in honour

Passionately Pink for the Cure
"Showcase your passion for the cure by uploading passionately pink photos to help raise vital funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Share photos in honor of a survivor, in memory of a loved one, to celebrate Passionately Pink for the Cure events. Or simply share a pink photo that inspires others to rally around the cause.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Yahoo! will donate $1 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, for each pink photo added to this flickr Group from October 1-31, 2007 up to $50,000! This donation will be used to fund breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

Pick your Pink. Play Your Part. End Breast Cancer."

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On a very personal note... In June 2003, I underwent surgery to have a large tumor 2 inches in diameter removed from within my left side. When it grew noticeably large, I was really freaked out + too scared to figure out what I needed to do that I didn't tell anyone about it at first. I waited too long to have it checked. Then, I told my parents about it, + of course they were upset with me that I didn't tell them sooner. They said that our family really has no history concerning breast cancer, so that weirded me out even more. I was 25.

I have been thanking the good Lord that the biopsy proved it benign. The doc called it a "giant Fibroadenoma", which is the most common benign breast tumors seen in women under the age of 35 years. It was the very first time I have ever been under the knife so it was quite nerve-racking. I wanted to recount what I was feeling during that time, so I leafed through my online journal archives + found the entry I wrote after it happened:


out from under | 24 June 2k3 _ 01:01 p.m.

"The weekend _/ i am back from going under. everything went well for those of you who are aware. it all happened last Thursday afternoon. the 1.5 hours of preparation. the reading + the signing of the millions of papers. the waiting. "You're going to start to feel a bit relaxed, hon." photos to document to be picked up tomorrow evening. recovering from a deep sleep an hour or so later. very supportive family + friends. phone calls from distant + not-so-distant loved ones. much needed days off. first [+ hopefully last] time for everything. thank the lord for watching over everyone, meaning EVERYONE involved."


To all the ladies out there, examine yourselves + be aware.


PHOTO NOTES:
_ 15 Sept 2k7
_ The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts