Scrap PINK

Scrapping tonight for a worthy cause... Raising awareness about Breast Cancer! I can't wait. Thank you for those of you who read my post/email about Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Knowledge is power.

I sent out this email today... to inform, educate send somemore support to dear Whymommy

I know that its not quite October yet... but I wanted to share with you one of the blogs I read, http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/. I introduce you to Whymommy, mother to two small children Widget and her baby little Bear. Her youngest baby refused to feed on her right side, I mean would EAT nothing...he was 5 months old. She and the lactation specialist had tried everything possible but nada, zip, zilch, WOULD. NOT. FEED. There were other symptoms too so she went to her Dr. after giving up breast feeding on her right side, but she went mostly because her breast changed, got hard in places, dimply kinda like the outside of an orange. Really Really scary!
(see the day she'll never forget http://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com/2007/06/16/not-good/)

She has inflammatory Breast Cancer.

Breast Cancer does not have to be a lump.
Breast Cancer does not have to be a lump.

I read this over and over on her blog. Inflammatory breast cancer only sees a 25-50% survival rate at 5 years and greatly diminishing by the 10 year mark. Many survivors fight hard the rest of their lives... there is a 90% chance of recurrence. Most of their lives will be taken over by chemo, surgery... and many times is already too late because too few doctors know what to look for. When it looks really bad and the doctor decides to send the patient to a "specialist" many times its already too late. We need to educate ourselves because although IBC only accounts for 1%-5% of Breast Cancer cases it could save your life or someone you love. Here is a link from her page that will answer many questions that I know too little about. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/IBC

Education, awareness and being proactive in your own health care is what makes a survivor.

Do your self breast exam, if you find a lump or anything different about your breasts contact your doctor immediately. But don't forget... Breast Cancer isn't always a lump....

Hopes and Cures for a Cancer free tomorrow... (see my blog about my quest to find a cure)

~Tina D. Mickelson

A Shout OUT

I wanted to send a Shout OUT to my MIL who became officially a 4
year survivor of Breast Cancer on Tuesday, September 18th! Congratulations on
your 4th of many cancerversaries!

Its almost October, Breast Cancer Awareness month. Get your pink ribbons. Schedule your mamograms. Do your self breast exams. Save some lives. If you want to walk with me, for a little tiny 36 miles in two days, in SF in July 2008 or LA Sept. 2008 let me know. The More the Merrier. The more $$$ we make the closer we get to a cure and making those diagnosed with BC's lives more bearable and livable. The more women we get diagnosed early so we can save their lives; the more women and men are educated about what to look for so their chances of survival are probable. Help me make a difference.

New Books: Must Read

I love getting packages in the mail. Today I received Crazy, Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr from Amazon.com. I got one for my MIL who is a 4 year Breast Cancer survivor this month and one for me, with 14 years of survivorship under my belt. I also received Preventing & Reversing Osteoporosis: What you can do about bone loss so I'm eager to jump into both of them and gain some knowledge. But I'm off to buy my MIL some flowers and drop them by work for her. I'll let you know tonight if I get to read a bit. I am eager to find healthy way to increase my bone mass and without prescription drugs. We will see.