Fight Like a Girl

October 2018 Issue

“Empowered Women, Empower Women”—YES. WE. DO. We support each other through thick and thin and through diagnoses, especially the one called breast cancer. We provide care and sustenance, we’ve “got your back”, we help each other maintain and often lift each other up. Women help each other with funding, upkeep, advocation and with words—encouraging, meaningful words and phrases we share to let each other know, ‘You are loved and very special to me.’

We asked women diagnosed with breast cancer what the best advice they received while fighting the fight. They've spoken. Turn the page to read on.




by Lindsay Gifford

Five years, half a century seems like a long time until you put it into context. Five years is the difference between my age and my mom’s when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. With our family history, the C-word isn’t one we take lightly. Every generation has had breast cancer since my great grandmother. Thankfully, all have survived. Diagnosed at 37, Mom has always talked about her yearly checkups and reminded me (along with my doctor) about starting early with mammograms. And I’m here to tell you…I was scared. It’s not like I’m 40 and all my friends are doing it, plus the family history already puts me on high alert for the “what ifs.” In other words, I understand why people put it off, but beg you not to.

I had my first “squish” at 25, and everything showed clear, so I put it to the back of my mind and forged ahead. The next year came around, and the next, as my doc reminded me I needed another one (then threatened to schedule it for me) several years in a row—hello procrastination. I finally realized the closer I came to the age Mom had cancer, the more scared I was. This past summer Mom and I scheduled our mammograms on the same morning and our “mommy-daughter mammograms” tradition was born.

Going to the appointment with someone definitely calmed my fears. Her presence was especially important when they came back and said they needed to ultrasound me, as well. I was panicked and thankful she was there for support. After a fear-filled 30 minutes, during which I reminded myself how much of an idiot I was to wait seven years, the result came back CLEAR. The lessons here: Be proactive, face your fears, and knowledge is power!

If you’ve had breast cancer, or a family member has, consider starting a mommy-daughter mammogram tradition if you have a daughter.

• Knowledge: Make sure your daughter and family are
aware of genetics, risks and the age of cancer onset.
• Accountability: It’s a great way to make sure both
of you are staying on top of your screenings.
• Support: Having someone with increases your
courage and helps to conquer fears and nerves.
• Make it a Girls’ Day: We made a day of it by enjoying
lunch, shopping and quality time together.

#mommydaughtermammograms  #beproactive  #faceyourfears
#knowledgeispower  #breasthealth  #savethetatas

Pink Magazine is not named to represent the color of breast cancer. It is named to represent the color of women…ALL women. We believe in the power of women supporting women, and how if enough women soften their hearts and open their arms to their fellow woman, we can start a powerful movement that will strengthen the world with compassion, understanding and connection. Often we don’t know what to do or say when someone is going through difficult times. The thing is, you don’t have to do or say anything. Just showing up can be enough.

Please join Hilton Head Hospital and the staff of Pink at this month’s Pink Partini. Show up for your fellow woman who is fighting, or has fought a battle with breast cancer. Show up for your loved one(s), too. Show up for those you love who lost their battle and those who claimed victory. Just showing up means so much—it shows you care; it lets people know they’re not alone; it is compassionately powerful! The October Pink Partini is the largest breast cancer awareness event in the Lowcountry—October 11th 5:30-8:00 at FISH Restaurant in Coligny Plaza. Survivors will be recognized and honored! For details, click here.

Breast cancer facts provided by: Holly Mlodzinski, MS,RD, LD: Health Promotions Coordinator, Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, 25 Hospital Blvd., HHI.