krista colvin's [putting on my big girl panties + kicking breast cancer in the ass]

your comments...

I wanted to let all of you know how much your comments mean to me. Support, wisdom, different perspectives... that's so important to me.

I have my comments set up to go to my email, so I receive them as they come in on my iPhone. Sometimes I'm just waiting in line at the grocery store or flitting around my house but I read them and smile, read them and ponder, read them and feel your support.

My former student Jennifer left a comment on yesterday's post and it really helped me put things into perspective. I've been looking at my meds the wrong way. Jen helped remind me that the meds are on my team. I now picture the 'scary' red, Epirubicin as My 'girlfriend in a red dress' helping me kick my cancer in the ass. I needed that kick in the ass, I needed to put on my big girl panties and look at things in a new light. Thank you Jennifer.

Thank you, Thank You so much for taking a moment to say what your thinking + feeling. I appreciate your time and your good thoughts.

Chemo number twelve

ding. ding. ding. Bringing chemo round number one to a close... with Brandie by my side, along with my nurse Diana! Diana told us she's been a nurse for 39 years this weekend... holy moly I am a lucky gal to have her by my side!!!!!! She answers ALL my questions with such patience and complete, clear + concise information. #iAskaLotofquestions

Brandie and I finished up my chemo treatment, headed to a quick lunch of sushi + then back to my appointment to meet the radiologist. That was a long appointment but I met with both the nurse, Sandra + then Dr. Gotkowitz. I'll do a separate post on that process but it's incredibly techo and way cool how they will mark + zap away any cancer while going for full cancer-cure mode. #amazing #beginsOctober #last6.5weeksmondaythroughfriday #longhaul

Here's a little pic of Brandie + I sans hat... thought I'd give you a glimpse of my thin hair, but you really need a pic from the back to get the full affect. #intriguedareyou? [thinking this pic makes my hair look thicker] #goodangle #don'taskmetoturnaround

I'm scheduled to lose all my hair 14 days into chemo round 2 which begins June 21st.. so just about Independence Day, July 4th, I'll be bald + beautiful. #sotheysay #4weekstogo

team colvin... my east coast sisters

I've got a modern day pen pal... via twitter I met Molly Gold, super mom cape wearing and business woman extraordinaire. Via phone calls + tweets we've clinched our friendship. Recently she added 'me' to her 'running' list of to-do's. I have to admit the idea of having anyone run for me scared the crap out of me when I was first diagnosed. But it's not really just about me now is it... It's about so much more.

I asked Molly to write a guest post regarding her reason to run for Team Colvin in the Race for the Cure as well as share details on how you can help if you so like.

 

I'm truly honored to have Molly + fellow mom blogger Carolina Mama, take the lead on behalf of so many women.

You may not know this, but I almost up + moved to N. Carolina in 1991 instead of packing up + heading to the Pacific Northwest. I think I would have found my people in either region ;). So thank you so very much Molly for being my over-the-top fabulous modern-day pen pal. I appreciate you.

ps. i have a local [pdx/vancouver] Race for the Cure Team...more on that here.

 

Why I’m running…  By Molly Gold www.gomominc.com

 

On Saturday, June 12, 2010, I am running the North Carolina Susan B. Komen® Race for the Cure because…

 

My Mother is a survivor and I’m so relieved she tested negative for Brac 1 and 2.

My Aunt has had breast cancer twice spanning 25 years.

My Grandmother passed away in her 50’s of ovarian cancer.

I had my first mammogram at 34 and I’m over being in the high risk category.

I have a neighbor who passed away this winter after a long battle and her children are my children’s ages.

I can count 5 people I know on one hand who have had breast cancer in the last year.

1 in 9 women will fight this disease in her lifetime and I don’t want to be part of that sisterhood.

I am running because my friend Krista Colvin has breast cancer and she’s going to win. 

 

As you all know, Krista is the ultimate gal pal.  She’s sassy and fun, smart and caring, she’s that girlfriend that you wouldn’t dare miss a girl’s night out with and you’d give your right arm for.  Or your right breast.  She is bold and brave, not one to shy away from anything, and an educator in her heart.    I live on the other side of the country, have never met her in real life, and know in my heart she’s my kind, that instant connection that makes you know that you know that you know you are meant to share the sisterhood.

 

When Krista shared the news of her diagnosis, I was mad, devastated for her, and sadly, I’m embarrassed to say so selfishly terrified for myself.  What did it mean if a woman so vibrant and true could randomly, without a family history like mine that screams warning signals, while doing those monthly exams most of the time along with yearly mammograms still be challenged to fight stage 3 aggressive breast cancer?  What if I ever hear that terrible news?

 

Because of Krista, I have realized that I can’t live in fear that I might get breast cancer.  In fact I have to recognize that when your world is wide as today’s can be thanks to Face Book, Twitter, and just being the social butterfly that I am, I am going to hear about breast cancer, and frankly lots of other scary things, a lot.  And you know what?  I can’t worry about what if…not when it comes to breast cancer, H1N1, or any other terrible unexpected threat to our lives.  We can’t anticipate that and will miss out on this precious life right here in front of us if that’s where we focus our energy.

