Just Kidding!

Dear Blogger Family and Friends,

A BIG HUG and warm welcome to one and all. Nice of you to visit on this happy April Fool's Day. Hope you brought your funny bone with you, because I plan on giving you a little tickle. Sit down and relax ......Oops....forgot to mention the whoopee cushion under the seat...... Your chewing gum tastes weird? Oh, just a touch of Tabasco sauce......Here, let me get you a glass of lemonade.......Too salty? Gosh, I must have switched the salt shaker with the sugar jar. Oh yeah, there's a fake bug in your ice-cube, too....Now you're asking why the house smells like rotting fish heads? Don't worry, I "accidentally" freshened the room with Fart Spray instead of grabbing the Glade Mist. The stench should be gone within a few days. Sorry about that! By the way, did I neglect to mention that the Pink Crusader is being held hostage by her wicked sense of humor, and "Princess Prankster" is filling in today?

"If you're robbing a bank, and your pants suddenly fall down, I think it's okay to laugh, and to let the hostages laugh too, because come on, life is funny."

-Jack Handy

In pursuit of a little levity? Who doesn't enjoy a good joke? It's a known fact that cancer survivors are the jocular masters when it comes to dark humor. The darker and more absurd, the better. And yet, while it's fun to amuse ourselves, laughter is best when it can be shared. It doesn't cost anything, and it is very portable.....Carry it with you wherever you go. People laugh at other people laughing....even if they don't know why......Like a yawn can set off a chain reaction...so can laughter be just as contagious.

No one ever died of laughter....but laughter can do what medicine cannot. It is powerful enough to lower blood pressure, ease depression, end arguments, or mend broken hearts. It can bring people closer together, erase the tension of an awkward situation, open doors for opportunity, help relieve stress, and obliterate the aftertaste of a really bad day. You can't deny, that when you lose your sense of humor, you've lost a very valuable weapon.

Okay, my fellow jesters.....It's time for a little mischief and a few harmless pranks and puns. Just for laughs, let's get wild, go crazy, and be naughty! Whether your jovial style is crude or high-brow, do it with enthusiasm, and make Princess Prankster proud! Zoom, zoom, zoom!

HISTORY OF APRIL FOOL's DAY
Many of the ancient cultures such as Romans and Hindus and the medieval Europeans use to celebrate New Year's Day on or near the vernal equinox. This could range from March 20th to April 5th. In the Julian calendar, April 1st was designated as the New Year's Day and was so celebrated till 1582, when Pope Gregory XIII ordered the adoption of the new Gregorian Calendar, which officially specified January 1st as New Year's Day. However, due to slow communications and resistance to change their traditions, many people continued to celebrate New Year's Day as before, on the 1st of April. The Scotts only adopted the new calendar in 1660, while the Germans, Danish and Norwegians in 1700, and English in 1752.

Many French resisted the change and were dubbed as "fools." These "fools" became victims of pranks and were sent fake invitations for parties and tricked into believing false ideas. The victims were called 'Poisson d'Avril' or 'April Fish' as the naive fish get caught easily. Even children would often tag a fish's picture on someone's back. Thus, April Fool's Day originated and caught on quickly throughout the world. Even today, people play pranks on each other in the memory of those tradition-obsessed "fools".

Perhaps the best illustration of the April Fool's Pranks of the 19th century is the Thomas Nast's illustration, originally published in the April 2, 1864 issue of Harper's Weekly. It highlights the various pranks that were popularly played at the time with its caption as 'All Fool's Day'. Some of the pranks shown here include women visiting an older man, wearing beards and moustaches, Civil War Soldiers tricking each other such as a soldier barring the view by holding his hand on in front of the binoculars of a friend and a sailor doing the same by holding his hat over the telescope of a friend. The other tricks include a young boy tying a string on the dress of a little girl while a schoolteacher is shown with the sign of 'Old Fool' on his back.
Source: www.google.com

ANSWERED PRAYERS:
Last week we encouraged your prayers in support of several friends who were dealing with some very serious health issues. This week the Pink Crusader is happy to report that your prayers and positive thoughts were answered. It gives me great pleasure to provide the following updates:

