Monday Minute

It's Monday, and this will only take a minute. Promise.

And for any male readers, I just want to be fair and warn you that I am going to be talking about female things. . . FAIR WARNING.

It started when on Wednesday afternoon. I noticed that my right breast was hurting. Not just achy, but tender to the touch. And slightly larger than my left side, as well. A little concerned, I went into the bathroom to check it out. Hmmm. . .  looked a little swollen. I began to feel around a little bit. Left side first, since it felt normal. On to the right side. It was then that I felt it. A mass. A lump. A something that I had never felt there before.  

Okay. . . let's not jump to conclusions, Melissa. Breathe. Calmly. Try again. Once more, the left side, then the right. Yep. It was still there. Okay. I got dressed, got distracted with the kids and finished the day. That evening, my husband was laying in bed and I asked him to do the same exam for me. I knew that I wasn't "feeling things" when I saw the look on his face. Masked Panic.

"Melissa, what is that?" he asked. "I can definitely feel something there." 

Needless to say, I got on the phone to the doctor the next day. The nurse and I missed each other all day long. Finally she got to me on Friday afternoon (after I had gently called a few times). I explained all my syptoms. Then she said the words that I don't know if they brought panic or relief," Where are you? If you can get here right away, I can see you before we leave for the weekend."

I happened to be in my car at the time, 10 minutes from their office. I whipped that car around and made it in five.

15 minutes later the nurse practitioner is examining me. After a thorough, thorough examination, she said the words I had been praying to hear for the last 48 hours. "I really think it's swollen fibroids."

I tried to concentrate on her words through teary eyes. Lots of things to take in. And I will go for a follow up in another three weeks. But the most important thing she repeated three times was,"You ABSOLUTELY did the right thing in being concerned. There was definitely a big difference in your right and left side and it is nothing to play around with."

You will probably hear more about it on this blog in the coming weeks. But just take a few minutes today and check your chest. Whether it hurts or not. Whether you have reason to panic or not. Do it. Do it for you, for your kids, your partner, your girlfriends, for every important person in your life.

It's Monday and it will only take a minute.

Yours, relieved I took the time,

Melissa

Review – Shower Hug

Okay, so let’s be honest. Who’s boobs DIDN’T hurt before, during and after breastfeeding, not to mention pregnancy? I don’t see any hands raised, so I must assume that your experiences were as painful as mine! And for just a few minutes every day, if we were lucky, we could take a nice, warm, relaxing shower. BUT WAIT! Even that warm shower hurt our breasts. That’s just not fair!

Well, the women of Belmama & Cherub have come up with a solution for us, called the Shower Hug. The Shower Hug is made of the softest, most luxurious stretch knit terry velour to provide expectant and new moms with gentle bust line support and to soothe sensitive nipples as it shields the breasts from harsh shower sprays. Moms simply wrap the Shower Hug snugly around their chest and secure with Velcro® in front. Ahhhhh! Soothing comfort, not to mention the best warm compress the breasts ever experienced!

Simply wrap the Shower Hug™ around your chest and back and attach the Velcro® closure. Since your body will change over the next few weeks, they have provided four inches of Velcro® so you can pull the Shower Hug™ as snug or loose as you feel comfortable. After wearing, simply wring out the excess water and hang dry. To wash, attach the Velcro® closure and toss it in with your next load of baby clothes.

Moms not only love to wear the Shower Hug in the shower, but outside of the shower as well! Shower Hug patrons wear their Hugs for overnight support and around the house as a comfortable alternative to the traditional nursing bra. And the Shower Hug provides hands-free comfort to hold cool or heat packs and is oh-so-soft.

This is one of those things that makes me say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Now, I will come clean (no pun intended) and tell you that I have not personally tried this product. When I had my twins 8 years ago, I knew I was done! But just reading about it and seeing the pictures makes me wish I had had this during those VERY painful months.

So how can you get this amazing product? Just go to http://www.showerhug.com/ and order. They are available in three different sizes and color options: White with Petal Pink trim, White with Slate Blue Trim or Earth Friendly Natural with Sage Green Trim. Coordinating burp cloths and wash cloths are also available. This is a GREAT gift idea!

Karen