 

But when I hear about a newly diagnosed patient or learn of their most recent battle, that’s my chance to help.  That’s my chance to pray for people I know and I don’t,  to get out in my local community and raise money for women hear and all over the country, including out in Camas, Washington where my sweet friend is making such a huge difference sharing her story publicly every step of the way.  Krista is using her relationships in the local media to educate women just like you and me about what breast cancer really looks like.

 

Social Media makes the world a much smaller place and it’s because of the wonderful network of people there that I’m honored to be part of Team Colvin.  Sponsored by Hanes Comfort  and organized by my friend, Malise Terrell, Carolina Mama, we have an AWESOME chance to work together to raise money and awareness for breast cancer everywhere.   The local North Carolina Blogging Community is coming out to work together and we’d love your support so check us out!  Thank you!   The Susan G. Komen Link 

~Molly Gold www.gomominc.com

 

 

Wanted to share a couple of the tweets that Molly + Malise have been sending and note there's a t-shirt too boot ;)

 

 

MyGOMOM NC Mom Bloggers will run the Race for the Cure for @KristaColvin w/ @HanesComfort supporting our efforts...will you? http://bit.ly/d0Aemx

 

CarolinaMama One week from today the Komen Race for the Cure - still time to join us in Raleigh http://bit.ly/9OyFzD Dedicated to @KristaColvin 

CarolinaMama MyGOMOM @HanesComfort Oh My Goodness the lovely "Team Colvin!" tee! @kristacolvin this one's for you lady! http://tweetphoto.com/25575985

 

chemo number ten

My friend Dana accompanied me to chemo number 10... which is perfect because whenever we go through my clothes closet she'll ask me "is that a ten?" #we'renottalkinsizesister;) Because if you don't feel like a ten in it... you can do better!

When I go to chemo I try to feel like a ten walkin' in.  I purposely pick out something cozy + comfortable since I'll be sitting in a barka lounger for approx. 5 hours. Note the green raincoat [which I've had for 5 years or something crazy #butit'sstilla10] will be placed on a coat rack, I'm not lounging in that puppy for 5 hours, but my new + first I may add cashmere sweater got to be broken in during chemo #10! I KNOW where and how did I miss the whole cashmere phase that hit several years ago! I'm even wearing new hoop bead wired earrings for the occasion. I'm a hoop wearing maniac these days with the lack of locks and all. A girl needs a bit of hipness to compensate ;)

So Chemo number ten... came + went. It was eventful with Dana getting a call an hour into treatment that her hubby's car broke down and she needed to rescue him off the side of the road! I was content + cozy to chat with the other chemo gals and tap on my lap top. In fact it was kind of nice and restful to be along during chemo.

By the time I was done, early this day I may add [the drip was quick as they used a pump which is the contraption attached to the iv to make sure it drips as a regular rate] Brandie, my girl Brandie, was there to chariot me to lunch and a bit of shopping.

I figure cancer is ugly, but my life doesn't have to be. Thanks to my fabulous girlfriends for their support + color they bring to my life... with or without cancer.

2 more treatments in this round... of which as I speak/type/blog I finished number 11 yesterday which that post is coming right up... SO really only 1 more to hit my dozen mark then it's on to chemo round 2 which has me a bit freaked out. Maybe I'll go plan my outfits, that may help. #SOkidding

PS. forgot to mention I had some crazy stress/hivey rash possibly sunburn (yes we had an hour or two of sun one day) that lasted from chemo number 9-10. The benedryl + steroids in my premeds helped cleared it up #whewcuzitwasuglybig.  You can kind of see it poppin' out of my pretty pink cashmere sweater [did i mention it was cashmere?!]

coping with cancer... the columbian series

 
Photo Troy Wayrynen

Amy Benson, left, Debbie Oster, Krista Colvin and Angela Fadlovich share a moment together during a cooking party for the Colvin family as a way to support Krista as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer.  Editor's note: This story is the latest installment. May 17, 2010,  in our continuing series following the journey of Krista Colvin in "Coping with Cancer." 

Krista Colvin taps away on her netbook as drugs drip into her body through a port in her chest.

An organizer by profession, Colvin doesn’t let breast cancer keep her from using her time well. She takes charge of the four hours she spends each week in chemotherapy. click here to continue reading the story.

party pooped...

The Camas GNO "Party with a Purpose" was HUMONGOUS success!!!! I'm thrilled that so many women in my local community turned out to support our cause. I had an opportunity to see my girlfriends + to meet so many fabulous women that I've only known via facebook or my blog. I took a pics, but haven't uploaded a single one. #pinkypromisei'lldoitsoon

But with that said... I'm pooped! I promise to catch up in the next day or so. My mama will be heading back home, my 'normal' will get back to normal.