Janice writes:
Thank each of the "Buds" for all they have given me and my family, and believe me when I say it has been so, so much. I thank each of you for walking this road with my family and I. A new road and very fearful one. You have given us so much strength ,comfort, support and continued Hope. And, most of all, to be in constant prayer. I take with me all of your faces. There are no words to express what you all have done and continue to do today . I'm so humbled by you . I'm back on my lap top !!!!!!!!!!!!! Hugs ,kisses
Janice

Post Script from Linda: Janice stopped by the Learning Center after her doctor's appointment yesterday, and said I could tell you all her good news. Yesterday was the day she received her test results. As expected, her brain tumor is mets (metastatic) from the breast. The wonderful news is that there is no sign at all of any cancer activity. All her tests, which include PET scan, circulating tumor marker and regular tumor marker are normal - no indication at all of any cancer activity !!!! Again- Janice is VERY thankful for all our prayers -
Hugs, Linda

Julia K writes:
MY DEAREST FRIENDS AND FAMILY,
I JUST GOT MY RESULTS BACK AND PRAISE GOD EVERYTHING CAME BACK NEGATIVE FOR CANCER. WE ARE CELEBRATING WITH TEARS OF JOY. ALL WAS CLEAR OF ANY CANCER OR ANYTHING ELSE. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT. IT IS APPRECIATED MORE THAN YOU KNOW.
LOVE JULIA,

Martha writes:
I think life goes on when you have a good reason, and you will enjoy no matter what happens(called the big C). I just finished my last chemo and I feel great and very happy that I made it through this and am alive!!! The radiation is just a piece of cake, but what the heck!!! after FAC this is nothing!!!! (I'm dealing with my chemobrain, so sorry about my spelling) Like you said, "keep on dancing" and enjoy the life. Everybody is in my prayers (even if I don't call you or e-mail you).
Love & blessings
Martha

Argelia writes:
Well, not much changes yet. Still, need to wait until all tests are done for treatment plan. By the way, I did meet the new group of Rosebuds II. Most of them seem to be in my category of treatment. Everybody in Rosebuds I is in past-healing phase. When all is over and behind me. Then, maybe I'll return to Rosebuds I group. Thank you very much for remembering me. Tomorrow is 2 1/2 week post-op. Again, I am a fighter and will not stop. I do not (what so ever) blame this on myself. As somebody wrote, "Life isn't fair." Personally, people need to stop thinking in that mode. Or get out of that "time zone."
Talk to you soon,
Argelia

B. Kaye writes:
I certainly do not feel forgotten!! I'm doing well... No, I still can't lift because I have a "hole" in the inner cleavage of "Elizabeth", about the size of a nickel. My range of motion is better but I'm just not going there, as I'm afraid all my belly fat will fall out the hole!! LOL!! Then I'd have to start over again and I'm NOT willing to go there!! LOL! I go back on Thursday and we'll decide if it can be stitched, or if a skin graft will be done in the symmetry surgery.

At first I was told that I couldn't have symmetry surgery until it completely healed and new skin grows...but new skin is not growing... since the transplant I tend to heal slowly. Thursday we'll also decide if I'm ready to do symmetry in May or June. My vacation is in May but I have a friend who is willing to trade with me if I need June time off.
Big Hugs!
B.Kaye

HEADLINES & NEWS MAKERS:

Pat McWaters - CBS Evening News

On 3/28/07, Pat McWaters , fellow Rosebud II member, (and participant in, "The Faces behind Breast Cancer"), was filmed at M.D. Anderson for a national news segment by CBS Evening News (Local Channel 11). CBS medical correspondent John LaPook interviewed Pat for a special report on metastatic breast cancer disease. Unfortunately, Pat's T.V. appearance was interrupted by coverage of the horrible fire in Houston. However, you can still view the clip online by going to the following link for CBS News video:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/28/eveningnews/main2620962.shtml

Pink Ribbons Project: Male Breast Cancer Forum "Open Journal", KPFT Radio

Executive Director Susan Rafte, and Board of Directors member Cheryl Donlin lead an on-air discussion regarding male breast cancer, on Friday, March 30th, Noon-1:00 p.m, at 90.1 KPFT radio. Featured guests included Doug Ustick- Pink Ribbons Project, Board of Directors member and male breast cancer survivor (and participant in "The Faces behind Breast Cancer") and Dr. Sharon Giordano-Assistant Professor of Medicine, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, with clinical/research interests in male breast cancer. The program was very informative and educational. If you would like to evaluate and encourage additional forums by Pink Ribbons Project, send your comments to: KPFT.org or follow the link to http://houston.kpft.org/site/Survey?SURVEY_ID=1000&ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS!

