A Pink Portrait

Finally I can upload this post! It's been waiting in the sidelines - because it involved some holiday surprises that I didn't want to reveal ahead of time.
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Melissa - the first recipient
of The Wedding Pink.

Melissa (a BC survivor I met through the Young Empowered Survivor group) and Jeff (her then-fiancé) received a wedding giveaway a couple of years ago. It was made possible via The Wedding Pink, a giveaway presented to a couple whose lives have been recently touched by breast cancer. It's a spectacular event held for one couple each year. Cheryl Ungar, the founder, is a 21-year breast cancer survivor herself. Although the focus of this blog post isn't about the weddings she orchestrates and photographs, I would like to promote this wonderful opportunity in case blog readers know of well-suited couples (now, or in the future) that may want to apply for this giveaway. Check out this informative page for submission guidelines, what the wedding includes, and additional information. The three 'biggie' submission guidelines are:

- Your life must have been recently touched by breast cancer. The experience is not limited to the bride, but could be with the bride or groom's extended family.
- You must be engaged or soon-to-be engaged at the time you submit your story.
- Submissions are open to legal residents of the United States.

Cheryl's philanthropy doesn't stop there. She also set up Pink Portraits - complimentary photo sessions for breast cancer survivors. I knew about this opportunity in late 2011. I checked her web site occasionally, looking for new portrait subjects and their stories. I loved the pictures. I laughed, nodded, and cried when I read their stories. Still, I wasn't sure about contacting her or doing it until the time felt right. I hoped that time would sneak up on me. And it did!

Cheryl (photographer), and Natosha Cooke (makeup artist) arrived at our home and for the next two hours I got to know them, they got to know me, Natosha made me up (not clown face, just me - enhanced!), and Cheryl worked hard at trying to get her subject to "work it."  :)  It was a positive experience full of meaning.

When I saw her photographs from our session, I was in awe. And I wondered: Was that me?! How did she manage to capture my micro-expressions that so clearly express who I am? What will I look like a year from now? and on...

These pictures were taken after all of my surgeries and treatments. My hair had grown in and I felt better than I had in >18 months. Choosing to have pictures taken when I did ended up having a lot more weight and meaning than I anticipated. I think I look strong, calm, and maybe even a little mischievous in some of the photos.

I am reminded of what I've gone through and how life has changed for me.

I am reminded of my own mortality.
I see a person eager to live life.
I see a fighting spirit.
I see a loving being.
I see life. And possibilities.

To read my story as written by Melissa (yes--it's the same gal that's pictured at the top of this post), check out "I Rocked the Bald Look!" on Cheryl's blog.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~   Fundraising Update   ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Please continue to help me raise funds to support awareness of and support for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. I am a TNBC warrior myself! 

My goal is to raise $3,333 by March 3, 2013. 
As of today, some of you have helped me raise $1,074. 
There are 6 days left to raise funds. 
Please help and/or pass on the word! 

Hey, tax time is just around the corner. Need to help your numbers with a charitable donation line item? This is one way to do just that!  

To go to my personal fundraising page, find out more information,
or to donate, click HERE.

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Help Raise Awareness/Funds for TNBC

Now that's a day with which I can identify!

I'm putting out an APB for all you blog followers out there far and wide. Here's the deal: In June 2011, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Boy, that was a day that quite literally rocked my world. What? - Me? Cancer?! Throughout the initial diagnosis and further tests to gain information about what my exact nemesis was...I wanted to learn as much I could about this journey and the sub-type of cancer that was calling my body "home." One statistic I learned early on is that triple negative breast cancers account for about 15% of all breast cancers.

Fast-forward to late January of this year: I found out the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation (TNBCF) is having its inaugural TNBC Day on March 3, 2013. I really wanted to be part of this special day - which I hope continues in future years. So I submitted information about conducting an online awareness/fundraising campaign and was approved a couple of days ago.

Will you please help me meet my goal of raising $3,333 to support this valuable foundation by March 3, 2013? If the answer is yes - or even maybe - please click on the following link to be taken to my official fundraising page: The Ta-ta Times' fundraiser for TNBC. It's a lofty goal and a quick turnaround time, but I'm confident I can make a dent in my goal with your help (and by putting some of our own money where my mouth is, too)!

If you know others that have been diagnosed with triple negative BC, the TNBCF can be a great resource for them - to find information, learn accurate statistics, seek others with the same diagnosis, etc.

