There.
I said it.
While "hate" is a harsh word, I must confess, I do not like the color pink. At least not soft, begging-to-be-cuddled, baby pink. I prefer bold, bright hot pink....and even that is a stretch.
Maybe it has something to do with my personality. How can a "live it loud and proud" person get cozy with the likes of such a soft-spoken, girly color?
Then again, it could have something to do with my aversion to Pepto Bismol. Having up-chucked the one and only dose to ever pass my lips, I all but hurl at the mere mention of the didn't-help-me-a-bit chalky pink liquid.
I now face a dilemma. Pink is the signature color for Breast Cancer Awareness. Being a cancer fighter/survivor/warrior princess/loud-mouth-tell-you-all-about-it chick, I am surrounded by and expected to flaunt the color pink. What's a girl to do? Especially a girl that most often chooses the route of non-conformity?
She simply got over it.
I am here to proclaim I am now a proud proponent of the color pink!
October is just around the corner.
(Yeah...like how in the hell did we get from January to October in only a few weeks? Cause I seriously missed a few months in there somewhere. Must have something to do with the fact I packed up a too-big-for-me house and moved to my single-girl-townhouse, purged more sh!t than any one person should be allowed to ever admit to owning, took two short but sweet vacations and helped plan my son's upcoming wedding.
Okay. So I now know how I missed April - September.
And why I am in need of a long winter's nap.)
October is officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A month where pink is everywhere! As a means of promoting my Proudly Pink status, I am dedicating the entire month of my blog blather to Breast Cancer Awareness. And just like me and my not-so-normal ways, I am approaching the subject a little differently.
To be perfectly honest, I naively thought everyone knew about breast cancer...at least the basic facts. Yet I've come to realize, in spite of all the attention given to this gnarly beast, far too many are still unaware of the severity of this health epidemic that robs women, and even men, of so much. Often times, it wins the war regardless of how tough a fight its victim fights. It can take, at the very least, one's sense of security to, at the very worst, one's life.
Yes.
Breast cancer kills.
Throughout my treatment and beyond, I have had many well intended comments come my way regarding the outcome of my journey. Many made mention of the tough road I would have but the assumption was that I would most certainly win the fight. The reason being, many now believe everyone beats breast cancer these days.
Sure, survival rates are higher than in the past. Sure, with early detection it IS beatable. And most certainly, great strides have been made through research and drug development allowing positive prognoses in instances that were previously dire. But I fear these statements elude to the assumption that breast cancer is more a nuisance than a killer. When that occurs, I also fear we will begin to slack up on our preventative care. We will let down our guard and the enemy will have free reign to inflict a holy massacre.
Breast cancer awareness has been prolific. Many celebrities and otherwise lesser known fighters have worked hard to spread the word. I don't want to see us take a step backward or their hard work be for naught. For that reason alone, I want to devote an entire month to telling the story of breast cancer. I want to make it real. I want to share the words of those affected by and living with this monster.
I reached out to several friends, family members and cancer survivors asking for their help in this endeavor. And they graciously agreed. Each will share their story...their insight. Some have come face to face with breast cancer. Others live in fear of an attack. Others have watched as loved ones fought. All have something to share. I will also be offering stories from my journey through and beyond the fight. There could even be a humorous tale or two thrown in for good measure.
Please join me throughout October in spreading the word. Please support me as I try to offer you a view into the world of breast cancer. Please follow along, comment and share links with all of your friends. If we can make a difference, even if only for one person, it will be more than worth the effort!
Thank you in advance!
Love and many hugs,
-me (the girl who now wears pink)
She simply got over it.
I am here to proclaim I am now a proud proponent of the color pink!
October is just around the corner.
(Yeah...like how in the hell did we get from January to October in only a few weeks? Cause I seriously missed a few months in there somewhere. Must have something to do with the fact I packed up a too-big-for-me house and moved to my single-girl-townhouse, purged more sh!t than any one person should be allowed to ever admit to owning, took two short but sweet vacations and helped plan my son's upcoming wedding.
Okay. So I now know how I missed April - September.
And why I am in need of a long winter's nap.)
October is officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A month where pink is everywhere! As a means of promoting my Proudly Pink status, I am dedicating the entire month of my blog blather to Breast Cancer Awareness. And just like me and my not-so-normal ways, I am approaching the subject a little differently.
To be perfectly honest, I naively thought everyone knew about breast cancer...at least the basic facts. Yet I've come to realize, in spite of all the attention given to this gnarly beast, far too many are still unaware of the severity of this health epidemic that robs women, and even men, of so much. Often times, it wins the war regardless of how tough a fight its victim fights. It can take, at the very least, one's sense of security to, at the very worst, one's life.
Yes.
Breast cancer kills.
Throughout my treatment and beyond, I have had many well intended comments come my way regarding the outcome of my journey. Many made mention of the tough road I would have but the assumption was that I would most certainly win the fight. The reason being, many now believe everyone beats breast cancer these days.
Sure, survival rates are higher than in the past. Sure, with early detection it IS beatable. And most certainly, great strides have been made through research and drug development allowing positive prognoses in instances that were previously dire. But I fear these statements elude to the assumption that breast cancer is more a nuisance than a killer. When that occurs, I also fear we will begin to slack up on our preventative care. We will let down our guard and the enemy will have free reign to inflict a holy massacre.
Breast cancer awareness has been prolific. Many celebrities and otherwise lesser known fighters have worked hard to spread the word. I don't want to see us take a step backward or their hard work be for naught. For that reason alone, I want to devote an entire month to telling the story of breast cancer. I want to make it real. I want to share the words of those affected by and living with this monster.
I reached out to several friends, family members and cancer survivors asking for their help in this endeavor. And they graciously agreed. Each will share their story...their insight. Some have come face to face with breast cancer. Others live in fear of an attack. Others have watched as loved ones fought. All have something to share. I will also be offering stories from my journey through and beyond the fight. There could even be a humorous tale or two thrown in for good measure.
Please join me throughout October in spreading the word. Please support me as I try to offer you a view into the world of breast cancer. Please follow along, comment and share links with all of your friends. If we can make a difference, even if only for one person, it will be more than worth the effort!
Thank you in advance!
Love and many hugs,
-me (the girl who now wears pink)
