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Schrodinger's Cat
Help raise money for breast
cancer with Schrödinger's Cat
Admission is free April 19th
7 to 11 Elk's Club, Epsom, NH
Free food, cash bar, raffles And lots of fun for a good cause
Join in the fight for Breast Cancer
WHERE: Elk's Club,
When: Saturday April 19th
TIME: 7 to 11
ADMISSION IS FREE!
Live Entertainment by
Schrödinger's Cat
Cash bar, food, lots of raffles and fun
My name is Patricia Matthews
And I am walking in the
This is my Fifth year to participate in the walk
I am a two time breast cancer survivor
This is a chance for me to make a difference
I walk for my daughter, family, friends and
Survivors
This is 40 miles in two days
And I would walk 1000 miles
For a cure
Please help me raise my $1800.00
So I can walk this year
Log onto http://tinyurl.com/2h9nnd
This is an emotional journey for all the
Walkers, crew and staff that make this
Wonderful event happen.
Take care and remember early detection can save lives
It saved mine TWICE!
Earlier this week I received an e-mail from a women who was scared and not completely knowing what to expect after her surgery. She was diagnosed in October with DCIS non invasive breast cancer. My experience starts in 2003 with my first mastectomy. I had a tram flap reconstruction with four lymph nodes removed. I was sent home 4 days with two drains and pain medication and a port. The nurses and staff were wonderful and if you do not understand anything ask or call and ask questions. It is more emotionally draining then anything to prepare for the operation. On February 1st I will be having my second mastectomy with a saline implant because you can only have the tram flap once and I was not a big fan of the free flap (it will leave you uneven) and I would had to travel to Boston. I will be in the hospital in a couple of days and sent home with two drains, pain medication and limited feeling in my left arm. They swelling and feeling will come back in my arm to a degree but I think it depends on the individual. A big help is walking your fingers up the wall to help increase mobility and circulation. It helped me a lot and my doctor made me start doing it with in the first week.
These are some of my experiences. Please send words of encouragement and any personal story's that you feel comfortable sharing to help breast cancer patients prepare for what the future might bring to them. I have learned over the years that people are willing to share their story's and I have learned a lot from other survivors which has better prepared me for my second time dealing with this disease.
Take Care Patty
How can a woman really prepare for losing a breast? Being diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time is emotionally draining. I am scheduled to have my mastectomy and reconstructive surgery on February 1st but my surgeons are trying to schedule the surgery earlier. I still am unsure of my treatment until my sentinel node and the rest of the cancerous breast tissue are tested. I am praying every day that all I need to have done will be the mastectomy. I have been snowmobiling and spending lots of time with my family to keep my mind off of everything. My husband Chuck is now a non-smoker! This is a huge accomplishment for chuck and I am very proud of him. This is truly the best gift my husband has ever given me. Tasha our new puppy is growing and bring us much joy. The cat is not too happy but hopefully will start to be more accepting but I am not holding my breath. I am very grateful for all the wonderful e-mails and phone calls I have received it means a lot to both me and my family. Let's all continue to pray for a cure!
There's a lot of sadness in
Traudl is my dear friend Stephanie's aunt. Here they are together:Traudl She joins her sister, Stephanie's mother Lotte - one of the most amazing people I've ever had the honor to know – and her beautiful mother with the angels. I'm sure there was a warm and loving Pongratz reunion that day. Here is Traudl with her two sisters and Stephanie:
Added Added to the searing pain of the loss, Traudl died of breast cancer, undiagnosed until it reached the terminal stage. It feels like one of those stories where you want to declare it avoidable, a death that could have been avoided. A
family that could have been spared so much sadness and heartache.
This is why we have to keep working for a cure. Breast cancer knows no boundaries – not race, demographics, geography, religion - it just doesn't matter.
So tomorrow, as we all join to close out a calendar year and begin the new year of 2008, please take add Traudl and her family and loved ones to your thoughts and prayers.
