Denver's Race for the Cure is October 3, 2010. Come and participate or donate to help men and women diagnosed with breast cancer receive treatment. Click here for more information.
To see the Channel 9 news clip, click here. (I'm still technologically un-inclined!)
Thank you.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
My Cancer
Sometimes it is simply easier to count the amount of sleep in minutes...last night was one of those nights. A year ago this morning about now was the very last time he touched my real breasts, playfully tugging at my nipples. It was the last time I stood naked in front of a man. In less than an hour -- a year ago -- the anesthesiologist delivered the potion rendering me helpless as the surgeon made two perfect horizontal six-inch incisions across my chest and carefully removed the woman inside.
Monday, May 10, 2010
It's not like cancer...
Lymphedema is forever.
I don't know anything about it and neither do a ton of other people. It has something to do with protein and fluid filling in the spaces within our cells causing unsightly swelling. Twenty percent of breast cancer survivors get lymphedema.
When I joined the alumni association of the pink ribbon club I thought I was done. I just got to be the big sister to the up and coming pink ribbon stars. But when I could not longer put my fingers around my wrist and had recurring [what I thought was] nerve pain down my right arm I asked what the heck? Within 10 minutes I had my first appointment for MLD -- manual lymph drainage.
I feel like I fell back into that spiraling tornado of medical mayhem.
I am just beginning my journey down Lymphedema Lane, but in these three short days I've had an opportunity to meet a true superstar. Her name: Rachel. She founded Lymphedivas. It was her mission in life to offer a lymphedema garment that women could feel good about wearing so that they could heal. She devoted her energy towards the betterment and healing of others. She truly is a pink ribbon superstar. She is the big sister for me that I hope so much to be for someone else.
I will never get an opportunity to thank Rachel for traveling this path before me -- for helping me see that lymphedema can be fashionable and fun. Rachel passed away on January 22, 2008 from breast cancer. She was 37 -- I know because we shared the same birth year.
Next week I will be fitted for my lymphedema garment. I will be honored to wear one of Rachel's designs.
I don't know anything about it and neither do a ton of other people. It has something to do with protein and fluid filling in the spaces within our cells causing unsightly swelling. Twenty percent of breast cancer survivors get lymphedema.
When I joined the alumni association of the pink ribbon club I thought I was done. I just got to be the big sister to the up and coming pink ribbon stars. But when I could not longer put my fingers around my wrist and had recurring [what I thought was] nerve pain down my right arm I asked what the heck? Within 10 minutes I had my first appointment for MLD -- manual lymph drainage.
I feel like I fell back into that spiraling tornado of medical mayhem.
I am just beginning my journey down Lymphedema Lane, but in these three short days I've had an opportunity to meet a true superstar. Her name: Rachel. She founded Lymphedivas. It was her mission in life to offer a lymphedema garment that women could feel good about wearing so that they could heal. She devoted her energy towards the betterment and healing of others. She truly is a pink ribbon superstar. She is the big sister for me that I hope so much to be for someone else.
I will never get an opportunity to thank Rachel for traveling this path before me -- for helping me see that lymphedema can be fashionable and fun. Rachel passed away on January 22, 2008 from breast cancer. She was 37 -- I know because we shared the same birth year.
Next week I will be fitted for my lymphedema garment. I will be honored to wear one of Rachel's designs.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Vote for a Local Business!
From my friend Julie...
Two years ago this month I was diagnosed with breast cancer. While going through treatment I designed and developed a planning system to keep on top of the paperwork, treatment regimes and scheduling. Cancer is complicated and overwhelming and there is a great deal of emotional trauma that accompanies the disease. The more organized and focused I became the easier the process.
My planner became my security blanket. Knowing how imperative the system was for me, I began to design one for others. Nearly two years from inception, Ready for Recovery/Breast Cancer Planner is going to become a reality.
Ready for Recovery is designed to help patients and their families navigate treatment and recovery. It is meant to ground, support and guide patients while alleviate fear, stress and confusion. There is a specific place for tracking everything -- from diagnosis, pathology, blood work and treatment protocols to appointments, nutritional recommendations and emotions.
This month Intuit is awarding over $50,000 in grants through their Love a Local Business campaign. Help me help others going through breast cancer by voting for Ready for Recovery. It only takes a minute. To vote visit http://shar.es/aN5rN
It is my intention to get planners into the hands of as many newly diagnosed cancer patients as I can so they to can add their names to the list of survivors.
Keep on living, loving and laughing ... Julie
I have seen the planner and can attest it truly has everything to navigate the roller coaster ride from diagnosis to treatment. Take a minute before the end of this month and vote for Julie's planner. Thanks -- Connie
Two years ago this month I was diagnosed with breast cancer. While going through treatment I designed and developed a planning system to keep on top of the paperwork, treatment regimes and scheduling. Cancer is complicated and overwhelming and there is a great deal of emotional trauma that accompanies the disease. The more organized and focused I became the easier the process.
My planner became my security blanket. Knowing how imperative the system was for me, I began to design one for others. Nearly two years from inception, Ready for Recovery/Breast Cancer Planner is going to become a reality.
Ready for Recovery is designed to help patients and their families navigate treatment and recovery. It is meant to ground, support and guide patients while alleviate fear, stress and confusion. There is a specific place for tracking everything -- from diagnosis, pathology, blood work and treatment protocols to appointments, nutritional recommendations and emotions.
