Matt and I are famous!

Well, not really. But, we were on TV! See if you can spot us in a sea of orange and black (we're the ones in the red and black). It was a fun game and great to see some Bulldogs...but we lost.

Did you find us?

What died on your head?

I know what you're thinking: That hideous monster has to be a wig. Sadly, it is my real hair.

Now, we all know the perils of breast cancer: excruciating treatment, body-altering surgeries and constant fear of recurrence. But, no one ever talks about the hair. I know it's horrible to talk about, much less witness on a daily basis (poor Matt). However, we must talk about this! When your hair grows back after chemo, it comes back CURLY. I don't mean cute, Sarah Jessica Parker curly. No, more like Napoleon Dynamite curly!

What else must I endure? When will my life (and my hair) it go back to normal?

Check your boobies...with your friends!

Last night I was watching a local (well, it was Seattle) news special about breast cancer. They featured a woman who created an organization called "Check your Boobies." She is a breast cancer survivor and an advocate for BSEs (Breast Self Examinations). Additionally, she organizes Boobie Parties! What could be more fun than a boobie party?! I encourage you to check out her web site (FYI, this site does have a bare boobie on it...just in case you're at work) to learn more about this organization and, perhaps, get some tips on organizing your own boobie party. They even have a monthly BSE reminder email that you can sign up for. I encourage all you ladies that still have your boobies to sign up for this email service. It might just save your life!

Here's an interesting article about the excess of breast cancer products. Note: you may have to watch a commercial to view the article but it's totally worth it. Thanks to Matt for sending it my way.

Heaven's pools are.......Empty?

I don't know if any of you recall my "Life's Joys" post from last year regarding cheese dip. I naively made the assumption that cheese dip is a staple in every Mexican restaurant from coast to coast. Unfortunately, I learned that I was horribly wrong! Matt and I have been to countless Mexican restaurants in Oregon, and we have yet to visit one that offers cheese dip on the menu. What's more, none of my new friends (they are from all over the country, but not the South) have never heard of cheese dip. They think that I am talking about the pump cheese you find at the movies. And they also think that I am quite crazy to be obsessing about liquid white cheese. So, if anyone out there lives in the Pacific Northwest and knows where I can find some cheese dip, PLEASE let me know. I am going through withdrawals here!

On a side note, I was happy to learn that I am not the only person obsessed with cheese dip. I found this very informative web site regarding the subject. Enjoy!

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) there is a deluge of everything breast cancer. Personally, I find the breast cancer awareness toilet tissue a bit excessive. I mean, if toilet tissue is going to raise cancer awareness, shouldn't it be for colon cancer? Just a thought. Anyways, there's a lot of merchandise out there. If you decide to do some purchasing, please do your homework to ensure your hard-earned money is being used appropriately.

However, one great thing about BCAM is the stories that run in the national magazines. I have received two in particular that are quite moving in their own ways.

The first is a photo essay about one women's journey with BC, particularly with her mastectomies and reconstruction. If any of you have ever wondered what that was really like, this essay will give you some good insights.



Secondly, if you'd like to bear all for breast cancer, consider contributing a photograph to the 4th Annual Blogger Boobie-Thon. Everyone can participate, even the fellas (see below).



Thanks to Melinda and Matt for the links!

Enjoy BCAM and check your girls, girls!

Update

Hello, friends!

Since I cannot think of any clever breast cancer related posts at the moment, I thought that I'd give everyone an update.

The field school that I went to last week was great! I learned a lot and got my mind off of everything breast cancer for a change. As soon as I get pics I will post them.

I am starting school for serious tomorrow! Wish me luck. I hope that the writing skills that I have fine tuned over the past year here will allow me to be an exceptional graduate student and stellar research paper writer :) I am also leaving for Portland, OR after class tomorrow for the National Trust for Historic Preservation conference.

My hair is insanely curly and somewhat long. I promise that a picture, along with one of the girls, is forthcoming.

I hope that everyone is doing well. I miss all you Georgians and still rely on everyone's wonderful comments to keep me going (so, keep 'em coming). I have found that the post treatment period of cancer is the hardest....more on that later.

Love,
Sarah

Back to School

Well, sort of. Tomorrow, I am off to Historic Preservation Summer Camp...weeeee! Actually, it's better known at the Pacific Northwest Field School. I am so excited and a bit nervous about going back to school. Wish me luck!

Remember this guy?

I do, unfortunately. A year ago, I was struggling with my first chemotherapy treatment...Damn dragon! Feel like reminiscing? Check out the original post.

