Hey, Great Tips!

Yesterday our first group lesson was held at Dance Times Square. Wow, the energy could not have been any more positive. Nine female and one male survivor (yes, there's the father/daughter team I've written about in an earlier post). We discussed wardrobe, makeup (which will be done by Bobbi Brown volunteers, fake eyelashes and all), dress rehearsals, and of course reviewed our piece. We were short five male instructors but all things considered, I must say we were pretty darn good.

I met up with a woman, Bethany, who I've met numerous times at other Continuum Care events. Both a journalist and near one year survivor, she and I discussed writing articles or better, those that need to be written. I'd like to share a very important piece she wrote that is appearing in the October issue of Woman's Day. It actually was one that I pitched in my writing class, however, it never came to fruition. I'm also going to include part of the note she sent to me via email:

"...I'd love you to mention my articles in your blog (links
below). I wrote my piece for Woman's Day ("You have breast cancer...now what?)
after being diagnosed last October and being sick of seeing stories on every
magazine cover that proclaimed: "How to avoid breast cancer" "The new
anti-cancer diet" "Ten foods to eat to avoid cancer"...etc. etc. You know the
ones I mean. They pissed me off because I did everything right...I ate healthy,
exercised, never smoked, hardly drink, etc. and I still got breast cancer. As
Lance Armstrong has said, cancer is truly "random" in so many cases like yours
and mine.

Anyway, I wanted to write an article that helped some other
women out there who were going to go through what I've been through and I hope
my research can help them. I wanted to tell them where to find questions to ask
their doctors, info on how to read a pathology report, what great websites are
out there, support groups, books, etc. The article was drastically cut (I can be
verbose when I get excited about a subject) but I think what appeared is pretty
helpful. I wish I had read something like this last year.

So spread the
word. Love to know what people think. And if anyone you know knows any editors
for whom I can write more on the subject, I have some really great breast cancer
story ideas I want to pitch..."

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health/Conditions-Diseases/Reducing-Your-Risk-of-Breast-Cancer/You-Have-Breast-Cancer-Now-What.html

http://www.womansday.com/cancersupport

This article is really important because one can be very overwhelmed with all the new information being thrown at him/her at the time of diagnosis and it feels like all the decisions must be made over night. That is not the case as it's more important to take your time and do your due diligence before making any critical decisions.

So please pass these great tips on to anyone you know may benefit from them.

Hoping to see some of you at the walk this Sunday and thanks to those of you who have sponsored me (or other walkers).
http://www.komennyc.org/site/TR/Race/race2008-wide?px=1734359&pg=personal&fr_id=1150
To send a donation:
Write the participant's name on the memo line of the check.Make all checks payable to: Komen Greater NYCMail to: PO Box 9223New York, NY 10087

Much love,

Liz

PS More tips from Bethany received after I originally posted this entry:

"Here's another good tip from an email I just got today
giving me a free subscription to a magazine, Women&Cancer (covering all
kinds, not just breast). Not only do you get a complimentary one year
subscription if you're a survivor, but Cancer Treatment Centers of American
will donate $5.00 to Stand Up 2 Cancer; in support of cancer
research in your name. Here's info:

In order to help us achieve our goal of donating $20,000
please forward this email to any other cancer patients that might be interested
in receiving a complimentary one year subscription to Women&Cancer; they can
register for their free subscription at www.womenandcancermag.com."

Cancer Treatment Centers of America®

Be A Bra and Offer Support!

Hi all,

It's been a while, which one can say means, "No news is good news."

This coming Friday, September 12th, marks my one year anniversary of being cancer free (one year from the date of surgery). I'm happy to report that my most recent mammo and ultrasound were free and clear of any ickiness and the prognosis continues to look good. I remain confident that the Tamoxiphen will do what it's supposed to do and all the decisions I made were the right ones.

It's remarkable to think a whole year has passed. As my scars fade (they're barely visible) my memory sort of does, too. This is a good thing. But occasionally when I get pissed off at something really silly, I have to remind myself that it's probably not worth the negative energy; things can always be worse. For a good six months if someone complained to me about something bugging them, I'd jokingly say, "Well, at least it's not cancer!" And the truth is, there wasn't anything s/he could say back because it's true. The big things become little and the little things become even littler when you stop for a second and ask yourself, Is this really worth getting upset about?

Anyway, enough of that, let's get down to business.

This coming Sunday, September 14th, is the Susan G. Komen Five Mile Race For The Cure in Central Park. It's $25 to sign up and you don't even have to do any fundraising. Just show up and offer your support to the 1 in 8 women affected by BC. And the good part is, it doesn't matter how in shape you are. You can walk, talk, stroll, roll, bring your dog, your kids, etc. No idea of the weather forecast at this time, but with the exception of tomorrow, this week's looking pretty good.

For more information on this event or one in your city please contact info@komennyc.org or you can sign up to be on the same team as me (see bottom of this page).

Second, one of my favorite people on the planet, Joan Deignan, is in charge of Patient Support Programs at St. Luke's Roosevelt (part of Continuum Group, to which my hospital, Beth Israel, belongs). She herself is a three time survivor and has more fire in her belly than just about anyone I know. With her smarts, charm and networking abilities, she has arranged for 10 survivors to get get 10 free dance lessons at Dance Times Square (the owners of which you might've seen choreographing on the last season of "You Think You Can Dance") http://www.dancetimessquare.com/. I have been fortunate enough to be one of the reciptients. The one caveat is that we all have to partake in a recital! EEEEEEEEKKKK. The last time I was on stage was probably Junior High Band not to mention I CANNOT DANCE. For the past month or so I've been working closely with Manuel, my gorgeous, compassionate Italian dance instructor, who has given me so much guidance and confidence on the dance floor, that I'm really beginning to think that I have one left and one right foot. So please reserve the evening of 10/25 for the dance recital (there'll be a follow up with the box office info). I will only be in one dance and I could fall on my face, who knows, but there'll be other very experienced students from the school showing off their moves. It should be a lot of fun. (BTW, if anyone has any suggestions of where I can find a hot red dress for this event, please let me know. And by hot, I don't mean it fell off of a truck.)

Thanks for tuning in and hope to see you this Sunday.

Liz

Race info:
Continuum Cancer Centers Team finished first place in the Race for the Cure 2007 -- We're # 1 and with your help Continuum Cancer Centers Team will “win the race” again this year.

On Sunday, September 14, 2008 The Greater New York City affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure will be holding its 18th annual 5K Run/Walk –Komen New York City Race for the Cure. On that day 20,000 New Yorkers, including 1,500 breast cancer survivors, will come together to Run Breast Cancer Out of Town.

Please join us in the fight against breast cancer by registering as part of our team – Continuum Cancer Centers Team – we need your support every step of the way.

Date: Sunday, September 14, 2008
Time: 8:45am for Team Picture
Place: NE corner of 73rd St. & Central Park West
To Register – Call Joan Deignan @ 212-523-7275 or email: jdeignan@chpnet.org

Alison Estabrook, MD, Chief Division of Breast Surgery
Paul Tartter, MD
Sharon Rosenbaum Smith, MD
St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center