Brown Mommys on the Bethenny Frankel Show!
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I had an incredible opportunity this week to have my first mammogram done on the “Bethanny” show this week.
Amazing right.
The show was looking for women in the age range of 44-55 who were willing to have a mammogram done on the show. They were particularly interested in women who were hesitant or fearful about having the test done or have a history of breast cancer. I fell in the hesitant/fearful category. I have no family history of breast cancer, however a very close friend of mine was diagnosed and treated about a year ago.
It was a heavy ordeal and really set me back. She found a lump in her breast at age 40. She also has no family history of breast cancer. And prior to finding the lump, she did not have a mammogram.
That’s why I took this opportunity to do the show, not only to have a great experience, but to share the importance of getting annual mammograms. My hope is that someone who may feel as I did, will be encouraged to make an appointment and get it done.
The experience of being a guest on a national talk show was very exciting. I got the royal treatment, at least it felt that way.
The show flew me into New York and had a car pick me up from the airport. They put me up in the Hudson Hotel, a very ritzy and modern place. I would have been happy at a Holiday Inn.
I relaxed the evening before, and tried to get my nervousness under control.
The day of the show, a car picked me up at the hotel and took me to the studio. There was a person waiting for me curbside to take me to my dressing room. Yeah, my own dressing room.
They did hair and make up, nothing fancy. They just freshened me up. I wore a robe, with the “bethenny” logo on the front and girl power with the pink ribbon on the back.
There were six other women who were having mammograms done on the show. Since I was the fearful one, Bethenny accompanied me as I had mine done. She got hers done, too.
Go Bethenny!
Most of the time was spent talking to the other women as we encouraged each other. We shared our stories and bonded. Some never had mammogram and some were previously diagnosed with breast cancer. It was empowering to hear their stories and share mines with them.
Bethenny Frankel was great. Very straight forward and kind. We were not permitted to have our phones or cameras, so we didn’t get pictures of her. That was a bummer. But, I was on the show, so that will be my keepsake.
It was an amazing adventure, one that I was terrified to take, but happy that I did it. I’m also happy, I took the plunge and got my first mammogram out of the way. The mystery is over. It was a little uncomfortable, but didn’t take a long time. It was truly nothing to be afraid of.
If you are reading this and you're 40+ I strongly encourage you to schedule a mammogram ASAP. Women who have a family history of breast cancer are typically given instructions by their physician.
Remember to do monthly breast exams on yourself to see if you detect anything unusual. You should get one annually from your gynecologist. As moms, we have to take care of ourselves. We make sure everyone else in our families are covered. Please make time to cover yourself.