"...every day that I challenge this cancer and survive is a victory for me." --Ingrid Bergman
An explanation...
Why Foob? I had a double mastectomy, and at the time, the plastic surgeon put "expanders" under the muscles in my chest. Every 2-3 weeks, they were filled with more saline, in preparation for my reconstructive surgery. They were very full and hard. Uncomfortable. One time, one of my sons gave me a hug and then said "Your foobs are hard!" Hee, hee, hee! My kids have this endearing habit of combining words. So, "Foobs" are fake boobs. Which I will still have, even after the reconstruction.
Foob Babe - that would be me!
"The only courage that matters is the kind that gets you from one moment to the next." ~Mignon McLaughlin
Why is the color PINK the color for breast cancer? I hate pink. I look stupid in pink. This has bothered me for awhile, probably because I keep accumulating pink stuff. I have pink shirts, sweatshirts, slippers, and pajamas. I have a pink ribbon for my car (outside) and air freshner (inside), pink hats, hats with pink flowers, pink jewelry (ok, I like the jewelry - who wouldn't), and a cute pink denim jacket (that I had way before breast cancer - but now looks like I got it just because of breast cancer) etc., etc. Why can't the color for breast cancer be beautiful vibrant RED, or a deep yummy PURPLE - or a soothing denim BLUE? I look way better in those colors than I do in pink. In pink, I look like one of those dancing pink elephants on parade from the movie Dumbo. When I wear pink (combined with having no hair) everyone knows I have cancer, and while this comes in handy sometimes (mostly waiting in line at restaurants), it's pretty much just annoying. Pink is the color of Pepto Bismal - which just reminds me of how nauseated I always feel. Red would make me feel much better.
By the way, thanks to everyone who gives me breast cancer stuff. Since pink has already been established as the color for breast cancer, I'll continue to be a billboard to raise awareness. Whoever made pink the color - I just want to know - what were you thinking???? Next time I'm in charge of a decision that important, it's red or purple all the way, baby!
Kara - I can answer this. It's really all about fundraising. Sad, but true. Different colors motivate people to do different things. Red is used in restaurants because it makes you hungry. Blue is peaceful. Pink makes people feel compassionate. Picture a cute baby dressed in pink. You want to pick her up. Not so much if the baby is in green. When I am fundraising I wear pink. When I print things asking for money, I throw in pink. So with breast cancer this is an especially good fit because pink is feminine and it's okay to be very feminine when talking about breasts. It is just very effective at making people feel compassionate. When they are compassionate they donate money, or let you in front of them in the restaurant. Use it! And you don't look like an elephant! ~Cindy
If you like them, BUY, BUY, BUY - it's for a good cause... trust me.
Why I Started This Blog...
I started blogging about my cancer journey right after I had my head shaved. That wasn't the start of my cancer journey - it was 4 months into the journey. I'm hoping to be able to go back and write about what happened before that. This is my cancer journal - I hope it helps someone. If you have questions or concerns, and you think I can help, please contact me.
Cancer is an ugly monster. The things we have to do to save ourselves from cancer are ugly as well. Don't expect my thoughts and feelings about what I've gone through to be calm and nice.
Cancer sucks. Welcome to my thoughts.
Scroll down the sidebar to see my cancer journey - the first year - in DATES. 83 appointments! What a year!!
Click here to visit the "Incredible Women" blog - featuring a different woman each week.
Self Breast Exam
Check yourself on the 15th of every month!
Visit my other blog... MY STORY MOMENTS
Email me at...
nafari01 (at) yahoo (dot) com
July 2008 to July 2009 - one year of CANCER
July 22, 2008 - Routine mammogram August 6, 2008 - Follow up mammogram - talk to the radiologist, he suggests a biopsy. August 12, 2008 - Consult with surgeon, Dr. Robinson August 15, 2008- First biospy (needle-guided) August 20, 2008 - I HAVE CANCER August 25, 2008 - 2nd biospy and lymph node biospy (not sure on this date) (they find another lump - more cancer that didn't show up in the mammograms!) August 27, 2008 - Consult with Dr. Lamoreaux about removing cervix - I have endometriosis on my cervix causing pain August 28, 2008 - Chest MRI August 29, 2008 - MRI results: Looks like a snowstorm in both sides - possible cancer through both breasts. September 3, 2008 - Cancer board meets to discuss my case September 4, 2008 - Get genetic testing - for the Bracha gene (on advice from Cancer board) September 5, 2008 - Several random Core biopsies in both sides.Went to visit with Rick's friend, Glenn, a radiologist. He confirmed that the MRI looked bad. September 2nd week: Results from biopsies come back - no more cancer in the tissue remove (?!) Also find out the genetic testing is negative. September - 2nd or 3rd week: Meet with Dr. Bott, the oncologist. He tells me that because I'm HER2 positive, the cancer is kind of like a super-cancer. It grows really fast. He says that because of HER2, the MRI is all white, the mammograms didn't show the