Wearing Pink
Even as a little girl I was never a big fan of pink. I tend to wear mostly blues, greens, and probably way too much black and gray. But on October 1, before leaving for work, I pulled out a pretty beaded pink bracelet and put it on my wrist. I also put on a new pair of pink earrings. And I’ve done the same thing each morning since then. Because once again, it’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I’m not wearing pink just to support the cause and heighten general awareness, because really, I doubt if anyone has even noticed my pink jewelry. I’m doing it to remind myself of just how far I’ve come over the last 12 years, and how very lucky I am to be a 12-year breast cancer survivor.
![IMG_0216 [1]](http://www.likesbooks.com/aarafterhours/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_02161-300x225.jpg)
Will you wear something blue tomorrow? If not a whole outfit, perhaps a blue blouse, a pair of blue earrings or a blue bracelet? Why, you ask? Because Friday, March 2 is the 
Today marks the start of breast cancer awareness month. Over the next month we’ll see a flood of media information reminding women to have mammograms. We will also be asked to participate in a variety of events, donate money for breast cancer research, and spread the word about the disease. As a now 12-year survivor of breast cancer, I can only say that this is a very good thing.
I’ve got this nasty cold – started with a headache last Thursday, turned into a cough on Sunday, and has saddled me with an extremely runny nose today. While the cold’s disadvantages are obvious (feel bad, get no housework done, husband has escaped to the guest bedroom, can’t go to the gym), right now I am trying to be upbeat and see its advantages. 
Each year, as November rolls around, I enter my danger period for colds, and respiratory infections. I suspect it’s a mix of things that makes me vulnerable. In addition to having lots of extra things to do with the holidays, it’s always a busy time for me at work, meaning I sleep less than usual, and get pretty run-down. Add into the mix the sudden cold temperatures, being exposed to lots of other people who seem to be sick, and before you know it, I’m sniffling.
Regular readers at AAR AfterHours have probably seen my yearly health nags about mammograms, and may now know that I’m a breast cancer survivor. It’s something I’ve been very open about, and something my friends — both online and in real life — have openly talked about with me.