Better than she was before… Better, Stronger, Happier. A Breast Cancer Journal
Lucy and Bayla wrote and submitted an article to our very local paper, last month. We’re proud to announce, that article was published today.
Here it is:
On October 6th, 2009, our mother, Andrea Sue Ross, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now, less than eleven months later, we have already raised $3,500 almost $5,500 for ‘Run For the Cure’ of which our mom is a proud and worthy participant.
Through 2 surgeries, 1 MRI, ultra sounds, radioactive injections, mammograms, biopsies, a port-a-cath installation, 6 chemo treatments and 30 days of radiation our mom has hardly complained at all. Now, well into hormone therapy, our mom is only four years away from being “officially” a cancer survivor. Though in our opinion someone who has made it this far IS a survivor because you have to be really strong to have the confidence, courage, compassion and over all the perseverance that it takes to kick cancer’s butt. Our mom is strong. Our mom is confident, courageous and compassionate. Our Mom perseveres.
Our mom kicked cancer’s butt. So can you. You can help weather it’s by donating money to help find a cure, supporting a friend with cancer, or, if you to are, or will be, a cancer survivor then telling your story and inspiring others. YOU can make a difference.
Our mom is running for the cure. You can to.
Find more about our journey at WeCanRebuildHer.com
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea September 10, 2010 at 5:58 pm.
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When your happiness depends on what somebody else does or does not do, you’re trapped, because you cannot control what they think or what they do.
You will discover a true liberation, a freedom beyond your wildest drams, when you discover that your joy does not depend on anyone else. Your joy only depends on what you choose to give your attention to.
– Sarah, Book 1, Esther and Jerry Hicks, 1995. Hay House Inc.
More Borrowed Words here.
Posted by Andrea September 9, 2010 at 4:39 pm.
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Life.
More Happiness here.
Posted by Andrea September 8, 2010 at 10:30 am.
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I’m just back from my first post-treatment mammogram and ultrasound.
And all is well. Woooohooooo!!
I learned a lot today:
- That I have two staples in my right breast (!).
- That my enlarged right breast may be a delayed reaction of radiation (?).
- That the constant snapping of photos during the ultrasound is not necessarily a bad sign.
- That no matter how unbelievably terrified I am during the tests, all the terror can be wiped away in an instant by a happy, happy result.
Happy, happy day!
Thank you to everyone whose good wishes got me through this week and to this happy, happy result.
Woooooohooooooo!!!
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea September 7, 2010 at 4:57 pm.
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We had the honour of escorting two beautiful young ladies to school today.
There was lots of excitement on the playground — happy reunions and fresh starts.
Hoping this school year brings good health and much happiness for your family and ours.
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea September 7, 2010 at 9:28 am.
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| In December 2008, we created our first family vision boards: cruising through magazines, cutting and pasting our wishes and dreams, creating colourful collages to help keep us focused on what really counted.
My wishes at that time centred mostly on good health, happiness, peace, podcasting, prosperity, recreation, renewal and exercise. On many a beautiful day, glances at that board reminded me to choose x-country skiing or cycling with Lucy and Bayla, over vegging or chores. |
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| We didn’t create vision boards in 2009. |
| When we pulled out our magazines this weekend to create our September 2010 Vision Boards, I was stunned to see the clippings that hadn’t made that 2008 cut: a huge, red “Be Brave”; an innocent-looking “Ready for Anything”.
Little did I know. |
Our collages are dependent, of course, on what we can find and clip. Images of affection, creativity and peace were tougher to find this year. And the colours this round are decidedly cooler.
But glancing at the two versions, I can’t help noticing: where the last one whispered, this year’s screams.
Health, healing, harmony, life, love, ease, peace, prosperity, exercise and joy.
Envisioning lots of it for all of us. For many years to come.
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Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea September 6, 2010 at 4:59 pm.
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This time last year, my right breast was huge.
I didn’t think much of it, as the imbalance first occurred during my five years of constant breast-feeding (including 8 months of breastfeeding both of our little ones).
As this CT scan image makes obvious, my right breast became the smaller of the two following my surgeries last fall.
I was told that radiation would make it even smaller — and I’m pretty sure it did.
In the past few of weeks, though, that right breast has ballooned right up to its pre-surgery size. Despite my chemo-induced menopause and my estrogen-gobbling tamoxifen.
And I’m scared. Scared enough to have cancer-dreams (of which I’d had almost none). Scared enough to bump my mammogram and ultrasound up to Tuesday and beg my oncologist for speedy viewing and reporting of my results.
Tuesday, September 7, will be Luba’s first day back to school and I’m certainly hoping to enjoy these last few free-range days.
Still, Tuesday (and the day I get my happy, happy results!) can’t get here fast enough.
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea September 3, 2010 at 7:24 am.
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Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea September 1, 2010 at 9:18 pm.
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“What do you want?” Sarah asks me.
What do I want?
I want more. I want to crash out of this invisible armor I’m trapped in – to tear away the shackles and freefall, delirious and wild. I want to plummet naked into a velvet ocean at midnight and roll in the ecstasy of the waves. I want to peel back my layers and hold my raw wounds up to the sun for healing.
I want to slice through these suffocating wrappings and grab onto CORE ME – whoever that is – and never let her go; make her into the real me, the only me, for some to love and some not to love .. . and I want to not so painfully care who does and who doesn’t.
I want to feel, taste, devour it all – no filters, no censors, no gatekeeper telling me what is rightfully mine to take and what isn’t. I want rapture at the top of a mountain under a full moon. I want to absorb me, embrace me, the light and the dark, the glorious and the hideous, and cherish it all and laugh at it all forever.
