This post is short and sweet.
I had a few people ask me about October. I want to share this note with you and ask you to pass this on to your friends.
As a breast cancer survivor, this is my opinion of Pinktober.
1. Health: If you are unsure about anything regarding your breasts or
your health, please see a doctor. I don't want to lose you! I am here to
be a resource for you if you have questions, are scared or just need reassurance. I am here for you, like you were/are here for me.
2. Pink purchases: Items/companies that state a portion of the sale
goes to research, check out how much (%/$). If it is an item that you
normally buy, need more of and it is wrapped in pink this month, buy it
anyway. I want you to be an informed consumer.
3. Pink
clothing: If pink is your color, wear it. In fact, wear it all year
long. It's not my favorite color, but I sprinkled it in my wardrobe
before I was diagnosed.
4. Volunteer/donate: If you want to do more, donate your time to a patient or local resource organization like the The Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas_BCRC.
There are many ways to volunteer. One small gesture makes a HUGE
difference. There are many fighters that have no family or friends that
are close to help and support them.
5. Metastatic breast cancer
(Stage IV): This stage of cancer affects too many women and does not
have a cure. These women need your support all year round. Follow and
share stories about women taking this on every day. Holley Kitchen: And the Cancer Lifers is a great place to start. #lifer #researchnotribbons
As a survivor, we put up a strong front. Many days we just want to be
alone, silent and undisturbed, but we push on for our families, friends
and mostly for ourselves. We are unique and fantastic.
Now you
have a little more information than you did a few minutes ago about
breast cancer. Being educated and pushing for research is what this
month should be about.
I love your guts!
Perfection - we see posts on social media of perfect situations. Hello world, "look how perfect and cool I am." Note to world: life is not perfect snapshots in time. Perfection could also be a neat and museum-like home. Come on, people. Nobody's home should be like a museum, unless your home is for sale. Let's stop the madness!
My perfection is imperfection. My hair is messy when I drive my kids to school. I don't always match my clothes. My house has piles of clean and dirty clothes. I get sweaty and turn red as a beet when I workout. I sneeze loud. I am happy. Find your happiness.
Item # 309: Take a break from social media, even if for an evening, to find your happiness.
I love your guts!
I follow this precious little girl, Becca Boo, on Facebook. She just posted the best video ever. Please watch and share. Use the hash tag #beccaboo
Becca's video
Item #001: Share. Educate. Empower.
I love your guts!
Finding your purpose changes over time. When I was in my twenties, my purpose was to be all things to everyone - wife, mother, daughter, friend and all-around awesome. I did not take time to sit and know myself. When I was in my thirties, I focused on growing our family and being super-mom. Now that I am in my forties and much wiser, I am focused on being His humble servant and being the example of health and strength for my children, family and friends. I fail at being healthy 100 percent of the time and know that perfection is not the outcome, just overall happiness with myself.
This week I am reminded that having purpose is different for everyone, just like snowflakes. Purpose for each of us is different. My purpose is to be loving, kind, mindful of others and increase my physical strength. I will work every day to walk in the light of His love.
Item #546: Be the example of goodness you want to see in the world. Remove the negative energy from your circle and let the light shine.
I love your guts!
I know it has been a couple of months since my last entry. A lot has happened in the last sixty days. Here is the run down...
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| Art Bra Austin 2015 |
I participated in my first Art Bra fundraising event. I raised $525 and the whole event raised $390.000. Wow! Yes, I am participating again next year. Get ready to buy tickets at the beginning of May 2016 - tickets sell out. Next year I am submitting a custom bra and I will walk in honor of my friend Julie.
I had been experiencing some heart irregularities, while at rest, and it was concerning enough to go see a cardiologist. I am praying that it is nothing and something I will deal with going forward. I am on a heart monitor until July and will see the cardiologist to review my results. This is perfect timing, because it will be part of my early July trifecta - that includes my mammogram, oncology appointment (six months!).
