Our Inner Child

Dear Blogger Family & Friends,

Holiday hugs and seasons greetings! Welcome to the Pink Crusader blogspot where the spirit of Christmas is in full swing. Santa has your cyber-gift ready and waiting, so grab your inner child and read on...

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.

- Laura Ingalls Wilder

When was the last time we were free to embrace our dreams? Or, the last time we took a mental vacation from everything that is wrong in the world?

Christmas is a wake-up call to our inner child...an annual rebirth with permission to play, laugh, sing and dance. It's a time to abandon all caution, suspend our disbelief, and give our imaginations a good work-out. For some, it involves time travel to a nostalgic place called "home." For others, it is a comforting state of mind.

As 2007 comes to an end, our prayers for peace ring out strong. And while we focus with wide-eyed optimism on the challenges and uncertanties of 2008, now is the time to join together and surround ourselves with all that is merry, holy and bright. Remember, within the course of a year, Christmas is only a 24-hour event, but the problems of tomorrow will remain long after we've taken the time to enjoy the wonder of today.

To the Inner Child in each of us, we dedicate the following with a wish for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

From the Editorial Page of The New York Sun, written by Francis P. Church, September 21, 1897 We take pleasure in answering thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:

"Dear Editor--I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.'
Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?"
Virginia O'Hanlon, 115 West Ninety-fifth Street

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

SURVIVOR UPDATES:

Josie Sethi:

Yes, it's true....the "Pink Crusader" turned 53 last week, and extends a personal word of thanks for all the kind e-mails and birthday wishes. I am humbled to be blessed with a loving family, loyal friends and supportive community and remain incredibly grateful for another year of well-spent life.

As good friend Cheryl Donlin wrote: Josie, ... I heard a song on the radio that I like, but today one lyric in particular caught my ear. We hear so often about life that there's no redo; that this isn't a rehearsal; that there's no rewind / reset button, etc. This lyric is in the same vein, but said it in a vivid, visual way:
"...And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table." Now there's an image for you! ... The singer is Anna Nalick and this is from her song "Breathe (2 AM)"
************************************

Angie Elliott (update per Colin Elliott)

December 23rd, 2007
Angie's strength continues to improve, and she is beginning to get her voice back. She believes that with her current strength levels and the lack of commitments we have (along with all the equipment at home), she's up for going home tomorrow assuming everything goes along the same course. She can actually move around with a walker with only minimal help. She says that her legs are feeling more like a part of her body.

The doctor came in this morning and continued to be impressed and awed by her progress. Being able to be discharged on Christmas Eve is the plan right now, and it looks like we're comfortable enough and strong enough to get it done.

Angie said that her fight isn't over and that it'll take some time to get back to where she was. She will continue to fight the metastasis in the lungs, liver and bones. There are some good signs that the fight is going well, and her CA Antigen has dropped nearly in half from just over 150 to 77 in just over three weeks. While it doesn't prove that the cancer is going away, it does indicate that the cancer activity in her body has reduced significantly due to the chemotherapy and Herceptin.

She has asked for continued prayers for her healing as she knows she has not gotten to where she is on her own. She also asked that we be patient with her in terms of communication. She wasn't very quick on email before, and bombarding her with emails is a sure way to find yourself disappointed. We'll continue to update the CarePage as it seems to be a good way to disseminate information to a lot of people. So, go ahead and keep forwarding the information to more people. I'll see if we can start filling in the gaps with posts about how we got to where she is today.

Thank you God for another day. All of our love, Angie & Colin

http://www.carepage.com/ The page name is AngieElliottsCarePage
Please Note: For those interested in providing meals, Angie’s friend Cindy Wingo is organizing meals for Colin and family members. If you are interested in providing a meal, care package or gift cards for gas, groceries or take-out, please call Cindy at 713-927-4910

For those who would like to donate money, a bank account has been established at Wachovia Bank to pay for meals, groceries, unexpected medical costs, etc. You can make a check to either Colin Elliott or the Colin and Angie Fund and send it directly to our liaison at Wachovia Bank. She will be keeping track of the checks and depositing them directly into the account. Patti Lapp, Wachovia Bank, 2800 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 3400, Houston, TX 77056
************************************
Laura Mannetti

Please say a special prayer for Laura and her family as she begins treatment for a metastatic recurrence.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FYI:

From Emma Jacobs:

For those of you who still have dollars allocated for charitable giving for 2007, but haven’t quite found the right fit for those dollars...HERE IT IS!

The new musical Unbeatable is coming to town in September 2008 in a World Premiere production produced by Houston’s acclaimed Stages Repertory Theatre.

This brilliant new musical follows the true story of a strong-willed woman and her life-changing confrontation with Breast Cancer. It will touch the hearts of so many people, not only the ones who are in the struggle of their lives but those of you who have been affected by Breast Cancer. This musical will inspire and empower people whilst they laugh, cry and understand better what such a journey is really like.

We are currently raising funds to support this ground-breaking event and by making a year-end donation you can be a huge help. Here are some levels of support to consider:

$10,000
A Table for Eight to the opening night Gala
Eight Seats to the opening night performance
Eight invitations to a private cocktail party with cast and creators
Eight seats for the arrival party (when the cast comes from Phoenix)
An invitation to the first rehearsal
A signed copy of the script by cast and creators
A signed copy of the marketing poster by cast and creators

$5,000
Four Seats (1/2 table for the opening night Gala
Four Seats to the opening night performance
Four invitations to a private cocktail party with cast and creators
Four seats for the arrival party (when the cast comes from Phoenix)
An invitation to the first rehearsal
A signed copy of the script by cast and creators
A signed copy of the marketing poster by cast and creators

$2,500
Two Seats to the opening night gala
Two seats for the opening night performance
Two invitations to a private cocktail party with cast and creators
An invitation to the first rehearsal
A signed copy of the script by cast and creators
A signed copy of the marketing poster by cast and creators

$1,000 and above
Eight seats for the arrival party (when the cast comes from Phoenix)
Eight seats for first preview
An invitation to the first rehearsal
A signed copy of the script by cast and creators
A signed copy of the marketing poster by cast and creators

$500
Four seats for arrival party
Four seats for first preview
A signed copy of the marketing poster by cast and creators

$250
Two seats for the arrival party
Two seats for first preview
A signed copy of the marketing poster by cast and creators

$100
Two seats for first preview

$1.00 from every ticket sold must go to support a breast cancer care/research or housing facility in Houston. For those of you who have already donated you qualify at the level of your donation or you can increase your donation to qualify at a higher level. Thanks to your support we are well on our way to our goal of bringing Unbeatable to Houston!

Checks made payable to the Emma Jacobs Breast Cancer Foundation, 206 Terrace Drive, Houston, Texas 77007. OR, If you would like to make your donation via credit card you may contact Emma via the Pink Crusader (thepinkcrusader1@aol.com ) for additional instructions. Thanks for your support, Emma Jacobs

Portions of your donation to the Emma Jacobs Breast Cancer Foundation (a 501c3 organization) may qualify for tax deductions under the laws of the State of Texas.
**********************************************

From Beverly Slaughter:

Hello All! Here is the first issue of the Survivor Newsletter. Our committee goal is to mail/email a newsletter every couple months all year to keep Survivors in the loop and let them know we are thinking about them!

"Hello Everyone!
I’m so happy to tell you that Beverly Slaughter, Bridgette Ferguson and
Angela Marcotte will be heading the Survivor Celebration for the 2008
Relay For Life. They are so excited and have been very busy coming up
with different ways to make sure that you know what we all know ---- SURVIVORS ARE THE HEART OF RELAY! You make Relay For Life personal for so many. When the teams see you take your lap around the track in triumph and victory over cancer, it really drives home why we work so hard to raise money and awareness to defeat this awful disease.