Buzzy Booberson

While searching for information on a BC support group called Boobees, I found this hilarious website. Apparently, these ladies like to make prints of their breasts and create artwork for coffee mugs, t-shirts and magnets. 50% of the profits go to BC research. However, if you're feeling creative, you can create your own! I wonder what a print of my girls would look like seeing that I have no nippies...Hmmmm, maybe something like this:



Kristina, this post is for you!

Young Women Sought for Study

I read about this study about a month ago and decided to participate. It's the least that I can do for young women who might be affected by this disease. If you or someone you know is a young breast cancer survivor, I encourage you or her to participate. It might just spare our daughters from this disease.

A call for proposals

So folks, it appears that my journey with breast cancer is over. (Well, I still need some nippies, but they can wait.) I need to know what I should do with The Tit Offensive. I would like your thoughts. Should I close down the site? Try to get other girls to contribute? What?

Happy Birthday!

That's right, folks! Wednesday I welcomed new and improved boobies into the world. They still have that "newborn" look, but I am certain that they will get a lot cuter as they get older. Thanks for your thoughts and comments!

Pictures coming soon! (I'm sure that you're wondering if I'm serious or not. I guess you have to check back and see.)

Good-bye Bionic Boob Girl!

Sad but true. Bionic Boob Girl will retire tomorrow around 12:45 PM as I'm off for my FINAL surgery (that's a total of 6 in a year)! Basically, I'm getting your standard boob job with nipple reconstruction. Isn't that exciting?! My plastic surgeon decided against the silicone implants, so I'm going with saline. She will also construct new nipples! Apparently, I will always be cold. Not such a bad thing according to the Sex and the City girls.

Wish me luck!

Tune in to the boob-tube tonight

Tune in to Dateline NBC on Friday evening, June 24, to see scenes from the 5th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer, hosted last February by YSC and Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC). The segment follows a young breast cancer survivor as she battles several recurrences and copes with issues of body image and self-image.

Check your local listings for exact time.

via The Young Survival Coalition

Whatcha think?

How do you like the new site? Let me know what you think! A special thanks goes to my FH for the redesign.

Second-Hand Smoke Linked to Breast Cancer in Premenopausal Women

Researchers from the Public Health Agency of Canada, reported in the May 31, 2005 online issue of the International Journal of Cancer that long-term exposure to second-hand smoke may increase the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women. In an analysis of data from 20 published studies examining the relationship of passive smoking to breast cancer, investigators found a 27% increase in breast cancer risk among non-smoking women who experienced long-term exposure to second-hand smoke, for all studies combined. While several factors differentiated the study outcomes, the quality of the second-hand smoke measures accounted for the greatest variation between studies, with studies that collected quantitative long-term information finding the strongest link between passive smoking and breast cancer. The authors found that, in the five studies with the most complete exposure measures, the breast cancer risk increased by 90%. (Medical News Today, 6/3/05) Via the Young Survival Coalition.

Where the hell are you, Sarah?

This is probably what you've been wondering, right? I'm here, but busy!!

Matt is busily putting the final touches on a new and improved Tit Offensive website. I am very excited about it so keep checking back!

As far as I'm concerned, my final reconstruction surgery is on July 6th, four days and a year after they told me I had breast cancer. What a year it's been!

More posts soon...promise!!

Dear Pervert,

Note: I am reposting this since Matt referenced it today on thedayjobs.com.



This is a website about BREAST CANCER. You won't find any "Young Tits" or "Growing Boobs" on this site. But, since you're here, please tell all the women in your life to check their girls, no matter how old they are because, as you may learn on this site, breast cancer can affect even the youngest of women (but, maybe not quite as young as the women you're looking for). Chances are, you probably aren't very close to any women since you're searching for "Girls going through puberty" + "Tits," but if by some miraculous event you are, they can learn how to do a BSE here.

Love,
Sarah

PS - If you're not a pervert and one of my gracious supporters, let me explain. At the bottom of this webpage, you will find a little icon entitled "site meter." The sit

e meter monitors this website to let me know how many hits it receives and how people are referred to the site. More often than not, people are referred here by searching for the most interesting items. Below are some recent examples.

Cup H Boobs
Site Meter report

Pre-teen Boobs
Site Meter report

HIT THE ROAD, LADIES

Thanks to my dad for forwarding this article. Here's another good reason to start exercising.

There has been a whole host of newsworthy stories this week related to breast cancer and treatment. Most of the news is very promising. Read on...

Turns out, chemo was worth it.

New technology on detecting lumpies.

Not so good news, but good to know.

Good luck, Kylie! Hang in there!

