10.23.2007 take a seat for the cure :: october 25, 7-9pm 9 auctions will be held at 9 DWR studios. join DWR + knoll in the fight against breast cancer by bidding on 1 of the limited-edition florence knoll benches, donated by knoll that DWRupholstered in pink leather.
all auction proceeds will go to the susan g. komen foundation.
2008 presidential candidate's video responses to eradicate breast cancer breast cancer is a highly visible cause whose research breakthroughs will hopefully benefit eradication of all cancers , diseases + disease causing chemicals in beauty, hygiene + household products + the environment. women have a 1 in 8 lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. this year alone more than 240,000 women will be diagnosed + about 40,000 women will die from this disease. the american cancer society has a $700 million dollar annual budget + susan g. komen raises over $50 million per year, yet after years of research, we still don't know specifically what causes breast cancer, how to prevent it, or how to detect + treat it effectively or without surgical removal of healthy tissue, nerves, lymph nodes, skin + nipples, or without ovary + nerve destroying chemotherapies.
10.15.2007 i've been busy organizing mod*tot's baby pictures to make a blurb book. blurb books start at $12.95. to enter to win 1 click here for my giveaway.
to enter to win a complete set in pattern of your choice in twin or full size, click here to go to my original giveaway post before midnight october 22.
futuristicaptera230 mpg electric 3-wheeled vehicle is under $20,000! they're taking $500 refundable reservations for next year's producton. (choose all electric or plug-in electric hybrid) the aptera's 2 front seats are arranged side by side with a centered infant seat behind them. the side doors open to the front + upward completely inside the front wheel track so you won't hit the vehicle parked next to you or damage your door while exiting your aptera in a tight garage. there is enough storage in the rear for 15 bags of groceries or 2 golf club bags. the aptera even holds 7 foot surf boards plus associated beach accessories.
10.08.2007 time again to squeeze your lemons for signs of breast cancer. i had several new suspicious lumps checked out by my oncologist last week. she felt them + said, "they feel cystic" (benign) + "you had a mammogram, ultrasound + breast mri in may, which shows EVERYTHING, so let's see you again in 3 months." i was in shock. my diagnosis last year was "bad prognosis, her2neu 3+++, stage 3b, 10x8cm tumor, spread to lymph nodes, highly aggressive, likely to spread + recur" + after a mastectomy + radiation + chemotherapy + several months of herceptin monoclonal antibody infusions (we suspended the last 9 months of herceptin that would supposedly prevent a recurrence of cancer by 50% due to acute congestive heart failure it was causing), she told me she'd monitor me "carefully." high surveillance for breast cancer recurrence actually translates into me doing monthly manual exams + my oncologist doing manual exams every 3 months. now i've got lumps she says "feel benign" + i don't find that reassuring. my huge breast cancer tumor was undetectable by mammogram + it was the size of a large bar of soap.
meanwhile, there is a pink ribbon party going on this month with millions of products selling + well meaning people walking + racing for the cure. the book pink ribbons, inc.says over 1 million people participated in the susan g komen races for the cure in 2005 alone (that's not counting the avon, livestrong + american cancer society walks).i've been wondering, what are those walks accomplishing for breast cancer? where is that money going? awareness: i think we're all pretty aware that breast cancer is common + you should detect it early; prevention: supposedly it's not preventable; research: don't the pharmaceutical companies make huge profits? my cancer treatment costs were over $100,000; survivor programs: most of them are staffed by volunteers who are breast cancer survivors with donated space, equipment + tax deductible expenses.
where is all that money going? maybe elizabeth edwards or hillary clinton will look into making sure it's toward better diagnostic equipment than mammograms + manual exams (google please help us!). we need specially targeted chemotherapies that don't cause heart failure + permanent nerve damage (my hands + feet are numb) + destroy ovaries. we need targeted chemotherapies so effective, we won't have to endure radiation (medieval burning of the skin + breast tissue) + surgery (i miss my breast + my arm is permanently nerve damaged, painful + swells from lymph edema. my daughter asks me when will my breast grow back (like a lizard's tail she knows detaches as a defense mechanism). sometimes at night before she goes to sleep she sobs + demands to know, "where is your booby mama?! where is it? take me to visit it! i want your booby back!"
update oct 9: 1st thing this morning she demanded to go see my breast. she said, "i miss it mom, i want to see it even if it's not attached to you." i told her i've still got one attached + let's be good to that one.
for october, they're offering mineral fusion fresh face starter kits for $20!!! (the brush alone costs $28.99, so this is a great opportunity to get started)
i found out about mineral make upthe hard way. i hadn't worn make up in about 4 years + tried some plant-based foundation, not knowing i was allergic to one of the myriad ingredients + i had a very bad allergic reaction. some mod*mom readers recommended mineral based makeup + i LOVE it.
ice speedskating :: i took a level 1 us speedskating coach certification course. it's great to get back on the ice + skate with old friends + mod*tot is making new friends. her grandpa is the us champion for master's short track ice speedskating.
now that the speedskating season has begun, i'll be following shani davis + apolo + jp kepka + some of the canadian skaters who raced + trained with my husband for the 2002 winter olympics. they're racing next in calgary.
mod*mom giveaway :: boodaleeduvet + sheets set $250-300
i LOVE boodalee's new bold graphic prints. mod*tot is crazy for the castle. jeanice skvaril, boodalee's owner + graphic designer is a mom in marin county who was inspired by the delightful amusements in tivoli gardens.
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