A bit about the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation:
The TNBCF was founded in 2006 in honor of Nancy BlockZenna, who was diagnosed at the age of 35 with triple negative breast cancer before succumbing to the disease in 2007. In response to Nancy’s diagnosis, her friends identified a need to create a central source of information for this dangerous and aggressive form of breast cancer, about which little was known just a short time ago. It is the Foundation’s mission to raise awareness of triple negative breast cancer and to support scientists and researchers in their effort to determine the disease’s definitive causes, so that effective detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment can be pursued and achieved.

The TNBCF supports the triple negative breast cancer community in many ways:
• They host regular “think tanks” which are attended by the top doctors and researchers in the field, to create roadmaps for a cure for triple negative breast cancer.
• They offer research grant support to encourage the launch of projects aimed at finding targeted treatments for triple negative disease.
• They co-sponsor a $6.4 million Promise Grant with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is aimed at finding a targeted therapy for triple negative disease.
• They offer a financial assistance program to help women with triple negative breast cancer afford transportation, child care and other expenses associated with their treatment.
• They continuously expand their website, www.tnbcfoundation.org, and offer an ever-growing resources section and up-to-the-minute information about the disease.
• They host online forums which offer the TNBC community a central place to go for support and information about the disease.
• They offer a TNBC Helpline, where patients can call and speak with oncology social workers specifically trained to address the needs of the TNBC community.
• They work to educate patients about TNBC through teleconferences and webinars, and with printed and online materials that have proven to be essential resources for newly diagnosed patients.

My goal is to raise $3,333 

to support the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation 

by March 3, 2013.

To donate, click HERE.

A Name

Whatever I call mine - at least
they don't look like hers!

What's in a name?

Is that which we call breasts by any other name just as good as the real thing?

My take on this is: not really. But it's the best runners-up option I've got.

What do I call what's on my chest now?

Boobs? Boobies? My chest? Tits? Breasts? Lady lumps? Lady bumps? Foobs (fake boobs)? Jugs? Hooters? Bee stings? -ha! No way! 

Breasticles? Cans? Sweater puppies? Fun bags? The girls? Headlights? The twins? Naughty pillows? Rack? Sweater meat? -nope, probably not that one, either. 

Melons? Bazongas? Rib cushions?

What would you call them if they were yours? Or, if you don't want to think that way, what would you call mine? C'mon! Get creative. I know you're out there . . .

Our Insurance Company DKS*

I suppose insurance companies are a necessary evil. While I am oh-so-glad to have the coverage we do, I occasionally get a little nuts-o when dealing with them. Like to the point where my head might do an Exorcist-type spin. It's not easy being your own advocate amidst an industry full of red tape. 

Anyway...

Our insurance company sent some interesting mail to me last week. It looked informative, touting a confidential health care summary and custom recommendations for "health opportunities" based on information received from my care providers and pharmacies. 

Okay, simple enough, right? 

Guess not. 

Look at this picture. See anything odd?

How about if I zoom in for you?

Seriously?!! One of my recommended opportunities is to have a mammogram this year? Hello, insurance: I'm no longer a candidate for that procedure - haven't been since October 2011. Sure seems like a techno-geek could make some check-boxes in a data entry form so that the double mastectomy subscribers don't get this in the mail. 

Granted, there's the "if this applies to you" CYA phrase in there, so I can't really go off on this, but it strikes me as puzzling. Mostly, I'm humored by this document. Still, it does have a cutting edge.

*DKS = doesn't know sh*t

Yoga

Our yoga class isn't about being a human pretzel.
Silly Stephanie was getting ahead of herself!

I'm taking a weekly yoga class at Oncology Rehab where I also receive lymphatic massages, get help with my range of motion, and take Pilates classes (which I've blogged about before).

Brianna, our yoga sensei.
Her hands are in lotus mudra.

I've found this yoga class to be vital to my mental health. It's easy to see the physical benefits by way of improved flexibility, strength, and posture. I've also gained new confidence with my modified body and its capabilities. The price is fair, the teacher is knowledgeable (about yoga AND survivors' bodies), the "chemosabes" are friendly, and the personal gain is priceless!

Things we learn about and focus on in our classes:

• yoga poses (obvious, but...)
• chakras (locations, elements, colors, meanings)
• being content with what our bodies are able to do that day; each session is different
• breathing techniques
• focusing on yourself; not comparing to others
• hand mudras

What's a mudra? A symbolic gesture involving the hands and fingers.