Another reason to give up the cream in my coffee.

Scary stuff!

I AM BIONIC BOOB GIRL

I know that you remember the "fembots" from Austin Powers. They had super powered boobs and, now, so do I! These expanders are so hard that they seem invincible.

If bionic boob girl were a super hero, what would her super powers be?

In other news, I had another expanding session on Tuesday. I am now sporting a C cup and, I must say, it's a bit obscene. Next week, we're on to a D!

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY PERIOD

Dear Period:

I've been missing you lately. I know that in the past I haven't been the kindest to you, cursing your presence and wishing for menopause. I am sure that all those crazy chemo drugs scared you and made you leave and go far, far away. But, it's over now, and I want you back! I promise that things will be different this time. I will learn to appreciate you and all you stand for. Please come back, Period!

With love,
Sarah

PUMP *CLAP* ME UP!

How funny would it be if my plastic surgeon was an Austrian bodybuilder?

I am off to my third round of pumping *clap* up! Today, I will go from an A cup to a B! It's amazing. I would have given anything for these kind of speedy results in middle school:)

It's amazing that women can go through all of this crazy stuff. That's why girly-men don't get breast cancer...they can't handle it! :)

Post Script: Yes, I know that men can also get breast cancer. It happened to Shaft. I was just trying to be funny and incorporate the term "girly man." Learn more about male breast cancer.

Oh, and thank you Charlie for giving me the Hans and Franz idea.

LONG LOST FRIEND: "OMIGOD, YOU CUT YOUR HAIR!"

Sarah: "Actually, it fell out because I had to through chemo for breast cancer."

My hair is getting to the point where it looks like I just decided to cut it. Lately, I've run into people who I haven't seen in long time and they always say something like, "Sarah! I didn't recognize you. You cut your hair! It looks great!" How am I to respond these people? Should I say something like "Yeah, it was getting too hot," or "I really needed an extra 15 minutes of sleep in the morning," or "My flat iron broke so I buzzed it in frustration"?

What a quandary!

BOOBS IN THE NEWS

Be sure to follow the current hearings in Washington, DC over the use of silicone breast implants. Currently, "sillies" (as I like to call them) are only available to a limited population for research. Luckily for me (or not, depending which side of the issue you are on), I am a member that limited population. After my pump-ups are complete, my plastic surgeon plans to use "sillies" to reconstruct the girls.

In other news, my pump up went very well last Tuesday. I'm at 160 cc's, and I expect to fill the expanders up to 500 cc's total.

ROUND TWO

I'm off to my second pump up today. Weeee...

LET'S CELEBRATE BOOBIES, ATHENS!

Breastfest is here!

Please mark your calendars for Saturday, April 2nd. Breastfest will be held at Nuci's Space in Athens. Local music favorites, Heidi Hensley, Audition with Max Reinhart, The Packway Handle Band, Squat and many more will perform. Additionally, Breastfest will also feature a breast health workshop, wall of hope, raffles, kidsfest, music and a drag queen show. Complete event information can be found online.

BreastFest began in 1999 as a tribute to Tyanna O’Brien, a New Jersey mother who lost her life to breast cancer at the age of forty-eight. Her five daughters carry on her legacy through a commitment to awareness and prevention of the disease.

This local fundraising initiative developed to increase breast cancer awareness, health and wellness through music and sport. All proceeds benefit the Athens Regional Breast Health Center and the Tyanna Barre O’Brien Breast Cancer Foundation. BreastFest invites everyone to Celebrate and Remember—celebrate life, celebrate survivors, and remember those who have died.

The Flagpole features a great article about Breastfest this week. You should definitely check it out. No, ...you should really check it out. You won't be sorry :)

I'VE GOT 'SKEETER BITES!

Not literally, but my third attempt at expanding proved to be successful! It didn't hurt a bit and it was not uncomfortable at all. I hope the rest go as well.

Now, I have wee boobies. Hooray!

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU, DAD

No, that's not my senior picture. It's just me hamming it up for the camera. I thought that I'd give ya'll a peak at what my hair has been doing. It's growing like crazy. Every Monday morning my co-workers come by my desk and tell me that my hair has grown over the weekend. I long for a ponytail! Speaking of ponytails, I want to share the dream that I had the other night. It was one of those dreams that are so real and so great that you awake from it extremely disappointed and depressed. You know the ones.

In my dream, I was in the bathroom brushing my long, silky blonde hair. As I sprayed product into it, my hair became shinier and shinier. I thought to myself, "Finally! It's time to put my hair into a ponytail!" So, I pulled my hair back into the long-awaited hairdo. And, it was the best looking ponytail ever! So beautiful! Then, I woke up and realized I still looked like a 14 year old boy. Very disappointing.

