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!

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!

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

Warm wishes to everyone.

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!!!

Shopping for the Cause

Help support the cause! These fabulous companies donate proceeds from the sale of these products to the fight against breast cancer. There are many many companies out there doing the same thing, but these are my favs! Happy shopping!!!


Bare Escentuals bareMinerals® Pink Posy Eyecolor




philosophy - shower for the cure 3-in-1 bubble bath, shower gel & shampoo




philosophy's - she colors my day bubble bath



Bath & Body Works - In Touch Breast Self-Exam Glove


Bath & Body Works Limited Edition Cancer Vixen™ Kit


Bath & Body Works Limited Edition Cancer Vixen™ Mentha Lip Tint in Pink Mint



Bath & Body Works Limited Edition Cancer Vixen™ Wild Berry Body Lotion



Bath & Body Works Limited Edition Cancer Vixen™ Wild Berry Hand Wash



Bath & Body Works Limited Edition Cancer Vixen™ Wild Berry Body Cleanser

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.

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:

US: Check Your Local Listings Here!
Canada: Check Your Local Listings Here!

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