This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Angelina County Relay For Life. I hope that you will let Beverly or I know what we can do to make this year’s Relay For Life more enjoyable for you. If you have never been to Relay For Life before, I hope you will mark May 2 on your calendar and make plans to attend this year. We are working hard to make it a very special and FUN celebration. - We hope to see you there! - Jennifer B. Collins
Chairman, Angelina County
Relay For Life

Please feel free to forward this. It will be snail mailed soon to the Survivors I have info for. Send in those Survivor Stories! If you want to share your story to be featured in a future issue please email your story to Survivor Celebration Chairperson 2008 beverly@slghtr.net

Relay Kick Off, January 8, 2008, Behannon’s Warehouse, Downtown Lufkin
Visit www.relayforlife.org to make the pledge!
Angelina County
American Cancer Society
212 Gene Samford Dr.
Lufkin, TX 75904
936.634.2883

Thank you!
Beverly Slaughter
Bridgett Ferguson
Angela Marcotte
Survivor Celebration Coordinators 2008

********************************
From Cheryl Donlin:

I saw this in Better Homes & Gardens (Jan. '08 issue) and thought it was cool. I know there are other groups like this, too. What a personal gesture of support! My sister and her daughter in New Orleans did this with a different group a year or so ago. A lot of tears, but of joy.

GROW. Cut. Share. Shine.

Pantene Beautiful Lengths was created to bring people together to share their strength and donate their beautiful, healthy hair to create free wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment. For more information visit: http://www.beautifullengths.com/en_US/index_home.jsp

This article on male breast cancer caught my eye in the Chronicle this week because the very first Open Journal radio show Pink Ribbons Project did on KPFT 90.1 FM was on male breast cancer. I'm glad to see that the topic is getting some mainstream attention. It is something that we all need to be more informed about and that all the men in our lives need to be aware of.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/health/5381274.html

*************************************
From Donna Fong:

The Breast Cancer News (BCN) News is delivered daily to nearly 20,000 breast cancer patients, survivors, cancer organizations and health professionals. Links to these articles, along with an archive of our last four years of cancer news coverage, are available in our newsroom at: www.breastcancer.net

**************************************
From Fran Visco
President, National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC)

You've heard of National Breast Cancer Coalition's Less Pink, More Research and Breast Cancer Caucus efforts. Now, we're expanding our creative grassroots outreach even further and harnessing the power of internet outreach. For those of you familiar with the networking sensation Facebook, we have great news: NBCC has gotten on board and joined this vibrant online community of more than 50 million users.

As the President of NBCC, I want to personally invite you to join us on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/

Here are a few ways you can help make these Facebook efforts a success:

Join the Facebook community - it's easy, free and the place to be.
Make me your friend on Facebook.
Visit and join the NBCC group "Less Pink, More Research." You can post comments about breast cancer issues that matter to you most.
Visit the NBCC page and become a "fan" of NBCC.
Support our cause and donate to the NBCCF using the causes application.
As always thank you so much for your support of our work to stop breast cancer. Join our Facebook efforts to help make our collective voices even louder.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DAILY REMINDER #1:
"Fund Free Mammograms" Go to The Breast Cancer Site at http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/tpc/EEB_0115_BCSm and help fund free mammograms for the homeless, working-poor, and un-insured women. It costs nothing to you, except one daily click on the pink "Fund Free Mammograms" button. You can even request automatic reminders via e-mail. Please make your free click now, and thanks for your continuing support! The Breast Cancer Site, One Union Square, 600 University Street, Suite 1000, Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: 1-888-811-5271

DAILY REMINDER #2:
Help eliminate Breast Cancer with a daily click at http://breastcancer.care2.com/ebc-about.html You'll be one of the first people to participate in the largest virtual mountain climb in the world! With every click, (or "step") you generate a donation to eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer--for free. Sponsors pay for your click and fund The Breast Cancer Fund's programs focusing on environmental links to breast cancer. It only takes a second! The Breast Cancer Fund is the leading national organization focused on identifying – and advocating for the elimination of – the environmental and preventable causes of the disease. For more details on the organization’s work, visit http://www.breastcancerfund.org/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendars and Save the Dates!

VICTORIA'S DECEMBER EVENTS AND CLASSES
Enjoy Reiki Treatments, The Winter Solstice Celebration, Chocolate & Shopping at Victoria's Feminine Living Calendar Viewing. To register call Victoria at 713-849-3535 or visit http://www.feminineliving.com/
December 1st - 31st - Reiki Treatments - by appointment

ROSEBUDS II MEETING
December 27th, 5:45 - 7:30 pm
Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
For those who have had or are at high risk for recurrence and/or metastasis, 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet. Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors Future Meetings: January, 2008

HOPE STONE
World Premiere of "See Me"
just hit our sweet new website (http://www.hopestoneinc.org/ ) go to the MONEY MATTERS tab and buy yourself some tickets for a good ole fashion art date! Hey, you can even buy one or two for a deserving child.....they make handy holiday gifts as well! Come early to see photographer Simon Gentry's silent no more photo exhibit in the green room (doors open 6:15 p.m.)Vitals: Jan 10 & 11, 2008, 7:30 p.m., Cullen Theater, Wortham Center
Note: SEE Me Tickets so on sale! http://www.hopestoneinc.org/
http://www.stubdog.com/ (1/2 price tickets...great for tight holiday budgets!)

ROSEBUDS MEETING
January 15th, 5:45 - 7:30 pm Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet. Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month

KNOCKOUT ROSES
A support group for women diagnosed under 40. 2nd Monday of each month, at 5:45 pm, January 14th, 2008. The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet. Contact Amy Rigsby, Technical Director of
The Rose, 713-660-6675.

THE ALICE THOMSEN LYMPHEDEMA AWARENESS GROUP of Houston
Meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month at the American cancer Society Building, 6301 Richmond (between Hillcroft and Fountainview) at 7:00pm. Next scheduled meeting is Januaruy 15th, 2008.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"SHARING is CARING"As always, The Pink Crusader welcomes your comments, stories, poems, events and photographs! Posts are updated each week. Please send your written contributions to thepinkcrusader1@aol.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child."

- Erma Bombeck

Until next week stay strong, stay well and keep on dancing and smooching under the mistletoe! XoXoXo

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com

Song for the Lonely

Dear Blogger Family & Friends,

Welcome to the Pink Crusader blogspot where hugs are free and conversation comes easy. We're glad you stopped by to give us some company. No one is going to rush you, so make yourself comfortable, enjoy the visit and read on.....

"Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for...I don't know what exactly, but it's something that you don't mind so much not having at other times."

- Kate L. Bosher

Memories and traditions are the reasons we love the holidays...the food, the lights, the smells and sounds. Year after year, we do our best to recapture all the "feel-good" moments associated with the season, often averting our eyes to underlying social issues in the process.

While much of the holiday cheer may be influenced by our pre-determined expectations, we can't deny that another aspect of Christmas pleasure comes from a more spiritual source.....namely, turning our attention towards the needs of the less fortunate and opening our hearts and homes to other human beings. If ever there is a time to reach out and empathize with our fellow man, this is the perfect time.

Let's face it, by now we've ventured far enough into the yuletide season to decide whether or not we are committed to reaching out to a troubled teen; reassuring an overwhelmed single parent; running an errand for an incapacitated elder; remembering loved ones in the armed forces; or consoling a grief-stricken friend. By providing a little extra comfort to the hungry, the homeless, the sick or the poor, not only will we gain a deeper appreciation for the true meaning of giving, but we will also provide a sense of healing and harmony that will bring us all closer together in the holy name of Christmas.

So, go ahead and dig a little deeper...there is always a friend in need...and one gesture of kindness may be the most beautiful gift they'll receive this year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

SURVIVOR UPDATES:

Angie Elliott (update per Colin Elliott)

12/15/07 - It's now nearly 3pm on Saturday and I recently got a call from my mother in law asking about an update. I mentioned the other day that time doesn't really exist here, so please forgive the delay. As always, please keep in mind that she's still on a ventilator in the ICU and in critical condition. I relish the thought of being able to write that we're out of the proverbial woods, but that won't be any time soon. So, here's the update...

Thursday afternoon I noticed that Angie looked like she had gotten into a fight sometime in the previous day as there was a dark bruise forming under her eyes. I thought it was probably due to the mask she wore to help her breath before the breathing tube, but I didn't really ask anyone. We also noted that she was passing some blood in her urine, but again no red flags were raised (so to speak).

