29 has been my first year of visible aging. A few little lines on the forehead, a furrow between my brows — especially when I wake up, for some reason — thinner skin beneath my eyes, and some quite charming crow’s feet when I smile.
Luckily for me, these changes are not a dreaded sign of my slow and certain demise, but rather the gentle hands of time marking my face and body with experience, adventure, and wisdom. Reminders that the face I once thought I would always have will inevitably soften and sag and that’s just the way it’s going to be. But a few weeks ago I found a lump in the side of my left breast, and for the first time, I felt mortality wave its hand in my face.
Within half an hour of emailing my GP, they called asking me to come in that morning. After a good feel around, the doctor reassured me that it didn’t seem like anything sinister, but that she would refer me to the Breast Clinic at St George’s to double-check. My appointment was yesterday and after an ultrasound and a manual breast exam, I got the all-clear that it is just a ridge of perfectly healthy glandular tissue. It was quick to confirm that nothing was wrong but both doctors told me I’d done the right thing by flagging it.
After two hours at the hospital — most of which was spent reading my book in the waiting room — I walked out thinking, ”God bless the NHS” and got two scoops of chocolate ice cream to celebrate. Today, as this little newsletter might imply, I can’t resist the urge to say that if something feels off, just go get it looked at. It’s probably nothing, but if it’s something, the earlier you catch it the better.
A tip for boobs from both doctors yesterday was to check them monthly for any changes, ideally around the 10th day of your cycle when hormonal swelling is at its lowest. Cherish your health, your life, and the body that carries you through it!
See you in the next one for my regular, light-hearted programming,
Annabel x
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Good advice to all you women out there, BE SAFE.