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A Humorous Look at the Bright Side of Cancer... and There Is One

Mammograms & Mastectomies

May 21, 2010

Post-Mastectomy Exercise… In Hawaii

I got up this morning at 5:30, put my sweats, tank top, and tennis shoes on, and was on the beach by six. The running/walking was going fine for half an hour until the blisters showed up. I limped back to our room. The great thing is, I plan on doing it all again tomorrow […]

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March 29, 2010

That’s Not Something You Hear Every Day #5

Friday’s prosthesis-shopping experience at Nordstrom’s was a huge success… size G, in fact. I didn’t know that bras came in that size. In the dressing room, my friendly fitter had me remove my 12th bra. I took out the new prosthesis, handed it to my friend, and said, “Hey, Vern, can you hold my boob, please?” The […]

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March 26, 2010

Nordstrom, Nordstrom, Here I Come

I haven’t shopped at Nordstrom (very ritzy store) for a long time. I’ve got my Prada purse (Goodwill for $4.00) and $500 Calvin Klein red wool coat ($80 from Ross) and will be leaving any minute (five, to be exact) to meet Vern (best friend) to drop off her kid (cutest kid in the world) […]

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March 23, 2010

That’s Not Something You Hear Every Day #4

Last night, my best friend and I had a rare moment where we actually got together somewhere other than the infusion center. We looked at cameras at Costco and then ended up in the bar at Red Robin. Halfway through our meal, I piped up, “Hey, Vern, you want to go boob-shopping?” I realized later, […]

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February 24, 2010

That’s Not Something You Hear Every Day #1

Rolling out of bed, I was proud of myself that I was up before the kids were leaving for school. My second-oldest, Michael, came up to me and boldly asked, “Mom, can I see your boob?” Now, that’s not something you hear every day. Maybe I should explain. My son is not usually that impertinent. Two […]

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February 23, 2010

More Notes To Self

Instead of using tape (or Bandaids as pointed out by blog readers) to hide the fact that I only have one nipple left following my mastectomy and also not wearing a bra, I thought I’d be smart and actually wear my old bra. That was my first mistake. I had an appointment set for yesterday morning […]

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February 20, 2010

Note To Self

It is definitely not a good idea to tape one’s remaining nipple—following a mastectomy—to hide the fact that one is not wearing a bra.  

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February 18, 2010

Exercising After A Mastectomy

Both the surgical oncologist and the naturopathic doctor yesterday gave me explicit instructions on the need for exercise; however, I don’t think they counted on the dog. I got up well before noon for once, put my sweats on which was a feat in itself, located my iPod, and walked out the door. I wasn’t counting […]

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February 17, 2010

The Kindness of Others

On Monday, President’s Day, my daughter’s friends came and weeded for several hours while I sat on the couch knitting. I felt extremely guilty. Also, the strange bruises beneath where my eyebrows used to be? I think those are my eyebrows trying to come back. They just seem to be lower than where they used […]

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Marie de Haan

Marie de Haan
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