So, when I showed up Friday morning and saw that the bruises were a bit worse, I thought nothing of it. Then she opened her eyes. Whoa! She must have gotten into a nasty bar brawl; the white part around her eyes were red in a number of wide spots. I must admit that the first thing that came to mind was that something had happened with the night nurse. I was relieved to find out that the bruising was due to her low platelet count.

The eye specialist stopped by this morning and agreed that was the problem and that her eyes are otherwise just fine. It should clear up in time, so there is nothing permanently wrong that they can see at this time. The best part is that is really the worst thing that's happening with her. She continues to cough some, and it has been productive at times but generally she just has irritation. When holding her back when she wants to sit up, I can feel the congestion in her chest, whether from phlegm or fluid. I'm not a doctor, but it seems to be getting slightly better over time. The x-ray shows the we're stable in the lungs, and that whatever infection she had has either gone away or is stabilized. Either way, they still see breathing difficulties and those are being caused by the cancer infiltrate.

One of the nurses decided to put her hair up in a top knot and it seems to fit her pretty well. They normally wouldn't done a pony tail, but since she's laying down all the time, the top knot is a better choice. The nurses are having an easier time managing her with my constant presence in the room from Wednesday afternoon. They can confine her less and I can react much more quickly to keep her comfortable. When you've been in bed for this long, your backside gets sore from all the laying around, and she's been known to squirm quite a lot trying to get comfortable unless I'm in here and being proactive.

What else? Hmmm... they're expecting to be able to give her the next dose of chemotherapy on Monday as her blood counts have been a bit low recently. They want to wait until her counts are higher before they administer the next dose. One other piece of good news is that they reduced the maximum pressure the ventilator was forcing into her lungs from 29 to 28. Small steps, but small steps in the right direction are very good.

I'm doing ok also. It's very taxing emotionally and physically to be here all day, but since I was told I could bring in my laptop, I'm doing much better with passing time. There's probably a ton of things I'm forgetting right now, but I'm sure I'll catch up on those in the next post. - Colin
http://www.carepage.com/ The page name is AngieElliottsCarePage

Please Note: For those interested in providing meals, Angie’s friend Cindy Wingo is organizing meals for Colin and family members. If you are interested in providing a meal or gift cards for gas, groceries or take-out, please call Cindy at 713-927-4910

For those who would like to donate money, a bank account has been established at Wachovia Bank to pay for meals, groceries, unexpected medical costs, etc. You can make a check to either Colin Elliott or the Colin and Angie Fund and send it directly to our liaison at Wachovia Bank. She will be keeping track of the checks and depositing them directly into the account. Patti Lapp, Wachovia Bank, 2800 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 3400, Houston, TX 77056
*************************

Susan Robertson

We continue to send our get-well wishes to Susan who is doing much better following recent surgery, and moving forward to the next phase of treatment.
**************************

Cheryl Donlin

We received a cheery note from Cheryl this week thanking everyone for their concern and reassuring us that she is determined to enjoy the holidays in spite of impending treatment after the first of the year. She will keep us posted.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FYI:

Cheryl Donlin:

Here are links to two really good articles: one on chemo and one on oncotyping for chemo.

Work. Create. Grow. Give. - Cheryl

1. http://www.everydayhealth.com/publicsite/ShowArticle.aspx?IsP=news/610/news610842.xml&dp=2007/12/13&q1=Breast%20Cancer&Breast%20Cancer&cen=

2. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3997482
*****************************

From Donna Fong:
Donna has not as yet viewed this web site, but thought you may find it beneficial.

A New Web Resource for Breast Cancer Patients with Brain Metastases
Most drugs that help control metastatic breast cancer elsewhere in the body are not able to penetrate into the brain. So, as improved treatments extend survival, increasing numbers of women with metastatic disease face a diagnosis of brain metastases. Learning breast cancer has spread to the brain is frightening. Patients may not realize that some women can live for years after getting brain metastases, with good quality of life. For more information on BrainMetsBC.org, including information for the newly diagnosed, as well as the very latest on research and treatment, visit: BrainMetsBC.org

Also from Donna Fong:

Scientists discover how BRCA1 gene causes cancer
Mon Dec 10 15:50:08 UTC 2007
By Julie Steenhuysen
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Mutations in the BRCA1 breast cancer gene appear to be linked with the loss of a protein important for putting the brakes on cell growth, a finding that could lead to new therapies, researchers said on Sunday. The breakthrough could lead to more effective therapies for women with an aggressive and especially deadly cancer known as triple-negative that does not respond to current advanced drugs, the researchers said.

"It doesn't have a good target for therapy at this point," said Dr. Ramon Parsons of Columbia University Medical Center in New York, who worked on the study.

Scientists have known for more than a decade that women with certain alterations in the BRCA1 gene were at high risk for breast cancer. What they have not understood is exactly how a mutation in this gene leads to cancer. Researchers at Columbia, working with at team at Sweden's Lund University, now believe mutations in the BRCA1 gene can leave cells incapable of repairing routine DNA damage. When such damage occurs in a protein called PTEN, which regulates the growth of cells, cell growth is unchecked and tumors form.

Women with faulty copies of BRCA1 or BRCA2 have a 50 to 85 percent chance of getting breast cancer. Mutations in these genes account for 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer cases. Most breast tumors are called estrogen-receptor positive, because they are fuelled by the hormone estrogen. About 20 percent are HER2-positive, because a protein called HER2 is involved. A third type is driven by the hormone progesterone.

These types of cancer have good treatments. Then there are basal-like or triple-negative tumors, so named because they lack estrogen, progesterone or HER2 receptors needed for most breast cancer drugs to work.

UNCHECKED GROWTH
"The basic idea is that BRCA1 is a repair enzyme that is involved in coordinating the repair of double strand DNA breaks," said Parsons said in a telephone interview.
"When it is mutated, it is no longer present in a cell. If a cut occurs in PTEN, there is no way for this cell to fix it," said Parsons, whose study was published in Nature Genetics.

"It is like cutting the brake cable on a car," he said. "If PTEN is broken, you turn on a pathway that tells the cell to grow. It tells the cell to start dividing. It tells the cell, 'don't die.'"

Parsons said loss of the protein PTEN is how breast cancer gets started in women who have inherited the BRCA1 gene mutation. His team made the connection between BRCA1 and PTEN by searching for chromosome breaks within the PTEN gene.

They scanned 34 biopsies taken from women with BRCA1 tumors. The PTEN gene had been split in two, but inadequately repaired in about one-third of the cancers. In some cases, entire sections of the gene were missing. They said these chromosomal mistakes trace back to the tumor's lack of BRCA1, which is charged with cell repair. He estimates that about 50 percent of BRCA1 breast cancers harbor mutated PTEN.

"These tumors have very high frequency loss of the PTEN protein," Parsons said. In breast cancers from women with normal BRCA1, they rarely found large mutations in PTEN. "A lot of drug companies are working on this. There is reasonably good hope that this approach will improve therapy for patients," Parsons said.

Basal-like breast tumors are also found in 10 to 20 percent of women whose cancer was not caused by BRCA1 or another gene. The researchers found PTEN is lost in most of these breast tumors as well. (Editing by Jackie Frank)
© Copyright Reuters 2006All rights reserved. Users may download and print extracts of content from this website for their own personal and non-commercial use only. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
*********************************

Diane Balma - Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocacy Alliance:

Great news! Thanks to the efforts of Champions like you, Congress has passed legislation to extend the Breast Cancer Research Stamp four more years, through 2011. The House of Representatives passed the bill on Tuesday, and the Senate followed suit last night. The bill now awaits signature by President Bush.

This victory would not have been possible without the dedication and tireless efforts of more than 50,000 Komen Champions for the CureTM who let Congress know how important the stamp is through petitions, letters, and phone calls.

Now, let's thank Congress for doing its part. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Representative William Lacy Clay (D-MO) spearheaded the effort in Congress to extend the life of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp.