In closing, a passage from the Little Prince which was chosen as part of Traudl's obituary. I've left it in German to preserve the magic of the presentation and sentiment: 
"Wenn du bei Nacht den Himmel anschaust, wird es dir sein, als lachten all Sterne, weil ich auf einen von ihnen wohne, weil ich auf einem von ihnen lache. Du allein wirst Sterne haben, die lichen konnen. Und wenn du dich getrostet hast, wirst du froh sein,
Antoine de Saint-Expurey, "Der Kleiner Prinz"
I was told tonight that I have cancer again! This is the second time I heard those nasty words. I had a mammogram in June and was told everything was okay see you in a year. A week ago I had a lumpectomy to remove a mass on my left breast. My surgeon is going to schedule my mastectomy after the holidays. I am going to have my mastectomy and reconstructive surgery done at the same time again. I felt that because I had cancer once that I would never have to go through it again. I felt invincible. I guess I will be going through many different emotions but I think the second time around is harder for me. I know I will survive and am very lucky to have wonderful, caring, loving parents and friends who will hold my hand every step of the way. I want to thank everyone for supporting me and am very blessed to have you in my life. This is a picture of my beautiful daughter Mary who wanted a pink stripe in her hair to support and find a cure for breast cancer! She is one awesome kid.
Take Care, Patty Matthews
Yesterday I went to Concord Hospital to have my lumpectomy with my husband, my son Tylor and my mom. My day started at 9 am and checked in, then given a wonderful johnny and stylish booties to wear. All the nurses were so nice. Then I went down stairs to radiology to have my needle localization done and what an experience that was. I sat in the chair with my breast compressed talking to the nurse about her horses and our experience's getting bucked off them. It was so helpful to keep my mind off of what was going on, but I still almost passed out. I should have never looked down to see the two needles coming out of my breast. When that was done the nurses put a cup over the needles so I wouldn't hit them. I thought it was a great inventive idea so I wouldn't hit or move the needles. The blue dye that was inserted was painful but tolerable. The whole process took about an hour and a half then I went right to the operating room. My surgeon removed an egg size lump from my left breast and everything went well except for my soar throat. I have several stitches and a small amount of swelling. I will not get the results until Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. This is the hardest part for me and am staying focus on positive things in my life. I have a lot of wonderful care givers like Tenisha. She is a thirteen year old girl that stayed with me all night long to see if I needed anything. She is here to help with Mary, letting the dog out and giving me sips of ginger ale. Everyone has been a big help and I am blessed to have wonderful people in my life who love and care for me. In my breast cancer advocacy work, I constantly meet extraordinary people. Bridget Mooney is one of those people. I can't wait to introduce you!
I first met Bridget, 24, in August at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Mission Conference. She introduced herself to me as the Co-Chair of Komen's Young Woman National Advisory Council, an initiative by Komen to focus on young women and breast cancer (and yes, that is the sound of all of us young survivors applauding). Her incredible spirit precedes her and fills the room as she walks in. She is bubbly and full of life.
Let me tell you Bridget's story. She was a carefree senior at
Now, any cancer survivor will tell you that it's not a solitary journey. And we're only as strong as those around us. Komen has a great term for these people that walk with us on the cancer journey - co-survivor.
