Thanksgiving

I am thankful for my family, my friends and for improving health.

I hope each of you have a wonderful holiday filled with family and friends.... and good health!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Army of Women

ONE Million Women
ONE Research Goal
ONE Revolutionary Opportunity

Dr. Susan Love is a national expert on breast cancer and sort of the breast cancer “guru” of the day. Her books have sold millions and she has provided women with solid information about breast cancer and the options available for treatment. She has now started a new project to recruit ONE MILLION women for the Army of Women. The Army is a database of women who are volunteering to be part of research efforts aimed at determining what causes breast cancer. All women are invited to participate – those with breast cancer and those who have never had it.

By registering, you are indicating your interest in learning about active research studies in need of volunteers. You will receive periodic email updates from the Army of Women announcing new research studies looking for volunteers just like you. The email will detail the research project and who and what the researchers need. If you fit the criteria and you’d like to participate, all you need to do is reply to the email and let them know you’ve accepted the “Call to Action.”

If you accept the Call to Action, you will be contacted by an Army of Women staff member, who will make sure you meet the study criteria and answer any questions you might have about study participation. You will never be pressured to take part in any study. The decision to take part is yours — and yours alone.

This is a great way to help support breast cancer research. I hope all the women will consider following this link Army of Women and registering your name in the database. Thanks!!!

It Ain't Just A River in Egypt

Well, I guess I haven’t said much about my impending surgeries. You may notice that I’ve added a counter on the right hand side of this blog. It is counting down the days till I go for my double mastectomy – January 9th. Blah.

There are some days when I feel okay about the decision and know it is the best thing to do. Other days, I am anxious and dreadful of the whole process. I don’t want to cut off one of the lovelier parts of my body. I think I can eventually get over the cosmetic aspects of the ordeal but I absolutely hate the idea of having a numb chest for the rest of my life. How weird will that be?

I had originally intended to have my ovaries removed in November – but I just couldn’t find the motivation to schedule a date. Not sure when I’ll get around to doing that. In truth, I am existing in a bubble of denial right now. I don’t think about the surgeries much because it makes me anxious. I am still trying to adjust to the current body changes I feel. I am constantly surprised that my muscles don’t behave the same way they once did. Will my legs ever return to the level of strength and flexibility I had before? I wonder if the feeling will ever return to my fingers and toes. And I seem to have no control over my body temperature. One minute I am burning up with hot flashes, the next minute I’m freezing. Will I ever sleep through the entire night again? I wake a dozen times - either wet from sweat or shivering cold. Hair. I would love to have some hair again. It would also be nice if that extra 10 pounds would melt away. I don’t recognize my own image in the mirror.

Here I am complaining once more. I don’t mean to be so negative. Life is not bad. I am grateful for a treatment plan that offers me a great chance for a cure and decreases the possibility for a recurrence. It’s just hard getting used to a new body and knowing that there are bigger changes coming.

I am not alone in this journey. My sister has also tested positive for the breast cancer gene mutation. She had non-invasive breast cancer 18 years ago and had a single mastectomy at that time. Now that she has tested positive for the gene mutation, she is having the other breast and her ovaries removed in late December. I will go to Nashville to be with her, but I can never repay all the time she spent with me during chemo.

I guess it will give me an opportunity to see the experience first-hand and better prepare myself. We are having completely different types of surgery, but I’m sure there will be many similarities. I will either walk away scared to death or more certain of my capacity to handle the surgery. Hopefully the later of the two:)

More details about the surgery later. For now…. denial reigns.

5048

Chemolicious!

Cancer - and breast cancer in particular - is a big commercial business. There are hundreds of t-shirts, hats, mugs, you name it, with great cancer slogans on them. Below are just some of the funnier ones I've seen.

* Eyebrows Are So Last Year
* Bald is the New Black
* I Have Cancer - Cancer Doesn't Have Me
* I'm Sick & Tired of Being Sick & Tired
* Chemo - Breakfast of Champions
* Nice Try Cancer, But I'm Still Here
* Your Boyfriend Likes Rubbing My Bald Head
* Does This Shirt Make My Head Look Bald?
* If I had known how much work it be,
I would have never gotten cancer
* Bald Chicks Rule
* Not Just Surviving. LIVING!
* Chemo - All the Good Kids Are Doing It
* I'm Confused. Wait Maybe I'm Not
* I Make Chemo Look Good
* I Pay My Oncologist Big Bucks for This Hair Style
* Friends Don't Let Friends Fight Cancer Alone
* Cancer is Not Contagious - But My Spirit Is
* Oh Yeah, We Are Talkin' Cancer Glam
* Fight Like A Girl
* Unbeknownst to the Mosquito I Just Had Chemo
* One Day Pink Will Just Be for Princesses. Let's Find A Cure
* This Is What A Cancer Survivor Looks Like
* I Beat Cancer Like It Owed Me Money
* Chemo Ate My Eyebrows
* Breast Cancer Isn't for Sissies
* Fighting Cancer and Still Fabulous
* I Already Kicked Cancer's Ass - Want To Be Next!?

And last, but not least...

* Chemolicious!

(Thanks to Wander Linda, another breast cancer blogger. I stole this list from her.)