Post Script from Cheryl Donlin:
Thank your for listening! and thank you for your positive comments on our Open Journal show on male breast cancer. (Please go to www.kpft.org and do a Program Evaluation!) We are thrilled at the opportunity and are already planning the next one. I'll let you know the date, once it's confirmed.

One of the points made on the show was that women can be a major force in raising awareness about male breast cancer by encouraging the men in our lives to talk to their doctors about breast cancer screening. These men -- our fathers, husbands, partners, brothers, sons and friends -- are not immune to this so-called “woman’s” disease.

I want to encourage women who listened to the show to talk to the men in their lives about it. For those women who did not catch the show, I encourage them to go to www.kpft.org and either listen to it, or download it. Instructions for doing that follow:

1. Go to www.kpft.org
2. In the black banner at the top of the page: click on "Audio Archives"
3. Scroll down to "Open Journal Friday, March 30, 2007 12:00 pm"
4. To listen, click "listen"
5. To download, RIGHT-CLICK on "Download"
6. A menu will drop down:
* in Windows Explorer, choose "Save Target As" from the drop-down menu
* in Netscape Navigator, choose "Save link to target as"
7. Browse your way to the location on your computer where you want to save the program
8. Click "Save"
9. Share this information with anyone who might benefit from it!
(The file is 10.8 MB in size)

If you would consider posting this information on your blogspot, I would really appreciate it. You never know whose life might be impacted by the information.

Have a wonderful weekend! Work. Create. Grow. Give. Cheryl

Washington Post article on new MRI Screening Guidelines

Cheryl also brought our attention to the following article regarding new screening guidelines issued by the American Cancer Society for women at risk for breast cancer. It recommends annual MRIs that can catch small tumors that mammograms can miss. To view this article in its entirety, visit the Washington Post online at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/27/AR2007032702326.html

A Reporter's Story

My dear friend Patty Brown, shared this touching story of Boston's NewsCenter 5 reporter, Kelly Tuthill, who was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer just before Christmas and underwent successful cancer surgery on Jan. 22. Kelly kept a video diary of her breast cancer journey, which she shared with her local viewers. To watch highlights and read Kelley's online diary, go to the following link: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/health/10869647/detail.html?taf=bos

The Cancer Diva

My angel friend, DeDe Destefano, passed along the following blogspot posted by Houston Chronicle's blogger , Terry Hayes (a.k.a. the Cancer Diva). You can read Terry's online journals featuring her cancer adventures and mis-adventures at: http://blogs.chron.com/cancerdiva/2007/03/check_out_the_cancerdiva_on_kh.html

FYI:
Sister Study
My walking buddy, Staci, was just accepted into the Sister Study and is passing along this Urgent Recruitment Message:

WE NEED YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER to help us recruit women just like you! The Sister Study needs a total of 50,000 women by the end of 2007. We currently have 33,000 women enrolled in the study which means we need to recruit 17,000 more women by the end of this year. Our most successful method of recruitment is through word of mouth, so this is where you can play a pivotal role today.

Through your personal participation in the Sister Study, you are making a tremendous contribution to breast cancer research. But we have another important request. Please forward this email to other women, friends and family members who may be interested. Or give them a call or a brochure about the study (call 1-877-474-7837 for brochures). If each current participant in the Sister Study helps us recruit one other woman this year, we will reach our goal and complete our recruitment phase on time! Remember, breast cancer affects women from every walk of life, so we need women of all backgrounds, occupations, and ethnic groups to join.

You may be eligible to join the Sister Study if -
Ø Your sister (living, deceased), related to you by blood, had breast cancer
Ø You are between 35 and 74 years old
Ø You have never had breast cancer yourself
Ø You live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico

To join today or learn more about the Sister Study, visit the web site www.sisterstudy.org in English or www.estudiodehermanas.org in Spanish. You may also call 1-877-4SISTER (877-474-7837), English and Spanish. All study materials are available in Spanish. Deaf/Hard of Hearing call 1-866-TTY-4SIS (866-889-4747).
With our gratitude and best wishes,
The Sister Study Recruitment Team and

Dale P Sandler PhD
Chief, Epidemiology Branch
Principal Investigator of the Sister Study
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Institutes of Health
www.sisterstudy.org

New Pink & White M&M's

The maker of M&M candies has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to raise funds through the sale of their new " pink &white " M&M candies.

