Being a blogger and working with social media you can often ask yourself how much of your personal life are you willing to share with your readers. I thought about this deeply and I think I can share something important with all of you and still keep some aspects of it private. It is important to always keep a balance between your private and public lives on social media because your personal life is sacred.

With that said I thought that sharing a bit of this with you might help some of you or even possibly give you some comfort in knowing that you are indeed not alone.

My mother passed away six days after my 8th birthday in 1984. With her passing she left a hole in my life that only a mother can fill and she also left me with knowledge that one day I will have to start journey that she herself could not finish. My mother passed away from breast cancer and by 21 I was getting mammograms. By my 30's I was getting them yearly and after I had my children I sought out a breast cancer surgeon. I figured it couldn't hurt to have such a doctor on my team if I wanted to live a full and healthy life.

I found the most amazing surgeon who understands me and who really gets why I do what I do. No, I do not like going for my yearly mammograms or paps or anything. I have had so many surgeries in my life due to my disability, when I had my children, and even post-natal issues with my kidneys that have honestly left me drained and not so keen about appointments. But every year I make them even though in the back of my head I tell myself I don't want to. Its like eating vegetables even though you may not like them you know they are good for you.

This year I went in for my mammogram/sonogram and then was told to have a biopsy. The day I received the results from my biopsy is the same day these photos were taken. I was in the city with my family doing some much needed vintage shopping when I received the news that I would have to see my surgeon earlier than planned. Well, needless to say that put me in a tailspin. Part of me was calm but some other silent part of me was losing it. As soon as we got out of the train I said to my husband, if this is going to be my day then I am buying myself some flowers. He usually is not a fan of flowers, he is more practical than I am and prefers plants, but I always loved freshly cut flowers. I bought them and I figured well if life is giving me lemons then I am treating myself to some flowers.

Usually you don't received messages like this unless it is something serious but the message was so vague it left me a bit shaken. Thankfully in the middle of acquiring my vintage haul I received another message but this time from my doctor who explained it is benign but that I would need a second biopsy as well as a surgery in the near future. It seems I have one of two types of breast fibroids and one is more aggressive than the other which can lead to cancer. 

Do I feel relieved? Yes and no. I feel exhausted by this experience and its just the beginning. My close friends and family always say I am so brave but even a brave person can be scared. And scared I am.

There, that is what is happening. I hope you always put your health first despite your busy schedules or lack of love for the poking and prodding that doctors need to do.

This day I went from thinking I was very sick to learning that I am partially sick but either way I understand that I am doing all the right things and I am listening to my doctors instructions as well as taking a lot of deep breathes. Trying not to stress things doesn't work for me so I took a few days off for myself and vegged out a lot with my children. We watched movies and played and snuggled. Best medicine I could ask for.

Ouftit: 1960's Styled Green Fur Collared Coat from Boden USA/Red Pom Pom Sweater from J Crew/White Collared Blouse and Blue Jeans from Boden USA/Black and White Touch Screen Gloves by Kata/Plaid Cat Ears from Claire's

There is no better way to spend the last days of winter than in a chunky turtleneck sweater from J.Crew. I am not a winter person at all. In fact I don't do well with extreme weather at abut I do try to embrace some aspects about them. When it comes to winter I do love the streaming pots of tea that come my way, the thick blankets on my bed to cuddle in, and the chunky sweaters to pair with some jeans or a skirt.

Chunky sweaters have been in vogue for a while with only its length and width changing ever so slightly. In the 1960's they were longer and in the 1980's they were wider but the fact is they were and are always so darn comfy to wear.

As we brave through the last days of winter here in New York I am pulling out all the sweaters that didn't get that much attention over the past few months and enjoying their warmth and softness. This particular sweater became a constant favorite as it has a thermal lining, so it kept me warm even with my jacket open.

So if you ever find yourself nearing the cold months where you live, I cannot recommend J.Crew enough as a source for chunky sweaters that are warm, affordable, and bring a vintage aesthetic to your outfit. Pair it with a 1960's styled Fishermans cap and you are ready to take over those last weeks of winter.