Final post! Total count: 24 hours, 49 posts, 17 very generous donors, and about $400 raised.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Whether you pledged a donation, stopped by to visit and cheerlead, suggested breast synonyms ... whatever you did for me, I can never fully express my appreciation! I love all of you for helping me exceed my goals and make this a success.
Baby is playing happily in her playpen. She yawned a couple times while I was playing with her just now, so hopefully we're going to be able to take a nap at 9! XD
Guess who's up? XD Hopefully this means baby will be ready for a nap right after I make my final post. She likely won't sleep for long, but it might be long enough to let me get through the rest of the day.
Ok, the crash might be coming. I just dozed off on the couch for a few minutes. Luckily my hubby had just gotten up and reminded me of the time. Sadly, I don't seem to feel any better.
Giddiness is setting in. :D I am eating a delicious apple with caramel dip, though.
CiBC Run for the Cure Another great Canada-wide fundraiser for CBCF. I actually thought about starting a team for this, but it's just two weeks after I return ot work from maternity leave, and I'm not sure I'll have the time or energy. So I decided to do Blogathon instead. :D
Baby will likely be waking up any time now. She's been sleeping later for the last couple weeks, but her schedule was weird through the night, so I don't know what to expect. If I run late, I'm not giving up, I'm just with her!
Getting a second wind here, I do believe. Been surfing a bit and talking to friends some more. The BERadio music has improved and the pep helps!
Just looked out the window and I think the sky is lightening up. I think the last all-nighter I pulled was in university, at least 10 years ago. I'm quite proud of making it this far!
My browser is acting up. Perhaps it's as tired as I am? Baby is back to sleeping sweetly. Not a sound from hubby since he went to bed. Guess I'll go back to my crossword puzzle and my comfy spot on the couch for a bit.
Baby is up again. She seems to realize something is up tonight. At least she'll help me stay awake a bit longer. The puzzle wasn't doing the job as well as I was hoping.
I went to read the funnies from today's newspaper and decided that the crossword would be a good way to stay awake. This is quite possibly the best NY Times Crossword EVER! The theme is Worst Pickup Lines. I may have a good chance of actually finishing this puzzle because I know the answers to the themed long-line answers. I'm still doing it in pencil, though.
I'm going to get comfy on my couch and work on this puzzle for half an hour. This chair isn't doing much for me at this point.
I can't remember the last time I was up until 3 a.m. Now AT 3 a.m. is different, that's a favoured time of la bebe, but UNTIL is different.
All the things I can find to do involve noise, and so I can't do them. The dishwasher needs to be emptied and refilled, the kitchen needs tidying. But in our wee house, that would mean disturbing the sleepers. Perhaps I'll pop into the next room and see what infomercials are running at this time of night. :)
The cats are still eying me suspiciously. Hubby and daughter are both fast asleep. There's something odd about being up at this time. Strange noises abound.
Shop for the Cure CBCF has many pink ribbon themed products available that raise funds for the Foundation. I make sure to buy the pink ribbon tissues and dish scrubbies, and look out for other pink ribbon marked items when I shop. It's a small thing, but every bit helps.
Got an email from my Mom ... You forgot tits and titties – I hate them but they do meet your criteria! Was trying not to be vulgar, but I guess if Mom says it's ok ... She also emailed me the following and asked me to share, in order to stress the importance of Breast Self-Examination:
I found my tumour by BSE (Breast self exam) just 4 months after a clear mammogram. It was the size of half a hot dog and it wasn’t there the day before when I showered. When diagnosed, the tumour was staged at IIIB – or locally advanced, a very serious stage of cancer. I’d had an extra mammo in October because of a mix up (it was supposed to be a magnified view of another part of my breast and they did the mammo by mistake), and my annual one was scheduled for 2 days after I found the tumour. I assume that mammo in March would have picked it up. I can’t imagine what might have happened if October had been my regular mammo, and if I hadn’t found it myself. I read one statistic that said mammograms miss 25% of tumours, making BSE critical for women. Do it in the shower with soapy hands, and do it at least once a month. Get to know how your breasts feel so you’ll recognize any difference, and check out anything unusual with your doctor. And get the mammogram no matter how imperfect it may be. Talk to your doctor about a base line mammogram at 40, or earlier if there is any cancer in your family.
