Friday, April 24, 2009

Think Pink

I received an email from a dear friend yesterday, whom I've known since the 2nd grade, and she informed me that she was diagnosed with breast cancer just a couple of months ago - she's only 29 years old. She said that she noticed something didn't feel right last fall but had to be very persistent to get a proper diagnosis, mostly because of her age. Thank God she listened to her body and pushed for answers...some women are told that they're fine and when they discover the truth, it's too late. She's scheduled to have a mastectomy in 3 weeks. I'd like to dedicate this post to her, with lovely images of all things pink, to let her know that I'm here to support her as she fights this battle, and to remind us all to take care of our bodies and to get checked out when we feel something isn't quite right. I know many of you have been affected by this disease, either personally or through a friend or family member. Some great resources and organizations for breast cancer are Susan G.Koman ; Network of Strength; BreastCancer.org.


20 comments:

  1. what a story, and look at those incomparable images. thanks for sharing... and thanks for helping raise awareness!

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  2. WOW. I hope sh'es okay. ...beautiful images

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  3. OMG Jules!! This post is amazing! My mom is a 7 yr suvivor. I love all the pink rooms!! I had a meeting last night with the PR Commitee for the Susan G.Komen Foundation Race for the Cure and I have been thinking pink every since the meeting, trying brainstorm an event for the foundation.. This post was right on time!!:)

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  4. BTW~ I will keep your friend in my prayers, and tell her to be strong, have faith and walk in confidence every step of the way!! She will make it through to tell her story to many women all over the world.. Please keep me posted!!

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  5. I found my first lump when I was 21. In the last 38 years, I've had five biopsies and all have been clear. But it was my history and my nagging that made my mother of 68 years old to get her first mammogram. The next year, her second mammogram the cancer was found. She credits me for saving her life. I credit her for having the courage in her small southern town to have that "painful" thing done when denial is often the first choice for meeting anything scary or new. While my mother died of complications from diabetes, she became the champion in her hometown of encouraging her older friends to have that "breast sandwich" test done. The best of everything to your friend.It sounds like she is what she needs: a persistent, self-knowing, strong woman who is still able to seek and receive support from others. She is in my heart.

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  6. wow, not the e-mail you want to get i'm quite sure. your friend sounds brave and intelligent and she will pull through with flying (pink) colors and friends like you to support her. what a great post to remind us all to listen like you said to your body, as we really do know best. i haven't been in a while so this will get me on it. please keep us updated every now and again on how she is doing?

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  7. great images.
    really great !

    xx nice weekend

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  8. I'm so glad she didn't give up until she received the diagnosis she knew was right! That's so brave! Incredibly brave.

    This post makes me all misty-eyed! How special! Tell her that we're rooting for her and sending lots of pink thoughts her way~

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  9. So sorry to hear this... such a scary time I am sure.. My best friend since grade school was diagnosed years ago with rheumatoid arthritis and it's hard at times to feel so helpless.. but how wonderful of you to post this and add support links for such amazing organizations. I wish you both the best..
    xx
    Jolena

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  10. my friend discovered she had breast cancer at age 31. It's not about age, listen to your body.

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  11. She is lucky to have a caring friend like you. I'm sending positive thoughts her way.

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  12. Not great news, but lucky for your friend she found it early. And lucky for her, she has friends like you.

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  13. Thank you all for your wonderful thoughts, and thank you Jules for such a special post. It is scary pushing forward for results you don't really want to hear, but it beats the alternative of maybe finding out too late. Be your own advocate for your healthcare women and if you think something is wrong, get a second opinion, get a third. I am really blessed to be where I am because so many women find out too late. If I can help someone make the decision to go get checked, then I will be at peace with God's reasoning for this challenge. Thank you again Julie. You are just as beautiful a person today as you were in the second grade. Actually, that is a lie. You continue to get more beautiful with age, both inside and out. This was very special to me, so thank you.

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  14. What about the pink four poster bed?! It's really amazing, and so original!

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  15. Gorgeous photos! I'm keeping you and your friend in my thoughts and prayers.

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  16. Elegantly Yours - Dana B.April 26, 2009

    amazing post!

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  17. Very beautiful collection of pink rooms. I adore the first photo! I love all eastern designs :)

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  18. great post for a great cause! i'm sorry about your friend. i hope she pulls through this with strength and grace.

    it's so nice to be able to comment on your blog. i have not been able to for a while, since i don't have my job any more. (my computer at home does not allow me to comment on certain Blogger blogs--the ones that have the comments feature set up the way yours is.)

    i am at a friends house today, so i was able to comment from their computer. but i am still enjoying your blog always.

    i subscribed to it a while back, so every time i get an e-mail notification of a new post, i put it in my design inspiration folder. your posts are always so full of good stuff!

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  19. I know somebody who had breast cancer too. The doctors have declared that she's cancer free - maybe you could tell your friend? Maybe it's good to hear about people who've gone through it and beat the cancer?
    I hope your friend will be fine!! I'll also be thinking of you, Jules. Thanks for this - in every way - beautiful post.
    Hugs,
    Trudi

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  20. Pink just makes me happy! I love that hot pink brick wall!
    Cheers,
    Tara

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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate you stopping by :)