Hello Friends,
You all know that I am a Clinical Trials Participant for life, and for my new friends this means that every few months I climb up on the exam table and let my 20 Mule Team poke, prod, scrape and scan my body. It is an unwritten understanding that I continue my follow-up appointments with them. Though, I have to admit I am not all that willing at times. To be truthful, these exams are time not a favorite of mine. But I go because my long term survival FOLLOW UP is IMPORTANT. It means that the Clinical Trial that I participated in WORKED. It means that the investigational medications WORKED. And it means that MY 20 Mule Team WORKS! I have been in remission for Stage 3b Breast Cancer for over a decade and counting! And some of you know that I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year. Thankfully, it was caught very very early. I knew that because my 20 Mule Team has their stuff together and when the symptoms started, I wasn’t scared as much. I felt empowered to ask and seek help. That’s because it was drilled into me early on that COMMUNICATION was VITAL in me staying ahead of any reoccurrences or changes in my body. Yes, it’s true…at times I get to practice what I preach.
Although, I am embarrassed to say that I am the first to procrastinate on my health, I do try to motivate others to do as I say and not as I do. Does that make sense? I have seen first hand how early detection works. I’ve come to believe, it is the difference between having a natural bra shape verses one that is reconstructed. I wish I had a 20 Mule Team way back then. Perhaps, early detection would have spared me.
But on the other hand, I have became appreciative of the simple things. Like a smile or the sunset. Or like allowing people to care for me. And that brings me back to having your own 20 Mule Team. As an advocate of Breast Health and Clinical Trials I support 20 Mule Teams. They are made of doctors, nurses, lab techs, radiologist, pathologist and supporting staff give or take. They allow a face to put on your recovery. They offer guidance and vital interaction. But the funny thing about a 20 Mule Team is that they can be made of ANYBODY that positively cares for you and the greater good. The beauty of a team member is that there are only two rules to follow. 1-To have the patient’s /friend’s best interest at all times and 2-To provide unyielding support. It’s that simple.
20 Mule Teams come in all facets of your life. Most people lump them into categories, like best friends, support groups, sororities, you get the picture. Lately I have been expanding my external 20 Mule Team. I had the privilege of meeting a very unique person and his associate the other day. We talked for a while about my mission to advocate Education and Clinical Trials. And when I stopped talking long enough, I found that we were on the same page as I was in educating the minority community as well. Their programs were more structured than mine, but they didn’t make my mission seem any less important. I admire their approach to this complex situation. Minority Health education is wrought with cultural and social barriers. We passionately discussed our surprisingly mutual viewpoints and goals. And by the time the meeting was over, I felt that we had connection. They work on a larger scale then mine, but the meeting was proof positive that the small fish in the sea are as vital as the large ones. Perhaps the next time we meet, it will be to celebrate the collective awareness across the board regardless of social and cultural differences. So I humbly submit them for membership.
Their support makes them the perfect candidate for my ‘EXTERNAL 20 MULE TEAM!’
Pro Self with Pro Health!! Check Out My New Friends!
