Why BCA Is So Important To Me

It’s October & fall arrives which means fashion, PSL’s, and of course scarves. But more importantly, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month & this means the world to me.

This post is a little bit different, it hits home.

Growing up we all plan our lives and how they will go. We have those dreams of going to college, getting married, and having 2.5 kids all while living in that house with a white picket fence.

I lived a pretty normal life growing up in small town Arkansas. Sure, I was sheltered but I never really realized that until I got into pharmacy school. I was also super close with my great grandparents and great aunt. Grandmother & Pat lived together after my great grandfather passed away and were such great influences in my life. Sadly, both were affected by cancer. My great aunt had mesothelioma. My great grandmother had breast cancer. It actually started as a lump under her arm. I remember this but yet I was still pretty young at the time.

However, my life got turned upside down starting in high school. My mom had been having symptoms of something that doctors could not pinpoint. She went to doctor’s appointment after doctor’s appointment just searching for answers. We even visited a large clinic in another state knowing that the possibility was cancer. Still…all the tests turned up negative. So what was it? Why is my mom sick all the time?

Fast forward to my senior year in high school & I got the news that no daughter wants to hear: your mom has cancer. Immediately I had a million things running through my head…why me? I questioned it on a daily basis. I was just so concerned because I had no idea what my life was going to be like. At least in my mind, I went to straight to “what if my mom dies?”

The two major things that I learned are #1: women are fighters. I saw a fight in my mom like no one else. She was sick for 6 years before finally entering those Heavenly gates with our Savior. SIX years is a LONG time for anyone to be sick. I remember those days of her barely being able to crawl up the stairs to get into bed. I remember the days that she would ignore my phone calls because she literally did not have the strength to talk. But you know what? SHE NEVER GAVE UP. My mom fought that nasty cancer with every inch of her being. She’s my idol & my inspiration to give that fight to anything I choose to do.

And #2: when someone else gets cancer it is NOT about me. I had to learn to not be selfish. The only thing that mattered was mom getting better. Sure, I wanted her to see my pharmacy school graduation. But you know what? She can now watch down from Heaven & the best part? She is NO longer in pain!!!!

I was super excited to hear that Accessory Concierge was running a huge Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. The Tough As Nails necklace seen below can be purchased HERE & 20% of proceeds go to Breast Cancer Research!

Ladies, it’s important to get checked. It’s important to do self-checks but also see a doctor. We need to learn to be in tune with our bodies and notice changes that may be a sign of something. Men get breast cancer too, but it is more common in women. Catching it early allows for more treatment options. With cancer running rampant in my family in the past, I know that I am more likely to get cancer in the future. Let’s all band together & fight to beat cancer.

Don’t forget to wear pink everyday this month in memory!

Here are my favorite pink things from my closet ;)

This post is dedicated to you mommy. I’m keeping your spirit alive & fighting in your memory. I LOVE you and MISS you every single day. Keep smiling down on me. <3