Having breast cancer is not fun, but it’ll turn out much better if it’s found early. Do BSE and get mammograms. Cancer is fearsome, but don’t let the fear keep you from taking care of yourself.
I'm starting to get tired. Clearly the worst is yet to come. I nodded off a bit whilst nursing the baby. It's strange to be up without her, and I believe my continued presence in the kitchen has the cats quite disturbed. Thank goodness for my amazing friends who are chatting and amusing me!
Baby is waking up, so I'm posting this entry a mite early so I can go tend to her. I can't re-transcribe the voice posts, it seems. You can do it manually or have the auto, and the auto is SO entertaining! :)
First, it's important that I share with you all the fact that Cyn is awesome. Because she is! Best. Cheerleader. Ever.
Second, I may have come to the end of my usable list of synonyms. The rest are either fruits or are completely inappropriate for use in a forum that my Mom and in-laws are reading. XD
I'm listening to BlogExplosion Radio now that my family has gone to bed and left me alone. It's nice to feel connected to all the rest of the bloggers this way!
Ooooops. Was fixing my poor numbering on prior entries and missed my time. :/
Further info from CBCF:
What progress is being made? • Since 1993, the number of new breast cancer cases diagnosed among Canadian women each year has stabilized. • Earlier detection and new, more effective treatments have led to a significant improvement in survival rates for women with breast cancer in every age group. Recently-released statistics show that the mortality rate for breast cancer has declined by 25 per cent since 1986. • Primary prevention research is an area of research supported by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Chapter. The goal of this research is to better understand how modifiable risk factors affect the development of breast cancer, with the long-term goal of building knowledge about how to stop the disease before it starts.
Well, I'm well past half-way, but I know that the hardest parts are still to come. Luckily I have some wonderful friends to chat with who are keeping me laughing and alert.
Thank goodness for urbandictionary.com or I'd have run out of boob synonyms long ago. I still need to go back and add subject lines to my phone posts. I think I may not find 48 synonyms, though, so I might have to switch tactics at some point.
teh hubby purpleduck Wren Eefa thenameisplissken darcydiane Maimela lissa_ann Cindas Debsy sewinsue Wingsgrl rand0ms jeff laura Steph
Total pledges now stand at approx $370!
I'm so grateful to my friends and family for supporting me so generously! Six of my sponsors are immediate family, and I know the cause is as important to them as it is to me.
Not too late, actually! Baby is in bed, however not asleep. It's a repeat of nap time this morning!
Going to start with some breast cancer info from CBCF:
Breast Cancer in Canada Updated April 2007
How many people are affected? • In her lifetime, approximately one in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. This is an increase from one in 20 during the 1970s. • In Canada: An estimated 22,500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. An estimated 5,300 women will die from breast cancer in 2007. • In Ontario: An estimated 8,500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. An estimated 2,000 women will die from breast cancer in 2007.
What are some of the risk factors? The direct causes of breast cancer are unknown. The risk factors described below may increase a person’s chances of developing this disease, but do not necessarily mean the person will get breast cancer. Even people who are at high risk for breast cancer may never develop it. • Women are more likely to develop breast cancer than men. Breast cancer occurs in men in less than one per cent of all cases. An estimated 170 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. • The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. More than three-quarters of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50 years old. • Mutations in two genes – BRCA1 and BRCA2 – have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. However, only up to five or 10 per cent of all people with breast cancer are believed to be carriers of these mutations. • Additional factors that may be related to the development of breast cancer include: having a family history of breast cancer; starting menstruation prior to the age of 12; extensive mammographic breast density; having late onset of menopause (after age 55); being overweight/obese; having had no pregnancies, or having a first pregnancy after age 30; drinking alcohol; lack of physical activity; and possibly a diet high in certain kinds of fat and low in vegetables and fruit.