lumps, etc. A bilateral mastectomy would give me the highest survival rate (7% chance of cancer coming back vs. 30% chance if I don't do it). He wants me to start chemo asap. September 25, 2008 - Consult with Dr. Robinson about the mastectomy. He isn't convinced I need it. Neither is the Cancer board - they vote 50/50. I ask him if he can guarantee that there are no more hidden lumps. He says no. I say yes to the mastectomy. October 6, 2008 - Pre-Op with Dr. Robinson October 6, 2008 - meet with the plastic surgeon, Dr. Bishop. He hears the odds - and says to do what I think will help me survive the best. He'll fix what they destroy. October 14, 2008 - Bi-lateral Mastectomy. Dr. Robinson does the mastectomy, Dr. Bishop comes in to insert expanders and close. Dr. Lamoreaux also removes my cervix. October 21, 2008 - Post op with Dr. Bishop October 27, 2008 - Post op with Dr. Robinson - he takes the pain pump out. October 28, 2008 - Pre-chemo class October 29, 2008 - First chemo treatment November 5, 2008 - Herceptin treatment November 12, 2008 - Herceptin treatment November 16, 2008 - Bought wig and shaved head November 17, 2008 - First "fill" in expanders at Dr. Bishop's office November 19, 2008 - Second chemo treatment November 26, 2008 - Herceptin treatment December 3, 2008 - Herceptin treatment December 3, 2008 - Expanders filled - Dr. Bishop December 10, 2008 - Third chemo treatment December 17, 2008 - My anniversary and Herceptin treatment December 24, 2008 - Christmas Eve and Herceptin treatment December 31, 2008 - New Years Eve and Fourth chemo treatment January 7, 2009 - Herceptin treatment January 13, 2009 - Expanders filled - Dr. Bishop January 14, 2009 - missed Herceptin treatment - sick January 21, 2009 - Fifth chemo treatment and double Herceptin treatment January 28, 2009 - Herceptin treatment January 28, 2009 - Consult with Drs. Williams and Martulo about high calcium level in my blood February 4, 2009 - My birthday and Herceptin treatment February 9, 2009 - Expanders filled - Dr. Bishop February 11, 2009 - LAST chemo treatment February 23, 2009 - Expanders filled - Dr. Bishop February 24, 2009 - Echo-cardiogram (test on my heart to see if the Herceptin has hurt it) March 3, 2009 - Bone Density Scan March 3, 2009 - Parathyroid Scan March 4, 2009 - Herceptin treatment and have blood taken for Maturlo's office March 5, 2009 - Consult with Dr. Maturlo - I need to have my parathyroid (one of 4) taken out. March 10, 2009 - Consult about bone density scan March 11, 2009 - Expanders filled - Dr. Bishop March 13, 2009 - Consult with Dr. Parsons about parathyroid March 19, 2009 - Another consult about parathyroid - decide to do the surgery March 24, 2009 - Expanders filled - Dr. Bishop March 25, 2009 - Herceptin treatment & blood draw for thyroid doctor March 25, 2009 - Ultrasound on my neck - pre-surgery March 30, 2009 - LAST fill for expanders April 2, 2009 - Yet another pre-op with Dr. Parsons April 6, 2009 - Access port for surgery April 7, 2009 - Parathyroid surgery April 13, 2009 - Post-op with Dr. Parsons April 15, 2009 - Herceptin treatment and see Dr. Bott April 28, 2009 - Pre-op apt with Dr. Bishop for reconstructive surgery April 30, 2009 - Access port for surgery May 1, 2009 - FOOB surgery (reconstructive fake boobs) May 4, 2009 - Post-op with Dr. Bishop May 11, 2009 - Another post-op with Dr. Bishop May 13, 2009 - Herceptin treatment May 13, 2009 - Mugga scan of my heart June 1, 2009 - Appointment with Dr. Bishop June 3, 2009 - Herceptin treatment June 9, 2009 - Apt with family doctor - Sundwall - to discuss joint and muscle pain June 10, 2009 - Bloodwork to diagnose joint pain. June 15, 2009 - Consult with Dr. Sundwall - I have Epstein Barr Syndrome. June 22, 2009 - Herceptin treatment and see Dr. Bott June 30, 2009 - Apt with Dr. Bishop July 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 2009 - physical Therapy to help with range of motion and stiffness in chest with Dr. Frogley July 15, 2009 - Mugga scan on my heart July 15, 2009 - Follow up apt with endocrinologist, Dr. Williams. Wants to do more blood work to test calcium levels July 15, 2009 - Herceptin appt& blood draw July 20, 2009 - 2nd reconstructive surgery (nipple reconstruction and z-plasty on scar) July - 3rd week - find out I'm Vitamin D deficient July 28, 2009 - Post-op with Dr. Bishop - get stitches out July 31/August 1, 2009 - Cancer Walk- team name is "The Beauty Remains"
Winston Churchill...
"When you're going through hell; keep going."
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure - find one in your area!
all comments:
ReplyDeleteCindy said...
Kara - I can answer this. It's really all about fundraising. Sad, but true.
Different colors motivate people to do different things. Red is used in restaurants because it makes you hungry. Blue is peaceful. Pink makes people feel compassionate. Picture a cute baby dressed in pink. You want to pick her up. Not so much if the baby is in green.
When I am fundraising I wear pink. When I print things asking for money, I throw in pink.
So with breast cancer this is an especially good fit because pink is feminine and it's okay to be very feminine when talking about breasts. It is just very effective at making people feel compassionate. When they are compassionate they donate money, or let you in front of them in the restaurant. Use it!
And you don't look like an elephant! ~Cindy