Honestly, what’s better than a good laugh? I don’t know if I am biased, or if it’s being in my 40s but a good night of laughter (and sometimes a little pee) with friends or my cousins is the best. And while I strongly believe in the healing powers of humor, I know staying on top of your health is the real key to living life fully…
Get your 40 year old mammogram! I consider myself lucky. Technology is incredible and it’s possible to catch cancer in its early stages if you are diligent with your appointments and prioritize your health. I was diagnosed a week after my 40th Birthday with Stage 0 DCIS and had a double mastectomy shortly thereafter. Once you get a cancer diagnosis everything moves at a rapid pace. I was lucky. With the support of family and friends I was lifted up and carried through my journey. Ironically, I had two close friends going through their own Breast Cancer journeys during my diagnosis and they became my spirit animals and took all the scary away. They empowered me, comforted me, and were able to calm my soul as I took it all one step at a time.
Shortly after my reconstructive surgery, my friend put me in touch with PINK AID. I had a LA-Z-BOY recliner that I had used to recover in that I no longer needed. I wanted to pass it along to someone else who could use it. It’s amazing how something as simple as that opened my world to the INCREDIBLE women of PINK AID and all the joy, compassion and fulfillment that It has brought me. I started out volunteering, stuffing gift bags for the event at Mitchells. I co-chaired a social media campaign (Pucker UP for Pink Aid), and then joined the board while I co-founded Pink Aid’s Pink Posse with my friend, Cari Kaplan. This past week I walked the runway at The Warrior Fashion Show with my husband, Jarret and daughter, Camryn by my side.
Pink Aid’s Pink Posse is a group of Warriors & friends who volunteer to help breast cancer patients in dire need by delivering gift bags to hospitals for immediate distribution to patients. These patients are battling breast cancer. They are also struggling with finances, childcare and personal situations that can be extremely trying. We deliver bags 4x a year, reaching just under 300 patients annually. We are always looking for people to help, whether it’s running a toiletry drive, helping to stuff bags (we just had a Bat Mitzvah girl do it as her Mitzvah project) and delivering the bags to the local hospitals.
When you are diagnosed with Cancer it takes a village. I was fortunate enough to have mine and if I can pay it forward in the slightest is the best way to show my gratitude.
I live in Westport with my husband, Jarret along with our 11 yr-old daughter, Camryn, and two dogs Stella and Triscuit. (You’ll probably see me driving around with Triscuit on my lap) We’ve lived in the area for 10 years. Camryn started Bedford Middle School this Fall. Most of my husband’s extended family lived in Westport and he knew he wanted to live here since he was young. Pretty smart if you ask me 😉
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? – BOTH – A mix..DUH!
Cook or order in? Post pandemic – order in.
Cake or Ice Cream? Chocolate Chip Cookies – my demise
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee? ICED
Beach or Mountains? BEACH
Puzzle or Board Game? BOTH -PUZZLE – the White Mountain ones from Groove or Mahjong with my girls; and Taboo with anyone who dares!! Lol
Wine or a Cocktail (if cocktail, which one?) Basic – Titos & Soda – only 1 lime these days
Reading or writing? Reading!! Loving my 6th Grade Mom Book Club – thx for making me read Hye Young 😉
Before bed: Social media or book/TV? – TV! Real Housewives – the crazier the better
Watch or play sports? – PLAY – TENNIS!
Stay in or go out? – BOTH! Out by 6pm and home by 9! IDEAL
Comedy or Drama? DRAMA… THE HANDSMAID’S TALE, DAHMER…INSANITY