Sarah’s back. “So what do you want?” she asks.
What do I want? “Caprese salad and a cup of pasta fagioul.”
We close our menus and clink our chiantis…
– Juicy Joy – 7 Simple Steps to Your Glorious, Gutsy Self. Lisa McCourt. (This book is not yet published. You can snag a sneak peek by signing up for Lisa’s newsletter, here.)
More Borrowed Words here.
Posted by Andrea August 31, 2010 at 9:15 am.
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Last month, I invited you to join me in my effort to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation by sponsoring me here.
In the 6 weeks since, you’ve raised $4000!
(….and made me the 3rd highest fundraiser for the Ottawa-Gatineau run, so far!!)
Huge, huge thank yous to:
WOooHooo!!
What generosity will the remaining 34 days of sponsorship bring?
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea August 30, 2010 at 5:36 pm.
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Celebrating life with good, good friends.
(to enlarge, click image twice — or view details here)
More Happiness here.
Posted by Andrea August 29, 2010 at 9:46 pm.
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By the time you reach 101, you will have learned many lessons. For instance, you will have learned that almost nothing turns out according to plan. And you will know that when we get what we wish for, it is often because we have followed a twisty path.
– After Hamelin, Bill Richardson. Annick Press. 2000.
More Borrowed Words here.
Posted by Andrea August 27, 2010 at 8:42 pm.
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Summer schedules are busy. And the last week before school may be the craziest time to book a celebration.
But celebrate we must.
We will miss saying huge in-person thank yous to our absent friends.
We hope our gratitude beams reach you wherever you are.
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea August 27, 2010 at 12:28 am.
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A Successful Shopping Spree.
I had dreamed last year, while planning our Quebec City getaway, of discovering some funky new hand-made winter clothes.
My diagnosis hit just days before our trip.
As I wandered that gorgeous city, barely daring to notice its inspiring art and creatively concocted clothing, I was pretty sure my shopping days were done.
But they weren’t!
I’m happy to report that, yesterday, Lucy and I spent the entire day in the Byward Market — and boy did we have fun.
We shopped like there was no a tomorrow.
And even though I’ll never look like this gorgeous gal, I decided it was now or never for those funky arm thingies I adore.
More Happiness here.
Posted by Andrea August 26, 2010 at 5:10 pm.
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Last month, I invited you to join me in my effort to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation by sponsoring me here.
In the few weeks since, your generous gifts of financial support for cancer research and moral support for our little family have infused all four of us with gratitude and with joy.
Along with your donations of close to $4000, I’ve even received the following juicy little notes of encouragement that feed my soul:
Andrea, I don’t find the right words to describe how much I admire you for the way you have managed to go through the battle with cancer, and for what you are doing right now… I wish you all the best!!
– Ana-Maria
Go, Andrea!!! You inspire me. Cheers.
– Mare
Kudos to you Andrea for all that you have been through and for remaining strong, as well as, giving others hope. Have a great run!
– Pam
xooxoxoxo
– Sheree
Wow.. Andrea you are a true inspiration.. Bravo!
– Snookie & Norman
Best of luck on the run & your battle!
– Kaveh
Thinking of you and sending warmest wishes!
– Corinne
Best wishes Andrea for good health and happiness
– Linda
You continue to inspire, Andrea!
– Sue
Stay healthy
– Mitch
You’re such an inspiration, Andrea–good luck!
– Zetta
We all believe in you, Andrea. thank you for this opportunity. go, go, go, girl! thank you for your love of children’s books.
– Jan
Run fast. Wobble a bit. Laugh at funny things.
– Chris
Congratulations! If you’re looking to build a posse to run with on the big day, let me know.
– Tanya
Go Andrea Go!
– Bob
Never, for one moment, doubt the possibilities that lie ahead. Count us among the many that stand behind you.
– Tania
Good luck, Andrea!
– Paul
You go, Andrea!
– Hugh
Go Andrea!
– Diane
I wish you all the best and hoping for a speedy recovery.
– Cathy
For Andrea, lots of good thoughts and encouragement for your run!
– Diane
Go, Andrea! You have our thoughts and best wishes.
– Stephanie & Mark
Made in support of Andrea’s and my grandmother’s, Marion Morris, cancer battles.
– Denise
You inspire us Andrea.
– Clare
Go Andrea!
– Barb
With you all the way! We know that you will make it on all accounts!
Rhoda & Bert
Sending lots of love
– Barbara
You are amazing
– Andree & Greg
Andrea, I can only imagine what the last 9 months has been like for you. What’s obvious from your blog is you’ve faced it with strength & optimism! I’m glad your treatment is over & I hope you stay cancer free. Have a great summer with your girls. Good luck with the run.
– Joanne
It is awesome that you are doing this, Andrea!
– Jay
You are awesome Andrea!! xoxoxo
– Mary
We wish you the best!
– Joan
All that is yours by Divine Right is now released and reaches you in a perfect way under Grace.
– Ebony
Andrea -you are an inspiration!
– Stacey
Dear Andrea, wish you all the very best in life. Great initiative in running for breast cancer awareness and raising money for the Foundation.
– Sriram
Have followed your journey and am so proud of you and Mark.
– Rich
With wishes for a sustained recovery and a lifetime of productive years.
– Carol
Go Andrea, go! We applaud your efforts and thank you for running to raise funds and awareness. Love to you.
– Jenny
Thank you!
What wonders will the remaining 40 days of sponsorship bring?
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea August 24, 2010 at 10:50 pm.
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Lucy and Bayla wrote and submitted an article to our very local paper, last month. We’re proud to announce, that article was published today.
Andrea
Lucy* (10)
Bayla* (8)