It’s my two year anniversary of the Big Boob Off.   What is most amazing to me is that the day just slipped by without me noticing.  I think that’s a good thing.  It was a friend that re-posted my tweet from two years ago (as I was about to go into surgery) that shook me out of my state of bliss.  You see, I’m living a dream right now.  My children are happy and thriving,  I’ve been able to spend quality time with my family and friends, we’re all relatively healthy (except for today’s emergence of Perry’s chicken pox), I’ve been touring and enjoying life as a working musician, and I’ve just finished recording a new EP called “An American Girl” thanks to my partnership with Blue Élan Records.  Hoping to have discs in hand by the time I leave for the Midwest leg of my tour in September.   I’m excited to preview some of the tunes when I play shows in Knoxville, Asheville and Charlotte next week.

I guess I want to use my “anniversary” as a time to remind myself and anyone who might stumble upon my ponderings, that cancer can sometimes be a catalyst to change life for the better.  This is not true for everyone… I am LUCKY, BLESSED, and so FORTUNATE to have had incredible medical care and emotional support.  But I had to seek it.  I was my own best advocate.    People contact me regularly about their boobs.  Complete strangers are willing to tell me/ show me as if I’m an expert.  And that’s cool.  But here’s the deal – I’m not a Doctor.  I know MY body, and YOU know YOURS…better than any Doctor because you’ve lived in it your whole life.  If something feels “Wrong” or “Unusual” to you, go find out what it is IMMEDIATELY.  Trust your instinct.  Get a second opinion.  If I had listened to the first opinion (“Take your foot off the emergency pedal” he said), I wouldn’t be alive to write this.   Do what it takes to get the tests you need.  Ask for help.  I know financially this can be really, really hard.  But I’d rather be alive and paying off the bill, than dead because I didn’t want to pay the price for an ultrasound or  MRI.  When it comes to cancer (aka the little f*cker), I don’t sugar coat.   I’m happy to spread awareness, inspire healthy life choices and wear pink…but hey, let’s find a cure already!

So here is my Then and Now.  That chick on the left was scared but determined, and held on to her sense of humor and faith though a really dark time.  The one on the right sees the road ahead – and it’s beautiful, filled with opportunity, inspiration, love and a sense of peace that comes with knowing one’s purpose.

 

See ya on that road,

Love,

p-nut