Acronyms…. they are everywhere!  Sometimes we know what they stand for and other times- not. a. clue.  My husband was reading a text the other day from one of our adult children.  With a frustrated look on his face he asked:  What does, “NVM,” mean?  “Never mind,” I replied smugly. Suddenly I was feeling quite tech-savvy.

Acronyms exist in my work world as an early childhood educator too:  NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences), ECERS (Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale), IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan), and literally hundreds- perhaps thousands- more.

Acronyms are also prominent in the cancer world. There’s BC (breast cancer :)), AI (aromatase inhibitors- doesn’t this sound like it gets rid of nasty odors?!), AND (axillary node dissection), DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), FNA (fine needle aspiration), ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma), IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma), HT (anti-hormone therapy), NED (no evidence of disease- my personal favorite), and ICBI  (“I can’t believe it”- uttered by many a woman when newly diagnosed.)

One day as I picked up my Tamoxifen bottle I thought it would be wonderful if Tamoxifen were actually an acronym, instead of a tiny white pill designed to protect me from the possibility of a recurrence.  So, I designed my own:

T = Today

A = All

M = My

O = Outrageous

X = Anxiety (bear with me- X is a tricky letter)

I =  Insecurity

F = Fearfulness

E = Ends

N = NOW

I wonder if they could print this on the label…..