MY TRUTH: The Best Self Love

What is a good way to celebrate Black History Month and Valentine’s Day?

After all, love begins with self-love, so showing love to my Black self seemed pretty cool.

As I prepared for this week’s date, I was reminded of my first time.

Then I thought about that song by Betty Wright, “Tonight is the Night You Make Me a Woman.”

In that 1970s hit, when I assure you no one had made me a woman yet, the 20-year-old Bessie Regina Norris, encourages listeners to think back to their very “first time.”

This singer/songwriter had other hits, like “Clean up Woman,” and “After the Pain” Those songs, just like “Tonight is the Night,” are great sing-a-longs; even today. And 50 years after it was released, “Tonight is the Night” was playing in my head.

Which brings me to my truth.

Although it did take me a little time to remember back to the first time; I smiled as I thought about the experience.

You see, the first time I went to get a mammogram, it was actually a wonderful experience. Over at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, it was a beautiful facility, nice music was playing and the staff treated me with care. And to top things off, I received positive results a few days later.

Fast forward to 2024 and I am at Parkland Hospital.

Now I knew from a fellow FAMU Rattler, Dr. Vivian Johnson, that there was a big push to get women to register for mammograms. She was on a mission to spread a message of early detection, education, and awareness.

As I continued to reflect on my first mammogram, I thought about how passionate Dr. Viv was as she traveled around Dallas County discussing the importance of getting screened.

For decades Sylvia Dunnavant, with the Celebrating Life Foundation has increased awareness and Carlton McConnell donates as much as $10,000 annually in mammograms; all for the cause!

And there are so many others out there, focusing on diseases that can be contained with early detection.

Dunnavant was at the forefront of pointing out that men were also dealing with breast cancer. In her best-selling book that came out in the 1990s, she featured actor Richard Roundtree, as a survivor.

And then there’s the work that is done for those who are going through treatment. I don’t think people realize how much work is done by these angels who work for causes like breast cancer awareness.

There are the healthcare providers also, who we shouldn’t forget.

The technician in the room with me for this year’s mammogram was Simone. She was kind, gentle, and very thorough. I could feel the compassion and concern in her voice as she turned my breasts every which way but loose.

What she was doing was working to save my life.

While we have had numerous incidents with Black women not receiving the same care and treatment that other ethnic groups received; I was confident that with this woman from Fort Worth, who attended college in East Texas; my breasts were in good hands.

Pun intended!

I didn’t blame her for the uncomfortable way the ma- chine gave a different perspective of “smashing.”

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder if a man designed the machines because, just like too-small bathrooms with toilet paper situated in an awkward place and no-where to hang your purse, or bras that can cause all kinds of discomfort; those mammography machines are not something you look forward to dealing with.

But guess what?

They get the job done and that is so very important.

I should be getting my results soon.

It is important to note that the entire process, from the time I walked into the Moody Center at Parkland, until the time I exited the building was less than an hour!

Also there is so much information available about Breast Cancer and the importance of mammograms. You could be one of eight who are diagnosed and you can also be one of the 80% with a survival rate of about 15 years; according to the American Cancer Society.

For sure, faith must rule over fear.

Walking into that room for the first time had me a little tense, but faith guided my steps then as it did earlier this week.

You can’t win the battle if you don’t know there’s a war going on.

No matter how uncomfortable a test may be; you have a lot more to lose if you don’t get tested. And I think Betty Wright said it best in yet another sing-a-long, “No Pain, No Gain.”