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Love mail

8 Oct

Pink Ink…

 

It’s the 2nd Mammogram Monday of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Have you scheduled your mammogram yet?  Have you asked your mom or sister or BFF when was the last time they got a mammogram? Here’s another question….

Have you ever actually seen your mammogram films?

Ladies, it’s not enough to get a mammogram, and then breathe a sigh of relief when you get the call that everything is fine.

Tip: Ask to see you films at your next appointment.  You have the right to see your films.  Do not be embarrassed.  Ask your doctor to explain what you are looking at, and what they look for!  Looking at your films is part of knowing your body, and knowing what is “normal” for you.

Fact: The breasts are flattened during a mammogram in an effort to get a better picture of the breast.  It helps reduce the number of x-rays taken.  Remember, you can ask the tech to EASE the pressure if it feels too uncomfortable.

“Do something” tip of the day!

Imagine getting a mammogram, and then getting the call that you have breast cancer.  Well, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer approximately every 69 seconds!  Their life is forever changed.  You may not know someone who has been recently diagnosed. Lucky you! But that doesn’t mean you can’t do something!

Thanks to the ladies at Effie’s Paper (effiespaper.com), I was introduced to Girls Love Mail.  This organization collects hand written letters of support and delivers them to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients!  What a great idea!  I immediately signed up for a monthly reminder to write a quick note.

Letters collected from friends this weekend

Get a card, and some stationery and write a note of support.  Not sure what to say?  Speak from the heart?  What would make you smile if you were in the Cancer Lane? I kept every letter, note, or card that I received.  When I feel low, I take a few out and read them.  It only takes 5 minutes to jot something down.  Take those words of support and drop them off at your local hospital’s oncology department or Susan G. Komen affiliate, or visit girlslovemail.com.  I guarantee you that you will make someone smile, and feel good about it!

Need something effective to do this month? There it is!

Remember, we all…love mail!

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A friend

4 Oct

Pink Ink…

We’re coming to the end of the 1st week of Breast Cancer Awareness month!  Turn in any direction , and there is something PINK.  There are Races, development drives, Zumba classes, and pink products. Celebrities come out of the woodwork to share their “stories of inspiration”.  The White House even goes pink! That din you hear is the call for a cure, and awareness!

Last night Phoenix Fashion Week was kicked off with a Fashionably Pink Fashion Show.  The proceeds went to Susan G. Komen for a Cure.  The Fashion Show brought together “real” models, celebrities and Survivors to walk the runway.  The fashion show, while a showcase for local designers, was really a celebration of Survivors.  It was a great event not just because it raised a lot of money, and we got to play dress up.  It was a great event because people shared their stories, and people listened.  Yes, there were interviews, and videos of Survivors.  But as we sat around, models and Survivors, getting our make up done, or waiting for the show to begin, we talked.  I met a woman diagnosed at 25, who is using her experience of the last year to educate other young woman.  I chatted at length with a 3 year Survivor who was diagnosed when her daughter was 9, like me. Holly has spent the years since her diagnosis spreading awareness, through any means necessary.  (Sounds familiar!) Interestingly, none of the Survivors I spoke with cared about losing their breasts!  One of us proudly shared that she said “no way” to reconstruction, and hasn’t looked back!  We compared chemo port scars, drugs, and shared stories of losing our hair.  Other models took the chance to ask questions about how we were diagnosed, how we felt, and how our families held up. The feeling of the event was of warmth and love and support!  It reinforced the idea that we must share our stories!  Attendees, models and Survivors all learned something about breast health last night, in a fun environment. Thanks Phoenix Fashion Week and Susan G. Komen for a great evening!

But the truth about breast cancer is that not everyone survives.

People die.

Last night marked the 1-year anniversary of the passing of a family friend from breast cancer. So I briefly share her story.

Inspiration

Like me, Angie was diagnosed with aggressive triple negative breast cancer.  Like me, she did it all.   Chemo, double mastectomy, radiation etc.  Like me, she had a great team of friends, family and doctors supporting and loving her.  Like me, she was young, active, didn’t smoke, and breast cancer didn’t run in her family.  Like me, Angie fought.  She fought hard, while always maintaining a positive attitude.  Angie’s cancer eventually spread to her lungs.  Even then, she was positive.  She shared her journey with others.  She shared her journey with me. She was an inspiration even before I was diagnosed.

Angie is now an Angel, but she continues to inspire me, to push me to fight.

Last night, as I walked that runway, I thought of my friend. I didn’t share with anyone what that night truly meant to me.  I didn’t want the “sad eyes”.  Last night was a celebration of clothes and survival for most.

But for me, it was also a celebration of …a friend.

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Everything is not ok

1 Oct

Pink Ink…

From Parenthood “Everything is not OK” (Season 4, ep 3) on NBC.

Cancer Gal: First, everybody you know in your whole life and then a bunch you don’t know are going to pay WAY too much attention to you.  And the phone’s going to ring so much ‘till you want to shoot yourself! And then, a little while after that, people, they go back to their own lives, their own problems.  That’s when you find out.  That’s when you find out who your real friends are.

Kristina: I haven’t really told any of my friends, my family doesn’t know.   It’s just Adam so far.

 

Today kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  When I was thinking about what to post today, the above scene came to mind.  In 1 minute, it teaches so much.  So instead of reminding you to wear pink, how about what 1-minute of TV reminded me?

