GRAPHIC III 2009

A sampling of some amazing bras from Graphic III on April 18, 2009 at the Design Center at Penn Field. My bra is the first row third one from the top.A sampling of our silent auction with a focus on art and entertainment. The pink bracelet is MissBeverly Design by Kim Curtis. The metal bra is made my Barr Jozwicki, Katie's dad.

Music this year was provided by Patricia Vonne.
Our emcees Kinky Friedman and Crestina Chavez. Crestina is an anchor woman with News 8 and our new board member. Her mother passed away from breast cancer.

My Cowgirls gearing up for the runway. Phew! What a long but successful night! You're looking at tired Cowgirls! Graphic III is about strength, beauty and survivorship.

Notes from the 9th Annual Conference of Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer

Sorry for the delay but here's my notes from the conference in Dallas.

9^th Annual Conference for Young Women

Affected by Breast Cancer 2009

Medical Update

• Tamoxifen is the standard for 5 years for those premenopausal.
• ER + Tamoxifen & oophorectomy, AI should not be a standard treatment for premenopausal
• Triple negative with high recurrence after dx but once reach 5 years may possibly be cured

Bone Health

• Causes of breast cancer and bone loss: steroids, chemo, lower estrogen, AI
• Tamoxifen for premenstrual can decrease bone density by 1.4 % a year
• AI can decrease by 2.6% a year.
• Suggestions: premenstrual take 1200 mg of Ca and post 1500 mg throughout the day and on an empty stomach; foods/drinks high in Ca includes milk, yogurt, fortified food, cheese; vitamin D3 1000 IU; weight bearing exercise 30 minutes three to four times a day; bisphosphonates can help improve bone lost
• Premenopausal women should check the z score and post the T score

Navigating Health Insurance

• Individual policies are not subject to HIPAA, regulated by state, must claim pre-existing, can ask for a list of those that guarantee coverage and does NOT look at pre-existing
• Medicare donut hole plan D gap coverage closes donut hole; get gap coverage if need lots of meds; $4600 for prescription once met patient pays 5% of full cost; www.needymeds.com may help
• Pre-existing better to be off of HMO because it’s very restrictive
• Patient Advocate Foundation www.patientadvocate.org or Co-Pay Relief www.copays.org

Sexuality Renewal after Breast Cancer

• Most common sexual problems after breast cancer is lack of desire/pleasure, pain, dryness, and discomfort during sex
• Predictors for low desire after breast cancer is being younger at dx, chemotherapy, relationship conflict and general life stress
• Techniques to enhance desire by identify and promote activities that increase sexual desire: physical sports or dance, intimate talks, cuddling, romance, erotic stories, videos, fantasies, make sure partner knows how to please you, get counseling, change meds that could be interfering, treat any sexual pain or vaginal dryness
• Communication tips: create a safe space and time to talk, choose one or two goals for change, focus on specific, positive requests, avoid conflict about the past, discuss fears of rejection, discuss fears about survival and QOL, be a good listener too

Advanced Breast Cancer: Living with Uncertainty

• Coping activities: making short and long range goals, locate and access resources, identify strengths and weaknesses, remember you always have a choice
• Have a team. List those on your team.
• Live by staying in the moment, focus on priorities and do what you can when you can
• Use self care strategies like journal writing, relaxation, hobbies, reframe challenges and humor

Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week

National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week

Young adults with cancer face unique concerns. Help raise awareness about this age group’s particular needs from April 5–11.

Finally Put Back Together!

I had my second tattooing on March 3rd, 2009. It's hard to believe but I think I've completed my reconstruction phase and I'm "put back together." I started this journey back on January 2, 2006 when I was wheeled into the operating room to get my first mastectomy. It has been three years and it was three years of pain, joy, and growth.

My spring break of March 2006 was when I lost of first expander. I remember that week so vividly because it was one of my worst spring break ever. I was not able to move forth with any more surgeries until May of 2008. March of 2009 and I'm done! It's a sense of relief for me but it's also a weird feeling since I've felt like I've been under reconstruction for such a long time now!

