31 Days ~ Beyond The Shock

Today is Day 27 of my 31 days of breast cancer awareness. 

 

Inspiring Hope ~ Beyond the Shock of Breast Cancer

Beyond the Shock is a a website where you can learn about breast cancer, ask questions and get answers, hear real stories from people.

• Watch up to seven video chapters that explain the types and stages, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer.
• Browse for answers from medical experts, survivors and patients or ask a question of your own.
• View real video stories from people that have been diagnosed, received treatment, and survived breast cancer.

The introduction is a really cool video explaining how each of our lives is a story. It talks about how we journey along a road of experiences and emotions, passing significant milestones along the way. And then sometimes suddenly, the road beneath our feet takes a sharp turn, breaking from what was once certain. And as some of us have learned, breast cancer causes this break. Perspective ruthlessly shifts; we and our loved ones see the road differently than before.

The first educational video is a very comprehensive, yet a short one on the anatomy of the breast. Even I learned something here.

I encourage you to visit this site. It is colorful and very well designed. I think you will find it entertaining and educational; and yes, we all will learn something from it.

Hugs,

Debbie... aka the cancer warrior ... AND SURVIVOR!!!

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

31 Days: Fight Cancer Together

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? 

31 Days of Breast Cancer Awareness... Today is Day 25.

You know, just because I have finished the chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, does not mean that breast cancer goes away forever and I am free to not think about it ever again. Often times people will come up to me with a huge smile and say how happy they are that I am through with treatment. Well, I'm not really through, although I sure wish it was all that easy. The Aromatase Inhibitor  pill, Letrozole (generic for Femara) is expected to be necessary for the next five years. And while I hope it is an easy ride with few if any side effects, it is still that reminder of what I have been through. But on the positive side, it is a wonderful reminder of what is ahead of me -- lots more time with two wonderful grandsons; one just having arrived two months ago, and another to arrive late October (the first grandchildren for Mark and I), an amazing husband and two of the most wonderful and supportive daughters and their hubbies, a wonderfully large and loving family of siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws, AND a huge support group of friends near and far, to name a few. They have all been here all along this ordeal to help support me and help me to fight cancer.

And then there are all the doctors, nurses, support staff, and other patients I've met along the way who are positive and caring and always wearing a smile and asking how I am. I mean, that has got to get old for the clinicians who are dealing with disease every work day, over and over again. But they never seem to waiver from their positive attitudes.

So the only way I think we can bust down the walls of cancer is to fight it together. AND FIRST AND FOREMOST, is by early detection by breast self-exam and annual mammograms. Next on my priority list would be to find a cure.

But a very important step is by supporting each other and also by supporting many of the wonderful organizations out there doing so much for research and providing resources. By attending Relay for Life events, and other such events that not only raise funds, but also provide a supportive environment for survivors and their families, or families of those who have lost the battle.

So join me in checking out and hopefully supporting one of these  wonderful organizations during this month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness month ~ Savethetatas.org and Savethetatas.com.
 
And did I mention, I've been invited to be a guest blogger at www.savethetatas.org, a special group which commits 5% of every sale to the Save the ta-tas^® Foundation. This includes any product sold on savethetatas.com, at any of their authorized retailers and all of their licensed goods. This special group calculates their donations by the actual sale price, not the profits made. From 2004 – 2010 this translated to roughly 50% of their profits. Click here to learn more about the group.

And as a guest blogger, I'm offering a free Save The Ta-Tas item to one lucky person who subscribes to my blog, and comments on this blog post. Please see contest guidelines below. This is one of my favorite items and you could own this too:  Stargazer V-Neck.

TO ENTER THIS CONTEST

1. Become a follower of my blog (on the right side of the page).
2. Leave a comment on this blog entry telling me how we might all fight cancer together, and include your shirt size and an email address where you can be contacted. (ONLY ONE COMMENT PER PERSON)

This contest ends in one week and the lucky winner will be notified by email soon thereafter.

GOOD LUCK! Save The Ta-Tas

Hugs,

Debbie... aka the cancer warrior ... AND SURVIVOR!!!

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

31 Days ~ Cal Fire Wears Pink

This is Day 21 of my 31 days of breast cancer awareness. It is also my sister, Donna's, birthday. Happy Birthday, sis! Thanks for all the support you have given me over the last 11 months. I love you!!! 

 

There is something about a man in uniform; and a firefighter tops the cake, in my mind. Of course that may be because I've been married to one for 38 years now. Buyt a man in uniform and in pink... Now that says volumes!

 

CAL FIRE Cares Enough to Wear Pink

 

Firefighters wear pink shirts to show support for cancer research

Sacramento - Californians across the state may notice something a little different when they see CAL FIRE firefighters this week. That’s because firefighters, dispatchers and other employees of the state’s fire department will be showing their support for the battle against breast cancer by wearing pink T-shirts on duty. Like fire departments across the country, CAL FIRE is participating in the 2010 national “Cares Enough to Wear Pink" campaign taking place October 25 - 27, 2010.