Next post ... the updated sponsor love I promised earlier! ♥
Or this post could be a bit early! *grin* We're home now ... yay for my ergo keyboard! ... and I have to feed my baby and put her to bed. Will be back with a post with some substance at 9 or shortly thereafter!
I'm posting a couple mins early so I can take a VERY unhappy baby home. Next post likely to be late as I will have to put her to bed when we get back, but I'll be here!
They're dishing cake and ice cream down there without me! Aaaaaahhhh! XD
My sister got Baby J a half-birthday present, since she was 6 months yesterday. The Children's Place makes some damn cute little clothes, this time it was pink camo corduroys. :)
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, steak! That was good dinner, indeed. Time to help my sis clean up and serve the dessert. Birthday cake ... and we have two! My Mom's is specially made and gluten free, and we have a regular store cake for the rest of us.
Baby J was wonderful through dinner. Sat in her own little seat on a chair at the end of the table and played nicely while I actually ate my food warm and didn't have to cut it into tiny bites and eat with one hand while holding her in the other. :)
Well, dinner is almost ready. Corn is boiling and Dad's headed out to the grill with the meat. Yay!
I'm so grateful to be spending this birthday with my Mom. My first reaction when she got her diagnosis was FEAR. But some friends have reassured me, and of course, Mom reports that someone at the Cancer Clinic told her "Nobody dies of breast cancer." And I know that's a question of semantics ... breast cancer deaths in general are caused by metastasized cancers, not the actual breast cancer, but it's all related. Still, it reminds us to keep a positive outlook and use our thoughts and expectations of this process to guide it to the end we're looking for.
Whew! I was outside shucking the corn for dinner and I almost forgot to keep track of the time. Good thing my hubby watched for me, even though he thinks I'm nuts to be doing this!
Baby is happy! Mom, sister and I are relaxed and feeling gooc. Hubby had a relatively easy time wiht baby while I was gone. My Dad just got back from the grocery store with steaks.
“Ok last phone call. We are leaving to know that my Mum ___ birthday dinner & I'm sure my baby is there waiting for me. So I'm still here & I'll be back in ___ mins.”
“It's Louise ___ post. I'm in the middle of getting a pedicure & it's wonderful & I'm probably the only blogger who's blogging from this far in the middle of a pedicure but my mum is sitting next to me & she's really enjoy herself. It's all worth it & I will talk to you again in 30 mins. Bye.”
“Hi ___ in, my Mum's & my sister & we are just about to turn into the parking lot at Spar(?) I think we're almost here & I believe this is ___ & I don't want to ___ my computer that could be messing up in ___ so I've already got that 1. But it is 2:30 pm & I'll be back in 30 mins. Bye”
“Hi everyone, this is my Post No. 11, I believe for 2:00 pm & I'm out of red light, driving to my Mum's house for her birthday. So, I suppose in 30 mins. Hope everyone is having a good day, bye.”
Volunteers The backbone of the Foundation’s success is the ongoing support and commitment of its volunteers. More than 2,000 volunteers donate their time and energy to the Ontario Chapter, serving as Board members; Run for the Cure Directors and committee members; special event coordinators; grant review panelists; committee members; professional advisors; major gifts fundraisers; and administrative support. According to a 2005 survey, Ontario Chapter volunteers - along with some 75,496 participants in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure’s Ontario sites – contribute 218,193 hours to the Foundation in a year. Calculated using the market rate, that’s equivalent to approximately 113 full-time staff, with a projected value of over $3.4 million!