I recently attended the YSC event last month in Dallas. There are many interesting news and research out there. I promise to post soon.

"Flower Power"

I just finished my art bra. I've named it "Flower Power" because breasts are very much a feminine quality of a woman. The flowers represent that femininity and the power represents how cancer makes a woman so much stronger. I used charms, beads, pompoms and fabric to create my art bra. I've made this in honor of all my amazingly strong Pink Ribbon Cowgirls!

Gearing up for Graphic III

We'll host of third annual Graphic event April 18th at the Design Center. This will be my third year creating a bra. The bra that I created last year was called, "Itsy Bitsy Tiny Weenie Pinka Polka Dot Chocolatini." It was made in honor of my beloved Sammy. He was by my side during chemo and he also had to have a lumpectomy on a precancerous lump. Above is Ms. February modeling my bra. Amy is a friend and fellow Pink Ribbon Cowgirl.

I just bought the supplies to start my bra for this year. I can't seem to get away from the chocolate bra theme. To purchase an art bra calendar visit www.bcrc.org and click on Store. They are on sale for $14 online which includes shipping or $10 if you purchase them from me or swing by our office.

My Tattoos

February 3rd, Tuesday, was my tattooing. I've never had a tattoo before in my life and I never really had any desire to get one either. Just like many other things, breast cancer changes things. I had my exchange surgery and my nipple reconstructed back in November. They like for the nipples to heal for about three months before doing the tattooing of the areola. We're not really supposed to get any sensation back to our breast after surgery. I gotten some sensation back but didn't really know what to expect when I arrived.





The person that did my tattooing, I'll call her Ms. R, chatted happily with me. She loved that fact that I worked with the Cowgirls and the BCRC. We looked at the different coloring and tinting to try our best to match what mine used to look like. Well, to be honest, it was hard to remember. I've been through this since January of 2006. Granted I still had one natural breast up until May of 2008 but the mind gets foggy easily, especially after chemo. She put a topical cream to numb my nipples. I was still able to feel some of the needle pressure even after the cream was applied. Ms. R put more cream on and we carried on. The whole precess was pretty lengthy. She spent a great deal of time on my first areola mixing different colors. The other areola did not take nearly as long. She did have to do some "shadowing" since my right areola is flatter than the left one. Another option for those of you that do NOT want to get your nipples reconstructed is to get three dimensional tattooing to make it appear like you have nipples. This is a good option for those that never want to wear a bra.





We were finally satisfied with the color though the coloring will change a great deal within the next week. Apparently the blood rushed up top while she was applying the permanent colors. There will be peeling within the first week. I'm to apply ointment and keep them bandaged up for a week. I have my appointment in early March to go in for a follow-up. They will possibly do more coloring then.





I got to work ready for a full day even though it was close to noon by then. My tattoo site was getting very sore and painful. I do not like to take medicine if I don't have to now that I've been through chemo and am on Tamoxifen for five years. I stuck it out for a few more minutes before hunting down some ibuprofen. By the time I found some and for it to kick in, I was miserable. It reminded me of the times when I did not take pain meds early enough during my saline filling days. The good news is that I do have some sensation back. The bad news was that it took about an hour for the meds to kick in. I highly recommend taking some pain meds prior to getting the tattooing. Better be safe than sorry!

This jpeg was found off of Google but it shows that the areola makes the breast look so muhc more realistic. Most of my scars are now covered by the tattooing too!

I looked in the mirror last night before showering. It's pretty crazy how real they look! I haven't seen two breast and two areola on me since January 1, 2006! Four years later and I'm pretty much done! Most women have a much shorter journey than mine. I'm extremely happy for them. I'm not sad for myself. I just hope I always remember to appreciate my life and my body. It's okay if I'm a few pounds over my plateau. I just need to keep balancing my life with exercise and a great deal of greens.

2009 is starting off well and there's no reason for the rest of 2009 not to be!