The Breast Cancer Research Stamp is the top-selling commemorative stamp of all time. Since the program started in July 1998, more than 785 million stamps have been sold, raising more than $58.3 million for breast cancer research. The extension of the stamp will allow Americans to continue contributing to the fight against breast cancer and raising awareness about the disease. Thank these legislators for their leadership! Send your thank you note now.

************************************

From Victoria at Feminine Living:

Ladies, Happy Holidays to all... I have a wonderful class and event calendarfor you this December... including offering my new line of FEMININE LIVINGGIFT PRODUCTS. Make your holidays stress free and joyful by joining me thisseason with the calming, peaceful energy of FEMININE ENERGY! I hope to see you here! Blessings and holiday cheer, Victoria
For details visit: http://www.feminineliving.com/calendar.html
************************************

From Destini Jordan:

Please tell ten friends to tell ten today! The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on 'donating a mammogram' for free (pink window in the middle). This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate mammogram in exchange for advertising. Here's the web site! Pass it along to people you know. http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

************************************

From Beth Irvine:

What mother doesn't want to give her daughter the gifts of health and well being? This workshop is for mothers and their teen daughters who have an interest in finding techniques to bring balance into their every day life. In this weekend workshop we will use the tools of yoga emphasizing breathing and body awareness, quieting the mind through meditation, and creative self expression with pen and paper. All of these techniques shared with your daughter as well as plenty of time to take in the restorative spa treatments in the beautiful and serene Texas hill country. For more information visit: healthymotherhealthychild.com
***********************************

From Jane Weiner:

Hope Center is pleased to announce and unveil (officially)Our New website: http://www.hopestoneinc.org/ We need a few more young artists here at Hope Center.....If interested please call the office and we can sign up your child for classes in dance, music, theater and martial arts. We still have a few more scholarships!

Plus: Our First ever HopeWerks Showing. This semester we offered FREE rehearsal space to the Cassandra Shaffer Dance Ensemble to help promote their work. On December 22nd, 3 p.m. Cassandra and her dancers will present works in progress, The Mad Scene & "baby". 3 p.m. showing @ Hope Center, $5.00 donation @ the door....and you know there is chocolate involved!! Jane Weiner: hopestone@sbcglobal.net 713.526.1907
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DAILY REMINDER #1:

"Fund Free Mammograms" Go to The Breast Cancer Site at http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/tpc/EEB_0115_BCSm and help fund free mammograms for the homeless, working-poor, and un-insured women. It costs nothing to you, except one daily click on the pink "Fund Free Mammograms" button. You can even request automatic reminders via e-mail. Please make your free click now, and thanks for your continuing support! The Breast Cancer Site, One Union Square, 600 University Street, Suite 1000, Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: 1-888-811-5271

DAILY REMINDER #2:

Help eliminate Breast Cancer with a daily click athttp://breastcancer.care2.com/ebc-about.html You'll be one of the first people to participate in the largest virtual mountain climb in the world! With every click, (or "step") you generate a donation to eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer--for free. Sponsors pay for your click and fund The Breast Cancer Fund's programs focusing on environmental links to breast cancer. It only takes a second! The Breast Cancer Fund is the leading national organization focused on identifying – and advocating for the elimination of – the environmental and preventable causes of the disease. For more details on the organization’s work, visit http://www.breastcancerfund.org/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendars and Save the Dates!

VICTORIA'S DECEMBER EVENTS AND CLASSES
Enjoy Reiki Treatments, The Winter Solstice Celebration, Chocolate & Shopping at Victoria's Feminine Living Calendar Viewing. To register call Victoria at 713-849-3535 or visit http://www.feminineliving.com/
December 1st - 31st - Reiki Treatments - by appointment
December 15th & 16th - and December 22nd & 23rd
Chocolate and Shopping 1-6 pm
December 22nd - Winter Solstice - 7:00

HOPE STONE
Sugar Cookie Week - A Sweet Deal at Hope Center
Monday Dec. 17-Sat. Dec. 22

FACES BEHIND BREAST CANCER BOOK SIGNING EVENT Come and meet the author and participants for a special holiday book event on Tuesday, December 18th, from 11am - 3pm at Appearances Boutique, located in the Mays Clinic at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 2nd Floor. We encourage everyone to invite friends, family and co-workers since this will be the last book event of the year.

ROSEBUDS MEETING
December 18, 5:45 - 7:30 pm Breast Cancer Support Group MeetingThe Rose, 3400 Bissonnet. Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY TEA!
Sat. December 22nd, at Serenitea Tea Room and Gift Shop.13889 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, TX Share the joy of the holiday season over a cup of steaming hot wassail and spiced pecans along with a delicate assortment of finger sandwiches; gingerbread with honey nut cream cheese, egg salad with watercress, spinach and pimento stack-up, ham and pear with walnuts, and the classic cucumber sandwich. You will also enjoy classic English scones with a twist, chocolate chips and orange. And for dessert try the mini traditional rum fruitcake, chocolate-dipped shortbread biscuits and grapes. Add a pot of tea...your choice from the Tea Selections menu. Plus, a special gift for everyone, compliments of Serenitea! By Reservation Only. Phone: 281-491-4588 Cost is $30 per person + Tax and Gratuity http://www.sereniteatearoom.com/

ROSEBUDS II MEETING
December 27th, 5:45 - 7:30 pm
Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
For those who have had or are at high risk for recurrence and/or metastasis, 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet. Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors Future Meetings: January, 2008

HOPE STONE
World Premiere of "See Me"
just hit our sweet new website (http://www.hopestoneinc.org/ ) go to the MONEY MATTERS tab and buy yourself some tickets for a good ole fashion art date! Hey, you can even buy one or two for a deserving child.....they make handy holiday gifts as well! Come early to see photographer Simon Gentry's silent no more photo exhibit in the green room (doors open 6:15 p.m.)Vitals: Jan 10 & 11, 2008, 7:30 p.m., Cullen Theater, Wortham Center
Note: SEE Me Tickets so on sale! http://www.hopestoneinc.org/
http://www.stubdog.com/ (1/2 price tickets...great for tight holiday budgets!)

KNOCKOUT ROSES
A support group for women diagnosed under 40. 2nd Monday of each month, at 5:45 pm, January, 2008 The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet. Contact Amy Rigsby, Technical Director of The Rose713-660-6675.

THE ALICE THOMSEN LYMPHEDEMA AWARENESS GROUP of Houston
Meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month at the American cancer Society Building, 6301 Richmond (between Hillcroft and Fountainview) at 7:00pm. Next scheduled meeting is Januaruy, 2008.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"SHARING is CARING"As always, The Pink Crusader welcomes your comments, stories, poems, events and photographs! Posts are updated each week. Please send your written contributions to thepinkcrusader1@aol.com .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a song - for the lonely
Can you hear me tonight?
For the broken hearted, battle scarred
I'll be by your side
And this is a song - for the lonely
When your dreams won't come true
Can you hear this prayer?
'Cause someone's there for you

- Song for the Lonely, Music & Lyrics by Steve Torch, Mike Taylor and Paul Barry, Universal Music Publishing Group

Until next week stay strong, stay well and keep on dancing for the weary, the weak and the broken-hearted.

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com

Tastes of the Season

Dear Blogger Family & Friends,

Welcome to the Pink Crusader blogspot, momentarily known as "Cookie Central." Hungry for a holiday treat? If so, you've come to the right place. This week we're dishing out dolce with glitter and flare, so grab an apron, kiss the cook and read on.....

"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly
merry Christmas."

