Friday, October 31, 2008

Lucky

I received this story this morning from Sandy, a very dear friend of mine, and I just had to share. It's a very touching story; especially for those animal lovers out there like me.

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease...in fact, she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the ho spital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so hausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed. When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love. Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day.

It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky? He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember...live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget...the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards - They are the ones that care for us.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Preparations...

Yikes...it's only a week away. We'll be heading to London on Thursday the 6th because they want me at the hospital at 6:00 am on the 7th. There's no way I'm getting up that early to drive to London, especially since I won't be allowed to even have a coffee!!!

Like I said in my previous post, I've been trying to get organized so have started packing my little overnight bag for my hospital stay. Besides the usual toiletries, etc., I'm packing some fun things to make my stay a little nicer. Here's what I've got so far:
  • Breast Cancer Teddy Bear I won at the Breast Cancer event at Critter Cravings in Kincardine a few weeks ago. Critter Cravings is an awesome store and where we purchase all our dog and cat food and treats...many many treats!

  • A bright pink photo album filled with pictures of my family and pets.

  • Since I was told to pack full coverage underwear (the nurse actually laughed and said "no thongs") because I'll need to wear pads after my surgery (EWWWWWWW!), so I bought some regular underwear at Walmart, but also got this sexy little number. They have an adorable black kitty print and say "Itty Bitty Kitty Committee".



  • I was also told to bring slippers for walking, so I'm bringing these! Should be good for a laugh.


  • They said I could bring my own pajamas for the 2nd day, so following with the theme, these babies are packed! They are black adorable flannel pjs with black cats sleeping on little white clouds...too cute!


  • I'm also hoping I'll get the laptop I want this weekend so I can take it with me too. Apparently you can take your laptop into the hospital; just not cell phones.
I've also told my hubby that I want a TV hooked up as soon as I'm in my room. My most favourite TV show, Ghost Whisperer, airs Friday nights and I don't care how groggy or drugged up I am...I am not missing it!!! LOL

Well, that's about it for now...I'll try post again before I go in to get spayed! Just my little bit of dog and cat lover humour at work there!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The Countdown's On

T-10 days and counting.

My BSO / LAVH is scheduled for November 7th and boy is reality starting to set in. I've started have some big bouts of anxiety and am verging on the odd panic attack...not fun!!! A good cry, a scream or two, a hot bubble bath and a soothing cup of tea usually does the trick to calm the nerves though.


My pre-op went really well. I had a telephone interview instead of having to drive to London for another appointment. That was a nice change. It was 101 health questions and then she told me what to expect post-op. She said I should only be in the hospital 2 nights, but then it's 6 weeks of doing nothing! It sounds nice, but I imagine that will drive me crazy after a couple of weeks. I'm going to buy lots of novels to fill the time. I'm also planning on purchasing a laptop and wireless router this coming weekend so hopefully I'll be able to keep up on the message boards and update here from the comfort of my own bed.


I've been trying to get everything in order and organized so that I don't have too much to worry about or do post-op. I have 90% of my Christmas shopping done so hopefully will feel up to completing it about 3 or 4 weeks after the surgery. I hope so or the stockings could be a little bare this year.


Well, that's about it for now...time for aforementioned hot bath and cup of tea!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Thanksgiving is the time to remember
all the wonderful things in life you have.

Warm wishes to everyone.



Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Army of Women

If you are a woman or have a wife, mother, daughter ... this is a revolutionary project that needs your help. The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and the Avon Foundation have join forces to create the Army Of Women initiative. This project has two goals :


  1. "To recruit one million healthy women of every age and ethnicity, including breast cancer survivors and women at high-risk for the disease, to partner with breast cancer researchers and directly participate in the research that will eradicate breast cancer once and for all."


  2. "To challenge the scientific community to expand its current focus to include breast cancer prevention research conducted on healthy women."


Unfortunately, this project is currently only open to women residing in the U.S. because, at this time, it only involves American researchers. They are hoping to open the project up internationally in the near future. However, I know there are American gals / guys who read this blog and my Canadian readers all probably know at least one American woman that they can share this information with. This is an important, fresh approach to finding a cause and cure for breast cancer that will benefit all women. The link for the project is here. Pass it on!!!


Sunday, October 5, 2008

Feel Your Boobies!

Now that I have your attention!!!

REMEMBER...

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH


Did you know the most common in cancer in Canadian women is breast cancer? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so think pink and support awareness by sporting a pink ribbon.

This year it’s estimated a whopping 21,400 women will develop breast cancer, and 5,300 women will lose their battle against it. That’s about 407 Canadian women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer every week.

Best defense? The pink ribbon campaign promotes prevention and early detection, more research, supporting women and families living with breast cancer, and educating women to “feel their boobies” to stem breast cancer.

So, what’re waiting for? Feel your boobies!


For more info about breast cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, click
www.cancer.ca.


Check out the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation website to find out more ways to you can help @
www.cbcf.org.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

In the Family Airs Tonight!



PBS' award-winning independent non-fiction film series presents:
by Joanna Rudnick

National PBS Premiere on P.O.V.

Wednesday, October 1st at 10pm(EST)*

*times and dates of broadcast differ by location:

When Chicago Filmmaker Joanna Rudnick tested positive for the "breast cancer gene" at age 27, she knew the information could save her life. She now faces an impossible decision: remove her healthy breasts and ovaries or risk incredible odds of developing cancer. A co-production of Joanna Rudnick, Kartemquin Films and The Independent Television Service (ITVS).

My previous post about In the Family and the trailer can be found here...

http://pinkandteal.blogspot.com/2008/05/in-family.html