Pinktober is over, it’s the end of breast cancer awareness month, the day I remove my pink “hat” and retire it up to the top shelf in my closet, yayyyy! I love Pinktober because in creating awareness, people are reminded to take care of themselves, to do self exams and schedule testing. I love the hope and strength it gives to us survivors, and the attention and love we get for all we have endured. But the reality for all of us is that breast cancer is not a month long event, it is a life long struggle of physical and emotional turmoil. We smile and laugh and go on with our daily lives, but hiding behind our “upbeat- positive” attitudes, is anxiety, discomfort and fear. We try to push through it, sometimes we can, and sometimes we cant. Be patient and understanding, we have been through a lot. It may be in your past but it’s not yet in ours. So remember when talking with your friends and family that are recently diagnosed, long term survivors or previvors – be sensitive, there is no such thing as “a nice boob job”, not in our world. From outside looking in, it may seem as easy as that, “a no brainer” but in our world, it’s not a “nice boob job”, it’s a tremendous loss, even if replaced it comes with a lifetime of challenges. Also remember it’s better not to ask us, in the thick of things or even years later, “how are you doing?” You can tell how we are doing just by looking at us. If we are looking great, we don’t need to be reminded of that awful time when we were not. If we are not looking so great, we don’t want to talk about it and most likely we won’t want to share our information either. So when you are at a loss for the right words, don’t turn and look away, try a simple smile and maybe a hug that is what we need. I hope that with all my annoying emails and FB posts, some of you were prompted to schedule your mammograms, sonograms, doctor’s appointments and look into genetic testing. If that is the case, then breast cancer awareness month has done its job and I have done mine! I want to thank all of you who helped make this such a successful year for the WTFC. Yes, I am very proud of the cheerleading I did, but it was the love and support from all of you. My home town of Plainview, my GNS class of ’79, friends and family near and far, all of you helped The WTFC grant $26,500 to promising research, and supported our Komen Race for the Cure raising over $47,000, giving women throughout the greater NY area, financial assistance, breast health screening, treatment and support. Together, we are helping to save lives! So, I am signing off until next year, taking a break from the pink but will be returning in January to prepare for our next event. Please save the date for our 9th annual “Breast of Everything” event on Friday May 1st at the Holiday Inn of Plainview. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! Every day is a gift, that’s why it is called the present!
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 14:47:31 +0000
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