Until We Have a Cure...

A Blog by Maureen Cavanagh, Owner, TheBCMall.com
and Breast Cancer Survivor

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Unlike when I was first diagnosed, today there’s so much information available about breast cancer that we have to sift through all the offerings.

Here is a terrific resource from my top ten:

Did you know CURE magazine is free to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers in the US?

Here’s a clip off their Web site. “CURE magazine, launched in 2002 for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers, has become the largest consumer magazine in the United States focused entirely on cancer. With a circulation of 325,000, home subscribers account for 180,000 of that figure with the remainder going to cancer centers and advocacy groups around the country. Since its inception, CURE has expanded to reflect the entire cancer continuum, including supportive care issues and long-term and late effects.”

Visit them at curetoday.com and sign up for your free subscription. While you’re there, take time to look around. At the top there’s a tab labeled Cancer Journey that addresses different stages from Diagnosis, Treatment, Survivorship and Co-Survivors, just to name a few. They really get into each stage. I’ve spent lots of time in the Survivorship section which covers issues like recurrence fears, challenges of survivorship, sexuality, moving on and other topics that hit close to home. With your free subscription they also send their annual Cancer Resource Guide. Again - $0 cost to you, but the information provided is priceless.

And what’s to do this New Year? Enjoy! Scoop up all the smiles, hugs, love and joy and hold tightly. Are you smiling? Now open your arms and release all those treasures to magically carry you forward in this New Year - full of hope and sprinkled with that which you hold dear.




Monday, September 27, 2010

This is it! Breast cancer awareness month has arrived! For some people it is a time of celebration to honor survivorship and to reflect back on the progress that we have made towards finding a cure. For others, it is a time of remembering those we have lost along the way in the fight to find a cure.

This past year we saw many breast cancer stories hit headlines.

Just this week, we learned Catherine Walker, designer to Princess Diana, passed away from breast cancer.

We heard Martina Navratilova (tennis athlete), Maura Tierney (actress), and others publicly discuss their battles with breast cancer.

We saw the battle over the effectiveness of early detection mammograms make headlines in the news.

We saw the “I <3 Boobies” bracelets cause controversy in schools.

This year, many of us have participated in awareness events throughout the United States and overseas.

Some of us learned of family members or friends being diagnosed. And this year… some of you were diagnosed.

I want you to know that I am rooting for you all. Whether you’re a supporter, a survivor, a patient, or a friend – you are in my positive thoughts and prayers as we join together to raise awareness.

The amount of friends I have met from the cancer community is an overwhelming blessing I never take for granted. Friends brought over meals for my family while I was sick in bed, they sent me a card to help me smile, and they were always there if I ever needed anything. Trust me, there were those times where I felt all alone, even when surrounded by people… but, that feeling passed and I kept my chin up, and realized that there are more people in the world that care for us than we really ever understand. And there are even more friends out there waiting to meet us! To you, my friend – thank you for joining the fight to raise breast cancer awareness.

A friend will joyfully sing with you when you are on the mountaintop and silently walk beside you through the valley. ~Anonymous

This October, please be sure to show off your pink ribbons and show others that you care about the fight to raise awareness.

We hope to hit 250,000 pink ribbons sold in the past ten years this season. We have about 3,200 to go! This would place a pink ribbon in at least one in every 1,262 people’s hands in the US. Too exciting!!

Thank you for joining the fight.

Until there’s a cure,




Saturday, July 31, 2010

What's on your bucket list? There are a few items on my list: travel to Ireland, live long enough to see a cure for cancer, volunteer with Hospice, see the Northern Lights in person, and to someday leave the San Diego city life for a quiet home in the woods.

"You have to count on living every single day in a way you believe will make you feel good about your life, so that if it were over tomorrow, you'd be content." -- Jane Seymour, Actress
That's kind of a lot of pressure, isn't it? Well, a lot happened last year as many of you know: my husband of 30 years divorced me, my 14-year old dog Sophie passed away, but you know what? Life is always going to throw challenges your way... cancer, divorce, loss... and it's really a reminder of why we're here - to enjoy each and every day that we have here on this beautiful planet.