- Peg Bracken

By now you've probably made a dent in your holiday shopping and have turned your attention towards the kitchen for the annual marathon bake-off! While we enjoy swapping favorite recipes with family and friends, we have also become familiar with several web sites which offer an extensive inventory of holiday delights:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/ - Features food preparations by your favorite culinary celebrities as seen on the Food Network Channel.

http://www.evite.com/ - Features everything from menu suggestions, to party planning, to festive table decorations.

http://www.dotnewsletters.com/t/140488/23573554/4603/0/ - Features quick and easy recipes.

http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/cat0001.html - Features every possible cookie recipe known to mankind, from "a" through "z"

Okay my little babies, everybody man your oven and grab your rolling pin as we transform our counter space into an assembly-line production with the help of our online elves. We hope you and your loved ones enjoy the tastes of the season...Happy baking and Bon Appetite!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SURVIVOR UPDATES:

Angie Elliott (per Jenee Bobbora)

Hello and thanks for your concern. Here is the update that I posted last night on the Care Page. If you are unable to access the care page let me know. http://www.carepage.com/ The page name is AngieElliottsCarePage

12/7/07 - Hello friends of Angie and Colin. There is not much new news today. Angie continues to fight for her life and we continue to pray for her. Angie and Colin's family are in town and spending days in the waiting room praying and waiting for news. So many of you have asked how to help. I am sorry I haven't responded to everyone individually. Here is an update on the effort to help out.

For those interested in providing meals: Angie’s friend Cindy Wingo is trying to organize meals for the next few days starting tonight. If you are interested in providing a meal please call her. Cindy Wingo’s cell is 713-927-4910

For those who would like to donate money , we have established a bank account at Wachovia Bank in order to start a fund to pay for meals, groceries, unexpected medical costs, etc. You can make a check to either Colin Elliott or the Colin and Angie Fund and send it directly to our liaison at Wachovia Bank. She will be keeping track of the checks and depositing them directly into the account. Patti Lapp, Wachovia Bank, 2800 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 3400, Houston, TX 77056

Thank you for your love and concern for Colin and Angie. I know they appreciate it very much as does their families. Continue to post messages as I know it is comforting to know people care so much. - Jenee

Susan Robertson

We continue to send our get-well wishes to Susan as she recovers from recent surgery. We miss you, Susan!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FYI:

From Beth Irvine:

Dear Friends, I want to invite you to listen in on my talk show. Get all the juicy details by clicking on the following link : www.blogtalkradio.com/HealthyMotherHealthyChild
Please call in the number is: 646 595-4707, 11:00 am cdt
Thanks, Beth Irvine http://www.healthymotherhealthychild.com/

From Jane Weiner:

Hope Center is pleased to announce and unveil (officially)Our New website design!!!http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001gQAdBjnSLVbjiutMCosq83nQXnjIC8_JiFb62SpdtdvBUjx_7xPQaPVkONwYGbohDZLUGFHxZL6hi6Jirdt21KagFKgJ85UHhtFzx-bbE4dM1FwbrIFyJw== It is up-to-date, so you can download the current class schedule for the end of fall 2007 (Yes, full adult class schedule until December 22nd)....Plus our new 2008 adult and children schedule!!!! So please check us out...surf our site...learn more about us....say hello to us...let us know your thoughts.....buy a ticket for some good art....buy a ticket for a deserving kid to see good art. Have a good day. Drink water!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAILY REMINDER #1:
"Fund Free Mammograms" Go to The Breast Cancer Site at http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/tpc/EEB_0115_BCSm and help fund free mammograms for the homeless, working-poor, and un-insured women. It costs nothing to you, except one daily click on the pink "Fund Free Mammograms" button. You can even request automatic reminders via e-mail. Please make your free click now, and thanks for your continuing support! The Breast Cancer Site, One Union Square, 600 University Street, Suite 1000, Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: 1-888-811-5271

DAILY REMINDER #2:
Help eliminate Breast Cancer with a daily click at
http://breastcancer.care2.com/ebc-about.html You'll be one of the first people to participate in the largest virtual mountain climb in the world! With every click, (or "step") you generate a donation to eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer--for free. Sponsors pay for your click and fund The Breast Cancer Fund's programs focusing on environmental links to breast cancer. It only takes a second! The Breast Cancer Fund is the leading national organization focused on identifying – and advocating for the elimination of – the environmental and preventable causes of the disease. For more details on the organization’s work, visit http://www.breastcancerfund.org/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendars and Save the Dates!

ROSEBUDS II MEETING
December 13th, 5:45 - 7:30 pm
Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
For those who have had or are at high risk for recurrence and/or metastasis, 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet. Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors Future Meetings: December 27

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY TEA!
Sat. December 15th &; Sat. December 22nd, at Serenitea Tea Room and Gift Shop.13889 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, TX Share the joy of the holiday season over a cup of steaming hot wassail and spiced pecans along with a delicate assortment of finger sandwiches; gingerbread with honey nut cream cheese, egg salad with watercress, spinach and pimento stack-up, ham and pear with walnuts, and the classic cucumber sandwich. You will also enjoy classic English scones with a twist, chocolate chips and orange. And for dessert try the mini traditional rum fruitcake, chocolate-dipped shortbread biscuits and grapes. Add a pot of tea...your choice from the Tea Selections menu. Plus, a special gift for everyone, compliments of Serenitea! By Reservation Only. Phone: 281-491-4588 Cost is $30 per person + Tax and Gratuity http://www.sereniteatearoom.com/

FACES BEHIND BREAST CANCER BOOK SIGNING EVENT
Come and meet the author and participants for a special holiday book event on Tuesday, December 18th, from 11am - 3pm at Appearances Boutique, located in the Mays Clinic at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 2nd Floor. We encourage everyone to invite friends, family and co-workers since this will be the last book event of the year.

ROSEBUDS MEETING
December 18, 5:45 - 7:30 pm Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet. Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month http://www.rosebudssupport.org/

KNOCKOUT ROSES
A support group for women diagnosed under 40. 2nd Monday of each month, at 5:45 pm, January, 2008 The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet. Contact Amy Rigsby, Technical Director of The Rose713-660-6675.

THE ALICE THOMSEN LYMPHEDEMA AWARENESS GROUP of Houston
Meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month at the American cancer Society Building, 6301 Richmond (between Hillcroft and Fountainview) at 7:00pm. Next scheduled meeting is Januaruy, 2008.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"SHARING is CARING"As always, The Pink Crusader welcomes your comments, stories, poems, events and photographs! Posts are updated each week. Please send your written contributions to thepinkcrusader1@aol.com .

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"For the spirit of Christmas fulfils the greatest hunger of
mankind."

-Loring A. Schuler

Until next week stay strong, stay well and keep on dancing with a cookie in one hand and a glass of moo juice in the other!

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com

The Giving Heart

Dear Blogger Family & Friends,

The Pink Crusader welcomes you with Holiday Hugs and warm Christmas Cheer! You'll have to step around the gift wrap and trimmings as we get ready to decorate and place the presents under the tree.....Remember, no peeking!

"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first....Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart."-- George Mathew Adams

December 2007 is off and running, and so are we...all the way to the mall! Now that the holiday shopping is heavily underway, it is impossible not to be drawn into the energy of the season. From Black Friday to Cyber Monday and everything thereafter, we dash in and out of our favorite stores, armed with checklists, coupons and cunning strategy...each purchase presenting its own set of challenges and each shopper determined not to fall short of their goals. We are penny-pinching, bargain-browsing, coupon-clipping, window-watching, saavy shoppers and we must hold on to our positions and advertised specials, no matter what!

From a practical view, holiday shopping requires time, energy and money...usually more than our savings will allow. And, when funds fall short of expectations, it is a prudent reminder that we should not give gift-giving more attention than it deserves. Most shoppers are in the same boat. It's so easy to get hung up on the wrong stuff and be tempted to stray from our budgets. It's more important to honor a friend or loved one with a kind word, unexpected phone call, or home-baked goodies rather than getting frustrated or discouraged. Above all, keep a positive attitude and don't spoil the fun for them or for YOU!

Being sensitive to those among us who are too delicate to fight the traffic and frenzied crowds, there is always online shopping...a more civilized, less chaotic way of accomplishing the same goals. While we all want to find that perfect gift for that special someone at discount prices, there's no written law that prevents us from choosing our battlegrounds. If you keep a positive attitude, then you've already won half the battle. And, best part, you can browse the internet in the comfort of your home and your pajamas......cool yule, dude!

For the 11th-hour procrastinators, there is still a truck-load of time to make a list, set a budget and execute a gameplan. In a pinch, gift cards are life-savers, but don't bail by taking the easy way out...Put your fantasies, daydreams and bonus time to good use! And, above all, remember that it may take more than one day to accomplish your mission!

