Breast Cancer Awareness month is approaching

The month of October is quickly approaching and I have mixed feelings about it.  I absolutely love the fall in Chicago -- the cool, crisp air, watching the Chicago marathon, and Halloween.  But it is also the anniversary of when I found the dreaded lump, which has forever changed my life.

October is also breast cancer awareness month, another thing that I have been dreading.  I recall a couple of years ago the 'it' thing to do was post  your bra color on Facebook. I was baffled about what people were posting and then caught on.  The claim was that it helped raise awareness of breast cancer but I question how many people actually did anything as a result of posting their bra color. I think this year people are supposed to post their shoe size or where they left their purse.  Regardless of what people are doing, we need to move beyond the awareness and find a cure. (As an aside, Komen has branded "for the cure" yet too few of their funding actually goes to research.)  I doubt these Facebook games generate much money for breast cancer research. 

I saw a great blog post earlier today that really spoke to me.  Here's an excerpt: 

Once a soldier, always a soldier
Cancer is a wicked foe and not to be taken lightly. Tens of thousands of viewers gained a deeper understanding of life post-breast cancer by viewing "The Scar Project," an art display depicting young women post-mastectomy.

The beauty of these women, in victory over pain, disease and loss, is one of the most moving of all visual presentations I have even seen.

So, inspired by "The Scar Project," and since this year's silly game is about inches, let me tell you what my Facebook status would be:

Eight inches, times two.

Not my shoe size, but the length of the scar on my chest where my breast used to be.

Times two, because both of my breasts had cancer.

There's no sad face to follow in the post because I am happy, healthy and fighting alongside my sisters in the battle. Because "once a solider, always a solider" seems to be true for breast cancer survivors, as well as military personal.

I love a good laugh, but if we really want to do something about breast cancer, then do something -- fund research, volunteer or just love someone with cancer. Let's show our power by fighting in memory of the women lost and for the future, so others will not have to walk this road called cancer.  

I personally think these "breast cancer games" are tacky and tasteless.  Everyone is entitled to say what they want so if you want to post your bra color, by all means, go ahead. But I don't think breast cancer is something that we should joke about.  Women die from this disease every day.

Allll done!

I'm very excited to say that as of last Wednesday, I am finally finished with all of my treatment!  I'm not really sure what to do with myself now that I don't have to go to the doctor every single day.  It feels great to sleep in a bit (because I'm still a little fatigued).  I should probably use that time to workout but I haven't had much motivation...it's also been pretty hot here and I don't enjoy working out in weather that makes me sweat when I'm just sitting in the shade.  I hope that I will soon develop an internal motivation that will get me out the door no matter what. Any suggestions from those that workout regularly? 

Every single doctor has mentioned that regularly exercising will help my chance of keeping cancer at bay and it will also be better for any possible side effects from surgery/radiation (i.e. lymphedema).     I've been thinking of getting a trainer to motivate me until I develop this internal motivation.  But again, open to suggestions. 

My hair is slowly but steadily growing.  I don't have enough to feel comfortable to go without a wig but it feels great to finally have some fuzz growing.  I'm seeing some grey and I want to pluck them out but at this point, beggars mustn't be choosy. :)

So, what's ahead?  I have a checkup with my surgical and radiation oncologist in a month.  I'm already clear to do 3-month check ups with my medial oncologist (the chemo doc), which I will do for the next 2 years.  Aside from a blood test and being checked up by the doc, there's not much monitoring that I need to do.  And since I don't have any breast tissue left, I don't have to do any more mammograms.  But as I said before, I do need to start exercising more regularly and eating healthy (i.e. lay off the cupcakes -- I'm looking at you, Dad -- stop driving by Sweet Mandy B's!).  I'm also enrolling in the Northwestern Ovarian Cancer Early Detection & Prevention program because I'm also at a high risk for ovarian cancer. I'll see that team every 6-months.  And, I hope to have my reconstructive surgery at the end of the year, around the holidays.  Thankfully that surgery should be much less invasive than the surgery I had last year.   

Though I'm taking a sigh of relief for making it this far, I still have some work to do.  But I made it through the toughest part...it's nice to have that behind me!

Biking Season Has Begun!

This week I signed up to do the Apple Cider Century bike ride at the end of September with my friends Katie Cavarretta, Katie Dorcak and Erin. And because today is an unseasonably warm day in Chicago,  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take my bike out for the first ride of the season. I love to ride my bike, especially along Chicago's beautiful lakefront path.  Despite all the fatigue I'm feeling, I managed to do 10 miles (at a slow pace but there were some gusty winds today).  It felt great to get out there but I have a lot of training to do this summer to prepare for ACC 2011.  A great excuse for me to keep up with an exercise program that will only increase my odds of survivorship.  TAKE THAT CANCER!

For those of you in the Chicagoland area, I hope you are savoring this beautiful day!

xoxo