, please ask ok?
We are all pulling for you. Luv J

Comment by Girlriders - Katie on March 18, 2010 at 10:30pm

Becky - that is good to hear! They'll take good care of you. LOL about the leathers - you can always have them altered!

Comment by acalliste on March 18, 2010 at 8:59pm

Wow, sorry to hear this news Becky, but so grateful you caught it early! I am going for my yearly bewb-squishing soon. I hate it, but apparently it's worth it!

Comment by Becky DeShazo-Westly, Admin Team on March 18, 2010 at 6:57pm

Katie,
My surgeon is head of the breast center at Moffett and my plastic surgeon is one of her favorites. I know there is a risk that more may be needed, but everyone agrees at this point that it looks good. I am also having what is called "skin saving" so I won't lose everything, just the tissue underneath. They are checking the lymph nodes to be sure that it has not spread beyond what they can see. I will post up when I am back and can get back to the computer.
And yes I do get to decide how big I want to go. I must still fit into my custom made race leathers though so I can't get to big!!!

Comment by Girlriders - Katie on March 18, 2010 at 12:28pm

Becky, who's your doctor, and where are you having the surgery?

During the surgery they'll be able to get a better look and make sure its not spread where they can't see it right now. My co-worker woke up to bad news after her masectomy, they had to add chemo and delay the reconstruction. I'm praying for you Becky, I know it will be as simple as a new set of boobs! (did you get to request a size, lol )
.
Nancy - get in there girl! I'm only 39 and have had two already!

Comment by Becky DeShazo-Westly, Admin Team on March 18, 2010 at 12:16pm

Thanks girls!! I am very lucky in that it was caught very early. I elected for the bi-lateral mastectomy so I won't have the risk again. I am also fortunate in that I don't have to undergo either radiation or chemo. So the way that I look at it, is that at almost 50 years old, I finally get a set of boobs!!!!
Seriously ladies, if you are late on your mammograms, or haven't gotten one, please do so. It is so much better to catch anything early.

Comment by Nancy aka Yumeze on March 18, 2010 at 10:04am

OMG Becky! I will keep you in my prayers....I'm so sorry to hear of the news. I myself have been a bad girl and havent gotten my first mamo yet. I guess this is another sign to get my butt into the drs ofc!

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