Last September, I had my first mammogram. I was 33 years old, and typically they want you to get a baseline at 40, but I had some weirdness happening with “the gals”, and I didn’t want to mess around. So my ob/gyn referred me.

I have to admit, I kind of thought my doctor would say, “Oh, that’s normal. There’s no need for further testing…” So, when she started ordering a series of tests for me, I was taken a little back.

And, the mind is very powerful, especially as it starts thinking about the “what if’s”. As my doctor’s pen was writing scripts, I literally had to stop my brain in its tracks at least 5 times by quietly saying my ‘worry mantra’:

“In this moment, I have everything I need.”

I left the ob’s office with 3 prescriptions and a chart to give when I went for the mammogram. I went to the The Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ.

This place was absolutely fantastic. From the moment I walked in, they made me feel so comfortable. The waiting area had a tv, magazines, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. I put a white robe on, and let me tell you, instead of being worried while I waited, I decided it felt kind of like a day at the spa. Mind you, I have 2 young children, and it had been awhile since I’ve had a spa-day. Putting on the robe was the clincher.

The wait wasn’t long, and the woman who greeted me to go in for the mammo felt like the big sister I never had. She said, “I know you’ve never done this, so welcome to the club! You’re officially a woman now!” And, she laughed a kind laugh- a smile that said “whatever it is, it will be alright.” She was the type of person who is blessed to be doing exactly what she should be doing, because there was a presence about her that made me feel so relaxed and at ease.

Round 1 was done, and back to the waiting room. A call to the hubby, a call to my mother, and I even bumped into an old client. We exchanged family pictures, and then the kind woman returned for another round.

Huh? Couldn’t they see there was nothing there with the first set of shots? To be honest, I kind of felt a little weaker as I walked into the room this time. And then the mantra:

“In this moment, I have everything I need.”

Well, after the second round, it was a short wait. The doctor was ready to see me, and she said, everything looked “A-Ok” on her end. She was concerned about the discharge, referred me back to my doctor. She said they may need to take a look at my milk ducts, because teeny-tiny buggers can be there that aren’t detectable by mammogram. I had the discharge test, which came back normal, too. I had one more test to go, which also came back alright, and “the gals” were cleared.

WALK, THINK PINK, SUPPORT: As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so I wanted to share my story with you. To my friends who are battling breast cancer, I am so inspired by your strength, love, and light. To those who lost their lives, while your physical presence is surely missed, your spirit will live on forever. You inspire me to never give up hope, and to find the cure. To every woman reading this blog, remember, self-exams, getting checked, and early detection ROCK!!