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®