Two years ago:
I thought I had heart disease and researched everything on the subject.

Two years ago:
I thought I had AIDS from ONE protected sexual encounter even though tests came back negative. To this day I still think I could have it and am paranoid about passing it on to my current partner.

One year ago:
I had muscle spasms and thought I had Lou Gehrig’s disease. I cried over it and the idea of MS as well. I even went to see a neurologist. Sometimes I think I could still have it because I still get the spasms.

Two months ago:
I had a random flashback to a memory where a friend and I explored each others underwear and bra ( I wasň and she was 7), and suddenly I was paranoid that my behavior was not normal for that age and that I’m some sort of child molester. I can’t watch crime episodes now because I feel guilty about possibly being one.

One month ago:
Then I felt guilty about watching porn on occasion and wanted to know the verified ages of all the people involved in the videos so that I wasn’t some kind of abuser or sex offender. I stay away from any porn now ( I didn’t watch it often anyways).

One week ago:
I found out one of my family members is gay. Shame on me for thinking this but, I thought that maybe I could be gay too because my close family member was gay. Now I’m looking at women differently and checking to see if I find women attractive or if I get aroused. I try to reflect back on moments in college where I may have felt the need to experiment with women and try to dissect everything that did or did not happen. I even cried at the idea of being gay because I’m in a heterosexual relationship and that would mean it couldn’t continue…even though we’ve been dating for 2 years AND live together!

My heart always races at these thoughts and races even faster when I research the topics. It’s like a sudden swoosh falls upon me and I NEED to have all the available information at my disposal asap along with a panel who will decide if I am or am not X, Y and Z. I need help…but what IS this?
Severe GAD? OCD? Whatever it is, I think it’s time for medication.

I recieved the following email? how do you know if you need a breast biopsy?
Congratulations! Thanks to you, our first Army of Women Call to Action for the Sister Study was a huge success. But, it doesen’t end there, it’s just the beginning! We’ve got to keep the energy going and see if we can do the same for this next study. Let’s show ’em what this Army of Women is made of! We need all Army of Women members to help recruit for this study. Are you a breastfeeding mom who may need a breast biopsy? If so – just click “YES, SIGN ME UP”. If not, just click “NO, THANKS”.

There are more studies to come, so don’t get discouraged if you haven’t matched with one yet.

If you know of a friend who might be interested in this study, forward this e-mail along. And don�™t forget to tell your friends and family to sign up to the Love/Avon Army of Women. We need to make this Army ONE MILLION women strong and we need YOUR help to get there!
What’s the study about?
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst are studying the breast cells normally found in breast milk to see if there are any differences in the DNA of women whose biopsies turn out to be healthy and those whose biopsies show a problem, such as cancer. Learning more about these genetic differences may eventually help researchers develop a way to provide women with information about their breast cancer risk.
What’s involved?
You will be shipped a milk collection container, informed consent form, and questionnaire. You will be asked to complete the consent form and questionnaire and to donate about 2.5 ounces of fresh breast milk from each breast. You will put the consent form, questionnaire, and breast milk in a box that will be picked up by Fed-Ex. If a breast biopsy occurs, you will be asked to provide a copy of the biopsy report. Approximately 1 year after sending your breast milk sample, the researcher will contact you to ask about any breast problems you have had in the last year.
Who can participate?
Breastfeeding moms who may need a breast biopsy
Who is conducting the study?
Kathleen Arcaro, PhD, Douglas Anderton, PhD, and Sarah Lenington PhD, at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Where?
Anywhere in the United States