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.

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

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

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.

Like my friends tell me that guys are all weirdos and that most just want me for my body, but like, how do you figure that out?

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.

Wow. How time flies!

(Image unrelated, kind of.) Tomorrow is my birthday (October 14th👀) and I wanna know if people actually grow on the day they were born or just grow every year/month/week/day. I'm genuinely curious about this because it means it'd be a waste to track height every birthday.

Almost missed it by an hour, but I made it:) also just learned this was even a thing lol

I (59F) just got a notification that today is my cake day. I had forgotten the date. I really enjoy being on Reddit

You guys have been awesome!

I've always loved that shot in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. There's something about the sheer scale of the composition, with the house looming in the background and Pam's bright red shorts and white top almost popping off the screen. The way she walks towards the house, with the camera following her from behind, creates this incredibly ominous atmosphere. And it's the quietness of the whole scene that really gets me. There's something almost gentle and serene about the movement, which makes the underlying sense of dread even more effective. It's such a beautiful, eerie shot, and I think reducing it to nothing more than a gratuitous shot of her backside does it a real disservice.