When you meet Bridget, you realize quickly that she's a teeny, tiny person with the biggest heart you can imagine. Just when you marvel at the idea that she chose a career that focuses on breast cancer (she coordinates the Susan G. Komen 3 day walks across the country – a big passion of hers) and that she spends her free time working on young women's breast cancer-related issues, she raises the bar again by focusing not on herself, but her co-survivor. And so when Regis and Kelly made the call for stories about people you're thankful for, Bridget answered it as big and energetically as only she knows how. Let me let her tell you the rest in her own words:
A cancer diagnosis at a young age is difficult. Being told by doctors that they did not expect me to see my 30th birthday at the same time all my friends are celebrating their limitless futures was just incomprehensible. Caitlin, with such strength and grace, stood by me through everything. Caitlin took me out for manicures when all of my other friends didn't know what to say to "the sick girl". The week after I started losing my hair happened to be my birthday, and Caitlin flew in my boyfriend and planned a special trip to the beach to celebrate. Most importantly, she started a team in the NYC Race for the Cure in my name....AND Team Mooney has raised $20,000 for Susan G Komen for the Cure! For a small group of young ladies fresh out of college I found this to be a huge financial accomplishment. We all know how committed I am to the breast cancer cause, particularly for young women. For Caitlin to share in my passion so wholeheartedly really tells you what a wonderful friend she is.
Regis and Kelly agreed with me that Caitlin is just absolutely fabulous. I was in NYC last week to surprise her with a "Thanks-for-Giving" Ambush Makeover. We ambushed her in her kickboxing class to tell her the good news. Many tears were shed. Now she gets to head out into
I will be returning to NYC next week to see Caitlin all glammed up for the first time. The Big Reveal will air live on Regis and Kelly at this Wednesday November 21st, check your local listings because the timing changes city by city. I hope you all will tune in to see Caitlin's transformation. I hope this is a big enough thank you. Nothing can express just how fabulous a friend she is, but I hope this will come close.
From where I sit, they're both so fortunate to have each other. Thanks for reminding us about gracious survivors, incredible, can't-live-without co-survivors and the meaning of Thanksgiving.
Remember to check in with Regis and Kelly on Wednesday to live this experience with Bridget and Caitlyn.
With two children under the age of five, clothes shopping has taken a bit of a back seat in my life. Unless a retailer gets my attention by supporting breast cancer research and saluting survivors. Enter Ann Taylor.
October four years ago, I was asked to emcee the premier invitation only event called "Ann Taylor's Salute to Survivors" held as a Susan G. Komen for the Cure fundraiser. Not sure what to expect but always happy to volunteer for anything breast cancer-related any way I can, I immediately agreed. I arrived at the
A bit of encouraging news about the great strides being made on the cancer research front is that there are now over 10 million cancer survivors – at least that's what I heard Lance Armstrong say on Meet the Press earlier this year. And every one of those cancer survivors, regardless of what type of cancer they've had, shares one common concern – quality of life – short, medium and long term.
Let's face it. No matter how strong you are, how much support you get and how awesome your self-esteem is, if you told me that your self-image doesn't take a hit after dealing with breast cancer, I wouldn't believe you. Well, the wonderful people at Ann Taylor know that and decided to dedicate an event each month to kick off their breast cancer awareness activities and make us all feel so incredibly beautiful and awesome. And each year since, Ann Taylor has raised their own bar on the program and the ways in which they raise funds.
Survivor models: Ellen Brewer, Patti Brownstein, Katie Garlock, Marianne Gearhart, Andrea Gill, Kathryn Loftis, Diane Mathis, Jane Shepard, Madeline Simpson, Susan Sonley, Beth Swanson, Jessica Tanner.
Stephanie Trachtenberg manages Ann Taylor's charitable initiatives. When I called her to thank her for another over the top evening, I asked her for more information on the charitable initiatives that Ann Taylor pursues. Turns out that the company doesn't just support breast cancer – but the things they're doing for breast cancer, both research and survivor quality of life intrigued me.
Ann Taylor has a partnership with the Breast Cancer Shopping my way to a cure with Ann Taylor. Now THAT gets my attention.
Research Foundation. Get this. There is an Ann Cares card that can be purchased for $25 that entitles the bearer to a 15% discount through the end of the year. All the net proceeds from the card go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), and for every $250,000 raised, a scientist is funded through the BCRF for breast cancer research for a year. Ann Taylor initially committed to a minimum of one researcher. This year they've already funded four BCRF researchers! They essentially doubled the amount of funds raised from last year. I'll bet they do it again next year (yes, that's a personal challenge from me to Ann Taylor).
