And So it began

"ONCE UPON A TIME"....there came along this little lump...insignificant really when you compare it to the entire world of lumps. That is, right up to the point that it wasn't...insignificant I mean............... and so began my journey.

A NEWER SHADE OF PINK...now I more then SURVIVE...I am learning to THRIVE...

OF COURSE... we all know things are bound to get a little crazy with a surprise around most every corner...not to mention an assortment of bumps and bruises along the way...but I am ever thankful for them all...they have all made me who I am. So buckle up, hold on tight and enjoy the ride thru what I lovingly refer to as LIFE


Friday, September 30, 2016

Swimming??!?!?

SWIMMING...to most people it's a normal part of childhood...ndb..right?!?!? For me not even close...I can't even begin to explain the terror that goes along with this activity...let's just leave it as a HUGE NO!!! for now...OYE!!!

What started as a simple little push off the end of a dock as a very young child...turned into a huge life changing & traumatic moment by nearly drowning. Since that day water and I have been mortal enemies...no joke!! It's soooo bad that I have never put my face in the shower or or dunked my head in water...thank heavens for wash cloths...they are the best. VoR has tried on a few occasions to get me to relax and try to float which only earned me the auspicious title of "Lead Butt" cause my rate of descent to the bottom of the pool is legendary.

Jump a head a few decades & I find myself facing the perfect storm of gentle bullying, peer pressure and support (love & understanding) that forced me to face my terror head on...

As a result of this lovely cancer troll & the surgery that came along with it... I am left with a reduced number of lymph nodes in my armpit which if not watched closely can turn into permanent lymphedema.  I have been starting to have some swelling and pain in my arm so after consulting with both my massage therapist & family doctor the best thing for me would be Aqua fit classes. So, with way more  internal dialogue then I care to admit to...and a flash back to Julia Roberts in "Sleeping With the Enemy"...(don't ever underestimate the power of movies)....I finally resigned myself to the fact that Aqua fit really would be my best treatment option because the water pressure acts on your lymph system and makes it drain. So I put on my big girl panties and stepped into that perfect storm approached my 2 dear friends with skills enough to not let me drown, and asked them to attend a couple aqua fit classes with me and being the women they are...jumped on it.  They suggested that maybe we should start with a few trips to the pool just to get comfortable...(start peer pressure here)...so jump ahead a few morning (way too early for my night owl schedule)and they had me not only dunking my head but actually floating...WHAT!!!!...see there are miracles happening all around us...lol.  We decided to keep it as a secret from VoR and surprise him once I could actually swim a bit.  I will never forget the look of shock and complete pride I saw on his face that first day. This was the most GINORMOUS hurdle I have ever faced & sometimes I still look more like that fish in the bottom of the boat thrashing around then a swimmer...but I keep plugging away at it. I have since learned that I really love the backstroke and use it to do my lap swimming which, since VoR joined my gym, is 6am 6 days a week...again..way too early for this night owl) well we go a little later on Sat. I can NEVER thank those 2 women enough for opening up this new world for me. THANK YOU!!!  Not only have I overcome this terror but the health benefits are HUGE...my range of motion and lymphatic system are jumping for joy...and I can't begin to tell you how great that is...it's a win-win in my books.  


Etta May

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

A New Shade of Pink...SURVIVOR

I am gonna start this off with a couple items of "business"...info for you to be aware of...
First...there is a little spot on the right side where you can add your email and become a follower of this blog so you don't miss any future posts.
Second...I have added a spot on the bottom of these new posts that gives you an option to leave a comment...so...don't be shy...go for it.  I can't wait to hear from you!!!

Now let's move on...I just thought I would take a minute and explain why the "New Shade of Pink".  Understand first that my life will forever have a "hint of pink" in it.  No matter how many years I get beyond the actual boob battle...once you have walked down this path you are forever changed and always glow a smidge pink

I have really been at a loss...struggling, stewing & brewing over this blog for the last year wondering if I had anything really to share.  All I know is that I didn't want this to turn into an everyday over share facebook post...(ain't nobody got time for that silliness...just sayin) but I was beginning to feel a real disconnect because it just wasn't relevant to where my life is today. I started this blog as a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient but 4 yrs later my life is no longer revolving around treatment, side effect and complications. YES...I still have ongoing issues that will always be part of my "new normal" but I accept my new limitations...slow my pace and just keep moving forward figuring it out as I go.

DON'T get me wrong...I LOVE this blog and all the blessing it has brought into my life...more than I could ever begin to list.  It has taught me so very much about myself & brought people into my life that inspire, support, motivate and have loved me thru some really dark days....but I am not the same person...I have evolved into something more.

I am now OFFICIALLY A SURVIVOR but I not only SURVIVED but I THRIVE!!!  I am rediscovering my limited (it ain't always pretty...OYE!) creative self and embarking on some creative adventures.  I still love to ponder, reflect & try to understand my purpose/role in this life...what I am supposed to learn...cause after all...that is what this life is all about.  Facing new challenges (even the ones we don't want) that are meant to smooth off my rough edges making me a better version of myself then I was the minute before...always moving forward.  


EXPERIENCE+ LEARNING= GROWTH

So let me end by saying again...Welcome to my new shade of PINK!!  Can't wait to share more laughs, tears & "aha" moments with you. 

Glad you are here
 - Etta May -


Saturday, September 24, 2016

Blog Guru - My Fairy Blog Mother


With a TON of help from my Blog Guru....who is most definitely my "Fairy Blog Mother" (you are the best!!!) I  figured the best way to start  the new chapter of my journey was with a little pampering... after all...the girl does deserve it. It has been a long and grueling few years to say the least....lessons learned, faith sustained, love received and exhaustion hit...more then a few times.... I am taking a much needed and long overdue BIG STEP.. Iv'e tried to make "The "Boob Battle" posts easier to find by running the label list  down the side so you can find exactly the one you want to re-read 

So...with the face lift complete we are ready to tackle all the new adventures and explore some of the side roads and probably stumble over more than a few roadblocks along the way. It is bound to be a crazy ride and I can't wait to share it with you...but most importantly learn from it as I meander along this journey...

STAY TUNED...