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

it's in the shoes...

I feel almost guilty not having introduced you to my kick-ass boots. I was going to tweet [again] about the audible 'OOOOH' I heard from a gal as I swiftly walked out of Dr. Gabriel's office...  then link to my blog post + photo about my boots. [because you need the photo for it to be effective #don'tchathink] But then I searched high + low and couldn't find a post. If I'm remiss then chalk it up to chemo brain... if I'm not, I am truly sorry for not having shared these with you before now.

Meet my Cancer-Ass-Kickin' Boots. They are a bit Mary Poppins meets dominatrix.

  

When my husband laid eyes upon them, he said I might be sending the wrong message... I didn't care. It wasn't a message meant for the local men. It was for my inner-brave girl...

These chica's accompanied me to chemo, radiation, doctor consults + follow ups, dinner on the town and coffee at Caffe Piccolo. When cancer got ugly, I knew my shoes were still the cutest within a 2 mile radius.

Today it seemed fitting to strut into my breast reconstruction post opp appointment wearing them along with my new bra...

The audible "OOOOH" which included a finger pointing gesture as I swiftly exited the waiting room was affirmation that cancer is ugly, but my life doesn't have to be.

Dear John...

I received this email today... I've added my snarky comments for your entertainment ;)

Hi,
I would like to know if you would have an interest in purchasing this domain name (I found your contact information online and see that you own puttingonmybiggirlpanties.com correct?).
bestbraforsaggingbreasts.com #didyoujustsaysaggybreasts? can provide a SEO boost in this market, which includes leads that pay for themselves saving you advertising money #whatexactlydoyouthinkIamadvertising (advertisers are paying $1.14 per click for these exact keywords). It is also very simple to type in/remember; and can help improve, secure, and protect your web branding identity. The price for this domain is just $375. #areyoushittingme I am reaching out to other related businesses in the next few days, #heydidyousendthistomyothercancerchicasYoudumbass and this domain will go to the first company who replies. #yeahgoodluckwiththat

Thank you,
John

1040 Hosbrook Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45236

I do my best to only send very targeted emails to people who I think will benefit from them. #doilooklikeihavesaggyboobs #iusedtohavesaggyboobs
If you feel that you received this email in error or would not like to receive any future opportunities:
http://bestbraforsaggingbreasts.com?did=5972397&hash=9194900e5a72abc809f4e8ed976e6c7e&u=1  #erroryouthink? #numbskull #dipwad #didyouEVENreadmyblogbanner

MY Reply...

Dear John,
I don't have breasts. I had a double mastectomy a year ago due to breast cancer.
 
In an effort to 'truly do your best to send targeted emails to people that may benefit from them'.. then I suggest you may want to consider me for domains containing the words "reconstruction" "yes they are fake, the real ones tried to kill me" etc.
 
Best Wishes,
Krista Colvin

things i've been putting off...

 
It's time to deal with some of things I've been putting off...

My desk, the random piles. I've tackled them a couple of times the past year. I even added the basket you see to catch incoming items that I didn't have time to deal with. Then the basket got full and the piles started again.

It's time. it's time to revisit, reduce, and revamp this mess.

It seems so overwhelming... I mean surely it will take me months right?

But I know, I know from experience that my mind has made it bigger than what it is. So after a self-chat, I dig in. I gather up all the desk crap and take it the dining room. I refill my cup-o-joe and tackle it. And within an hour, I've got my sanity back.

I'm movin' forward sister... one lil' project at a time.

 

HB 1101 Breast Reconstruction Bill

I've never written to my Washington State house representatives... until last night. My plastic surgeon is sponsoring a bill that requires a medical community member to give information to women regarding their breast reconstruction options. I fully support women being informed. Amazing that this information has not yet been 'assigned' to a particular type of doctor etc.- hence it gets lost in the shuffle. My breast cancer sisters should NOT be lost in the shuffle.

Here is my letter (if you would like to support this bill the information is below the letter)

I'm writing in support of the HB 1101 Breast Reconstruction Bill.  Within months of my 43rd birthday I found a large cancerous and aggressive tumor in my breast. I am thankful that my two children, age 10 and 7 burst into the bathroom as I was soaking in the tub. I quickly covered myself and my fingers felt the edge of the lump. The previous spring my mammogram had been clear.
 
Before my bilateral mastectomy my daughter asked if she could sit on my lap and snuggle me... She knew what my surgery entailed. What she did not know was my decision to have reconstruction wasn't an easy one. I debated my options.
 
I was thankful to have them (options). I am happy with my decision. I am grateful that my medical team communicated with me. I am one of the few.
 
Please support the HB 1101 Breast Reconstruction Bill so that all women may have the information they need to make an educated choice. Women should have more than a Google search when making a medical decision.
 
Sincerely,
Krista Colvin, Stage 3A Breast Cancer Survivor
.........

If you so desire to support this important bill: contact legislation by going to http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Committees/HCW/Pages/MembersStaff.aspx.  

You can address your support to the Health Care and Wellness Committee.  
 
Details about the bill:  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1101&year=2011

A simple note is all that is needed, you can add your personal story to what is listed below. 
 
Send your e-mail to [email protected]. Please give her permission to share with all legislative members.
 
