Thoughts on "Awareness"

As we embark on Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2014, here are some of my thoughts:

October is a month that is dreaded by many women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and gone through treatment. Not all of them, but there is definitely a vocal segment of the “survivor population” that detests all things pink. I'm not one of them, although I do understand some of their sentiments.

I understand that numerous corporations jump on the pink bandwagon all in the name of “awareness” to get people to buy their product with the promise that money will be donated to charities that support breast cancer research and support. I understand that in some cases, not as much money actually gets donated as the consumer may think. Its just a marketing scheme. I get that. Buyer beware. If you are buying a product because you think its going to help, make sure you know where you are putting your money. As some critics urge, “Think before you pink.”

I understand that just because breast cancer is detected early with a mammogram, it does not mean that the patient will survive.  "Early detection" doesn't necessarily save lives. First of all, mammograms aren't the be-all and end-all of screening. They don't always detect cancer, especially in younger women with dense breast tissue. My mammograms and their interpretations failed to catch a 3 1/2 centimeter tumor on my left breast! Secondly, mammograms introduce cancer causing radiation to your body. Thirdly, there is always the potential of recurrence. I'm not saying women should not get mammograms. But it that is the focus of “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” we are missing something.

Is anyone in this day and age “unaware” of breast cancer? I understand that 20-30 years ago, it was a disease that women may have been ashamed of and no one spoke of. But those days have long passed.

"Awareness” is nice. I like the color pink.  I appreciate the sympathy. But I think everyone is “aware” of breast cancer now. Having football teams wear pink is nice, but it doesn’t do anything to solve the problem of breast cancer. Don't get me wrong-I really do appreciate the sentiment and the desire that people have to support those affected by this disease. I don’t want to poo poo on people’s well intentioned efforts.

But it is time to go beyond awareness. It’s time for action. Especially when we consider those who are diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer, which there is NO cure for. Even people diagnosed with earlier stages of breast cancer can go through treatment and keep on living and think they are fine and then have a recurrence. Once it has gone beyond the breasts, it is incurable. That's scary stuff.

 I get a quite annoyed at all the “save the ta ta’s, ” “I love boobies,” and “protect 2nd base” stuff I see during October. Or the pink bras, or dogs with balloon boobs, or any of it. It isn’t cancer in your breast that kills you. You can live without breasts. I know, because I do. It is when it moves into other organs or your bones that kills you. That is what I want people to be “aware” of.

We all know breast cancer exists and is bad. But boobs are so not the issue! Some people think October gives some the license to talk about boobs...come on! How old are we? When I see a teenage boy with a shirt or bracelet "I Love Boobies" I cringe. Of course you do, dear! Most teenage boys do, after all. Grow up, people!

So what kind of action do we need to take beyond a squishy warm fuzzy feeling of “awareness” that accomplishes nothing? I believe it means funding research on Stage IV, or metastatic, cancer. 30% of all breast cancer patients will metastasize, but only 2% of research funding goes into Stage IV. Isn't that where the focus should be if we really want to find a "Cure?" We need to fund organizations that give grants and money to institutions that are researching cures. Some organizations that are on my radar:

The Noreen Fraser Foundation

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Metavivor

I'm sure there are other worthy organizations. If you know of some, I welcome you to add them in the Comments section.

Finally, there is a lot of backlash against the Susan G. Komen organization and its affiliates among some in the survivor community. I'll say here that I do support Komen. I appreciate the advancements over their history that they have made towards research and treatment of breast cancer. Most, if not all of the treatments I received probably had some origin from a Komen grant. They have a very informative website. I enjoy their events and lead a team for the annual 5k race here in San Diego. I've done the 3 Day Walk twice and enjoyed every moment. I've met survivor sisters who have become friends through Komen. Heck, I even appeared in some of their commercials!  But only a small percentage of the funds they raise goes towards research. The rest they use to help women who are in treatment and pay for their operating costs. Some women in treatment need the assistance. Some women can't afford mammograms. I'm not against these other programs that Komen sponsors. They are helpful and there is a place for them. I am not a Komen hater. There is room for all kinds of organizations to address the needs and issues that breast cancer raises. I'm not one to tell people not to donate to Komen if they want. In fact, I'd be happy if anyone wanted to donate to my team, the Pink and Plaid Warriors for the 2014 Race for the Cure.  

As we go through the month of October, I just hope that people move beyond the warm fuzzy, amorphous idea of "awareness." If you really care, go beyond wearing pink. Donate to organizations that are funding Stage IV research. Or volunteer to drive a cancer patient to chemotherapy appointments. If you know someone going through treatment, bring them dinner for their family. Call your local organization and see what you can do to help.

It's time to go beyond "awareness" and really make a difference.

Just my 2 cents!

Welcome November

I'll be glad tomorrow when it's November.

The end of "my" first Pinktober. I'm ready for all of it to be gone.  Don't get me wrong.  It's good for people to be aware of self exams, lifestyle factors that can contribute to breast cancer, early detection, and all of that.  But I am tired of all the pink everything.  There is something a bit crass about companies that have products that contain chemicals that can actually cause cancer slapping their product in a pink package to "raise awareness."  The biggest thing I can say to ALL WOMEN, REGARDLESS OF AGE AND FAMILY HISTORY...get checked out.  Insist on a mammogram, even if you are under 40.  My tumor was 3.5 centimeters large by the time I was 40.  Breast cancer KILLS YOUNGER WOMEN because they are not screened and it is found at more advanced stages.  That is my big message as Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2010 comes to a close.

