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

last in the series...

The local paper has followed my cancer journey for the past 10 months. The last article in the series ran the day after Christmas... "Focusing on a good life beyond cancer" click here. 

The pictures are very telling, very forward, and an honest depiction of my journey. #fairwarning

The photos on my blog are the moments I can capture... the smiles, the hair shots, the friends. Troy, the photo editor for The Columbian, captures the truth. And I whole heartily support that...
even if the photos aren't the most flattering... because cancer isn't flattering. #butyoucanhaveacuteblogheader

This photo (by Troy Wayrynen) really sums up my physical journey. The port and mastectomy scars, the markings, the tattoos, the hair, the radiation laser and the grin and bare it. The precision of care... [Is it weird to say I'm happy Troy captured it]

                       Photo by Troy Wayrynen The Columbian 
Krista Colvin winces in pain as Tami Fuller, a radiation therapist at Northwest Cancer Specialists, makes a permanent tattoo mark that will serve as a target during future radiation treatments

After one of my physical therapy appointments... I turned the camera on them ;)

 

 
Erin Middlewood and Troy Wayrynen

I'm going to miss Erin + Troy... They've walked my journey with me. They've witnessed my ups, they've captured my downs, they've been incredibly professional and caring at the same time. They've made a community aware. They remind me that life is about the journey.

The 7 part series "Coping with Cancer" click here 

 

Letting it all hang out... my story in The Columbian

  The Columbian- Life Section October 31, 2010
Click here to read The Columbian article in full.

The local paper has been following my story. I've given them full access... as you'll see when you click on the link to read the full story. Who knew my back fat would make the paper and who knew that picture would be so prominent on the online version of the story! Funny how when reading a story about my own mastectomy I notice the minute- [is minute really spelled the same way as minute?] the tan lines, the back fat when I really should be thinking... Holy shit I'm getting my boobs taken off because I have CANCER.

I hope you find the article informative, the pictures telling, and in the scope of life I hope you find all the love + support you need in the family you've created.

If you would like to read the series in The Columbian... you can click here for my archive page then scroll down to THE COLUMBIAN... click there.

In today's paper...

On Saturday night my husband + neighbors headed downtown to the Camas Days Beer + Wine Garden. It's an annual event where you run into at least a dozen or so people that you have crossed paths with. One of those was a mom from my children's school. She asked her husband if he was able to name the gals around the table, I being one of them. He began going around the table and didn't say names but instead stated how he knew us. Immediately I thought "oh shit, he's going to come to me and not know what to say- since he really know's me as  "the cancer chick"... instead he said "she's been in the paper four times". #PHEW

Yes I am the girl the local paper is following. They are doing a series about coping with cancer. #ihavecancer  Today The Columbian ran a new article titled "Combating Cancer is a Family Affair".   [for the full story click here ]

To see previous articles click here

As seen in today's Columbian...

 Photo by Troy Wayrynen

To read the most recent story in The Columbian published 6.14.10

"Putting best face forward in cancer battle. Krista Colvin strives to stay active, attractive"  click here .

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.

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

 

 

in the life section

To view the full article click here

I mentioned earlier + briefly that our local paper The Columbian was following my story. Today the paper hit the matt. I had planned on it being a big feature but I wasn't prepared for the reply I got tonight when I ran up to the mini-mart to grab some copies to send my parents + my best friend. [my mama doesn't do the net].

I placed 4 copies on the counter and the gal said something like "It must have something good in it". My reply, as I flipped the paper over, pointed to the front page bottom banner + waved my hand in front of my chest "It's a story on my breast cancer". She immediately replied "Congratulations!" as if it was a good thing.

What? Did she not hear me.... BREAST CANCER. Not my business was just featured. Not my home is on the garden tour. B  R  E  A  S  T    C  A  N  C  E  R  do I need to spell it out?

The next question was debit or credit...