So Livestrong funds no longer go to cancer research

Oh, please look at her latest blog post at ironmomma.com! What is happening here is making me cry with pride.

From ironmomma.com: What an opportunity we here at Teens Living With Cancer have been given. Two months ago we (and I use the term WE lightly, it’s Lauren and Leah and the teens, I am just a big-mouthed volunteer!) were not quite on the map. Now we are known all over the country and opening a second chapter at Roswell. It’s not because we’ve generated some huge donation or got totally funded….. because we didn’t…. we need your donations.
But because people took notice and took interest. This community has come together like nothing I have ever seen. Not just Buffalo and Rochester, we have community all over the country who realize and understand our message. Our biggest donor is located in Boston. Second biggest donor in Buffalo. Rochester….. we hope you will come around too, because this is in YOUR back yard. These are YOUR kids. Your students. The kids who check your groceries at Wegmans. The kids who hold the door for you at the bagel shop.
I have done nothing special except use what I have to bring the spotlight to Teens Living With Cancer. I got Mr. Armstrong…… because I asked. This isn’t about me and it isn’t about him. It’s about why.
This whole experience has been a gift. We are so grateful for the love and support of everyone.
While our kick off is a week away, we still have much to do.
DONATE HERE or please, SHARE!"

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

Mary Eggers is one feisty woman! Finally sent off my money.

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PS Thank you, SJane. :)

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

There's where I wish there would be more "awareness." Making people who have never had cancer, aware of the everyday challenges of cancer "survivors." Making it okay for "survivors" to acknowledge those challenges.

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Thank you for verbalizing this.

While it is useful to consider myself a survivor (as opposed to victim) I don't feel like I'm living a lifestyle; nor do I feel completely truthful when I just say that I had a mastectomy (to avoid mentioning breast cancer.)

I am only just "getting" how my life has changed. I found myself freaking out last night over a lump on my arm that I'm pretty sure now is a bug bite. Man, the littlest thing can set me off.

(((((red))))) Hope you find your equilibrium sooner than later.

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Originally Posted by szsz

Thank you for verbalizing this.

While it is useful to consider myself a survivor (as opposed to victim) I don't feel like I'm living a lifestyle; nor do I feel completely truthful when I just say that I had a mastectomy (to avoid mentioning breast cancer.)

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ditto to all this, and I also am at a loss to explain the follow up chemo therapy/endocrine therapy/tamoxifen which has definitely made a difference in my life and will continue to do so for the next four years or until I am definitely clear, but even then, the worry will remain.

Today I had a random grim thought that once I am done with the **** tamoxifen, the recurrence time is another five years so I have 10 years unless it comes back to the other breast, and then the clock starts again. What will happen after 10 years who knows? of course I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, but this kind of thought never used to trouble me.

I feel like a fraud for thinking about joining a support group since really, all things being bright and hopeful, it is all over for me, and aside from the ongoing reactions to tamoxifen, it really was no big thing but I still wish I had someone I could vent to with.

Red, as far as bug bites, yes they leave lumps and I know exactly what you went through. Continue to be vigilant but try not to be the paranoid (a thin line to tread I know).

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Originally Posted by marni

ditto to all this, and I also am at a loss to explain the follow up chemo therapy/endocrine therapy/tamoxifen which has definitely made a difference in my life and will continue to do so for the next four years or until I am definitely clear, but even then, the worry will remain.

Today I had a random grim thought that once I am done with the **** tamoxifen, the recurrence time is another five years so I have 10 years unless it comes back to the other breast, and then the clock starts again. What will happen after 10 years who knows? of course I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, but this kind of thought never used to trouble me.

I feel like a fraud for thinking about joining a support group since really, all things being bright and hopeful, it is all over for me, and aside from the ongoing reactions to tamoxifen, it really was no big thing but I still wish I had someone I could vent to with.

Red, as far as bug bites, yes they leave lumps and I know exactly what you went through. Continue to be vigilant but try not to be the paranoid (a thin line to tread I know).

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I think it was a big thing. And in a support group, you might find you are able to help others as well as find a place to vent with others who have been through a similar experience.