I recently sent this E-mail to all my co-workers at the local nuclear power plant who helped my and my wife through a difficult time. Thought I would share it with all you ROCers.

Please accept and act on the advise in this message....


I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, support, and encouraging words as my wife convalesces and continues her fight with breast cancer.

Last month, her annual mammogram revealed a small (0.8 centimeter) mass. She has now completed two surgeries. A lumpectomy/partial mastectomy and a sentinel lymph node biopsy. Although the tumor was malignant and invasive, it appears not to have spread outside her breast. In a few weeks, when she heals from the surgeries, she will undergo radiation therapy. (For you radiation fans, the plan is to administer ~7,000 Rad to the area of the tumor over a 5 week period.)

Her prognosis is excellent, and the key to this was the early detection.

Ladies, please get a mammogram annually. Self-exams are not enough. My wife did not feel any lumps or have any symptoms. Having your breasts examined, manipulated, and squeezed between two cold plates is uncomfortable and undignified, but…IT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Gentlemen, encourage your wives, girlfriends, mothers, daughters, sisters, and any other females you know over 40 to get their annual exams. If you care about them and they are reluctant, make the appointment for them. Insist, bribe them, threaten them, kidnap them and drive them there if you have to. It is that important.

Thank you again. I can not express how much your support has meant to me.

Best of luck to both of you. This is a reminder that there are things a whole lot more important than the truck you drive.

And guys, let's not forget about that little thing called a prostate. Get screening as recommended by your local physicians.

Thanks for sharing steveberger.