Once the shopping is finished and the hard work is out of the way, it's time to wrap the presents! Just keep an open mind and let your creative juices take over...this is supposed to be fun! There is nothing quite as festive as the colorful display of neon bounty under the tree. We all love to channel our x-ray vision and guess what's hidden inside the decorative gift wrappings, boxes, and bags. We love the cheery packages dressed in sequins, glitter and mosaic accents....so joyful they seem to shout, "If you don't hurry up and open me, then I'll just have to open myself!"

In the end, when Christmas day has come and gone, and the crumpled swirl of discarded gift wrap, ribbon and bows litter the floor, we know the lingering tidings of gladness will not be about clothes, electronics, gadgets or jewels. Rather, we will be grateful for our full and happy hearts.

Oh, one more thing...as long as you are at it, remember to do something special for yourself this season. You deserve it!

Next Week: Smells of the Season
Please submit your favorite holiday recipes and any amusing culinary stories you'd like to share in next week's edition of the Pink Crusader. Editing deadline is Friday, December 7th.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SURVIVOR UPDATES:

Cynthia (Sunni) Smith

We are sad to inform you of the passing of "Sunni" Smith on November 21st. Sunni, a former Rosebud, will be honored in a memorial service on Thursday, December 6th, at Bradshaw-Carter, 1734 W. Alabama, Houston.

Cheryl P. Donlin

Our thoughts and prayers go to good friend and survivor Cheryl P. Donlin as she begins treatment for a recent recurrence. Well-wishes to Cheryl and her family may be sent via e-mail to cdonlin@tejaslabs.net .
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FYI:

From Josie Sethi:
The Faces behind Breast Cancer update

Be sure to catch our online interview this Saturday, December 8th at 5:42pm (Central Time), at http://www.wsradio.com/copingwithcaregiving . Hosted by Jacqueline Marcell, author of the best-selling book, "Elder Rage," this Internet-only radio program is heard live worldwide and will be available anytime for one year via the online archive. (Free downloads of Windows Media Player or Real Player are available at the website.) Note: This program is not broadcast on regular radio and listeners cannot phone-in questions.

Good News! The Faces behind Breast Cancer can now be ordered directly through Amazon.com. Be sure to spread the good word and visit online at
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-6282655-7021736?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Faces+behind+Breast+Cancer&x=12&y=24
*******************************************

From Bev Slaughter:

Hello -
My high school friend that I am walking with in the Houston - Avon Walk sent
me this online article regarding a Party she is having in Frederick, Maryland to raise funds for the walk.
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=68374
You will notice (in the picture) that she is holding a copy of
"Faces behind Breast Cancer" with my face showing. :) She asks for your prayers for blessed success. - Bev
****************************************

From Karen Funk:

If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/ you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services.

How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Whether you are for or against the war, our guys and gals over there need to know we are behind them...
****************************************************

From Cheryl P. Donlin:

Once again the Universe has provided what I need when I need it! A most wonderful book has come into my life: Fine Black Lines: Reflections on facing cancer, fear and loneliness by Lois Tschetter Hjelmstad. It is available on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Fine-Black-Lines-Reflections-Loneliness/dp/0963713981

This lady speaks my language and her words reach right into me, striking responsive chords that are perfectly suited to my second-diagnosis situation. It's part journal, part poetry, part photographs. To give you a taste of her writing, I've inserted two of her poems below that really spoke to me:

You Will Be Just Fine
Please do not trivialize
My suffering.

You who are healthy
You whose mortality is as yet
Only dimly perceived --
Please do not say
"You will be just fine."

I may well be -- someday --
but I do not know...
You do not know...

1991

No Lifeguard on Duty
it is difficult
when one is drowning
to wave to the people
on shore

one wants to be
friendly, of course,

but perhaps it is
more important
to keep
swimming

December 1990
************************************************

From Susan G. Komen for the Cure:

2008, 3-Day Walk Dates now Available
The Breast Cancer 3-Day® is a 60-mile walk for women and men who want to make a personal difference in the fight against breast cancer. Participants walk 60 miles in three days and help raise millions of dollars for breast cancer research and patient support programs.

Each night of the event, walkers experience an incredible mobile city that's more than just sleeping tents and warm showers, where they can eat, relax and renew their spirit with their fellow walkers.

The Breast Cancer 3-Day benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. For more information visit http://www.the3day.org/ , or call 800-996-3DAY to walk the Breast Cancer 3-Day in a city near you.
*******************************************

From Rosemary Barr and Donna Fong:

Freezing Bone Cancer Tumors Reduces Pain,
Mayo Clinic Study
Re-printed from Reuters News - 2007

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Cryoablation, a procedure most commonly associated
with destroying kidney and prostate tumors by freezing them, has been
shown to offer durable pain relief of cancer that has spread to bone.
The procedure freezes and shrinks or destroys cancerous tumors in or
near bone.

"Cancer patients are living longer and we need to be able to manage
their pain over a long period of time," says Matthew Callstrom, M.D.,
Ph.D., a radiologist at Mayo Clinic who will present his latest
findings on cryoablation for pain management at the Radiological
Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting this week (Nov. 27).

Each year in the United States approximately 100,000 people develop
cancer that spreads to the bone (metastasizes). This type of cancer
causes extreme pain and often cannot be managed by narcotics or other
standard treatments. New approaches in pain management are needed to
help patients living longer with cancer, achieve a higher quality of
life. In this study, cryoablation was used to treat 34 patients whose
primary cancers had spread to the bone. These patients either did not
have success with conventional pain management treatments or refused
such treatments. Eighty percent of the patients experienced a
clinically significant reduction in pain. Furthermore, the treatment
appears to have lasting effects: 24 weeks after undergoing the
procedure, patients still reported significantly lower levels of pain.
"Two key parts of this study are that the reduction in pain lasts and
their quality of life improves after receiving the treatment," Dr.
Callstrom says.

These results are important for two reasons: first, cryoablation
worked after other treatments failed to provide adequate pain relief;
second, cryoablation provides long-term pain relief. Radiation therapy
is considered the gold standard in pain management for patients with
focal pain associated with metastatic cancer, but it provides only
short-term relief for many patients or fails altogether, he states.

Dr. Callstrom recently received a $900,000 grant from the National
Cancer Institute to lead a nationwide study to compare cryoablation
and radiation therapy as treatment for pain associated with metastatic
cancer. This will be a randomized study in which patients will receive
either cryoablation or radiation therapy.

Doctors use imaging tools, such as CT, to guide small needle-like
probes into the tumor. Gas is then circulated through the probes,
supercooling the tumor and turning it into a ball of ice.

The procedure calls for a probe inserted directly into the tumor with
ultrasound or CT imaging guiding the way. It is a minimally invasive
procedure in which only a ? inch long cut is required to insert the
probe. Patients are usually sedated for the procedure and released 24
hours later. The recovery time is short and patients typically start
experiencing pain relief within a few days to four weeks after
treatment.

Patients in this study had primary cancers that included colorectal,
renal cell, bronchogenic, squamous cell, adrenal cortical, ovarian and
thyroid carcinomas, paragangliomas (tumors that arise within the
sympathetic nervous system), melanoma and desmoid tumors (tumors of
tissue that surrounds muscles).

This study is funded by Endocare Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAILY REMINDER #1:
"Fund Free Mammograms" Go to The Breast Cancer Site at http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/tpc/EEB_0115_BCSm
and help fund free mammograms for the homeless, working-poor, and un-insured women. It costs nothing to you, except one daily click on the pink "Fund Free Mammograms" button. You can even request automatic reminders via e-mail. Please make your free click now, and thanks for your continuing support! The Breast Cancer Site, One Union Square, 600 University Street, Suite 1000, Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: 1-888-811-5271

NOTE: WE DID IT! WE FUNDED 500 MAMMOGRAMS IN NOVEMBER!
Since we reached our goal, your clicks triggered an extra gift of an ultrasound machine to help women in need. Thanks! As we enter the giving season, we'd like to extend our support abroad in recognition that breast cancer is on the rise internationally. We're all in the fight together. Please keep clicking...

