I didn’t always agree with her politics. I wasn’t a fan of her husband’s either. But I admired Elizabeth Edwards. When I heard she passed away yesterday, I was saddened by the news. Her personal struggles played out on center stage in the public arena.

The loss of her son Wade. Her Stage III breast cancer diagnosis in 2004. Her husband’s cheatin’ heart. She struggled. She endured. But in the end, God called home His brave and valiant warrior.

My heart goes out to her family, especially her children.

As a breast cancer survivor, it tears me up inside to know that another woman has fallen. I’m tired of this disease. I hate that it leaves such a wide path of pain and devastation. I’m scared for my own daughters who have to face facts that they’re at risk.

Breast cancer taught me a lot about myself. One thing became clear to me, though, and that was to send the message to women everywhere,

“Take Better Care of Yourself!”

Choose healthy food. Organic whenever possible. Free range, hormone free.

Reduce or elimate alcohol – I like my martinis and my red wine…but the studies are conclusive. Alcohol results in 11% of breast cancer diagnosis’.

Reduce or elimate stress - Shed toxic people. Don’t buy into the emotional trauma of drama. Don’t buy the ticket to the next guilt trip someone invites you on.

Exercise – Move every day. Walk, run, hike, rollerskate, practice yoga, zumba, dance, karate, muay thai kickboxing. Find an activity you love, get off your ass, and move.

Mediate or Pray – every day. Ten minutes, 20 minutes. Carve out that time to be quiet. Be still. Listen.

Quit Multitasking – It doesn’t work anyway. Multitasking is a key ingredient for a chaotic, frantic, stress filled life.

Breathe – While you’re meditating, praying, standing in line, waiting at a red light, just breathe. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your nose. Fill your belly up with fresh oxygen. Imagine it traveling throughout your body, in your blood stream, nourishing your cells. As you exhale, imagine all the toxins and negative energy leaving your body. Breathe. For breath is life.

Self-exams & Mammograms – I know! The studies on when and who should do this are confusing. Know your body. If your 40 or older, get your mammogram. I realize not everyone is going to agree with me, but gosh darn it, my brand of breast cancer was only detected by mammogram. Four people, including me, felt me up and couldn’t feel a damn thing.

I’m not a doctor nor do I play one on TV. But I am an expert on breast cancer. I had it. I lived it. I survived it. I lost a breast and 26 lymph nodes to it. I’ll never be free and clear of it – it’s always a risk even though I’m nearly seven years post diagnosis.

Take care of yourself first. Don’t put yourself last on your priority list. Your needs are just as important as everyone else’s. You matter. You count. You are important.  ~ Peggy Nolan

I make no apologies for my 500 word public service announcement. But I do have a favor to ask – you see that little pink Avon Breast Cancer Walk widget to your right? Click on it. Donate $1.00. Then tell two friends to donate $1.00. And ask them ask their friends to donate $1.00. And so on and so on. Not only am I “in it to end it” but I’m getting off my ass and walking so you don’t have to (but I challenge you to find a team near you and walk!!)

To your good health!

Peggy