For each 8-ounce bag of the special candies sold, the makers of M&M (Masterfoods) will donate 50 cents to the foundation. The next time you want a treat, please pick up a bag for yourself and a friend. You will be donating to a great cause and satisfying your sweet tooth at the same time!

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

UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendars!

Rosebuds Meetings
Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
APRIL 3 & 17 MAY 1 & 15 JUNE 5 & 19
-----------------------------
Rosebuds II Meetings
(For those who have had or are at high risk
for recurrence and/or metastasis)
2nd and 4th Thursday of each month 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
APRIL 12 & 26 MAY 10 & 24 JUNE 14 & 28
www.RosebudsSupport.org

"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

Pink Lemonade Guild Lecture Series Luncheon
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 Noon - 1:30pm
Guest Speaker: Beth Dwine, R.N., Author, Nurse, Yoga Instructor
"Five Simple Ways to Create Balance in Everyday Life"
Ouisie's Table, 3939 San Felipe
$25 per guest RSVP by April 13, 2007
713-524-7465 or Loubel@pinkribbons.org

2007 Pink Ribbon Reception
Thursday, April 26, 2007
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Junior League of Houston
1811 Briar Oaks Lane
Free to Affiliate Members
2007 Chair Claudia Brown and
Co-chairs Nicole Barnett and Anne Williams

Relay for Life of Cy Fair College
American Cancer Society Overnight Event
April 27 & 28, 2007, 7:00pm - 7:00am
www.acsevents.org/cyfair for info & registration

Breast Cancer: Its Effect on Spouses & Others
Saturday, April 28, 2007
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
The Beth Sanders Moore Young Breast Cancer Survivor's Program
www.mdanderson.org/youngbreastsurvivor
Email: bsmp@mdanderson.org

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

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

Relay For Life of Angelina County
American Cancer Society
May 4th & 5th, 2007
Lufkin Middle School

Relay For Life® is a fun-filled overnight event designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer in our community. At the event, we celebrate survivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society in its mission to save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to fight back.
http://www.acsevents.org/angelina/positivepinkdynamite

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 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 May 15th, July 17th, September 18 and November 20th.
For further information call 281-546-6438.

CanCare Survivors Day Luncheon
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2007
For More Info: patwh@cancare.org
As most of you know our Survivors Day Luncheon will be held on Thursday, May 31 at the Intercontinental Hotel. Our luncheon event is a wonderful way to honor friends, family and employees who are cancer survivors and the medical communities who treat them. Our keynote speaker is Scott Hamilton, who is considered to be the world's most celebrated figure skater. In addition to being a role model and humanitarian, Mr. Hamilton is also a ten-year testicular cancer survivor.

2007 Komen Survivor Party
August 22, at The Houstonian
Details to be announced in future posts.

"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.

2007 Breast Health Summit
"SAVE THE DATE" for the 2007 Breast Health Summit to be held on October 18, 2007 at the United Way in Houston. Please pass this information on to others who may be interested. Additional information will be sent out later by both e-mail and postal mail. And of course, if your mailing address has changed, please be sure to forward the updated information to me. I look forward to seeing you in October!
Pat Dames
The Rose-
12700 North Featherwood
Houston, TX 77034
281-464-5150
Fax 281-484-7083
pdames@the-rose.org
www.the-rose.org

"Sharing is Caring"
As always, The Pink Crusader welcomes your comments, stories, poems, and events. Posts are updated every Sunday. Please send your written contributions to thepinkcrusader1@aol.com.

That concludes this week's edition of the Pink Crusader. Hope you had fun and will continue to spread a little laughter to others throughout the week.

"When you die, if you get a choice between going to regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick, but if it's not, mmmmmmmmmm boy!"

-Jack Handy

Until next week, Stay strong, stay well, and keep on dancing with a smile on your face and a joke in your heart.

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com