DAILY REMINDER #2:
Help eliminate Breast Cancer with a daily click at
http://breastcancer.care2.com/ebc-about.html
You'll be one of the first people to participate in the largest virtual mountain climb in the world! With every click, (or "step") you generate a donation to
eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer--for free. Sponsors pay for your click and fund The Breast Cancer Fund's programs focusing on environmental links to breast cancer. It only takes a second! The Breast Cancer Fund is the leading national organization focused on identifying – and advocating for the elimination of – the environmental and preventable causes of the disease. For more details on the organization’s work, visit www.breastcancerfund.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendars and Save the Dates!

PINK RIBBONS PROJECT SHOPPING EVENT
Shopping for a Cause Thursday, December 6th, 6-9 PM
Cynthia Ann and Cotton Club have joined forces with Pink Ribbons Project for breast cancer awareness! Lets mix then mingle for a good cause. We will be having a silent auction as well as a percentage of the evening's sales going to Pink Ribbons Project. Please be our guest for this wonderful shopping event at Cynthia Ann & Cotton Club. A percentage of the proceeds will be given to Pink Ribbons Project to improve the availability of education and research for Breast Cancer.
Please RSVP at Cynthiaanncollections@hotmail.com
3941 San Felipe, Houston, Texas 77027, 713-522-9101

KNOCKOUT ROSES
A support group for women diagnosed under 40
2nd Monday of each month, @ 5:45
December 10
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
Contact Amy Rigsby, Technical Director of The Rose
713-660-6675.

ROSEBUDS II MEETING
December 13th, 5:45 - 7:30 pm
Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
For those who have had or are at high risk for recurrence
and/or metastasis, 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
Future Meetings: December 27

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY TEA!
Sat. December 15th &; Sat. December 22nd
at Serenitea Tea Room and Gift Shop.
13889 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, TX

Share the joy of the holiday season over a cup of steaming hot wassail and spiced pecans along with a delicate assortment of finger sandwiches; gingerbread with honey nut cream cheese, egg salad with watercress, spinach and pimento stack-up, ham and pear with walnuts, and the classic cucumber sandwich. You will also enjoy classic English scones with a twist, chocolate chips and orange. And for dessert try the mini traditional rum fruitcake, chocolate-dipped shortbread biscuits and grapes. Add a pot of tea...your choice from the Tea Selections menu. Plus, a special gift for everyone, compliments of Serenitea! By Reservation Only. Phone: 281-491-4588
Cost is $30 per person + Tax and Gratuity http://www.sereniteatearoom.com/

FACES BEHIND BREAST CANCER BOOK SIGNING EVENT
Come and meet the author and participants for a special holiday book event on Tuesday, December 18th, from 11am - 3pm at Appearances Boutique, located in the Mays Clinic at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 2nd Floor. We encourage everyone to invite friends, family and co-workers since this will be the last book event of the year.

ROSEBUDS MEETING
December 18, 5:45 - 7:30 pm
Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
http://www.rosebudssupport.org/

THE ALICE THOMSEN LYMPHEDEMA AWARENESS GROUP of Houston Meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month at the American cancer Society Building,6301 Richmond (between Hillcroft and Fountainview) at 7:00pm. Next scheduled meeting is Januaruy, 2008.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"SHARING is CARING"
As always, The Pink Crusader welcomes your comments, stories, poems, events and photographs! Posts are updated each week. Please send your written contributions to thepinkcrusader1@aol.com .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing the poor and lonely and sad, the more of your heart's possessing, returns to you glad."

-- John Greenleaf Whittier

Until next week stay strong, stay well and keep on dancing with a ho, ho, ho and fa la la la la!

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com

Spirit of the Season

Dear Blogger Family & Friends,

Holiday greetings and big bear hugs from the Pink Crusader! It's been a few weeks since our last visit, so come on in, grab a hot ginger cookie fresh from the oven, and read on...

"Christmas is more than a time of festivities, family and friends; it is a season of generosity, gladness and gratitude."

-William Arthur Ward

Oh the joys of the holiday season! This is the time of year when we seek out that which is familiar and gives us great pleasure. A time when we feel cozy, safe and loved. A time when we remember all of our favorite things with child-like expression and are hooked with anticipation of the ultimate winter vacation. We allow our sentiments to take over as our minds drift back to warm and fuzzy memories of yester-years...Memories that paint sweet images in our minds...Memories that we take to bed and keep us warm on those long cold winter nights. It's a wonderful state of existence...and an easy-going journey as our hearts coast through the next 30 days and bring us to a rolling stop at the year-end mark.

The spirit of the season is better than any bottled magic. It removes the cloud of disgruntlement from our otherwise everyday existence and guides us to a place of inner peace. People are nicer, things are prettier and food tastes better. It is also a time of charity and selfless outpouring to others. There are good intentions and general warmth for all we come in contact with, and we are reminded that what brings us together in celebration cannot be contained in tinsel, wrappings or boxes....although presents are a nice bonus!

For those who find the holidays to be stressful or particularly lonely, there are still meaningful ways to connect with others and erase any unpleasantness from the past. Dig deep and you will find the spirit of the season within you....that's where it all begins...and it will continue to keep getting better if you are open to the possibilities. You will find yourself when you give of yourself, and hopefully experience great happiness in the process.

Don't let the spirit of the season get away...we're just getting started!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SURVIVOR UPDATES:

Karissa Ma

Best wishes and Good Luck to survivor and book participant Karissa and husband Erik on their relocation to Phoenix, AZ. We will miss them!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FYI:

From Linda Yagar (per Rosemary Barr):

For any of you that did not get this via the Rosebuds ListServ, here are
Linda Yarger 's e-mails highlighting Saturday, November 17 talks at the
MBCN (Metastatic Breast Cancer Network)conference. - Rosemary

M. D. Anderson hosted a metastatic breast cancer conference today. Several
rosebuds attended, rosebuds both with and without metastasis. I wonder if
recurrence is just a spec less scary for those rosebuds without metastasis
who attended the conference. It was inspiring to learn of new treatments
and research in progress and to learn that life expectancy has been
steadily increasing for women with metastasis. For those rosebuds with
advanced breast cancer I hope today provided hope, support, camaraderie
and new questions to ask their doctors.

Dr. Murray talked about therapeutic vaccines. Before today I thought that vaccines worked poorly in cases where tumor burden was high. Apparently improved design has renewed the hope that vaccines may still have a role to play. A Phase 1 metastatic breast cancer trial of NY-BR-1 is about to start at MD Anderson. NIH has a trial which combines a vaccine with docetaxel. Patients are randomized to either a vaccine plus docetaxel or vaccine alone. If the patient progresses on the vaccine then they get the docetaxel. Another possible combination would be a vaccine with a cytokine.

Dr. Murray talked about targeted therapy for metastatic breast cancer. New
combinations are being tried. For ex. there is a trial accruing of
trastuzumab (Herceptin) plus bevacizumab (Avastin). This is a phase I/II
trial. Interim statistics from this trial show a rather decent overall
response rate of 54.1 percent. Dr. Murray talked about many agents in the
pipeline. Many of these have worked in solid tumors other than breast
cancer. Sorafenib and Sunitinib were mentioned more than once. They
target the VEGF pathway. Someone in the audience asked if you can test
for VEGF overexpression. The answer was yes - you can test tumor tissue-
but it is unknown if overexpression of VEGF will correlate with a good
response in a drug that targets VEGF. A rosebud in the audience asked
about rebiopsying to see if tumor markers may have changed once cancer has
progressed. Dr. Murray said that yes - tumor markers can change. For example,HER2 positive can go to HER2 negative (normal) and vice versa. Hormone receptors can also change. If you are basing treatment on these receptors it makes sense to see if they have changed. Women in the audience complained that rebiopsy is not a standard practice.