Cheers! Krista

Tonight's the Camas GNO.... party with a purpose

Tonight's the Camas GNO... Party with a Purpose Event. We'll be celebrating women + raising funds for various breast cancer related organizations. I'll be speaking briefly at the event welcome around 5:30 pm at Journey Church. Then I'll be about-town enjoying all the festivities but will you'll more than likely find me at Lily Atelier where I'll be helping raise funds for the Gal to Gal Foundation via www.galtogalwalk.org for TEAM: SHE clark county  We'll be focusing on raising funds to grant wishes to women with Stage IV breast cancer.

Here's the event program: Download GNO_program_both_sides[1]

Here's the facebook page: www.facebook.com/camasGNO

"cause tonight's going to be a good good night... i can feel it wooooo hooooo" #blackeyedpeas

makin' it quick because i've got to go find all the fabu posters i had printed + find clever ways to display them around town in this blustery weather.... oh me oh my oh! ciao bella!

coping with chemo... in "the columbian"

Photo by Troy Wayrynen
click hereto read the full story online in The Columbian 

The Columbian is following my story... the second piece came out on Monday titled "Confronting Chemo", written by Erin Middlewood with photos by Troy Wayrnynen. Erin + Troy have been fabulous to work with and so un-intrusive and kind. Reading the article you'll be reminded of some things I've written about + discover some moments I haven't yet shared publicly.

The story will continue next Monday on the topic of Support... which I've been so grateful to have so much of.

Here's is a link to the original post on story number one in their series... click here

 

 

i'm still here... just a ramblin' on

oh bother... as pooh would say. i think it's pooh, certainly not tigger [which i'm usually so much more tigger than pooh and certainly never eore]

but my point being.... i'm here. i just haven't felt like writing. of course i have plenty to say and have many a a'mind-blog [that simply means i've written the blog post in my mind, typically at 4am as i'm laying in bed telling myself to go back to sleep- and lately i've been listening to myself hence the slow down in blog posts. whew... did i even pause during that thought. AND no it's not the 'roids...which seem to have dissipated into thin air. #cursethemiWANTthemback 

thoughts... events... what i should have been writing about this past week.

mother's day... got a cute.cute.cute email from my daughter's teacher. after i see her gift i may just share the details with you!

and... I'm hoping to do a whole post on mother's day- because i have thoughts, thoughts that involve how i've 'matured' over the past 10 of these.

friends... old, new, and those in the making. i had the pleasure of getting to know helen better- she's a survivor, the host of AMNW, and gave me some insight as to what's coming ahead treatment wise. but most importantly it was just nice to chat + have a cup of coffee together.

more of friends... i'm seriously WELl taken care of. From meals to rides to a simple email or message- they are all so appreciated. i actually did some produce shopping and cooked a bit myself this week. shhhh, don't tell my girlfriends i swear they'll think i've gone mad.

hair- it's thin. waaaay thin. have i ever mentioned that i hide the 'evidence'. i wipe out the bathroom sink + the shower stall so my poor husband doesn't have to see the mounting load of evidence that soon i will be bald. #notthathehasn'tnoticed  not sure if i ever mentioned the 'ping! ping! ping!' which is what i think my hair is doing/saying as it jumps ship. haven't noticed it quite as much this week- maybe it's taking a new quieter approach so as not to freak me out, or quite possibly to just keep me on my toes, because there is no normal lately.

sleep- i'm doing more of it. i seem to have hit the balance between the steroid meds + the chemo. #tippedthescalesnolongeraspaz  i'm not up all hours, i've taken sleeping pills on nights where i may need it [this is a big deal for me, i'm not really a pill-popper, but in the name of sleep- i'm game.

family... got to spend time with my parents and 2 of my closest friends, sleep in my old bed, check out my thinning hair in the same mirror i got ready for prom in + just about every other major 'get ready' event.

events... worked on the Camas GNO event... www.facebook.com/camasGNO  designed totes [SUPER CUTE] and was thrilled so many fabulous sponsors have hopped on board. Cascadia Women's Clinic, Jockey, Agave Jean Company and more!

Of course all these little ramblings are posts within themselves. Even the moment my daughter put on my wig and proclaimed she was "Betty McFetty"...is a great post.

But i've rambled myself into midnight. No sleeping pills needed.

my local chicaritas... Camas GNO

the girls like to rally. they're my kind of girls.

Shortly after getting my diagnosis.. I noticed my Camas Girls were planning an event. They wanted to rally. Rally the local chicaritas to support our local Breast Cancer Organizations. It took all of 2 seconds for me to say "YES" I'll help in anyway I can.

So... I created the Facebook Page while hanging out with Lara during Chemo #4:
CAMAS GNO so that the local chicas can get info, they can invite their chicas + we can make our community a better place. WHO's IN? rsvp here {not required but nice to know}

Lara's created a couple of great blog posts about the event: Wash the Town Pink

Hoping you can join us, Hoping we can support the approx. 700 women in our community that this year will hear "you have breast cancer".