Cancer Blows

Let me just start by stating the obvious--Cancer Blows.  My favorite line from an upcoming breast cancer awareness movie trailer goes "I hate my thighs!  Why couldn't I have thigh cancer?"  Now that's what I'm talkin' about....
But October is all about the Tatas.  And it's always one heck of a month for me--#1 My husband travels a great deal of October for work every year.  #2 I'm bombarded by pink & the awareness of that little "c" word that has followed my family around for the past 5 years.

I've learned a few things since that day--July 7, 2006.

• Doctors are not perfect.
• Go with your gut.
• Peace of mind is a great reason to do whatever you think you should do.
• You ARE worth it.
• You DO deserve the best care.
• 2nd opinions are not luxuries.
• You know your body best.
• People will listen if you say it out loud.
• You're never "not at risk".

I fought back in 2006 with a bilateral mastectomy & then followed my doctors orders at my 1 month post-op appointment, even when I questioned his advice.  Eighteen months later, when the cancer was discovered again & that same doctor insisted that the pathology reports were wrong and he was right...I fought again for a 2nd opinion.  When that 2nd opinion agreed to further treatment, I fought for 2 more years through 6 more surgeries.  

And now I fight to get the word out.  My 8 year old daughter came to me concerned because she felt "something" in her breast a couple weeks ago.  She was so worried.  She's been listening.  It was nothing.  But why is only an 8 year old hearing our fight?  Everyone needs to take charge & not be afraid to own their own health.  

This will be my 4th year walking in the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day walk--60 miles over 3 days.  We raise thousands of dollars every year as a team.  Along the way to our fundraising goal, we're educating--passing along the important information of breast awareness.  One of our favorite events is our Save the Ta-tas poker tournament.  

If loving Ta-tas is wrong, I don't wanna be right.

Totally Tubular Ta-tas

This event brings friends together to raise money for important breast cancer research.  Everyone comes in their favorite Save the Ta-tas gear & our winner picks out a t-shirt from www.savethetatas.com as their prize.  That purchase from the Save the Ta-tas site also generates funds that are donated back to research for breast cancer.  While I know that I am very open about my surgeries, my scars & my resulting "ta-tas", the gear we have purchased from the Save the Ta-tas site (everything from t-shirts/tank tops to bracelets & car magnets) provides my husband & me a way to keep the topic in the forefront of every one's minds, even when it's NOT pink October!   You can't help but smile when someone sees my husband's bracelet --I love (.Y.)--and they get it!  (Btw, one lucky fan will be receiving one of these tshirts to have for your very own.....just leave a comment on this entry & I'll choose one winner!)



Save a Life.  Grope your wife.

Princess Ta-tas & Ta-tas make me happy.

It's a simple fact that cancer blows.  For me, breast cancer happens to be the cancer that hits too close to home.  Do what you can to support a great cause--pink ribbons are pretty, but www.savethetatas.com makes them fun too!