Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Denver

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - this year celebrating 25 years of awareness, education, and empowerment. Race for the Cure events are being held worldwide this month to remind women to have their annual mammograms and to work together so that more women might live. My sister is a breast cancer survivor and participated in the walk in Denver this past weekend. She's such a sweet, gentle soul. I'm so fortunate to have her for my sister . . . and as my hero.

At the start of the race

To find out more about breast cancer and how you can be involved please visit the Breast Cancer Awareness Month website.

Have you had your mammogram this year?

The time is . . . NOW!

Book Launch Week! I'm not sure I ever thought this week would ever come. I've been busy with preparations for the parties - that's what I'm choosing to call the book signings because it's a time to celebrate friendships, make new friends, and just have fun. We'll have gift baskets to give away, some fun "retro" snacks like Chik-O-Stix candy, slo-poke suckers, Blackjack gum, Double Bubble, peanut butter logs, and books of course!

So, if you're in the Tulsa area, Thursday, June 17, at the Mardel's at 52nd and S. Harvard. We'll start the party/signing at 6 pm.

If you're in the Oklahoma or Texas Panhandle, the launch party will be at the Community Worship Center in Perryton, TX. Party time: 2 to 4 pm. Retro dress optional.

First book sighting: Barnes & Noble, Tulsa. Special promotion by Barnes & Noble with my book featured on the NEW RELEASE table, center aisle, and a good supply of the books in the general fiction and literature section. Here they are right between Robert Louis Stevenson and Mary Stewart and just a few spines down from one of my recent favorite books, The Help, by Kathryn Stockett.

Chasing Lilacs is featured on the CAN (Christian Author's Network) Blog this week.

And the last item of note: A taped interview with the amazing Dianne Burnett at christianbook.com. A hint: the speaker with the twang is NOT Dianne. Personally, I think I sound awful on tape, but she asked some great questions. I will be telling you more about the great resources at this site next week.

Whew! I'm tired, but this is a lovely, contented tired. Hope to see you at one of the parties!

A Celebration Worth Noting

Last spring, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer during routine mammography. To say we were shocked and devastated goes without saying. The latest technology, pinpoint accuracy in locating the nodes closest to the tumor, microcellular examination of tissue, and a bevy of amazing doctors became a part of Donna’s life in this most unexpected interruption.

She had surgery, a course of chemo, went wig shopping, and got a Mohawk haircut to put a little funky spin and humor into the grueling process. I went for her last chemo the early part of September. And now, two weeks ago, Donna finished the last of 30 radiation treatments. The staff at the cancer center celebrated the final treatment with a special gift, and I wanted to share it with you for a couple of reasons.

Breast cancer is curable with early detection. The path to the cure is not always easy, but for all of us, and Donna in particular, we have learned to cherish each other more, to be thankful for small things, and to love with abandon. Our faith has grown and our joy is greater because of the journey.

The gift Donna received – these five charms that came in a small drawstring pouch with the following note:



TO KEEP IN YOUR POCKET

A heart, to remind you that you are loved.
An acorn, for your continued strength.
A peace sign, for trust in the future.
An angel to watch over you.
The world, because you make it a better place.





To all who stop by the cafe, my wish is for you to be well, and lest I sound like a broken record, don’t forget to schedule a mammogram if you’ve not had one in the past year. Your family and friends will thank you.

A Subject Close To My Heart

Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Hispanic women. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.

In 2004 (the most recent year numbers are available),

• 186,772 women and 1,815 men were diagnosed with breast cancer
• 40,954 women and 362 men died from breast cancer

Among diseases in women, breast cancer is the 6th leading cause of death in woman and can strike as early as twenty years of age. The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Approximately 1 in 100 women who are 60 years old now will die of breast cancer before age 70.

The good news about all that is public awareness and funding has increased dramatically in the last twenty-five years due largely to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. And now, more women than ever before are surviving breast cancer because of early detection through mammography, MRIs, clinical breast exam and breast self-exam.

I’ve been an advocate of yearly screening and regular self-exams for many years. Still, you think that by doing these things, it won’t happen to you or those you love. I was wrong.

Last spring, my younger sister found out she had Stage 1 breast cancer. She had surgery, followed by extensive testing which revealed a tiny lymphatic vessel which was “not negative”. One small obscure area. She needed a course of chemo to ensure that indeed she had no remaining cells in her body.

Last week, I had the privilege of being with her for her LAST chemo treatment. We are grateful that she has done very well and Lord willing, will join the ranks of “breast cancer survivors”. She has been incredibly optimistic and has had a wonderful group of friends who have walked with her, laughed with her, and offered shoulders to cry on. They will be by her side, I know, as she has radiation later in the fall.

My sister, Donna—wearing her graduation crown—with two of her amazing friends—ReNee and Gina.

For you, dear readers, I’m not asking you to consider having a mammogram—I am begging you. Make an appointment today. Take a friend or sister or the lady next door and make it an event. Already had your mammo this year? Consider helping out with the “Race for the cure” by signing up for a walk or run in your area. You can find a complete list of the runs here.

For Donna, my friend Debbie (who was also diagnosed this year), and any of you going through breast cancer, you are loved and precious. And I’m pulling for you.
Love and prayers.