Personal health care experiences have not always been that pleasant but have been effective for me. The diagnosis of breast cancer was introduced to me at the early age of 32. There was a chain of events that took place before I had surgery to remove a 5.2 centimeter mass on my right breast. There were doctors, surgeons, test and medical procedures that I had to experienced.
Quality care is giving a patient respect, informative and correct information, compassion. Communication with the patient and provider is essential for building a relationship. I went to an appointment which began the first of many more trips to the clinic. The doctor was not going to do anything until I told her my mother had breast cancer and stressed that I think I should have a mammogram or something. I had to lie to the doctor just to get a test because I knew something was wrong my mother never had cancer. I went right down to get an ultrasound. The radiologist came in and asked if I could stay to have a mammogram and I said yes. Now I have seen two doctors who both seem perplexed at what the lump and both said because of my age is more then likely just a clogged milk duct because I had stopped breast feeding my daughter a couple of months earlier. The radiologist then came in to tell me that I have to see the surgeon to have the lump removed because it was too big to leave as well as two other pea size lumps. I walked down to see the surgeon which is the third physician I saw in this one trip to the clinic. At this point it was a very long and stressful day but I did read about a years worth of People magazines in a day's time. The physician explained that due to my age and with no prior family history because I did have to tell my mother did not ever have cancer. I left the clinic feeling very confident and comfortable with my surgeon and the staff that day. The surgeon told me that he was 75 % sure it was nothing. Everyone was pleasant, professional and I was pleased that the quality care and service that I received that day was structured and quick. The experience that I had that day was not what I expected because the tests were done so quickly. When I left the clinic I had an ultra sound, mammogram, and saw three physician's one who was my surgeon and whom scheduled me for surgery to have a lumpectomy within two weeks. This experience did meet my expectations because everyone involved was looking out for my best interests. All the health care personal were helpful, reassuring and quick to help solve my health care concerns.
On November 25 my experience was not as reassuring. My surgeon reassured me that he was 75 % sure I did not have breast cancer stood by my bed in the recovery room to tell me he was so sorry to have to confirm that I did have an aggressive form of breast cancer. I was so upset and believed that my surgeon was very unprofessional and out of line by telling me my chances for having breast cancer was only 25 %. At the time of my first appointment I trusted what my physician said to me. I would have not been so confident that everything was going to be fine. If my surgeon said he didn't know if it was cancer or not would have not given me false hope or being blind sided with the final outcome. I have mixed emotions about my service. I received wonderful service on the initial day that I went to the clinic and everyone was so helpful. It did take all day to get the test done but I knew it would be worth it at the end of the day. Looking back at the chain of events the only thing that I do not agree with is my surgeon telling me he does not think I have breast cancer because of my age and having no family history? I know now that cancer has no limits and age or family history does not matter. I had a complete mastectomy, tram-flap reconstructive surgery and immediately followed with chemotherapy. I made history for my daughter and will always educate her to know her body and make sure she is a strong advocate for her own health care needs.
Share your health care experience.
Those are beautiful words to a breast cancer survivor.
I went for my now annual mammogram and got great news that all is well, seven and a half years and two kids later. This is a big step for me since the diagnosis on my 33rd birthday. I had my first mammogram at 32 and have had many, many since then (along with the supporting cast of sonograms, CT and bone scans as well as MRIs).
God bless Julie, my mammogram technician at Fairfax Radiology. She took my films to the radiologist and had them read immediately so I could leave that day with the most generous and precious of gifts, that temporary peace of mind that comes from "passing" all your latest tests. When I saw what tender loving care Julie used with me, I interrupted her very hectic and crazy day to ask her a bit about her perspective on all of us who come to see her (she works in the
Julie recognizes that we all generally don't view the annual mammogram as a joyous task and since her aunt is a breast cancer survivor, she might be a bit more aware of our anxiety. She sees her day as a way to nurture and comfort us through this often dreaded task, not as a "job". With her amazing bedside manner and invaluable sense of humor, Julie guided me through the obligatory mammogram process in such a way that I was able to relax here and there, something I've not been able to do before. I sensed that she genuinely cared about me and wanted to comfort me. She truly has a gift.
