I have a question for you. What does it mean to you to be a survivor? I know how I feel about the term, and I know some of my friends prefer the term warrior, but I want to know how you feel. Please reply so we can start a discussion on this topic. Thanks!

 I had a wonderful time last night at a book signing at the Bethel Park Library. My half hour talk evolved into an hour of talking and answering questions. Plus another half hour of signing books and chatting with people. It's so rewarding to meet other breast cancer survivors and hear their stories. I also enjoy meeting anyone interested in preventing breast cancer or helping a friend or relative get through treatment.

I love what I think of as my new job! Talking to to people about breast cancer awareness, risks, treatments, and best of all being a survivor. Every morning that my feet hit the floor as I get out of bed is a win win! Thanks to all who showed up and thanks to the Bethel Park Librarian Ron Kalchthaler for inviting me. I've been invited back in the fall so I will let you all know the date when I have it.

Well, I promised to be more diligent about writing my blog so here is my latest edition. I want  to talk about spin. That's write spin. It's what politicians do when they want to make the best of a bad situation or create controversy where there is none. It's what we all have to do everyday. As a writer, it was one of the first things I had to master. How do you spin a story from an idea or an anecdote? When I was diagnosed with cancer, I had to decide how to spin that. Was I going to play the victim? That would have been pretty easy to do, after all, I didn't drink or smoke, I had no family history of breast cancer, I ate healthy foods and I exercised so there was no way cancer was my fault. Playing the victim would have removed any responsibility for my condition from me, but it also would have taken away my power to make changes and fight back. Throwing the victim card out of the deck let me look at myself and the missed mammograms. No, it still wasn't my fault, but I could have caught it earlier and I could warn other women to be more diligent. I read everything I could on cancer and I found out that assigning blame doesn't help you become cancer-free. Accepting responsibility for your care does. That's how I decided to spin things. I think you have to decide how you are going to spin things every day of your life, and I think you need to have a plan before your feet hit the ground.Are you going to be the victim, or are you going to grab life with both hands and enjoy the ride?

I wanted to tell everyone about a charity I learned about while writing an article for Wise Women. It's called Hair Peace Charities.  It was started by Bonny Diver Hall of KDKA. She is also a cancer survivor. Hair Peace helps cancer patients get wigs because most insurance companies do not cover the cost of wigs during chemo. I know hair grows back and the baldness is only temporary, but there are times when you just don't want to be reminded you have cancer. Wigs are wonderful for our self esteem. The beauty of a wig is that you can choose when and if to wear it. The problem with wigs is that they can be expensive and if you do what I did (order one on-line and hope for the best); it might not fit as comfortably as you want. For more information on Hair Peace Charities, please click on the attached link, http://hairpeace.org/.  

I also wanted to let you know that Bonny Diver Hall also started a support group for women with cancer in the North Hills. It is open to anyone with a past or present diagnosis of cancer. Debbie Webb, the woman I interviewed drives from the South Hills to attend meetings and there is a possibility that Diver Hall will start a group in the South Hills.

If you know of a group or individual that is doing something to help people with cancer, please let me know and I will attempt to get the word out.

OK, my last comment for the day. It is imperative that we stress the fact that men can and do get breast cancer. In the United States, approximately  2,000 men are diagnosed 

with breast cancer each year. Sadly, men do not have regular screenings for breast cancer, so it often is not diagnosed until it is in a later stage. Be aware! Make men aware. Any cancer is so much easier to treat if its caught early.

 Well, life does get in the way and that's a good thing. It means that I don't always think about the fact that I had cancer. 

I have to clean my house, run errands, take my son to school. All the things I have always done. I did them before cancer, during treatment, and now as I celebrate my 3rd anniversary cancer free, I'm still doing them.

I think sometimes we focus so much on one event that we miss the big picture. Life is happening no matter what.

So my advice to anyone who reads this blog is get on with your life no matter what! I know it's hard to be ill or to have a loved one who's sick and you can't fix it. The point is, you take it one day sometimes one hour at a time. Hold onto the moment and make it special. If you can remember someone's smile or the touch of their hand. Any memory you make can triumph over the pain.

I heard a story from a breast cancer survivor about her first chemo and it moved me so much. She's sitting in the chair in the process of getting hooked up to receive her pre-meds and a few chairs done a young woman starts having a meltdown. Within seconds the young woman was surrounded by other women pulling their IV's behind them. They all camped out around her chair drying her eyes and holding her hand. Soon she was laughing and able to finish her treatment. The woman telling me the story told me that in that instant she understood what it was t be a survivor and she was never afraid of having cancer again.