Dr. Symmans then talked about molecular classifications. He also talked
about a tissue test which can distinguish between a primary tumor and a
metastasis. (Pathwork Diagnostics) MDA will start using this kind of test
next year. For ex. if a breast cancer patient has a nodule in her lung -
this test could be used to distinguish between a true lung cancer or a
metastasis from the original breast cancer. (Would this eliminate the
pathologist ?? I thought pathologists were pretty good at this.) I'm sure
many in the audience were interested in his list of agents that might be
especially good for patients who are triple negative (ER negative, PR
negative, HER2 negative) - if you talk about molecular classifications
this is called "basal". I managed to write down irinotecan + carboplatin,
cetuximab, carboplatin + cetuximab and dasatinib. In general agents that
are "platins" are good to consider. For triple negative it is also good
to consider a cytotoxic agent with a molecular agent. Again someone in
the audience asked about rebiopsy once cancer has progressed. Dr. Symmans said that about 30 percent of tumors that are originally ER positive will become ER negative. He believes in rebiopsy because he believes that "two shots are better than one." The patient who asked the question said that
her tumor had been classified as ER negative. Upon rebiopsy it was
classified as ER positive. Dr. Symmans thought it was probably ER
positive to begin with.

Dr. Valero talked on chemo agents - way too much to try to summarize. He
was excited by how many new agents had been introduced since he first
arrived at MDA. He was humble and funny when he tried to pronounce Ixepra
- this is the trade name for Ixabepilone - Ixabepilone is the most recent
agent approved by the FDA for metastatic patients. This drug was
formerly called epitholene B. It has good activity in triple negative
patients.

Dr. Uneo talked next. I know Dr. Uneo best as the researcher for high
dose chemo. But apparently he has other expertise also. He talked to us
about bone metastasis. He did a good job explaining the normal dynamics
of bone maintenance. Sometimes cancer treatments (ex. removal of ovaries,
or drugs) can cause bones to become weak. Sometimes cancer itself causes
weak bones. He emphasized that when bones become weak it is absolutely
best to do surgery to support the bone BEFORE fracture. It is not good
practice to let a fracture occur and then attempt to give relief. This is
a more difficult surgery. He also explained that it is difficult to find
clinical trials for bone mets because trials need to asses response and it
is difficult to asses response to drug treatments for bone mets. He
talked about using plain film (xray) CT, MRI and PET/CT. I loved his last
slides. They were entitled "Can we cure bone mets ?" and "Can we develop
drugs that target bone mets?" He offered hope for the future.

Then we had breakouts - you picked a topic. I picked surgical oncology.
Dr. Babiera talked about surgery for women who were diagnosed initially as
stage four. She then talked about surgery for women who originally had
their breast tumor removed and then developed distant mets. In both cases
there can be a place for surgery depending on how well the tumor is being
controlled and on the extent of the metastasis. She emphasized that you
should have stable disease because if you are contemplating surgery then
you have to go off treatment for several weeks before surgery. I learned
a new word -metastectomy - it means removing sites of metastasis. In some
cases doing surgery can prolong survival.

Next there was - the best part of the day - a panel of survivors with
mets- all more than 8 years out - 3 of the 4 panel members were rosebuds.

Hugs, Linda

****************************************************
From Cheryl Donlin:

Reprinted from Good Housekeeping Magazine, November 2007

Anticancer Combo

It's the best twofer we've heard of recently: Taking calcium/vitamin D supplements not only keeps your bones strong, it may also prevent cancer. In a study at Creighton University in Nebraska, researchers found that women who took a daily dose of 1,400 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium, plus 1,100 International Units (IU) of vitamin D, had 60 percent fewer cancers diagnosed in the four years of the study. Your calcium pill may already contain vitamin D, but probably not enough. Many experts feel that the official U.S. guideline of 200 to 600 IU a day (depending on age) is outdated, and now recommend a daily dose of 1,000 IU.
To read more: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/nutrition/nutrition-news-1107
©2007 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
*******************************************
From Kimberly Powell (be-lie-ve Lifestyle Boutique)

Happy Holidays!!
As the holiday season is here I know the stress of the perfect gift for the ones we love is often on our minds and impossible to find!! This year give a gift that gives back!!! Watch, record, or view online (www.greatdayhouston.com) the Tuesday (11/27) show of Great Day Houston where I will showcase some gifts that truly give back!!!
The show airs live on channel 13 at 9am!!
Have a happy and blessed holiday!!!
~Kimberly 713.843.7714
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAILY REMINDER #1:
"Fund Free Mammograms" Go to The Breast Cancer Site at http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/tpc/EEB_0115_BCSm
and help fund free mammograms for the homeless, working-poor, and un-insured women. It costs nothing to you, except one daily click on the pink "Fund Free Mammograms" button. You can even request automatic reminders via e-mail. Please make your free click now, and thanks for your continuing support! The Breast Cancer Site, One Union Square, 600 University Street, Suite 1000, Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: 1-888-811-5271

NOTE: This November, help fund 500 MAMMOGRAMS for U.S. women and The Breast Cancer Site will donate an ultrasound machine to McCord Hospital in South Africa through its charitable partner Greater Good.org. They have reached 68% of goal as of this week. Please keep clicking...

In operation since 1909, McCord Hospital is striving to meet the projected health needs of an increasingly "westernized" urban and predominantly African population. There is an increasing need for healthcare services that will provide for earlier detection and treatment. Equipment such as an ultrasound unit which can be used for screening and diagnostic purposes for breast and uterine masses, and for cardiac echocardiography, will greatly help in providing better services for these patients. Click now! Please click daily!

DAILY REMINDER #2:
Help eliminate Breast Cancer with a daily click at
http://breastcancer.care2.com/ebc-about.html
You'll be one of the first people to participate in the largest virtual mountain climb in the world! With every click, (or "step") you generate a donation to
eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer--for free. Sponsors pay for your click and fund The Breast Cancer Fund's programs focusing on environmental links to breast cancer. It only takes a second! The Breast Cancer Fund is the leading national organization focused on identifying – and advocating for the elimination of – the environmental and preventable causes of the disease. For more details on the organization’s work, visit www.breastcancerfund.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendars and Save the Dates!

ROSEBUDS II MEETING
November 29th, 5:45 - 7:30 pm
Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
For those who have had or are at high risk for recurrence
and/or metastasis, 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
Future Meetings: November 29*, December 13 & 27,
Note: *Rosebuds II meeting will be on the 29th of November
since the 22nd of November is Thanksgiving

KNOCKOUT ROSES
A support group for women diagnosed under 40
2nd Monday of each month, @ 5:45
December 10
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
Contact Amy Rigsby, Technical Director of The Rose
713-660-6675.

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY TEA!
Sat. December 15th &; Sat. December 22nd
at Serenitea Tea Room and Gift Shop.
13889 Southwest Freeway Sugar Land, TX

Share the joy of the holiday season over a cup of steaming hot wassail and spiced pecans along with a delicate assortment of finger sandwiches; gingerbread with honey nut cream cheese, egg salad with watercress, spinach and pimento stack-up, ham and pear with walnuts, and the classic cucumber sandwich.

You will also enjoy classic English scones with a twist, chocolate chips and orange. And for dessert try the mini traditional rum fruitcake, chocolate-dipped shortbread biscuits and grapes.

A pot of tea...your choice from the Tea Selections menu. Plus, a special gift for everyone...compliments of Serenitea!
By Reservation Only. Phone: 281-491-4588
Cost is $30 per person + Tax and Gratuity
www.SereniteaTeaRoom.com

ROSEBUDS MEETING
December 18, 5:45 - 7:30 pm
Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
www.RosebudsSupport.org
Note: There will be no Rosebuds meeting on December 4 inasmuch as
the annual Holiday Party will be at the home of Janet Covington on
December 4, 2007 We look forward to seeing you!

THE ALICE THOMSEN LYMPHEDEMA AWARENESS GROUP of Houston Meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month at the American cancer Society Building,6301 Richmond (between Hillcroft and Fountainview) at 7:00pm. Next scheduled meeting is Januaruy, 2008.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"SHARING is CARING"
As always, The Pink Crusader welcomes your comments, stories, poems, events and photographs! Posts are updated each week. Please send your written contributions to thepinkcrusader1@aol.com.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month."

- Harlan Miller

Until next week stay strong, stay well and keep on dancing to the holiday sounds!

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com