Just yesterday I was part of a panel discussing the mental health resources we have around us. What stood out for me is that there are many resources, and therefore if you are looking for help, you WILL definitely get the help you need.
Some of these resources are;
- Physical therapy centers such as Befrienders Kenya
- Telephone counselling, for instance Niskize’s hotline number (0900 620 800)
- Sparking conversations around mental health amongst your family, friends and colleagues
In case you are going through a difficult time, please speak up. There is no shame in opening up. We need to fight for our own mental health, and I believe talking to someone/reaching out for help is a step towards fighting for yourself😊.
How often do you check on your friends? Like how often do you make a point of giving them a call or sending them a text or visiting them? These are rhetorical questions that I really don’t need an answer to, but I hope you actually sit and reflect on them.
You see that friend that is always gassing you up…the one that is always willing to help you with something even if you approach them at the last minute…that one friend that is always making you smile/laugh…the friend that if asked to describe, you would use terms such as strong, go-getter, self-less and other similarly warm adjectives. That friend, CONSTANTLY check on them. They often are so busy ensuring that you and your squad are well that at times, they don’t talk about what bothers them.
I feel like this post is everywhere. I mean one minute I’m talking about how I was in a panel, the next I’m sharing some mental health resources, then I’m talking about checking up on your friends but aaargh we move REGARDLESS!!!
I’m sure you know this is Breast Cancer Awareness month. If you don’t, then October is the month we wear pink and celebrate Breast Cancer heroines (I have an unsettled beef with this word btw😂) and just creating awareness.
A couple of months ago I wrote some posts, discussing basics of Cancer. I think you should read them, if you haven’t and read them again, if you already have. Yeah I’ll also read them after I’m done publishing this post. So while I was writing those posts, I’d promised myself to get screened this year. It looks like we’ll have to do that next year because I really don’t have a valid excuse, anyway I’m VERY busy right now. But you know you can self-examine at home? Yeah bitch, you can. Here’s how.
- Schedule this just after your monthly periods.
Why then?
Because of hormones and stuff like that…aaah Google/Biology are your friends bana.
2. Bien, the guy from Sauti Sol, is a very wise man. He once said “When you are naked I see angels, and I hope you see the same”. So stand naked in front of your mirror. You need to see those angels, because eeei uko mrembo…unaenda? (insert GK Nyambura’s voice).
3. With your hands akimbo examine the boobs. The skin texture…have the nipples turned inwards? If you find any changes that you don’t understand, please ask for PROFESSIONAL advice.
4. Raise your hands at the same time and examine how your breasts move. If they both move up at the same time, then that’s ok. If one fails to move up, you might need to pay special attention to it.
5. Place your right hand behind your head and then using your left hand’s middle fingers, gently but firmly move your fingers in small motions round the right breast. Do the same for your left breast. This step helps to feel for any lumps. However, presence of lumps doesn’t necessarily mean they are cancerous.
6. Feel your armpits as well, because breast tissue spreads to the armpits.
7. Gently squeeze your nipples, one at a time, looking for any discharge.
You need to repeat this process on the same date every month, for you to get to learn your body and eventually make it easier for you to detect any weird changes, early enough.
Breast Cancer is quite tricky, because it rarely is detected in the early stages. Therefore, I hope you realize the importance of constantly having this breast self-examination.
On a not-so-unrelated note; excuse me men, how conversant are you with menses and conversations surrounding them?🤔
~Bible Vibes~
‘and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. ‘
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
CoFfEe SeRvEr 