Guess it's my cake day. Woo! Here, I'll split my nightshift lunch with you 😊

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and today happens to be my cake day. So here's a pic of my Jane Foster (Mighty Thor) action figure with your friendly reminder to talk to your doctor about scheduling your cancer screenings if you haven't already.

Not to freak anyone out, but I was asymptomatic with stage 4 breast cancer for no one can say how long. I had none of the "usual" symptoms, so I'm proof that self exams and waiting for symptoms aren't enough. Nevertheless, here are some signs and symptoms about which to tell your doctor if you ever notice:

• hard knot, lump, or thickening of breast tissue or underarm (armpit) area
• one breast changes shape or size (sudden or gradual asymmetry)
• even mild breast pain unrelated to menstruation, nursing, or pregnancy
• skin discoloration, dimpling, flaking, or rash
• nipple discharge unrelated to nursing or pregnancy
• inverted nipple pointing inward instead of outward
• even mild persistent rib pain can be a sign of pulling from a tumor nearby (this is a lesser known symptom, but I'm including it here because it was my only sign, and the pain was so vague that I felt silly asking my doctor about it, but that pain went away with treatment as the tumor shrank)

Any one of these symptoms is good enough reason to order a mammogram at the very least, especially if you have a family history involving cancers such a breast cancer.

Here is a more in depth video by Dr Liz O'Riordan about breast cancer symptoms. (I have no affiliation with this YouTube channel or Dr Liz.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C806ixh_QPs

I'm not here to scare anyone. My treatment is working, and I'm currently in remission. But if I can help even one person avoid what I've had to go through to get to this point... That'd be great. No one is immune, but this is a curable disease if caught early enough! Please don't ignore any signs, and ask your doctor about when to start getting regular cancer screenings.

Most importantly, enjoy a little cake if you can.

Yippee, it’s been four years! I honestly wish it was double that amount. Reddit was awesome for so long and I was in the dark, but I am glad I found it when I did.

Can’t believe it’s been one year on this app already 😔

Well folks it’s been 7 years on this account & I have to say it’s been mediocre at best…..ha! Gotcha!! Love you crazy bastiges, even that guy in the back there that smells like carrots and throw up.