Hope



Let's talk about Breast Cancer.

For some of you...this is news. For others, it will be an update.
About six weeks ago, I found a lump. One month ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Two weeks ago I underwent a double mastectomy.
(Now you know why my posts and FB comments have been few and far between)

I would never put my medical conditions out there on the big world wide web, however, I think in this case, if I can help just one person, it was a post well blogged.

Yes, I know..."it can never happen to me"..............WRONG!!!

Mark your calendar, do your self breast exams MONTHLY.
 Schedule your mammogram YEARLY.

I did the monthly self exams. I just had a mammogram 4 months ago (clean as a whistle). Yet it still happened to me. Luckily (yes I count myself as lucky), I found the lump and the surgeon was able to completely remove all the cancer.
I will still have to have chemo and other treatments for the next year, but that is to fight off any lingering cancer cells that may be floating around and haven't attached to anything yet.
I can do this! I am strong! 
It is better than the alternative. 




Please pass this post on to every woman you know.
Email your grandmother, mom, sister, aunt, friends.
Maybe you know someone right now that is in the beginning stages of just finding out she has breast cancer...send her this post...there is Hope!

And lastly.....Leave me a comment of someone you know that could use some happy mail, as I would love to mail this card to a woman who needs a little Hope in her life right now.

Let's go Shopping:
Stamps:  Fight Like a Girl (Amuse Studio)
Die: Seasonal Sentiments (WPlus9), Butterfly (Silhouette Online Store )
Inks: Memento Luxe Rose Bud, Teal Zeal, Dandelion; Watermark (Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko)
White Enamel Accents (Ranger)
Twine (The Twinery)


Each Friday I will give a shout out to all new Followers (click on "Join This Site" Button on the right side) and if you have a blog, I will make a link to you also.

Thanks for stamping by, and an extra special {mwah} for leaving a comment and/or following my blog....

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19 comments

Lin said...

Beautiful post, my friend! You will probably never know how many people this touches and helps. So proud to have gotten to know you!

Simply Stated said...

I Love this card Pen,it is so beautiful. I love you and I'm so proud of you.... to be thinking of how you can help others at this time, you are amazing. You are strong and you can do this. Huge Hugs!

Lori Kobular said...

Penny your card is absolutely beautiful!! I love the HOPE die, who makes that? I am sorry you had to go thru such an ordeal, but you are strong and you will do this! I applaud you for sharing this very important message with the world!! All the Best!!

Tenia Nelson said...

So so pretty!!!

judkajudi said...

You are an amazing woman! Your message is an important one. We women have to help and support each other until the cure is found! Your card is beautiful and is sure to encourage someone who needs it!! It is so like you to think about helping someone else in the middle of your own journey!! Hugs.

Paula S. said...

Penny this card is gorgeous and my thoughts and prayers are with you. I truly admire the courage it takes to not only fight cancer head on but to make a post like this one that will surely be a reminder to many that it 'can' happen. Bless you my very talented friend!

Cathy A said...

Penny you are an inspiration, I will pray that your journey in the coming months goes as smoothly as possible. Big hugs x

Virginia P FL said...

Love your card and its pinkness! I am so sorry that this disease has touched your life. But how wonderful it is that medicine can now give us hope for a full and purposeful life. You are right, You are Strong and You Can do this! May God bless you today and always.

Sandra H said...

Not an easy post l'm sure Penny but thank you for posting this, your card is beautiful and l'm sending lots of love my thoughts and payers are with you keep strong lots of love xx

Alice said...

thank you for posting this and for sharing your story, Penny! you are awesome! sending you big hugs!

Darnell said...

Penny, I'm sorry to hear that you are dealing with this and I know you can kick cancer's butt! Your post is very well written and I'm sure it will reach others as you hope. Sadly, there seems to be an epidemic of breast cancer; certainly, for one person, I know way too many women who have been through treatment or who are currently undergoing treatment.

I wish you the happiest of holidays as you celebrate LIFE and the blessing that you were able to found this lump in time!! Hugs, Darnell

Anne Temple said...

Gorgeous card and post. I notice new details every time I look at it. Have a Merry Christmas Penny.

Rena Sawatski said...

Penny, I am sorry to hear your news, but thank goodness you found out in time to get treated.

Your card is beautiful and hopefully will help with awareness for other women ( and men) to be diligent in getting regular checkups.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and that the next months of your treatment go smoothly

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing. I just celebrate 8 years cancer free..uterine cancer. May you find strength and hope for a full recovery as you go through your treatment. God bless you and may you find strength through Him, who gives it freely.

Sybrina K said...

Penny,

What a shocking -- and incredibly brave, inspiring -- post.

Wishing you the healthiest of new years. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Unknown said...

Wow, Penny, this is shocking news. 4 months ago you had a clean mammogram and now this. It's a wake up call that none of us can be complacent and have to be diligent with our own health care.

I wish you the best with your recovery and the treatments in the months ahead.

Kathy

Greta said...

Fabulous card with your wonderful message in the face of these trying circumstances, Penny. I know you are strong & will turn this to good. Blessings to you & your family this Christmas. Hugs, Greta

Jocelyn aka JoBear2 said...

Such a beautiful and inspiring card.

Penny, thank you for sharing your story with us. It is certainly a wake-up call and reminder for all of us reading your post when your Mammogram was clear only 4 months ago! It must have been such a shock! You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you journey through your treatment.

Jocelyn xo

Christine said...

Penny, beautiful card! Thank you for sharing your story, it such an important message that needs to be shared. My mother had breast cancer, hers also did not show up on her mammogram. She is a 3 year survivor. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I still have your email address saved and hopefully one day we can meet in Lake Placid.