I am really pleased that the new series of Giuliana and Bill is back on The Style Network. I must say I'm really fond of Giuliana ~ love her on ENews! and enjoy her coverage of all the award ceremonies.
The reality series she and her husband Bill have is my guilty pleasure, they are such an adorable and handsome couple I can't help but love them. They have happily allowed themselves and their journey to become parents to be documented in the series and for the gorgeous couple its not been plain sailing.
Her story has been well documented recently but to re-cap ~ Guiliana has had a huge battle to get and then remain pregnant through various rounds of IVF which involved all manner of pills, potions and jabs on a daily basis to prepare her body. It was through one of the rounds of IVF that she received the devastating news that he had Cancer. One of her Consultants insisted on her having a mammogram which revealed she had early stage Breast Cancer. The news must have been a tremendous blow to them as a couple and to their families, watching the episode this week was heartbreaking. I follow Guiliana on twitter and so last year when the news came out I was stunned. It really affected me if I'm honest, mainly because she is so young, she is 36 and had the painful decision to make about treatment. She eventually opted for a double mastectomy but she was back at work on E! within weeks - brave girl!
My reasons for writing this I guess are to tell you what I decided to do after reading about Guiliana.
You see about 9 years ago, whilst reading a magazine article about how to check your breasts for lumps - I found one.. It was a surprise because I'm sure when I checked before that it wasn't there - it just seemed to appear from no-where. So, I went home got my mum to feel it and when she said she could feel something too, I promptly got a doctors appointment and it all went from there.
Luckily for me it turned out to be a Fibroadenoma - which wasn't dangerous and was removed during a small operation. I now have a small scar on my right breast which actually is a daily reminder to check myself.
So roll forward to 2011 and I read about Giuliana's story. I'm 40 this year and therefore have booked and paid for privately, to have my first mammogram. Its a bit scary as its about two weeks after my birthday in early July but to be honest I kept thinking about all the money I had been 'wasting' on shoes, handbags and stuff I really don't need so now I feel like I'm doing something positive with my money.
I am quite a small size, 32D and so I'm hoping with smaller breasts it won't be as painful - my mum is an E cup and said it was difficult for her. As I'm paying privately, I guess I will find out how soon after I can get the results but you know I think I would rather know than not know and deal with it than be oblivious.
So in approximately 16 weeks I will have had my first mammogram ~ I'll let you know how I get on.
Meanwhile, my advice to you, regardless of your age, is to check your breasts regularly. Properly feel around the breast, nipples and under your arm ~ for further advice on self examination check this link being breast aware
This is not a post to scare anyone, far from it, my story is mild in comparison to some women, like Giuliana, who have gone through and dealt with much worse. So really its just a chance to share my story and to say that reading about Guiliana made me do something ~ I would like to hope it inspires you to look after yourself and do the same..
with much love
karen x
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