October. Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink everywhere. Reminders for self exams, mammograms, breast health.
Coincidentally, I heard some news that really shocked me this week. Someone I known through lacrosse for nearly a decade and through more finely curated shared interests more recently, a 32-year old woman with a husband and three kids, an important job, meaningful pursuits outside of work – teaching yoga! clean living! – an all around beautiful and inspiring human being, she has breast cancer.
She laid it all out to those of us who care about her in a social media kind of way (which, I am by no means undermining – online relationships are meaningful relationships, too) via Instagram and she has been keeping it going ever since.
Her request from those who know and/or follow her? That we spread love, express care and support to others, that we reach out as human beings and that we share those experiences with her and with everyone.
#KindnessCures
Imagine that this beautiful and strong woman, so recently immersed in the fight of her life, is reaching out to the world with a call for kindness and love. While I’m sure this is a roller coaster of emotions for her and her loved ones – with extreme highs and lows – but for her to have such an admirable and thoughtful response is a true testament to her immense fortitude.
Follow Kelsey aka vibrant.yogi on Instagram to follow and become a part of her movement.
Bonus link: My friend Jen also wrote about breast care today and shared her story of a follow up ultrasound and all those fucking butterflies.
And, just in case you missed it when I reposted the other day, here’s my first mammogram experience.
Please, if you qualify, go get a mammogram. If you don’t, set an alarm to do monthly self exams. And remember:
Late addition: here’s a link to Kris Carr’s self exam video.