  • Everyone diagnosed with breast cancer needs a Cancer Mentor.
    • Over the next few days, you will meet mine.  Every newly diagnosed person needs someone to tell him or her the cold, hard truth.  Cancer Gal definitely kept it 100% real!
  • People DO go back to their own lives.  The calls stop. People avoid asking how you are, or they ask, but don’t care for the answer.
    • To fellow Survivors, it is ok to mourn the loss of friends who stop calling, or don’t check in.  It has taken me almost a year to let those friends go.  But everyday, I say a prayer of thanks for “Team Pinkwellchick”.
    • To those friends or family of those in the Cancer Lane, my advice to you is to REMAIN PRESENT. If you can’t bring yourself to call, drop a note in the mail, or email or text. Thanks to my friend who sent me a card every 10 days for the past year. Just DO SOMETHING! It makes a difference.
  • We must share our stories.  I have learned it is not a sign of weakness to share my fear, or struggle with breast cancer.  I have learned that we must be open about our journey.
    • Survivors are often worried about “burdening” our loved ones. We must get over that.  Fighting Cancer requires a strong team! Fighting Cancer gives us a right to think about ourselves first!  Survivors, talk about what you are going through!  Some have been turned off by my honesty. Many more are thankful.   It is only through sharing our stories that we learn.
    • Friends and family, don’t be scared to ask questions.  Share your fears and struggles.  The story you share can help someone else.

 

I look forward to seeing what NBC and Parenthood have in store for us over the next season! Yes, this is an unpaid endorsement of a great show!

While sifting through all the “Pink” of the day, remember,

  • A woman is diagnosed every 69 seconds.
  • Over 40,000 American women lost their lives to breast cancer in 2011.

For those women and their families…everything is not ok.

 

 

 

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Think about it

27 Sep

 

Pink Ink…

Breast Cancer Awareness Glass

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Even though kickoff is still 4 days away, you may already feel inundated or tired of all the pink ribbons, products, and calls for pledges or a Cure.

The truth of the matter is that Breast Cancer Awareness is not just one month.  As a Survivor, I think I speak for many, when I say we are aware of our breast health every day, all year.  For women, breast health awareness must become a lifestyle.

A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer approximately every 69 seconds.

Every 69 seconds.

If you don’t want to participate in a Race in October, that’s ok.  But do something.  Some thoughts:

  • Schedule a mammogram.
  • Do a self-exam.
  • Ask your mom, best friend, or sister when was the last time she did a self-exam.
  • Remind your dad, brother, or husband that men get breast cancer also!
  • Donate a blanket, socks, scarves or magazines to a breast clinic.  It gets cold in chemo rooms!
  • Learn your family history.
  • Talk to your daughter about breast health. It’s never too early.
  • If you know someone who is battling breast cancer, or is a Survivor, ask them how they are doing? And MEAN IT!  Ask them to share their story.  It may be painful to hear, but you could learn something.
  • Wear pink one day, in support of those who are fighting breast cancer.

These things are free.

During October, there will be a barrage of available products to support awareness and finding a Cure.  You will get an email or a call asking for a donation.  That is a necessary part of any awareness campaign.  Do what works for you.  But do something.

Be present in October. Be aware. Be educated.  It could save your life.

Think about it.

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Meet a celebrity!

26 Sep

We have been friends together

in sunshine and shade

Caroline Norton

Pink Ink…

Star Jones had open-heart surgery in 2010. In August, Rosie O’Donnell had a heart attack.  In September, Michael Clark Duncan passed away from a heart attack.   As a result of their celebrity, you may have learned a little bit more about heart disease or heart health.

I learned more about heart disease because of my friend.

Meet Maria.

Go Red Luncheon

Maria and I became friends in 1997.  Over the years, we have lived in the same city. Once for two years, and most recently, for three.  But our friendship has remained constant. Her value in my family’s life during my breast cancer journey cannot be measured.

But want a reason to learn about heart health? Here you go.

Maria’s Mom passed away at 53 from a heart attack, with no physical warning.  In fact, she visited her doctor a week before her death.

Maria’s Grandmother died at 30 from a heart attack.

Maria’s Aunt died at 42 of a heart attack.

Maria’s Uncle died at 55 from a heart attack.

Maria’s Dad had a heart attack at 63, and stroke just a few weeks ago.

Fortunately, he lived.

Maria tracks her heart palpitations on occasion, with a monitor.

This is not just one family’s story.   It is the story of our community.  High blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight issues, diabetes, and medicines to treat various health issues contributed in some way to each of her loved ones’ deaths.  Do any of those issues sound familiar?  If you don’t know anyone with these symptoms, you are indeed blessed.

Maria became committed early on to living a full life, by learning her risks, and by educating others.  It is because of Maria SHARING HER STORY that I am now an American Heart Association Ambassador.  Maria often gives speeches on heart health, and hosts an annual heart health party in February. Recently, she said the most frustrating thing for her is that people like to live in a bubble.  Friends refuse to take control of their own lives.  We both marvel at how people still think heart disease is for “old people”.  Maria’s one wish is that young people realize we can live, and eat differently from our parents.

Agreed. Heart Disease doesn’t have to be a part of our lives. So do something.  Control your risk factors:

  • Manage your blood pressure.
  • Reduce your cholesterol intake.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • Walk. Run. Take the stairs. MOVE!
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Watch your blood sugar level if you have diabetes.

The best part of taking control of your risk factors is that it is free!  Heart Health is a lifestyle.  Maria is a shining example.  She is teaching her daughter to break the cycle. It really is something to see an 11 year old checking the labels. Not for calories, but for carbs, sugar and salt content.  That’s what I’m talking about!

To my chagrin, it is often necessary for celebrities to “create buzz” in order for people to pay attention to an issue.  Well, Maria is my celebrity! I’m paying attention. How about you?

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