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| Julie |
Stage IV breast cancer is something nobody talks about because there is no "cure". Now cure is a word that I would never use for a disease unless there was truly a vaccination or cocktail that would remove all doubt that it will not come back again. I am not cured and Stage IV ladies are perpetually in treatment. I know too many Stage IV ladies. Please take a moment to read about Julie. She and I met when our daughters began playing soccer together (her middle daughter). I just happened to be recently diagnosed at that time and she was kind enough to share her wisdom with me about treatment options and outcomes when I had questions. My best memories of her during the soccer seasons was when she rallied the moms to sew costumes for the girls for their Halloween tournament. There we were, sitting under the shade of the oak tree, sewing cat ears on head bands. There was lots of laughter and cheering during the seasons while watching the girls' skills grow. Please pray for her and her beautiful family.
Another Stage IV, lifer and good friend of mine, Holley, has shared her educational video that got 46M+ views on Facebook last week. If you haven't seen the message, here is the link. This video helps bring to light the facts of Stage IV. #themoreyouknow #lifer
Item 004: Hug, smile and laugh more. Soak in the moment.
I love your guts!
I am happy to share my post on Twisted X Boots Facebook site. I appreciate them sharing my story with others to know that breast cancer does not discriminate.
Please go like their page and share my story and others with those around you.
I love your guts!
Survivors of any disease or tragedy are considered 'tough' or 'strong' by others. This is a message that should shift. These are traits within each of us and when we give focus, attention to keep going. Our response to adversity shows ourselves and others our true effort of 100%.
When my doctor confirmed I had cancer, I knew that I was in control to make decisions I thought and felt were right for me. Every case is different, because every person is different. My journey, to date, has been very conservative. My analytic side said make sure the data makes sense before going forward with any treatment. My heart said, keep still and not to go forward with any decision if it does not feel right.
This morning when I read the article about Angelina Jolie, I understand her reasons for taking steps to reduce risk and remove her ovaries. When I made the same decision, it was not all over the Internet, but many of the feelings she so freely expressed were shared by me and many of the other women. It is a tough decision and I had to make it if I wanted to see out my lifetime of events.
When you tell me I'm 'tough' or 'strong', just know this is when you are seeing me give my 100% down to the last drop. I do it because I am driven, loved and supported by people like you. While most say they could never be as strong as me, I shake my head and know that if you want something bad enough, you can achieve your goal.
Item # 855: Give 100% focus, attention, time or heart to someone or something you want and you will reap rewards you never knew were possible.
I love your guts!
I find that this date throughout recent history proves to be scary and to be avoided. While others embrace and say that it is a lucky day. I'm agnostic to the date because any Friday is or should be a good day. There is too much negative in the world, so why not be positive. Be open to new and change. Be willing to stretch and be better than you need to be today. Remember, your attitude is a reflection of what people see and give back to you.
Item #858: Your smile or simple act of kindness resonates farther than you know. Spread positive energy because this world needs more.
I love your guts!
I went to my regularly scheduled three month check-up with my oncologist this week. The news I got was so musical that I actually danced a bit on the way out of the office. I went to the appointment with a list of my meds, my workout routine, body measurements from January to March and a few requests. One of the requests was to be a six month visiting patient. I got a smile and snicker from the doctor and she asked me why I didn't want to see her so often. I said it wasn't because she smelled. I told her that I already work 13 weeks at a time because of the nature of my job and I wanted to change up my personal health routine. This was enough for her to agree, however, I needed to make a little more effort to eat more green veggies and come back to report on my progress. I also asked for her to approve my participation in the Art Bra event this year. Yes, be sure to let everyone you know that I'm going to be a bra model.
When people say, "You're so lucky." This is one statement I will own proudly because I truly am. Knowing that others still suffer makes me mad and work harder to keep healthy. Every day I rise with the sun, I know I am winning.
Item #44: Be kinder than you should be, especially to strangers. Spreading joy and kindness is free. Give it away in abundance.
I love your guts!
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| Courtesy of Google |
I cannot believe we are almost two whole months into the New Year and I realized I didn't set milestones for the year. I do not make resolutions. My journey to be resolute is ongoing, but I will sing the song to welcome in the New Year.
I made the commitment to take Krav Maga. I am sure that this will be a great way for me to keep busy and break out of my comfort zone. After taking two classes this week, I will remain on the two classes a week, in addition to my regular bootcamp and crosskick classes. I am not in it for the belt ranking or to be a bad ass. I am doing this because I would like to know that I could defend myself and my family, especially the little ones, if we are ever alone or in a terrible situation. The objective of learning this is not to engage, but to get away safely.
Item # 404: Love yourself enough to invest time for improvement.
I love your guts!