In keeping with that attitude, I've decided to check one off of my bucket list. No, no trips to Ireland just yet. But, after mulling it over and researching for about a year, I have decided that I am moving to Washington State. I am originally from Missouri, and California has been good to me, but - there's something about those gorgeous evergreen trees that is calling my name.

Do you find this crazy -- I haven't even stepped foot in Washington before! :) But how exciting is it to just pick up and go... because you can! It's so empowering! Exciting! Adventurous! ...a bit scary - but it’ll be great! I just know it.

So, that's it! I found a place in Washington State I fell in love with, full of trees, nature, and for me – a sense of peace I will never be able to explain. I picture myself in my new place, adopting a dog from the local shelter, and going for long morning walks on trails in the woods or along the coast... and even volunteering for hospice in the local town… and continuing to send out pink ribbons all over the world… until there’s a cure.

So, here is your chance to save! I have added more and discounted a lot of the CLEARANCE stuff before we pack things up in about two weeks to help lighten the load. Some items are over 70% off! Offers are good while supplies last.

I’ll post lots of pictures for you when I arrive. Wish me luck! ...I’m scared! But... excited! Thank you for your support. See you soon!!

---

Monday, July 12, 2010

It seems like our suppliers offer more event and fund raising items each season. It’s true there are more cancer walks and races year-to-year, but I’ve noticed more survivor parties, too.

This leads me to wonder if it’s because more of us are living with breast cancer and the ‘Big C’ has finally moved from the elephant in the room to a beautiful celebration of survival.

Thinking of my mom, I remember when mets took over and she died in 1986. That was ten years before my first diagnosis. There were actually people who didn’t come over because they thought they could ‘catch’ breast cancer. True! Of course, that was before the computer age. They were an older generation and didn’t have access to the powerful databases we do. So we have information and, as much as some people squawk, I think the ribbon campaigns have contributed to more open dialog. There have been many times when I’ve been asked about a pin or other piece of jewelry I’m wearing with the pink ribbon. It has been an opportunity to ‘spread the word.’ Those of us intimately familiar with breast cancer can’t imagine anyone not knowing about bc and the drive to raise funds for a cure. It surprises me, but they’re out there.

In my opinion, it’s up to survivors to spread the word and to let those newly diagnosed know that this is doable. It isn’t necessarily a death sentence anymore. It’s awful, to say the least, but together we can get through it. And, if we continue to band together to raise funds for research, survivor numbers will grow and there will be more and more survivor parties. That’s a celebration!

---

More About Maureen:

I will not allow my diagnosis (1996) and subsequent recurrence (1997) of breast cancer stop me from living my dreams! This site is a dream come true. It allows me to raise funds to help support the fight against breast cancer and to help those dealing with breast cancer. We support research into the biology of breast cancer, the development of better diagnostic tools to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage and organizations that assist women and men with the day-to-day challenges of dealing with breast cancer. I lost my mom and two aunts to breast cancer. I am a very fortunate survivor. My sister-in-law is a survivor and my uncle is a survivor. If I have anything to say about it, my daughter, son, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, granddaughter, nieces, nephews, and others, will never have to hear the words, 'You have cancer.' Thank you for visiting. - Maureen

May 2010 Update:

Some folks have asked about my staging, treatments and an update.

I am Stage IIIb

Treatments received:
CAFx4
CMFx2
Taxol
High Dose Chemo w/Autologous Stem Cell Rescue
Radiation x30something
and Tamoxifen.

All recent tests are CLEAR! I am currently NED, No Evidence of Disease and have attained DISH Status on TheBCListserv at http://bclist.org. What is DISH status? When 5 years pass after diagnosis, you attain DISH status (Damn, I'm Still Here)! I'm here and even more determined to continue the fight against Breast Cancer! I'm able to do this because of your support! {{{ Thank You! }}}

Newsletter Sign Up: