P.ink Tattoo Day!

Picture it, 10 breast cancer survivors, 10 tattoo artists and 10 healing hearts. Sounds AWESOME to me! And all because of one uber inspirational breast cancer warrior, Molly Ortwein.

Fast forward a year and a breast cancer diagnosis later and there's a new gal in town and a very cool organization called Personal Ink (P.ink). Ready to pay it forward, Molly and her crew over at P.ink are sponsoring and fundraising for their first PINK TATTOO DAY being held in New York City on October 21, 2013 at Save Tattoo Studio. Her mission: to "help turn something painful for breast cancer survivors into something beautiful." How awe-inspiring is that? Because let me tell you something, when the 'old girls' go and the 'new girls' arrive, the process is not such an easy one. It takes time. It takes acceptance. It takes therapy (AND a rockin' tattoo!).

So, when I first saw Molly's mission to assist fellow survivors feel better about themselves through beautiful body art, she had me! And although I'm medically unable to participate for their first fabulous event in the big city, I at least wanted to spread the word on how you can personally make a difference in someone's healing and life.

Here's what to do... Go to their indiegogo fundraising page for Pink Day 2013 and make a contribution towards their $25,000 goal! There, you'll see a very moving video and 2 clicks later, you've just made a huge difference in the often challenging journey following breast cancer and a mastectomy. It'll make you feel good for days! There's numerous levels of tax-deductable donations that you can contribute from $10 - $5,000 and they'll even throw in a few freebies for you.

So, do something good, click on over to the fundraising page right now but don't forget to keep up with them on Twitter or their beautifully curated P.ink Pinterest page for a dose of inspiration.

Chris' Cancerversary!

And here he is folks! 1 year later and look at Chris now! As many of you know, my 'chemo comrade' Chris was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma 1 year ago today. His mom Dee (my amazing cousin!) says she remembers every single detail about this day last year. Where she was sitting, what Chris was doing, who told them, how she felt, etc... That's how it works in Cancerland you know, recalling every minuscule detail of a diagnosis like it was just yesterday.

But 1 year later, Chris is thriving, back in school and back in his game (go Chieftains baseball!). He's been declared 'cured' (such a spectacular word!) and sporting a rockin' new do! And even though he sees his Stanford docs and team every 4-6 weeks for the plethora of tests for this gig, I think Chris is amazing and.... wait for it....wait for it.... LE - GEN - DAR - Y!

...SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER!

Over the past 20 years, I've been irked, I mean privy to many comments from others and have had the privilege of hearing how other breast cancer survivors deal with the benefits of cancer! Some of these thoughts and comments are those I've heard, those I've experienced and those I've read from other warriors. Let's take a peek, shall we?

"Gee how I just love all the side effects from chemo and meds" SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER! It's like having the worst flu of your life - for 1 year! 

"Yes, I just love my new 'girls' - how lucky am I to have had a boob job?!" SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER! While it does sound exciting, try laying on your stomach, on a hard or soft mattress with these things!

"Being bald is such a cool hair style to rock!"  SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER! Until you're made fun of by a mom and her four kids in the parking lot of Trader Joe's, not such a rockin' moment in hair history and so not a self-esteem booster.

"I just love all of this attention I'm getting!"  SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER! Are you kidding me? Someone once said that to me and I about lost my sh*t!

"Well, maybe getting chemo will finally help me lose those extra pounds!"  SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER! Please know that the only reason we lose weight is that we are so damn nauseous that we can hardly eat a morsel of food. I personally survived on water, 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes and 2 crackers on any given day. Do you know how few calories that is? 

"I so love that I get to take Tamoxifen for the next 10 years!"  SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER! I am now in my second menopausal stint and have gained 30lbs! WEEEEE!

"I'm just going to make this the most positive experience in my life!"  SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER! Yeah right! While thinking positive is a common motto for many, it doesn't mean that this gig is still not chock-full of the most challenging and scary experiences. Positivity is just a bonus that we all dig down deep for.

"I'm so glad that it's only breast cancer!"  SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER!  Bwah Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!

"I've always wanted to wear a wig!"  SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER! FYI, they're hot, uncomfortable and itchy-scratchy on a bald head! You try it while being bald and get back to me on this one!

"I'm not afraid to die!"  SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER! Let's get real here - we're all afraid to die. We know that this is a possibility and a reality, but we're just not ready to die yet!

"Having cold breasts during hot weather is so awesome and convenient!" SAID NO BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR - EVER! Unless you need to help chill a summer salad or a six-pack, the implants are just that - COLD!