Halloween will be over then too.  Like I mentioned before, I'm not a huge fan.  It, too, has gotten out of hand. It's gone beyond homemade costumes for the kids to one of the biggest money making "holidays" of the year. Plus, I'm not too keen on the celebration of the occult either.  But it is fun to let the kids dress up and have fun.

With November, it will all be about fall.  Thanksgiving, and the holidays.  I'm looking forward to the holidays--December 3rd is my last scheduled chemo date.  I look forward to a Christmas with that behind me.  What a difference a year makes!!  A year ago, we were anticipating moving into our new house.  This year, I'm anticipating radiation and what my hair might look like when it starts growing back in the spring.

In any event, I am in a good mood.  It was a good day.  I was able to go back to church after 2 weeks' absence.  I missed it!  I was able to finish a fantastic book on my new Kindle, and my family and I are going to see some friends at a party in an hour or so.  We are blessed.

Me? A Charger girl?

Well, sort of.  At least for a day. 

If you didn't already know, I am participating in the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk on October 17th.   I'm part of "Team Cymer" which is the company my dad works for. Cymer is one of the sponsors of the "Making Strides" event.  I'm walking with my mom, dad, sister in law and the rest of the Cymer team.   My fundraising goal is $2,000, and I'm about 57% of the way there.  (If you want to chip in a few bucks, you can click here.) 

Because of this connection, a fun opportunity presented itself to me today.  

The American Cancer Society is partnering with the San Diego Chargers and the NFL to do a special event called "A Crucial Catch" during the game between the Chargers and the New England Patriots on October 24th to highlight the "Making Strides" event as well as Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Before the game,  30 breast cancer survivors will be running through the Charger team tunnel and out of the San Diego Chargers Helmut.  They will stay on the field with the San Diego Charger Girls to welcome the players and participate in the National Anthem.  They will be honorary team captains that day and then have seats for the game.   

Guess what?  I get to be one of the 30 women!  The American Cancer Society offered a spot to Cymer, and Cymer offered it to me.   How cool is that?  

Now for the what ifs.  Hopefully I will feel good on that date.  I have chemo two days earlier on the 22nd.  But I usually feel good on the Sunday, it is Monday when I crash out.  But this is really a once in a lifetime opportunity.  I'd hate to pass it up.  They also don't have tickets for the survivors to bring a guest, so I'll be solo.  But on the other hand, so will the other 29 women.  I suspect that we will have a bond of sisterhood that will transcend any awkwardness that we may have initially as "strangers."  I don't know squat about football.  I've never even been inside Qualcomm stadium! But the game should be fun, regardless. My birthday is on the 26th too.  (Hey-the American Cancer Society calls itself the "official sponsor of birthdays!") 

Why not just throw caution to the wind and go for it?  Life life to its fullest, I say!   Cancer, schmanser! I'm gonna run with the Charger Girls or at least drag myself across the field and have a great time doing it.

Oh-and from the Charger website, it looks like the game will be broadcast on KFMB Channel 8.  DVR it!

Mad hatter

I wore a hat all day today for the first time.

I've always liked the look of hats, but been too chicken to really wear one myself. Women who wore hats seemed to have a particular flair and sophistication. Something that I never felt I could pull off. I don't have a whole lot of choice now. This cancer thing is pushing me into zones I wasn't comfortable in before.

Another issue with hats is that there is no hairline. It can look weird (there is that word again) to have a hat perched on a hairline-less head. I've purchased a few wide headbands that I could wear to conceal that and create a line. Today, I just put the hat on my head and was done with it. It felt okay. I wore makeup and earrings which helped the confidence factor. Something about lipstick, you know?

Physically, things are going great. As predicted, I was pretty sore from the pilates on Monday. I have Exercise TV on my cable's On Demand system. There are dozens of exercise modes with hundreds of workouts to choose from. Today I did a 20 minute pilates just to get a little exercise in there. I'm going to try and do pilates 3 times a week on top of the cardio I do pretty much every day.

My taste buds are pretty much back to normal as well. That metallic taste has faded. Funny, that taste doesn't seem to make me want to eat less! I'm learning to load up on veggies and legumes and consider meat as a side dish, if anything. I wrote yesterday about how much I'm coming to appreciate cabbage. I could also devote a whole post to beans! And no, they do not give me gas. (TMI? Maybe, but that is the first thing that people mention when I rave about my new found love of beans!)

I had a funny conversation with a friend of mine, a guy friend. We were at the elementary school and a mom walked by with purple highlights in her hair...in a shade that matched her shirt. I commented that her hair matched her shirt. I also noted that I notice two things a lot lately on other people...hair and boobs. A few seconds went by and he said, "Now you know how its been with me all this time." Too funny! But its true. I can't help but notice this on other women. Okay, gals...don't feel self conscious next time you see me. I really won't be looking at your chest, I swear! I talked with another survivor who would go up to women and actually ask them their bra size as she was considering her reconstruction options. It's funny how you lose the shyness about it when you are so focused on it medically.

So I'm just living life until my next round of chemo, which is October 1st. (A week from Friday.) What a way to kick off breast cancer awareness month, eh? Speaking of that, I got a really cool travel mug today at Supercuts of all places. It's black with 4 or 5 rows of rhinestones at the top. It says "Fight Like a Girl" with pink boxing gloves on it. I couldn't pass it up. I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff right now. Maybe I'll get sick of it. But for now, I'm digging it. It's my first BCA month being "in the club" that I never thought I would be in. I think back to last October when I was looking at my40th birthday. How life can change in 12 months! I wonder what life will look like in October 2011?