Forever, my friend

January 19, 2011 will forever be one of the darkest days of my life. I lost a lifelong friend to breast cancer.

Belinda, pictured right, was my best friend for many years. Only it didn't start out that way. We, for reasons that are irrelevant now, did not like each other for many years, but by the time we were sophomores in High School, we had become fast friends.

We played sports together, competed together, worked together, partied together, laughed, cried and laughed some more together. I watched as she had her only child and bravely faced raising him on her own. She and her son were blessed with a wonderful man who loved them both, and the three of them created a life of happiness that only they could have created together.

Strong willed, stubborn and a control freak, Belinda could always do it all. IT. ALL. Everything but beat cancer.

Yesterday, my life got a whole lot emptier.

I'm so sad, I thought I was done crying. I mean, she's at peace. She's no longer in pain. There's no more suffering. Well, at least not for her.

I hope when she was in and out, and almost gone, that she heard me tell her I loved her. I really hope she heard.

Earlier this month, I urged all to educate themselves about breast cancer, treatments, exams and proceeds to help battle cancer. I don't want to lose anyone else to this terrible disease if it can be prevented in any way.

Love your girlfriends, tell them, and tell them often. Tell them even if they won't speak to you (the power of text and email) or if the friendship is so shattered that it cannot be repaired. You know you still love them. So TELL them. Tell them while they know who you still are. Tell them every time you hang up on the phone with them. Tell them every time you part ways with them.

I love you, Belinda, and I will weep for you bitterly. You will always be a shining star, and I will always remember the day this photo was taken and all the memories we shared. It was one hell of a ride. Thanks for taking me along the way.

Giving Back- A New Year

Up until 2010, no one I knew had been affected by Breast Cancer. Then BOOM...4 people diagnosed, and one of them, gone. Gone too soon.

Over the next year, I'll be adding items to my Proceeds Section over in my Zibbet shop like these earrings and will be donating 25% of each sale to the specific Foundation or Cause. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to reply them to this post.

Ladies, GET YOUR MAMMOGRAM, and get it YEARLY, and without fail. Schedule it around the same time as your yearly Pap Smear. Mine is so that right after I leave the GYN's office (who provides me with my yearly sheet to get my mammogram) I can go down two flights to the imaging office and get it done. Even if you can't conveniently do what I do, do it anyway. And, in all frankness, FUCK insurance if you don't have it. Just get the test done and pay the bill off a little at a time if you have to. I watched someone die from Breast Cancer, and let me tell you, it isn't pretty to watch, and I am sure it's even uglier for families to have to endure it. Get the boobs smashed. Quit making excuses. It really doesn't hurt! The only issue I have with it is the confinement (cause once the device has prepared you for the slide, you ain't moving NOWHERE!). It takes less than 10 minutes and if you go to a nice imaging office like I do, they even put you in little rooms while you wait that have TV's and a tray of cookies in the lobby. Ah. Modern Conveniences.

And Men, don't think you are out of the woods, either. Yearly physicals SHOULD include breast exams for you as well. No, you won't have to go through the plastic vise grip, but you should still have your doctor check you for any lumps.

And this goes without saying for everyone, self examination is also crucial at any age once breast tissue starts to form (I once worked with a young lady who was diagnosed at EIGHTEEN). If you want to learn more about breast cancer or make a direct donation, visit the Susan G. Komen site for valuable and life saving information.