I was asked to write an article for an on-line magazine for women www.wisewomenlife, a magazine about women in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. The purpose of the magazine is to inspire and uplift women in a positive way. It's aim is to stop us from tearing each other apart. My article called Finding my Voice and Finding Myself appeared in the November issue.  I had such a positive experience working with Kim Epp Frenette, the founder and publisher that I am now a regular contributor. My next piece about The Chaplain at the Allegheny County Jail will be in the December magazine out December 5. I hope everyone will read not only my articles, but the other features as well. This is a wonderful publication Full of inspiration and information...two things we can never get enough of. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and you are moving forward this holiday season no matter which religion guides your celebration or lack of one. It's been another year with all its bumps and bruises, tears and sorrow, but it's also been a year for miracles, countless joys and much needed laughter.

How will you remember 2011? 

I will be at Einstein's Bagels on Route 19 and Fort Couch Road Tuesday 10/25/11 for a book signing in conjunction with Sabike Jewelry's Komen Daisy Pendant sale. 50% of the sales price of the pendant will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Pittsburgh.

I hope to see everyone there.

Tomorrow 10/23/11 I will be in Penn Hills at a Zumbathon to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Pittsburgh.  I will not be selling my book there, but I will be reunited with the four other women featured in my book. I'm very excited to support this wonderful cause. I will give you all the details on Monday. 

Just wanted to let everyone know that there will be articles about my book in The Almanac and The Pittsburgh Post Gazette.  I don't have the exact dates yet, but I will let you know.

Open House and Book Signing at Ultimate Dance Complex - Friday 9-30-11

You are invited to an Open House at Ultimate Dance Complex 395 Valley brook Road on Friday September 30, 2011 from 7:00-9:00 pm. Hosted by: Tracey Lewis and Corky Neff. Featured at the Open House will be Miche Purses, Sabika Jewelry,The Pampered Chef, Dove Chocolate, and I will be selling and signing copies of my book, Dancing in the Rain. Come see the dance studio and get an early start on your Christmas shopping! Remember 10% of my profits will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Pittsburgh.

Remember next month is Breast Cancer       awareness month. 

Welcome to my new blog that goes with my website. I want this to be a forum primarily for women or men with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors, but I would like to welcome anyone with cancer and anyone who has a friend or loved one with cancer.

I want this to be a place for discussion and venting if you need it.  I plan to share some  tips that helped me get through treatment, and I hope to learn some tips for living a healthy joyous life.

My first question to you is this: 

What is the most positive lesson you will take away from your breast cancer experience?  I look forward to reading your answers.

I used to agonize over every flaw or perceived shortcoming, I let people tear me down with just a look.  At times, I was no more than a door mat.  When I found out that I had cancer and I could die from it, I learned to stand up for myself because suddenly, every breath I took was precious, life was precious, I was precious.

Another thing I learned during my battle with breast cancer is that life goes on.  The busier I stayed and the more connected I was with the everyday world, the easier it was for me to keep my cancer in prospective.  To help you stay tuned in, I want to recommend a few businesses and blogs that I enjoy.  Please note that I'm receiving no compensation for these recommendations. These are places I enjoy and I hope you will too. Some are area specific, but these blogs can be enjoyed by anyone anywhere.

Zumba Fitness - I especially enjoy classes with my instructor, Debbie Colditz at the Westminster Church on Route 19 in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania.  Debbie teaches from 9:00 to 10:00 am every Tuesday and Thursday.  Walk-ins are welcome and the price is only $5.00 per class.

Big Guys Pizza 435 Bowerhill Road,  Bridgeville, Pa 412-257-2222.  Family owned and operated.  Fresh ingredients. Delivery or Take out.  On-line ordering available. Nutrition is super important, but we all love Pizza, so why not get one with fresh ingredients made to order.

Larissa Hill Designs - larissahill.blogspot.com This is a blog by my dear friend and fellow survivor Heather Hillier.  She specializes in making unique decorating pieces from used objects or inexpensive objects.  Heather shares her step by step process with you and she has some wonderful giveaways each week.

lolawashername - this blog is by Lara Hillier the daughter of my friend Heather.  Lara is an aspiring actress in New York.  She shares her unique view of the Big Apple and her exquisite sense of style.  I feel glamorous just reading it!  Lara also has some fantastic giveaways each week so please check her out.

I look forward to reading your answers and any questions you might have that are relevant to the discussion.