My day started at Abilene Regional Medical Center’s Women’s Center at 7:30 a.m. It was time for my annual mammogram. It took all of 15 minutes. I didn’t even have time to enjoy the massage chair in the dressing room, and I still beat my coworkers to work by arriving at 8:00. Drat!

I had my first mammogram, a baseline, at age 35. I was terrified. My fears were unfounded however, because it’s not as bad as it sounds. A year later they did find a cluster of benign cysts that didn’t require further treatment. (Fibrocystic breasts are common, albeit annoying.) I have annual mammograms because I’m in a higher risk category–I’ve never had a child. Strange, that criteria.

Lydia, my coworker who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, hasn’t been able to work since her first round of chemo. She has to have shots every day to combat the side effects of this poison. I was told that she can’t even stand the sight of food, much less eat. I miss her, and I’m worried. I pray for her every day.

I came to work in a good mood after my appointment. I feel empowered every time I do something preventive for my body and my health. (God knows I do enough to harm it on a regular basis.)

So ladies, no excuses! A few moments of discomfort beats the hell out of letting cancer take you.

What I’m listening to today: Boston – Don’t Look Back