To my sisterhood of thousands upon thousands who, in the fight of your lives, challenge this horrific disease, Breast Cancer. I have walked miles in your shoes. Hoping to commiserate, inspire, and provoke thoughts and emotions, I deeply share your struggles as you journey toward wellness.
To my Angels, both family and friends (you know who you are) whose expansive wings carried me higher and higher until once again, my own could fly. To my brother, Mark, and Laureen, believing, as I, that everything would work out fine.
I’m Still Me, inspired by my journey toward wellness as a Breast Cancer Survivor, has allowed me to creatively journal my feelings. Attacking this disease years ago, I won the battle. The second time, I proudly won the war.
Appreciatively recognizing my dedicated and compassionate medical teams: my surgeons: Drs. Gordon-Hiatt, Wood, Samarrai, and Eby who restored my self esteem; my dear Oncology Nurses: Faye, Pat, Rosie, Dolores, and Mary who made me feel like one of the family; my life saving Oncologists: Drs.Clay, Schottinger, and Ramanathan; and the many Post-Op Nurses who day and night tended to my every need. Thanks also to my Radiologist, Dr. Ryoo, who made certain the right doses were carefully administered.
A giant hug to Dr. H. Bass, Genetics, whose keen suggestion to opportunely do a Breast MRI, saved my life.
A special thanks to myself for paying attention to my body, using intuition to keep “abreast” of it all! The best gift in life is life. Treasure it. Protect it. Live it.
I wrote approx 36 poems in a book, "I'm Still Me" They are arranged in order of events in my journey.
My journey was exceptional as I had this as my second and "last reoccurence" first time 18 years ago. Everything stayed within the Breast Capsule this past year, and I am so very lucky all tests/scans negative.
(I carry BRCA 2) I had two skin grafts and a Latissimus flap along with a double mastectomy. My thigh skin donated to my Breast! I had little pain with it and I got thru the 10 chemos well. The skin is healing well, and there will be almost no scaring.
My surgeon is calling a reporter to have my story printed up and placed permenantly on the walls of the Plastic Surgery Department. What an honor to be alive and well to tell
my tale.
I worked, teaching Yoga, the whole time I did my treatments. this kept me centered.
It is my sincere wish that the following Music/Video list will bring peace to all who pass this way. May you find them very soothing for those going through Chemo, and may you also find them uplifting.
A world full of hope and sisterhood . un mondo di esperanza . e fraternindad . encouraging theme for Breast Cancer patients and survivors.
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