The recent news...

We all have our opinions about the recent news this past week and the recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to change the age of mammogram screenings.

When we heard this, Mike and I were completely shocked. Here I am 45 years old and a breast cancer survivor. Thank g-d I was being monitored and having the screening tests I had been having regularly or I might not be sitting here writing this...

And to not teach women breast self exams... I know several women who found suspicious lumps/masses this way and thankfully had doctors that followed up on their concerns and guess what -- these were not high risk women and oh yea they were in their 40's!

Personally, I think we need another form of early detection since mammograms do not pick up on all breast cancers. It did not lead to my diagnosis. And doesn't seem to be an effective screening tool if you have dense breast tissue which most women have. And to want to make this recommendation because of the psychological implications with a false positive reading... Ridiculous.

It just illustrates that you have to really be your own advocate and fight for what you feel is important.

The following article seems to be a bit more on track.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/22/nih-chief-ignore-governmentsmammography-recommendations/

Ancora Imparo

Marla

One Day...

Yesterday I went to a funeral for a dear friend's mom who lost her battle with cancer. I was incredibly moved by something the Pastor read. I know we all come from different faiths and have different beliefs but I truly think this is beautiful and want to share it with you.

 

Ancora Imparo

Marla

One Day

If God gave us only one day of life, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one springtime or fall, one summer or winter, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one day of laughter, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one beautiful meal, beautifully served in a secure home, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one friend to share the journey of time, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one child, sound in mind and body, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one storm that left us unharmed, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one day for a good time with friends, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one talent for creating beauty, it would have been generous.
If God let us laugh only once in the face of calamity, it would have been generous.
If God gave us only one moment's pride in the success of those we love, it would have been generous.

But God has given us life and time, joy and sorrow,
sunshine and storms, laughter and tears,
gifts to share and days to remember.
God has given us friends and lovers, children and parents,
you and me, and Himself as well.

It is God who gives us life,
who tells us ever after to choose life,
God who is our resurrection and our hope,
who dwells within our hearts as the spirit of life,
the vanquisher of death,
and the comforter of the afflicted.

-Donna Gordon

Fall is here...

October already.
And mid October at that.
I am now another year older -- 45 can you believe it!

There is a chill in the air although I am hearing we will have some warm California weather over the weekend.

I had the honor of volunteering at the weSpark booth at the Taste of Encino (street fair) yesterday. S came with me. M would have loved to join us but had a ton of work to do for his D-project. After our shift, S was a good sport helping me distribute Wings of Courage fliers. Then we had a chance to go exploring which included him sliding down the largest inflatable slide we have ever seen and buying an extra large bag of fresh popped kettle corn to bring home to M.

Hoping the new season is treating you well.
Thanks for your continued support.

Ancora Imparo
Marla

Feel the feelings without the story...

I am continuing to have the opportunity to go to my post treatment support group. Today we talked about allowing ourselves to feel the feelings we are experiencing without attaching a story onto them. I need to sit with this idea for a while.

It is easy to get ahead of oneself and plan out an entire scenario before it happens or in my case attach someone elses outcome onto my journey. It is not a battle but more of a reminder that my journey is simply that -- MY -- journey. Having cancer is in my past. My mom and Jack (step-mom) paved a path that preceded my diagnosis and treatment but that is where the similarity ends. So when I stop and remind myself to feel the feelings... it grounds me and brings me back to the moment.

On the follow up front, I had my 3-month oncology appointment yesterday. It was a bit of a comedy of errors when they went to draw my blood. For some reason the vein tapped wasn't compliant but after a couple of sticks they got what they needed. Because I am still dealing with some fatigue they are checking for a few things. But Dr. M does not seem to be concerned. According to him I look good and my hair seems to be a conversation topic. I am truly grateful to have hair. And I am trying to embrace and love the hair that I have. I am getting there. In a little while I should really be there. I am getting used to being a larger self. The numbers on the scale continue to go up. I am trying to stay active and get into a regular exercise routine. I will be having a bone density and hip X-ray as I am unable to sit cross legged. I am hopeful that is not from the Arimidex (aromatase inhibitor).

I am thrilled with the support that www.wingsofcouragebelieve.com is getting. It is really a tremendous feeling to have an idea and see it come to life. I launched a Face Book page for my Wings of Courage pendant. Make sure you become a fan.

I continue to be touched and honored to have so much love and support.


Ancora Imparo
Marla

bad dream

I had a bad dream last night.
The first in I don't know how long.
I dreamt my chemo didn't work and I was going to need to start treatment again.
It was so real.
So scary.
And so profound.
The reality is that if we found out that I needed to go down the treatment road again we would without hesitation. But this really threw me.

What is not a dream and is very much a reality is my new sister site

www.wingsofcouragebelieve.com

I am still adding to it. But I am excited to see it taking off.
I have also created a wings of courage pendant fan page on FB.
Be sure to check it out and become a fan!

Ancora Imparo
Marla

We have a date!

I can't believe it is already August. The summer seems to be going by very quickly.

All that talk so many months ago of what I am going to do post treatment has begun to unfold. I have just started interning at a law office as a legal assistant and have finished training as a territory sales rep for an art based fundraising company. I am enjoying both of those a great deal and look forward to the next few months to see where that leads. I never would have imagined either one prior to all of this.

Additionally, something I am proud and honored to be doing is to offer peer support to women that are either dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis and/or are undergoing treatment for breast cancer. There openness furthers my healing and recovery.

Another big thing is my hair! I kid you not it has its own zip code now -- 9-1-5-oy-vay. Honestly, I look like a cross between Annie and Eraser Head. I just remind myself that it is in transition.

My last surgery is scheduled for December 3rd. At that time Dr. B will put the finishing touches on my reconstruction -- I have affectionately come to call this surgery my garnish. I am hopeful that the lead time will give Dr. B and my ONC the chance to get on the same page and figure out the bleeding issue so as to avoid any complications.

I bought a brassiere recently. Let's just say I am no longer in between cup sizes and am very happy with the end result. My big push now is to get my much larger body into better shape. Primarily my midsection. Whoever said menopause slows down your metabolism was right on track and I am back to exercising as often as possible. The Wii Active is genius. It really is making exercise fun and who knew my left cross was so strong!

Mike continues to be there for me every step of the way. We have been having some incredible talks about cancer and what it has meant and continues to mean. We know this continues to be a journey for all of us. We look forward to March of 2012 when I am officially at the five-year mark.

None of us know what the future will bring and we really have to take the time to celebrate the special moments that surround all of us.

Ancora Imparo
Marla

Celebrate...

Saturday I went to our local Burbank Relay for Life event. While this was my second Relay event this seemed to hit me a bit harder. I think it was simply being truly in the moment and taking in everything that I was seeing, feeling and hearing. I really looked at all of the faces of my fellow survivors. We were all there proudly wearing our purple shirts, putting our hand-prints on the canvas and celebrating our lives. We shared understanding nods as if to say I respect you and the journey you have been on. I know it may not have been easy but look at where we are now...

The event also allowed me the chance to visit with some very special people. People that continue to touch and inspire me.

Sully came along and was quite the trooper through the presentations and speeches. He took most of the wonderful pics above. Following the survivor lap he and I went to all of the booths and looked at how they were choosing to "celebrate" the event. Then the two of us went to the playground where I caught a pic of the big little guy in action.



Ancora Imparo
Marla