In other news, I am heading to the plastic surgeon for my first (fingers crossed) expansion this afternoon. And, in the words of Margaret, the brave heroine of Judy Blume's Are you there God, it's me Margaret, "I must, I must, I must increase my bust."

THE BEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE

Photo c. 1992

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to revisit puberty? Well, if you ever have to go through treatment for breast cancer, you're in luck!

For me, there were three major milestones of puberty: getting boobs, growing pubic hair and starting menstruation.

I remember when I was a pre-teen, I used to dream about the bosom that I hoped to have one day. I often noted the bosoms of my women family members to see how mine might turn out. Since my mastectemy, I have started to dream about my bosom once again. What will it be like? How big will they be? I feel like I'm 12 again. And, I am told that the expansion process is like going through puberty in super-speed motion.

As you know, chemotherapy causes your hair to fall out, ALL your hair. Let's just say that I recently relived those moments from years past when hair started sprouting when it had not before.

Finally, chemotherapy caused my periods to go into hibernation. So, every day, I anxiously await for its arrival. I even had a dream about it last night. I feel just as I did in middle school when all the other girls had gotten their periods, while I waited and waited.

BC HAVING THE BEST WEEK EVER?

Either it's a slow news day or breast cancer is having the best week ever! I strolled on over to CNN.com today and noticed that the main story was about Melissa Etheridge and her bout with the good ol' BC. Check it out!

Also, I was indirectly mentioned on the University of Georgia's main Web site this week. The article mentions an inspirational message from a breast cancer survivor...that's me!

STRIKE TWO

Tuesday, I went to the plastic surgeon for my first "pump-up," but, yet again, I was denied. Looks like I won't have my new girls for that early June beach trip afterall.

On a happier note, my hair is growing quickly and I have retired all my hats (except when my head catches cold). Many of my co-workers call me G.I. Jane, but I think that hair is the only resemblance. Soon, I will have a stylish "pixie" cut.

Have a great weekend!

STILL FLAT AS A BOARD

We've returned from the plastic surgeon and I regret to inform you that I didn't get pumped up today. Apparently, I need to heal for three more weeks until my first session. The damn chemo slows down healing.

LIFE'S JOYS: TRASH TV

Ok, I admit it. I am a sucker for trash TV. The OC, the Bachelorette, desperate Housewives, Project Runway are among some of my favorite TV shows that I rarely miss. Why do I watch this crap? It is my release and break from reality. What's the big deal? My fiancee hates this about me. Why does he care? I know I should spend my time reading a book or preparing for graduate school, but I love the twists and turns in the satirical desperate Housewives, watching Americans navigate the world in the Amazing Race is interesting and sometimes horrifying, and the ridiculous conquests of wealthy teens on the OC is just plain fun. So, as long as there is trash on TV, I will probably be watching it. Let's just hope that I get TIVO soon so it won't interfere with my graduate studies.

PUMP, PUMP, PUMP ME UP

I am off to my first expanding session. I wish that the expanding process was as easy as the old-school reebok pumps. Here's what's going to happen for those of you that are curious.

After my mastectemy, the plastic surgeon came in and inserted expanders under my chest muscles (think of them as deflated implants). Every couple weeks or so, I go back to the plastic surgeon and she will find a "tap" of sorts and fill up the expanders with saline. I will continue to have regular fill-ups until my muscles and skin is sufficiently stretched out. Then, I will go back for another surgery to get my new boobs.

Wish me luck!

BRING ON THE FUZZ

The peachfuzz that is. It appears that I have a fine layer of peachfuzz on my head, and I can't tell you how excited I am about it! I think that it is too early to tell if I will fall victim to the "chemo curl" that I've been hearing about, but I will be sure to keep you posted.

My recovery is from the surgery is going well. I went back to work yesterday for a half day and will do so today. Tuesday I see the plastic surgeon for my first "fill up." More to come on that!

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

This is a note dictated by Sarah, typed by Matt...

Hey, I'm home... I'm resting... and I'm on DRUGS!!!!!

Here's a picture of my ring...

NEW YEAR, NEW BOOBS, NEW NAME

New year: Happy new year everyone!

New boobs: I'm off to Northside hospital tomorrow morning for surgery. I am having a bilateral mastectemy (that's both girls) with reconstruction. Bring on the C cup!

New name: As of January 1, 2005, I'm engaged! So, I'll be getting a new name in the future. You know a guy loves you when you're hairless and boobless!