Brianna's hands are in lotus mudra (above): by touching the base of the palms together, touching the tips of the pinky fingers, and touching the tips of the thumbs together. The inner 3 fingers form a cup to complete the lotus blossom.

The 7 chakras. Click to enlarge.
(source)

This mudra is good for times of loneliness, as an open heart can bring love and companionship back into your life.

In Buddhism, the lotus blossom represents a heart opening. The lotus flower blooms on the surface of water, with its roots deep below in mud—making it a symbol of light and beauty emerging from darkness. The fingers resemble a lotus flower unfolding. Feel connected to your roots, and remember that the greatest source of steadiness in life is an awakened heart. (source)

A beautiful wall
hanging with mudra.
(source)

To add an affirmation to mudras, you can say them (in your head, or everyone's gonna hear you!) on each inhale, such as:

“I open my heart to receive whatever comes my way today.”
"I'm a creative being."
"Every cell inside me vibrates with health and energy."
"I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life."
"Today I'm a kick-a$$ survivor."
"I am satisfied with where I'm at today."
"Loving myself heals my life." 

Still not sold on this new-agey activity? Open yourself up to the possibilities. And get with the times: 1 in 10 Americans practices yoga! Not that I just used the ol' "everybody's doing it" argument or anything ... oops. You don't have to take my word for it, either. Check out this Health Benefits of Yoga infographic. It's not so much graphic as it is information, but the benefits are clear: circulation, stress, heart disease, depression, back pain...the list goes on.

You can even take a moment to focus inward
and practice a mudra while snowshoeing. 

ANYone can come to these yoga classes (meaning able-bodied, modified, radiated, broken, healing, whatever you are). If you live in Colorado, this resource might be just what you're looking for:

Yoga classes at Oncology Rehab

Wednesday evenings  6-7pm

Friday afternoons  1-2pm  

email Brianna : brianna@oncologyrehab.net 

or 

call the front desk : (720) 306-8261

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

After December's tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary school, I received a "volunteer challenge" via email. Immediately, I knew that taking part was important and would be giving in several ways.

Red Panda Beads is a source for some of my creative materials. Betsy, the owner, saw that the Connecticut Parent Teacher Student Association (CT PTSA) wanted to greet the Sandy Hook children to a "winter wonderland" when they started back to school in January.  They were asking for contributions of "unique snowflakes" which brought her snowflake wire forms (sold her web site) to mind. She asked volunteers to create and send her snowflakes; she'd batch ship them to Sandy Hook's PTA. What a great idea! [side note: Betsy even offered to send wire forms to people with postage-paid return envelopes.]

So on Christmas Eve day, Joshua and I took time to make a batch of whimsical snowflakes to send. We kept the returning children, parents of these children, and the lost individuals in our minds. Our thoughts and conversation ebbed and flowed as we worked. It felt cathartic and we shipped the snowflakes right after Christmas, wanting them to arrive in time for Betsy's shipment to the PTA.

...fast-forward nearly 3 weeks...

Betsy received an email with this link - basically, the PTA closed the Snowflake Project because of an overwhelming response.  :(  She didn't let this stop her efforts, though, because she got creative and came up with another way to help. She is listing all of the snowflakes made and sent to her at a flat price, donating sales to the Sandy Hook PTA.

A call to action:
Please consider visiting Betsy's online shop and purchasing one or more of these crafted snowflakes. They are listed at a flat price of $10. So far, there are 113 snowflakes listed for sale, and I've got a hunch that many more will be added over time. Betsy's quick thinking will ensure that the beaded snowflakes will not go to waste! Funds raised will help contribute to the children. Also, you'll get a snowflake to use as a decoration, as a reminder, and/or as a gift to another.

If buying a beaded snowflake to raise funds isn't your thing, there are specific other ways you can help - including donating directly on the CT PTSA site. Click here for those options.

Will you help, too?

Hiatus

hiatus:  an interruption in time or continuity : break; especially : a period when something (as a program or activity) is suspended or interrupted (source)

I've taken a hiatus from blogging lately. There's lots happening this time of year and I'm thankful to be more involved in the goings-on this time around compared to 2011! Still have much to say, process, and share...so I hope you continue reading/following this blog in 2013.

For now, I'd like to share a holiday greeting with you all:

We wish you a merry Christmas, 

peace in your minds, 

and love in your hearts.