If you weren’t informed of your reconstruction options:
I’m a cancer survivor and  I was not given my options.  I did not have reconstruction because I didn’t know insurance would cover it. I support HB 1101 Breast Reconstruction bill!
 
If you were informed of your reconstruction options:
Your story and a statement that you support the HB 1101 Breast Reconstruction Bill
 

so when do i call it good...

I feel like each time I reach a treatment milestone that my journey isn't really over. #becauseitisn't

I read all the wonderful comments and feel they are premature- yet I know life is about the journey, it's about stopping to smell the roses, celebrating the successs along the way- I'm that kind of girl. But I find myself unwilling to throw the Survivor party just yet...

So I got to thinking... When is that moment for me?

Like any professional organizer... I got out my planner.

I looked at my pending cancer related appointments. Three more Herceptin infusions, Hysterectomy, Reconstruction surgeries. Throw in visits to my oncologist every 3-6 months and a PET scan or two... It won't ever really end.

I picked a date. March 23rd is my last infusion, my last 'die cancer die, don't come back' treatment. This day will mark 1 year and 23 days of breast cancer. I'm calling it good.

I'm going to celebrate. I'm going to exhale. I'm going to look at the view from the top. It's my moment.

 

i'm not the same

I've read here and there that people experience depression post cancer. I'm vowing that not to be me and in doing so I'm hoping to not jinx myself. I have my own philosphy about this... and ran it by my oncologist to see what her take was. So before I begin my rant I want to say that this may not hold true for all patients, our journeys are all different as is our treatment and circumstances. This is about me, my personal journey.

I am not the same.

I'm not the same 5' 9" thin girl from 1985. #Iateherforbreakfast

I wasn't the same at the end of high school, nor college graduation.

I grew up after my first trip to Europe and after my first marriage ended.

I was different after moving away from my hometown.

I was different when I married and had my first child. And my second.

I'm not the same as I was when I started my business 6 years ago and my business is not the same.

So of course I'm not the same after 11 full months of fighting cancer.

And that's ok.

i need to get back in the groove

My groove's been thrown off... It typically happens this time of year (and post summer break) because the kidlets have been underfoot and I can't keep my life in order because I'm too busy playing cruise director. But my groove has been off since last March when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. #BAM #lifeshappens

I thrive on routines... simple little routines that keep me sane and keep me from yelling at my family. A couple of years ago I created Shebang 101 to help my clients (and me) get it + keep it together. I've decided I need to get my routines back in order- it's time.

    

     Here's the link to my Shebang 101 page.
     click here

    

 

 

I'm going to work on updating my routines to fit my current lifestyle... Would  love to have you join me if you're feeling the need to get your groove back on.

Boobalas

 
My twitter friend Darryle named one of her Boobalas after me! How coolio is that :) click here  to read about them.

I met Darryle on twitter... she was casting off all her clutter and I was inspired to do the same. She was also my first social media breast cancer friend... I've enjoyed reading her blog "I never signed up this..." and this week she interviewed me and posted about our "common bonds"

Who knew my twitter pen-pal would turn into a cancer mentor... and who knew I'd have a piece of art named in my honor. #loveit #loveher

rally time

This past week has been rough. I mentioned the other day I needed to rally... I've still got lots to do on my breast cancer journey. click here

Today, while looking at my alma mater football website, I was reminded what I needed to do. I need to put my big girl panties back on and finish the battle I started 10 months ago. [thanks T.H.S. cheer squad- I needed this...of course you don't know me, but I was you 25 years ago. And someday you may be me-but I hope not] #proud2beAformerTHSsongleader #goodluckatCIF

 

 

need to rally

I'm feeling SO done with doctor appointments. I adore my medical team and their fabulous staff but I'm done. I'm wiped. Here I am d.o.n.e. with cancer cells but the journey still looms ahead of me.  This week I had my physical therapy appointment, my breast expanders deflated by 1/3 and today my radiation appointment to get 'marked'. But within an hour of the radiation marking appointment I got a 2 calls from my medical team. 1. I need to deflate a bit more so that radiation can do a better job at zapping me 2. A call from the plastic surgeon to schedule that deflation.  That means 2 more appointments added to my schedule. I was relieved that I was able to schedule them during school hours to avoid child care but bummed to have to have them at all.

On top of this, I'm tired. I slept crappy last night. I couldn't take a sleeping pill because I had taken a valium earlier in the evening to relax my chest muscles. [was told not to mix those meds] I also seemed to have heartburn or the need to vomit. I kept telling myself it was heartburn and got up to take a prilosec, pee yet one more time, and then shuffle the pillows around like a pregnant woman to get comfortable. I also had to ban the dog from the bed as somehow he manages to take up more than his fair share and he's a dachshund. #gofigure

Did I mention I start radiation next Wednesday. I'm not all that concerned about the treatment, but rather the amount of time. I will have a daily appointment m-f for 6 1/2 weeks. AND even after that I won't really be done with my cancer journey. (can you hear the woe is me in my voice) I'll have my Herceptin infusions through March, Surgery to remove my baby bearing parts in May #notthatIneedthemanyway, and breast reconstruction sometime next summer. Then maybe I'll be able to say I'm DONE.

So here I sit... waiting for my hubby to get home so that I can cry a bit and have him boost me up. I need to rally... I need to put my big girl panties back on and I need a good night's sleep.