Over 900 Fire departments and emergency response agencies across the United States are participating in the “Cares Enough to Wear Pink" campaign, which raises money and attention to cancer. The campaign is part of October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when wearing pink signifies support for breast cancer research. 

“There is a proven correlation between cancer and our chosen profession, but cancer, in its many forms, also affects millions of people worldwide and I hope we can help raise funds to find a cure and send a strong message of hope to those suffering from this disease,” said Chief Del Walters, director of CAL FIRE. “CAL FIRE is one of the largest fire departments in the nation and I believe the over 8,000 men and women of our department have an opportunity to make a significant contribution to this worthwhile effort by voluntarily joining me in "caring enough to wear pink" during this campaign,” said Walters.

100 percent of the proceeds from the T-shirt sales generated by CAL FIRE’s employee's voluntary participation are being donated to cancer related non-profit organizations.

Photos:
Firefighters from the Boggs Mtn. Helitack Crew based in Lake County show off the CAL FIRE “Cares Enough to Wear Pink” T-shirt. 

Over 150 CAL FIRE firefighters and family members participated in the October 17 Race for the Cure in Temecula (Riverside County). Click Here to download

Wearing their “Cares Enough to Wear Pink” T-shirts, CAL FIRE Information Technology employees proudly show their support for cancer research. Click Here to download

For more information contact Department Information Officer Daniel Berlant, 916-651-FIRE (3473)

Hugs,

Debbie... aka the cancer warrior ... AND SURVIVOR!!!

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

31 Days: NFL in the Pink

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? 

31 Days of Breast Cancer Awareness... Today is Day 3.

Yesterday I returned home in the evening, totally exhausted, after a lovely baby shower for my daughter; which was hosted by her mother- and sister-in-law and good family friend, Paula. Mark had a lovely pasta dinner in the works and the TV tuned into a football game. He asked me if I knew that the NFL was taking part in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I did not, but then as I saw the pink ribbons on helmets, pink glove and shoes, I began to wonder. Now.... if each player would donate a portion of their NFL pay to fight and research breast cancer wouldn't that be cool. And if they are just wearing pink to bring attention, why can't they do more? Especially since they have probably plunked down a bunch of money for all this "pink promotion". 

Sometimes I have to catch myself from being too cynical. And it seems they are doing more than just wearing pink. You can bid on exclusive NFL pink products. Now I may not be doing any of the bidding, considering what some of the bids have already gotten to. But it looks like there will be a nice donation going to the American Cancer Society once this campaign has finished. So bid often, and bid a lot! Don't be shy -- lets find a cure to this horrible illness that has affected more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the US today; the most common form of cancer among women in the US.

Hugs,

Debbie... aka the cancer warrior ... AND SURVIVOR!!!

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

31 Days: The Scar Project

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? 

31 Days of Breast Cancer Awareness... Today is Day 2.

The Scar Project: Breast cancer is not a pink ribbon! 

I warn you,  The Scar Project, and the website,  is not for the feint of heart. But.... it is an amazing testament to strength, courage, and inner beauty that transcends society's standards of outer beauty.

Yes!!! This is what breast cancer is -- NOT PINK; NOT PINK RIBBONS. Quit it with all the pink ribbon stuff. FIND A DAMN CURE!

While I was spared mastectomy(ies), it is still hard to see all the pink and wonder where all the money goes and why we have not gotten closer to a cure or finding the cause of this horrific illness that affects so many women, and men. I commend The Scar Project, for telling this story the way they have. 

Here's to all the cancer survivors out there, especially to the breast cancer survivors on this October 2nd, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Hugs, (Yes, I still offer hugs even when posting an angry rant).

Debbie... aka the cancer warrior ... AND SURVIVOR!!!

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

31 Days: Four Awesome Survivors

31 Days of Breast Cancer Awareness... Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Sonoma holds a farmer's market at the town plaza, right square dab in the heart of our little down town, every Tuesday evening from Spring through Fall. Mark and I meet up there most weeks with a group of great friends, the majority of which have been home winemaking with us for years, under the tutelage of master home winemaker Gino Sperring. We each arrive with a bottle of wine and tasty nibble to share with our group, and talk, laugh, eat, drink, shop for the top produce and other food products of the area, and just relax and enjoy good friends. And I was able to meet up most weeks this year, even through chemotherapy and such.

Sad as it may seem, there are now four of us from this group who belong to the club of cancer survivorship, and we all celebrated some milestones at a recent gathering. In 2011, Jo celebrates 10 years as a cancer survivor, Steve celebrates one year; and this very night Mike celebrates 5 years and I am celebrating the end to radiation and most major treatment for this year.... and anxiously await January when I will celebrate one year as a survivor.

What better way to celebrate than with a group of such wonderful friends. A toast to the four of us and many more years of farmer market gathering at the Sonoma Plaza!

Here's to all the cancer survivors out there, especially to the breast cancer survivors on this October 1st, Breast Cancer Awareness Day and Month.

We are all ... SURVIVORs!!!

LIVESTRONG: 

WE ARE STRONG. WE ARE LOVED. WE ARE HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!

L-R: Mike, Jo, Steve, Debbie

Hugs,

Debbie