Posted on February 14th, 2010 by Deb in Updates
I see I haven’t checked in here for a bit…not due to any problems, I’m just not used to all this social networking. I’m a fairly private person but see that having cancer is much more than a personal dilemna. It has affected every aspect of my life and is not “private”. Women stop me in stores and whisper “are you in treatment now?” and then offer advice and someone to reach out to if needed. I’m meeting others in the same situation when I go for my treatments and at a local Womens Place Center that has been invaluable in providing information and encourgement with the maze of understanding how to combat cancer. There are so many different types and stages of cancer, and alot of conflicting info on how best to treat it long term. I’m seeing a nutritionist who specializes in cancer and specifically triple negative cancer, which does have different properties than the hormone positive cancers most breast cancers are. I’m doing more exercising, have pulled out the treadmill and am navigating through the side effects of chemo and learning how to manage them. Docs aren’t thrilled with the 17 pound weight loss in the last month, the first chemo treatment was alot tougher on me than was expected, but now I’ve got #2 under my belt and am feeling much better! Hair is gone, but my 35+ year collection of scarves and wraps are coming in real handy. I’ve received many cool hats from friends and strangers. Tried on some wigs, but didn’t like them. I’m comfortable with the hippie scarve look, as I’ve worn this look forever! Glad I don’t work in an enviornment that requires dressing up and being presentable every day. I love that I work from home, and can be comfortable and completely non stressed about daily living. I nap when I want, (try) and eat when I want, and of course, sew/knit/crochet/felt/design/dream pretty much the rest of the time! My hubby has been a rock through this and is really stepping up to assist and provide anything needed. I am also very comforted by the kindness of customers – your words and sharing have meant an awful lot to me. My friends are the best and constantly keep me smiling and remembering I will get past all this…and it will be great. One girlfriend is hoping to have me catch her exercise wave and think about triathalon training down the road!! Yikes!!
Tub o' Scarves
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Posted on December 27th, 2009 by Deb in Updates
I now know what my diagnosis is, and what I will have to go through in 2010 to get through this detour in my plans. Just as I am a bit unusual, so is my cancer. It is a type that only about 10-15% of people get, in simple terms it’s called Triple-Negative, Grade 3. Basically it just means that many of the medications generally used for most breast cancer treatment will not work for me. After many medical consultations and research I decided to go with the recommended course of aggressive chemo for 4 months, followed by radiation. The very good thing in my favor is that the tumor was caught early and there has been no spread. I am doing the full treatment because the odds of it coming back are pretty high if I do nothing, and it is a fast growing, virulent type that I don’t want to do battle with in the future! So I’m ready now for this fight!
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Posted on December 11th, 2009 by Deb in Updates
You hear about it all the time – we all know someone who has had cancer. Over 192,000 cases of invasive breast cancer have been diagnosed this year. There are currently more than 2 and a half million survivors. I now fall into this first catagory, and plan on becoming a statistic in the other.
One thing you learn early on is that you have to wait for results over and over – the ultrasound, the biopsy, the PET scan, the pathology reports after surgery…and on and on. This is where I am now. I had a partial mastectomy and lymph node removal earlier this week, and now wait for the results that will determine what type of treatment follows. I’m pleased with the ability I’ve had so far to remain calm and not stress out about the “unknown”. You quickly learn in this situation it does absolutely no good, only harm.
Very thankful I have plenty of things to do here – lots of crafting and creating going on. Need to finish up making all the homemade holiday gifts that are in various stages of finishing. Hoping to continue to see customer orders come in, they make me very happy! I need happy!
Rest and laughter are also high on my priorities. Watching lots of comedies and laughing with friends in between crafting and naps. Feeling very well rested and in a good place as I ……wait.
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Posted on December 3rd, 2009 by Deb in Updates
It has been a difficult year for many Marylanders because of the tough economy. Many are without jobs and without food. In an effort to help those in need this holiday season, several BEST members will be donating a percentage of money from the the sales of their handmade items from December 1-14. Buyers will have a unique opportunity to support handmade and help feed hungry Marylanders.
The Maryland Food Bank provides nearly 14 million pounds of food annually to 1,000 Network Partners – including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, low-income day care centers, after-school programs, senior centers, rehabilitation centers, and other feeding programs. They supply food for over 50,000 Marylanders each week who otherwise would go hungry or not eat enough, including families with children, the elderly, the homeless, the homebound, low-income workers, the recently unemployed, and people with AIDS and other health problems. For every $1 contributed to the Maryland Food Bank, they are able to provide 3 meals to Maryland’s needy families and individuals.
From December 1st through 14th, the following participating BEST members will be donating a percentage of their sales:
blockpartypress- 10% of Etsy sales
sweetpepita- 10% of all Etsy sales
jenmenkhaus- 10% of all Etsy sales
glowgirl – 10% of all Etsy sales
yummyandcompany- 10% of all Etsy sales
atelieradornments – 10% of all Etsy sales
lanabella - 10% of all Etsy sales
lolamiren – 10% of all Etsy sales
thebrokenplate – 10% of all Etsy sales
tigerlillyshop – 10% of all Etsy ring sales
greenstarstudio – 10% of all Etsy sales
vwstudios – 10% of all Etsy sales
Take some time to visit these Etsy shops, support handmade and know that when you make a purchase between Dec. 1 – 14, you will be helping to provide food and services to someone in need this holiday season. Here are some other ways to support the MD Food Bank:
* Make a direct monetary donation
* Purchase and donate food through the Food Bank’s “Virtual Food Drive”
* Deliver the food directly to the Maryland Food Bank at 2200 Halethorpe Farms Road. Please call 410-737-8282 to arrange your delivery.
* Volunteer Opportunities
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Posted on November 28th, 2009 by Deb in Updates
For the first time in 20+ years I didn’t go out shopping in the wee hours of Black Friday. Yeah, I’ve broken that bad habit!! It is easier, and more cost effective than ever to do your shopping from the comfort of your home.
Both my shops are offering free shipping Wed 11/25 through Mon 11/30. Also consider shopping local – many of my BEST (Baltimore Etsy Street Team) group are also offering free shipping, and other such goodies. Support the small indie local artists you know! It’s good for all of us! Beautiful, unique handmade objects – not found at Walmart!! (photo above is a wine bottle belt buckle, from designsbylesliebrown.etsy.com)
http://www.baltimorecraft.com/shop.html
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