This month Intuit is awarding over $50,000 in grants through their Love a Local Business campaign. Help me help others going through breast cancer by voting for Ready for Recovery. It only takes a minute. To vote visit http://shar.es/aN5rN
It is my intention to get planners into the hands of as many newly diagnosed cancer patients as I can so they to can add their names to the list of survivors.
Keep on living, loving and laughing ... Julie
I have seen the planner and can attest it truly has everything to navigate the roller coaster ride from diagnosis to treatment. Take a minute before the end of this month and vote for Julie's planner. Thanks -- Connie
Friday, February 19, 2010
BANDEAU...
...a wireless strip of cloth with Velcro fasteners designed to hold the girls down.
Later the bandeau added a fashionable strap around the neck and transformed into the Brassiere, or "over the shoulder boulder holder".
I love my bandeau, or "boobie sling" as I call it.
Later the bandeau added a fashionable strap around the neck and transformed into the Brassiere, or "over the shoulder boulder holder".
I love my bandeau, or "boobie sling" as I call it.
Monday, February 8, 2010
In the beginning there were four walls...
Why would anyone tear down a perfectly good wall? Because it's fun!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sometimes it's just not OK
Along the path of life there are ups and downs and we're told to "be positive" or paint on that happy face, but sometimes it's just not OK.
I woke this morning to a horrific email. A friend of mine lost several people in her life. The first lost her battle to ovarian cancer. The next three lost their lives in Haiti's earthquake.
Currently there is no early reliable detection for ovarian cancer. It is one of the most deadly cancers to women. For more information about ovarian cancer visit http://www.ovariancancer.org/.
I don't watch TV; I don't even own a TV. I learned there was an earthquake in Haiti about 3 or 4 days after the event. But not my dear friend's friend. She lived it. While working for the UN she moved her husband and three kids to Haiti. On that fateful day she lost her husband and two of her children. In the wake of one of the most devastating earthquakes, she finds herself a widow. In the aftermath she is left with only one of her beautiful children.
Should you choose to help any of the Haiti relief efforts, you will find many ways to do so. Perhaps you can "adopt" a family so that they can begin to heal; donate money or supplies. I would encourage you to scout out the way in which you help. Make sure your supplies, money, or donation is actually getting to where it needs to be.
People asked me over the last nine months, how do I stay so positive. It is simple really. I get to live.
My heart and all my thoughts are with the friends and family of the ones that have lost their battle to cancer, to my friend's friend who passed with ovarian cancer. My heart is with those in Haiti and affected by Haiti. May you find a place where you can heal.
I woke this morning to a horrific email. A friend of mine lost several people in her life. The first lost her battle to ovarian cancer. The next three lost their lives in Haiti's earthquake.
Currently there is no early reliable detection for ovarian cancer. It is one of the most deadly cancers to women. For more information about ovarian cancer visit http://www.ovariancancer.org/.
I don't watch TV; I don't even own a TV. I learned there was an earthquake in Haiti about 3 or 4 days after the event. But not my dear friend's friend. She lived it. While working for the UN she moved her husband and three kids to Haiti. On that fateful day she lost her husband and two of her children. In the wake of one of the most devastating earthquakes, she finds herself a widow. In the aftermath she is left with only one of her beautiful children.
Should you choose to help any of the Haiti relief efforts, you will find many ways to do so. Perhaps you can "adopt" a family so that they can begin to heal; donate money or supplies. I would encourage you to scout out the way in which you help. Make sure your supplies, money, or donation is actually getting to where it needs to be.
People asked me over the last nine months, how do I stay so positive. It is simple really. I get to live.
My heart and all my thoughts are with the friends and family of the ones that have lost their battle to cancer, to my friend's friend who passed with ovarian cancer. My heart is with those in Haiti and affected by Haiti. May you find a place where you can heal.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Gymnastics is somersaults right?
I read the bumper sticker correctly: Gymnastics build better bones. It is the fine print I never saw: And it'll kick your butt also!
Holy cow and a half!
I researched what builds bones -- apparently we all need a little "bone" every now and again. Oh there were other things, super exciting things like doing squats, race walking, and doing body weight exercises. A small tangent here is necessary. What are body weight exercises? And do you only have to do half of them if you are heavier? Or is this some new thing college kids are doing? Anyway...
Gymnastics was also on the list so I immediately let my fingers do the walking all over the internet for adult gymnastics in Boulder. This is where I should have stopped. My fingers got a workout. After signing a quick please don't sue us when you realize gymnastics is REALLY REALLY HARD I paid my 10 bucks and joined Tuesday Night Tumble. Ready to rumble (OK, I just had to write that). We started by running which again was a clue they were serious.
The finality, however, was worth the lashing -- flips on the bouncy thingy with a padded belt around your hips that is affixed to ropes. I was flip goddess!
I have to go back.
Holy cow and a half!
I researched what builds bones -- apparently we all need a little "bone" every now and again. Oh there were other things, super exciting things like doing squats, race walking, and doing body weight exercises. A small tangent here is necessary. What are body weight exercises? And do you only have to do half of them if you are heavier? Or is this some new thing college kids are doing? Anyway...
Gymnastics was also on the list so I immediately let my fingers do the walking all over the internet for adult gymnastics in Boulder. This is where I should have stopped. My fingers got a workout. After signing a quick please don't sue us when you realize gymnastics is REALLY REALLY HARD I paid my 10 bucks and joined Tuesday Night Tumble. Ready to rumble (OK, I just had to write that). We started by running which again was a clue they were serious.
The finality, however, was worth the lashing -- flips on the bouncy thingy with a padded belt around your hips that is affixed to ropes. I was flip goddess!
I have to go back.
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