Julie is hopeful that by sharing her genuine concern for our welfare that more women will make the effort to come in regularly, as it breaks her heart when she hears about someone who hasn't come for a mammogram for several years. She went on to explain that patients often come in crying, having not been into the office for a few years out of fear or anticipation or just nerves.
One tip Julie had for us – and one I hadn't yet heard before – was to note our technician's name. If we find someone with whom we have good chemistry and comfort, we should be sure to ask for that person when we make our appointments the following year. I'll definitely be asking for Julie again!
Prima, the absolutely angelic patient coordinator at Fairfax Radiology also wanted me to share a tip with everyone. She loves her patients and lucky for us, she is the first and last face we see. She thinks that we should all treat ourselves to something special after we get a mammogram. I thought that was such a great idea that I got a piece of pumpkin pecan cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory to share with my family to celebrate the good news! Her final reminder to all of us, "attitude is everything".
I thank everyone at Fairfax Radiology for making my "dreaded" experience a little easier. And I hope you too, go get your mammogram.
I'm a breast cancer survivor. Not a celebrity survivor, the kind everyone knows and immediately empathizes with, nor one who has a foundation in their own name (although it's on my list someday). Just someone living their dreams who, one day, heard those four life changing words, "you have breast cancer".
Those words were pronounced the afternoon of my 33rd birthday on the phone by my surgeon. I was working from home, healing from the biopsy done the day before, "just to be safe". I answered the phone at about 4:50PM. From that moment on, my life has stopped resembling the life I knew up until that moment. At that moment, I met my New Normal.
I have many passions in life. Two phenomenal boys – the ones I wasn't supposed to be able to give birth to after chemotherapy treatments – a wonderful husband, a great career and some amazing people whom I am blessed to call friends. A favorite among these many passions is the cancer advocacy role I now wear. I didn't go looking for it and I didn't wear the mantel the first time I tried it on. But it's now become the "go to" piece in my closet, the one I come back to time and time again.
In my cancer advocacy, I'm passionate about young survivors. I'm passionate about quality care, informed decisions and the state of our health care system. I'm passionate about quality of life and the dissemination of accurate information. I'm passionate about early detection, regular check ups and health care advocates. I'm passionate about finding a cure.
We have a lot to talk about and explore. We have the energy, spirit and intellect to share and debate.
I can't wait!
Finding a cure for breast cancer isn't just for walkers and the racers anymore. Meet a determined gamer named Kari Toyama from an active 'Halo' gaming community called Cavegirls. I was really intrigued by this story, and I wanted to help spread the word! Playing 'Halo' to help find a cure? What an amazing idea. Read on to see how Kari is bringing the world of competitive gaming and breast cancer together to raise money for a great cause.
1) This is the 2nd Annual Fight Like a Girl 'Halo' Tournament, which means the 1st Annual Fight Like a Girl 'Halo' Tournament must have been a success. Why did you start this event in the first place?
The first tournament was held on October 21st, 2006 in 'Halo' 2. I came up with the idea while I was working at Safeway. Safeway raises money for the Fred Hutchinson Research Center, and they asked all the employees to help out. They asked me, "Kari, would you like to participate in a bake sale?" I said, "Um, no." So they asked, "Is there anything you are involved in that could potentially raise money?" I thought, "Hey, I love to play 'Halo.' I wonder if I could hold a tournament and raise money that way." I asked my fellow Cavegirls if they would support me, and they welcomed the idea with open arms.
2) How much money did you raise and how many people participated in the event last year, and what are your expectations for this year?
We raised $777 last year with 64 participants total.
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