Perfectly Imperfect

A Doll with Heart

As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and all my posts this month have been centered around this cause. This year more than ever I have been struck by the tremendous amount of attention Breast Cancer Awareness is getting from NFL players wearing pink shoes & gloves to almost any product you can think of jumping on the bandwagon. It is generating millions of dollars toward a cure and that is fantastic - hopefully one day soon we won't need to have a breast cancer awareness month!

A few posts ago I mentioned that I had experienced my first mammogram and to my shock it came back abnormal. I went in for a 2 hour follow up diagnostic mammogram followed by a ultrasound and guess what? All is well! Just a pesky lymph node trying to get some attention - and boy, did it! Going to the Helen Diller Cancer Center at UCSF for the tests was a surreal and scary experience. I am very grateful to be healthy! 

I was reading a magazine called Organic Spa the other day and came across a little doll named Susie Survivor. She is from a line by Kamibashi called the String Doll Gang. Each doll possesses a special positive power that inspires and motivates wherever they're carried. They are hand crafted in Thailand from one continuous piece of string. Susie retails for $10 and 50 cents of each sale is donated to charities that help women obtain mammograms and education about the prevention of breast disease. I can't think of a cuter reminder to never take my health for granted and to schedule a mammogram every year!

Cheers to good health!

Kim

A Click a Day for a Cure!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, all my posts this October center around this cause. Todays post is a site that helps provide free mammograms to women in need - the Breast Cancer Site. How does it work? It is as simple as 1, 2, 3.

1. You click daily on a link on the Breast Cancer Site homepage
2. Sponsors pay for the mammograms
3. You can shop their store and give more (if you want!)

You can even sign up to receive a daily email reminder so you don't forget to click! How easy is that? Isn't a click a day worth it to help those in need?

Cheers & Happy Clicking!

K

Balance? And Shop for a Cause!

Well, it's been a week since my last post and what a week it has been! I celebrated my 40th birthday, had my first mammogram and battled the croup with Poppy. Whew! 

Reader Notice: Below outlines my experience with a mammogram- if this is way too much TMI for you, just click here to read about all the great shopping for a cause you can do to help Breast Cancer research.

The mammogram was an experience, but contrary to all the rumors I had heard it was not insanely painful and dramatic. At UCSF they do digital mammograms that are much less painful and only slightly uncomfortable. When I went in the technician let me know they would be taking 4 films. After a few different "poses" the 4 were done. Then she said, 'actually, I think I am going to take a few extra." The little hairs on my arms stood on end and my internal radar went on. "Why?" I asked. "Oh, just to be thorough, since it is your first one." OK, no worries and I struck a few more awkward poses  and I was out of there. The next day I got a call letting me know there is an asymmetry that they want to further explore...asymmetry? WTH? I am a Libra - I am supposed to be balanced! LOL!

So, now I will return for a diagnostic mammogram and possibly an ultrasound. I hear this is a very common occurrence (85% of abnormal mammograms turn out to be nothing) so I am remaining calm and carrying on. That's all you can do right? It does make you think about the fact that one day you can be healthy and living your life and going through the motions and the next you could be battling some crazy disease. So, my take away from this experience so far is to just be in the moment and make every moment count. I am going to focus some attention on enjoying the little stuff and not worrying so much about everything being "just so" and also not expending my energy on needless drama and stuff that spreads negativity. Who needs it? Not me, not you, not anyone.

So, my adorable Poppy and fiercely handsome hubby are on a jet plane not coming back for 8 days and I am in some desperate need of retail therapy to take my mind off this stuff. I can't think of a better reason to shop than to benefit breast cancer research, so click here to see all the amazing merchants that are donating a portion of their proceeds to the cause.

Happy Shopping and I'll keep you posted.

cheers and love,

K

Breast Cancer Awareness Starts Today

Since today is my 40th birthday which happens to coincide with the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I thought I would devote my blog posts this month to different breast cancer awareness topics, products and information. Turning 40 means it is time for my first mammogram which I have dutifully scheduled for next Wednesday. I am fortunate to not have a family history of breast cancer, but am struck by these figures from the American Cancer Society:

• An estimated 192,370 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. This makes breast cancer the most commonly diagnosed cancer (other than skin cancer) in U.S. women.
• The median age at breast cancer diagnosis in the United States was 61 years. This means that half the women diagnosed with breast cancer are under the age of 61.
• An estimated 2.5 million women living in the United States have a history of breast cancer.
• An estimated 40,170 women will die of breast cancer in 2009, making breast cancer the second leading cause of cancer death (after lung cancer) in U.S. women

These facts are sobering and point to the need for so much more research, fundraising and most importantly, early detection which we each own the responsibility for ourselves.

In October each year, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many imaging centers offer mammography at reduced rates. To find out how to get a low-cost or free mammogram or to find a certified radiology center in your area, call Susan G. Komen for the Cure®'s breast care helpline at 1-877-GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636). You can also visit the FDA website for a list of certified radiology centers. 

To learn more about self exams, click here.

I look forward to sharing more facts, tips and products for a cure over the next month.

As a special bonus to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, leave a comment before Monday, October 5 about how you practice awareness and I will draw three winners for a Breast Cancer silicon bracelet.