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!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I am off to Montana tomorrow to celebrate the holidays with the Helwick clan. There will be lots of food, Christmas morning mimosas....my favorite, and, hopefully, snow.

Wishing you and yours the very best holiday season!

HAIR REPORT

THREE WEEKS OUT

Greetings! This is the first of many biweekly hair reports. Now that chemo is finally over, my hair should start growing back. At three weeks, nothing has happened (note: I did not lose all my hair. The "peachfuzz" that you see never came out).

In other news, I am scheduled for a bilateral mastectemy with reconstruction on January 5th. Happy New Year!

THE SEASON OF GIVING

If you're in mood for holiday giving, please consider the Young Survival Coalition. I don't know what I would have done without their community of young survivors and wealth of information relating to treatment, surgery, etc.

From an email that I received from YSC:
Remember the YSC in Your Year End Giving
Look at me. I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine. I'M FINE! But somewhere in my body, there are these tiny little cells trying to kill me"
These words were spoken by my friend Tracy, a four year breast cancer survivor, who was diagnosed at the age of 32 after finding out that the clogged milk duct she found after breast feeding her son was really breast cancer. One year later, when Tracy thought she was on a path to help other young women beat the disease, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to her lymph nodes and then her brain.
But, you see, Tracy is a fighter. She has to be, for her five-year old son and for her husband, for her family and for the other young women who go through what she does daily. Her goal: to dance at her son's wedding.
By remembering the YSC this holiday season and sending your gift today, the YSC will help empower more young women through their breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. So that young women like Tracy will see their children grow up and dance at their weddings.
Please send your gift to the YSC today. Mail your check to: Young Survival Coalition, 155 6th Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10014; call the office at 1-877-YSC-1011; or make your donation on line at https://www.youngsurvival.org//index.cfm?fuse=donations.form
May you and those around you have a wonderful holiday and season.
To read other sections of the YSC Weekly, click on one of the links below.
YSC's Resource Link Up and RunningUpdate on the Fifth Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast CancerYSC Attends San Antonio Breast Cancer ConferenceÂ

DIO HAS ROCKED FOR A LONG, LONG TIME

And will continue to rock this Saturday as Shiny Diamonds (aka, my brothers' Dio tribute band) at the Zebra Cocktail Lounge in Bozeman, Montana. Shiny Diamonds will be performing as a part of the Tit Offensive breast cancer benefit. I am making the trek to Montana for this very special event, organized by my brother. Read more:

The Tit Offensive Benefit: Shiny Diamonds, Baxema, Ruby's, Liquid Air

Zebra Cocktail Lounge
Sat:Dec 04, 04
8:00 pm

The Tit Offensive - raising money for Cancer Resource Center

On Saturday December 4th at the Zebra Cockatial Lounge, Very Allergic Productions proudly presents The Tit Offensive....a rock and roll breast cancer benefit with all proceeds going to the Big Sky Cancer Recovery and Resource Center. Starting at 8 p.m., join your host Kevin “Box” Perone for a night of rock and roll.starting with Liquid Air’s non smoking set from 8 to 10 p.m. Complimentary appetizers will be offered by Boodles, Dave’s Sushi and Red Letter Events. Be sure to get your raffle tickets ($3 each or two for $5) with prizes from Plonk, Poor Richards, the Garage, Cat Eye Cafe, Looies, Cactus Records, Soucie and Music Villa. At 10 p.m., smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em while the Ruby’s and Baxema keep the evening going. To close out the night, Bozeman’s own all star Dio tribute band, Shiny Diamonds, will be playing. So, come out and support local music while helping raise money for the Big Sky Cancer Recovery and Resource Center. Tickets are only 5 bucks.

Rock!

I HAVE CROSSED THE CHEMO FINISH LINE!

That's right folks! As of 2:30 PM today, I finished my chemotherapy treatments! Bring on my hair! However, I don't feel like celebrating quite yet as my cancer journey is not complete. Tomorrow my mom and I will be traveling to Atlanta to visit with a breast surgeon and plastic surgeon to discuss and schedule a bilateral mastectemy. The fun continues...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hi, friends! I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! We all have much to be thankful for. I am especially thankful for great health insurance, mineral oil, anti-nausea drugs, percocet, and bean burritos. But, most of all, I am SO thankful for all the love and support that I have received from you!

HEY, ATHENIANS! HELP FIGHT CANCER THIS WEEK!

The University of Georgia's chapter of Relay for Life is sponsoring
"Crusade Against Cancer" on November 15-18. Throughout the
week, the Crusade Against Cancer Program is going to be presented
throughout campus. Topics of the program include breast cancer,
testicular cancer, lung cancer, skin cancers, and healthy lifestyle.

In addition, specific events are scheduled throughout this
week for people to participate in. On Wednesday, Nov. 17,
there will be a fundraiser at the Tate Center from 11 am - 2
pm relating to tobacco awareness. On Thursday, Nov. 18, the
Great American Smokeout will take place. This event
encourages individuals to vow to go at least the day without
smoking! On that same day, from 7 - 8 pm at the Arch there
will be a candlelight vigil to honor loved ones affected by
cancer. People are encouraged to bring a photo of their
loved ones who have been or are presently affected by cancer
for a collage that is going to be made.

Thanks to my girl, Adina, for the link!

HELP OTHERS CHECK THEIR GIRLS!

The breast cancer site helps fund mammograms for women who can't afford them. All you have to do is visit their Web site and click! It just takes a second and you don't even have to sign up! Thanks to Wendy for forwarding an email about this. And, for those of you who are suspicious, this site is totally legit. Click away!