Today I am holding a hand on my chest with my friend @allynrose as a reminder to take a second to be your own advocate and “know your normal.” I remember when we first met and Allyn shared with me the journey that lay ahead. (An excerpt from her brilliant blog post—> link on her bio:) We all know that we SHOULD do a monthly self breast exam. But how many of us actually do them? Probably not many. Why?
I’m guessing there are a lot of reasons:
* We forget. Life gets in the way… family, career, school, kids, Netflix binge – you name it.
* We don’t have time. We pack our days to the brim with responsibilities and for some reason find it difficult to make time to care for ourselves. Probably also Netflix.
* We don’t know how. What exactly IS a self breast exam (SBE) anyway? What are the steps? Am I doing it right?
* We’re scared. What do I do if I ACTUALLY find something?
How to do it:
* RAISE ONE HAND OVER YOUR HEAD and use the OTHER HAND to make small, firm CIRCULAR MOTIONS (about the size of a quarter) with your fingers over the entire breast.
There’s no “perfect” way to do it. Just get to know your body! This is your chance to know the “neighborhood” of your breasts. Every woman’s body is different.
What to do if you find a LUMP?
* DON’T PANIC. Most women have “lumps” or “lumpy areas” naturally in their breasts. And most lumps turn out to be benign (not cancerous). That is why it is important to get to know YOUR NORMAL and the “terrain” of your own breasts. That way, in the future, you will know immediately if something has changed.
* But do not hesitate to CALL YOUR DOCTOR (OBGYN) if you find a lump that worries you or if you notice a change in your breasts over time. Early detection saves lives, so always err on the side of caution!
Now that wasn’t so scary was it? Here is your #SelfExamGram reminder to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF and spare a few minutes to know your normal and to remind others to do the same. You might just save a life – your friend’s or your own!
The blues, in Italy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Mornings were made of these: Cappuccino’s, paired with birds chirping, the sound of diesel trucks shifting gears while winding thru cobble stone streets, the warmth of sun drenching skin and eyes falling upon majestic views. My mind is still catching up...(and so very soon, will my feed) 😉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀handmade by: @villapatrizicapri
It’s the BIG / LITTLE things: Voting for my ancestors! Super excited that I received my ballot in time before I start traveling again. Let me tell you, the moment I found out I wasn’t going to be home on Nov. 6th, Mid-Term elections, I signed up for the absentee ballot. It was my first time doing it and I’m happy to say = super easy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Meeting everyone where they are at with no judgment, please consider this if you are one of the countless people that don’t have enough time in the day to vote because of work, traveling to and from work, kids, working multiple jobs...THIS may be for you. The struggle is real & One thing is for sure, the powers that be don’t want to see everyone voice their opinions at the polls, you know how we know? Repeatedly the numbers of voter suppression DO NOT LIE. Thousands have had their right to vote stolen from them again & again. So warm up those warrior spirits & voices & let’s have some fun exercising our RIGHT TO VOTE! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
@ebellofla is hosting a ballot run tomorrow, Thursday with @lwvlosangeles with a run through of initiatives up for election. FREE parking & entry ———-> Stay informed & most importantly #VOTE ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#earlyvoting #informed #exercisingmyrights #themodelbehavior #absenteeballot #california #votingmatters #voting #community #uplift #empoweredwomen #womenempowered #voiceforthevoiceless #womenansweringthecall #theebell #losangeles #duty #activate
Reminiscing on this moment. A month ago I returned to the stage in Many May Not Return, an anti-war play. I played Linda a Chicana questioning her future and her family’s legacy within the armed forces. I had the most amazing time - my first play where I was speaking Spanish and English (I’m bilingual) working with an amazing cast & proud to be a part of something with a message of peace, love and family. Opening day just before I left to the theatre I received a bouquet at home from my Auntie Susan, after the play flowers from my parents and husband @based_on_true_events and came home to another bouquet from my HU Fam @kareemjnyc1 & @adra_renee 🖤 Needless to say I woke up Saturday after our first show with the biggest smile on my face and love radiating from within. That’s when I received a FaceTime call from my bestie, her niece and nephew in Kingston, Jamaica to which making silly faces ensued for 30 minutes! To moments like this & many more in the near future... ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ To living your dreams ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#lostinla #actor #actress #interiors #loftliving #bouquet #bouquetofflowers #flowers🌸 #themodelbehavior #chandraanderson #modela #vogueitalia #blanco #rayban #melanin #wiwt #coolaschic #ceo #dtla #caliliving
Today and everyday I stand with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Anita Hill & every single soul that has been sexually assaulted, their character attacked and living with the daily trauma dealing with a terrifying act. Today, with many doubts my country will react in a way which claims to support women, I HOPE the decision is made where we send a clear resounding message as a nation THAT WE HEAR, SUPPORT, BELIEVE, UPLIFT, ENCOURAGE, LOVE, NURTURE & stand with our women and the creation of safe spaces in order to THRIVE. .
My spirit hurts as I cannot even tell you the outpouring of countless unreported stories from women describing their trauma from as early as 12, their voices not heard, their feelings not validated, their lives forever challenging and changed. Where were we as a society to protect them then? Where are ‘we’ on a federal level in the support of women today? .
I am with you, sending tons of tender love to you out there during this time. This is a mess and we got some cleaning to do! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #webelieve #womensupportingwomen #womenansweringthecall #protectourwomen #notallheroswearcapes #istandwithanitahill #istandwithdrford #istand #endthepatriarchy #safespace #themodelbehavior #nahnahnah #culturalrevolution #drchristineblaseyford #100% #americanhorrorstory #melanin #activate
