Stepping out of My Skin

Dear Blogger Family and Friends,

A big hug and warm welcome from the snowy hills of Northeastern Ohio! The Pink Crusader finally reunited with family and friends in the Midwest, following eight long months of cancer treatment. There is nothing like the love and support of family and friends to help ease you back into the real world. What could be better than familiar faces, sights, sounds and smells....all wrapped up in one beautiful homecoming package. It may be a simple view from where I sit, but never-the-less, I feel like I'm sitting on top of the world!

"Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city."

-George Burns

I was inspired to write this post today, following a conversation with my youngest sister, Cindy. We were sharing a good laugh over the state of my barely-there-hair, when she remarked, "After all you've been through, it must be nice to leave the cancer bubble and step outside your skin." She was right. Metaphorically speaking, it is the equivalent thrill of putting on a brand new outfit after living in worn pajamas and fatigued hospital gowns for the better part of a year....it feels good and looks marvelous! I am happy! In fact, I'm happy on top of happy! I'm so happy, I'm doing cartwheels in the snow! I'm so happy it should be illegal! In other words,
I'm H-A-P-P-Y!!!!!!!!!

Special thanks to Papa Bear, my brother, sisters, and gallery of friends who never made me feel like a victim, or any less than the person I strive to be. I have faced the front line, and fought for this happy reunion. P.S. Hey Larry, thanks for the home-made venison chili! It was hot enough to kill mosquitoes, but very tasty!

On that note, I would like to move along to a beautiful poem written by my friend, and guest contributor, Cheryl Donlin.

Aloneness
(Newly-diagnosed)

The silence beats upon my mind
fanning out in waves of
tone on tone.

It echoes in my heart and ricochets
spilling out in toneless sighs
of soul-song.

Shattering what was and reforging
who and what and how
I am.
-Anna Lucile Dunn & Cheryl P. Donlin


PERSONAL NOTE: Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing such touching words that others may benefit from your personal journey. I know your poem evoked many emotions, and is especially poignant because it was written in collaboration with your late mother. What a loving tribute to her, as well.

DAILY REMINDER: "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

Take One Minute to Help Others
This is a simple and helpful thing we can all do.

You probably have never thought of this, but women's shelters in the U.S. go through thousands of tampons and pads monthly. Assistance agencies generally help with expenses of "everyday" necessities such as toilet paper, diapers, and clothing, but one of the most BASIC needs is overlooked - feminine hygiene products. (Who is at the helm of the funding assistance agencies anyway!?)

Seventh Generation, a green paper products and cleaning products company, has a do-good attitude and will donate a box of sanitary products to a women's shelter in your chosen state - just for clicking the link. Talk about easy (literally takes less than 1 minute and they ask nothing of you). And, yes, it is legitimate!

http://www.tampontification.com/donate.php

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Rosebuds
Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
Tuesday evening, March 6, 2007
5:45 - 7:30 pm

PAINT THE rodeo PINK!FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2007 — Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ officials are encouraging Houstonians and visitors alike to “Paint the Rodeo Pink!” Wednesday, March 7, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Sheryl Crow is performing that day after having to cancel in 2006 due to breast cancer surgery.

Breast Cancer Awareness materials will be available at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, provided by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Houston Affiliate, a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs.

Tickets are still available for the Wednesday, March 7, performance.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs now through March 18. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, including Reliant Park, by phone at 800.726.1313, and online at www.rodeohouston.com.

Rosebuds II Meeting
Thursday evening, March 8, 2007
5:45 - 7:30 pm

SHOP for a CAUSE
Macy's has again selected The Rose to participate in their SHOP for a CAUSE campaign, on Saturday, March 17th from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. By making a $5 donation to The Rose, participants will receive an all-day 20% or 15% off shopping pass, $10 off a $20 purchase or more coupon, and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree. The passes are good at ANY MACY'S. There are 1,500 passes available. If you are interested in helping, please contact Kristi Brown, Special Events Coordinator
The Rose- 12700 N. Featherwood, Ste. 260, Houston, TX 77034
(281) 464-5142 direct
(281) 464-2743 fax
www.the-rose.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. The 2007 dates are March 20th, May 15th, July 17th, September 18 and November 20th.
For further information call 281-546-6438.

Pink Lemonade Guild Plate Painting
Pink Ribbons Project
Guild members and family only
Sunday, March 25, 3:00-5:00pm
PICNIK Restaurant, 1928 Bissonnet

"Brushes with Greatness"
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
teams up with Saks Fifth Avenue, April 12, 2007 6:30-8:30pm
Ticket Price $25.00* For more info: bsmp@mdanderson.org
(Guests will receive $25 gift card to be used for cosmetics)
*A percentage of sales will benefit the
Beth Sanders Moore Young Breast Cancer Survivor's Program
at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Susan's Rally Golf Tournament
in the fight against breast cancer
Monday, April 16 281-480-7744
3820 San Jacinto, Houston TX 77004
www.susanrally.org

Susan's Rally
Sunday, April 29
For info: 713-526-2747
www.susanrally.org

The National Breast Cancer Coalition/Fund
2007 Annual Advocacy Training Conference(NBCC)
"Beyond Ribbons to Revolution"
April 28 - May 1, 2007
Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA
703-418-1234
Conference Contact: The Event Professionals
Email:nbccinfo@theeventpros.net 678-502-1454

The 2nd Annual Cancer Patient & Caregiver Conference
Friday, May 4, 2007. Registration:9:00am
Program begins at 9:30am-2:30pm.
Dr Michael Keating from MD Anderson will be the keynote speaker.
Location: United Way Building 50 Waugh Drive.
To Register: 713-520-9873 Contact Person: Elizabeth Wilson
www.cancercouseling.info
4101 Greenbriar, Ste 317, Houston, TX 77098.

Walk to Empower
3-Mile walk, Sunday, May 13, 2007
MacGregor Park, Houston, Tx 9:00am
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
No Fee Register online at www.y-me.org

"The Faces behind Breast Cancer" Launch Party
Save the date, Sunday August 26, at 1:00 pm.
Details will be announced in future posts.

Living Fully
M.D. Anderson Annual Conference
September 6-8 2007
Marriott Westchase - Houston, Texas
Additional information is not available at this time.

Tour De Pink 2007
Pink Ribbons Project
September 9, 2007
at Prairie View A&M University
www.tourdepink.org
Additional info in future posts.

Play time is over. As always, I encourage you to pass along your stories, comments and events to The Pink Crusader, and look forward to hearing from you.

"Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory."

-Albert Schweitzer

Until next week, stay strong, stay well, and keep on dancing (and doing cartwheels in the snow)!

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com