-Laura & Joshua

Do what you love

A friend asked me to participate in a holiday bazaar with her in early November. Before I had much chance to overthink things (which oftentimes leaves me in a place of doubt), I said "Yes!" So glad I did.  :)  Signing up gave us a bonafide excuse to get crafty! It lifted my spirits to know I had something creative to work on and it propelled me through October, which wasn't an easy emotional time for me.

Was it a success? I'd say so.

Early on, this little grasshopper decided to practice something: letting go of expectations. After all, letting go of expectations helps one be in a more peaceful/content mind space. The final tally on sold items or money earned was not the objective. It was all about the experience. (Full disclosure: okay, so I kinda-sorta really hoped to at least make back what I paid to participate in the bazaar, which I did.) I found that I was much more pleased about the whole experience having taken that approach. BTW: Jo seems to have already mastered this life lesson. She's smart like that.

Between the two of us, there were: greeting cards, decoupaged tissue boxes, beaded snowflakes, beaded stars/trees/angels, decoupaged Santa cookie plates/platters, key fobs, felt flower magnets, decoupaged cookie tins, and more.

Laura and Jo ... sittin' at a table ... S-M-I-L-I-N-G!

Jo modeling the snowflakes
...as earrings. She so silly.

The beaded clip display -
in action!

This year's holiday bazaar led to many more creative hours spent in my studio. Artful time gives me peace of mind. Is it odd to say that it reminds me of swimming? -- It does!

When swimming laps in the past, I'd get into a rhythm and have a jingle playing in my head (in a loop) or have some great songs with motivational beats in mind to help keep a consistent pace. My brain somehow mulled things over (factoids for a test, interactions with others that day, the latest and greatest "problem" in my eyes) while I was swimming laps. Sometimes I was purposefully thoughtful; other times not so much. But that time was mine; I was being physical, letting go of stress, thinking things over, coming up with ideas... you get the picture.

Well, same thing when I'm in my studio: I enjoy playing music that matches my creative rhythm on any particular day. On low energy days, music helps me get into the creative mind frame  Other days it helps me stay motivated, masks my tinnitus, gets me excited, reminds me of days past, or allows me to mull things over.

This Huffington Post article shares study results that art therapy and mindfulness training lead to decreased stress in breast cancer patients. And - what the heck - I'll go out on a limb and make the assertion that if it's good for "us" it's probably good for all.

Would I care for another helping of creativity and mindfulness? Yes, please! If it feels as good as it does, allows ideas to percolate, and reduces stress and anxiety...BRING IT ON.

Artsy pics of some of the beaded snowflakes.
These can be used as tree ornaments or winter window decorations.

Card and/or photo clip display sets.

Oct-Nov Pictorial Roundup

October:

We attended the Breasts of Colorado Gala.

CO received its first snowfall (dusting, really) of the season.

.

I attended a gong bath.

Spent some time with BC friends...

...where we discussed the efficacy of ionized foot baths.

Joshua had LASIK surgery.

Eye watched the whole thing. :)

We took an art class together
 and learned about sgraffito -
a ceramic technique that means
'to scrape away.'

Dad visited us for a few days.

Got a massage and a new 'do all at once!

Jo and I let our tagging/graffiti artist
alter egos out to play...

...with water bottle in-hand.

November:

I participated in a holiday bazaar. 

Joshua made a sturdy holder
for the budding bottle tree.

One day the 3 of us sent funny pictures to each other;
Joshua made this wild collage of our faces.

Snuggled with our cuddly cat.
One of my favorite things.

We enjoyed cooking together on Thanksgiving.

What's a better way to recover from turkey overdose
than platefuls of sushi?

Therapy

Never underestimate the power of a great therapist. Or therapists!

Seriously.

Some might shirk at the idea of adding therapy to a "to do" list during a serious illness. However, it's sometimes wise to dive deep into the muck and get a-workin' on some core issues. Sure, it's messy. Yes, it can be uncomfortable. And you are choosing to do the hard work amidst an already stressful and gut-wrenching time in your life.

Still, there are significant benefits in combining therapy appointments with your cancer journey:

• You've got a pro "checking your head" and shepherding your mind through a rough wanna-make-you-crazy kind of situation.
• Situations/people that were once tolerable may be less so; time to learn how to better handle these.
• Boogers in your marriage/relationship(s) lines of communication can be cleared.
• You and your spouse can learn to work better together through a trying time.