Up Front: New Perspectives on Breast Cancer A breast cancer diagnosis is a devastating experience for any woman. It is also an everyday reality for Ontario's health care system, where it occurs more than 8,000 times a year. Women from all over Ontario have told us their lives were shattered by their breast cancer diagnosis; but worse, when they looked for support at such a difficult time, often nothing was available. Up Front: New Perspectives on Breast Cancer was a research initiative led by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Chapter from 2003 to 2007 with the goal of identifying and creating opportunities for improved coordination of breast cancer care and information in Ontario. Research included a public opinion survey with 800 Ontario women who had not been diagnosed with breast cancer; interviews and focus groups with women with breast cancer, their personal caregivers, and health care professionals; and public consultations. In February 2007, the Foundation and its partners published the project’s final research report, entitled Toward Kinder Care: Tracing women’s experience of breast cancer. The report surfaces the challenges women encounter as they struggle with the disease, and highlights as a key finding an insufficiently integrated and coordinated system of breast cancer care in Ontario today. It also includes a series of recommendations in four theme areas: education and prevention, screening mammography, coordinated treatment and care, and financial supports. The findings of the Up Front research will inform the evaluation of the Chapter’s current programs and inspire the development of new initiatives and partnerships that will make a difference for women across Ontario. For more information about the project, please visit www.cbcf.org/ontario.
I'm feeding the baby, so hubby will click post for me on this one. Then ... we're off for our afternoon adventure!
My Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. We were very lucky in some respects, as the time frame from her finding her lump to her first chemo treatment was just 4 weeks. However, the suddenness of the whole thing was detrimental as well, because we didn't get a lot of time to work through each step of the process. Mom has recently completed her chemotherapy, and has started the long-term (5 years) chemo pill therapy. She has surgery scheduled for August 22nd to remove the lump, and will have radiation treatments after she has recovered from the surgery.
The hardest part of the process for me has been my inability to do some of the things I want to do to support my Mom. I could not sit with her through her chemo treatments because a) I can't really leave my baby for that long, and b) they didn't want me going near the chemicals there in case I got contaminated and it hurt the baby. I have done some small things to help Mom and Dad at home, but with a 6-month-old who doesn't yet sleep through the night, I can barely keep my own house in some kind of order most weeks. I've done what I can, especially making sure my Mom gets lots of baby visits to cheer her up, but doing Blogathon is my way to do something ... bigger.
Another aspect of the whole situation is that I'm feeling scared now, too. My own breast cancer risk has just increased dramatically, but more importantly, my daughter is at high risk because of members of both mine and her father's families having breast cancer. My family doctor wants me to get a mammogram after I finish nursing the baby, and I'm only 33. For me, raising money for research, spreading awareness and talking about our experience is giving me a fresh feeling of control over the issue.
Fundraising One hundred per cent of the Chapter’s revenues are from non-governmental sources. These include individuals, employee programs, special events, the private sector, and funds raised at the 20 Ontario communities in which the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure takes place. The funds generated by these sources provided the Chapter with more than $16.3 million for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007.
Allocations Grant applications are accepted by the Ontario Chapter in three distinct grant programs: • Research Projects: focus on primary prevention, risk factors, breast cancer biology, clinical detection, diagnosis, treatment, supportive care, and survivor quality of life. • Fellowship Awards: enable health care professionals to pursue graduate studies, innovative research, and improved clinical practice. • Community Health Promotion Grants: focus on education and health promotion projects that respond to a community’s unique breast cancer and breast health needs. In addition to the work funded directly through its grant programs, the Chapter is a funding partner in the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance, an organization that combines the resources of private, public and non-profit organizations to fund breast cancer research. From 2001 to 2006, the Chapter was the lead funder of the Ontario Breast Cancer Community Research Initiative, a research team that focused on the social, psychological, emotional and spiritual impacts of breast cancer. The Chapter also allocates funding to other strategic initiatives that are aligned with the Foundation’s vision and mission but fall outside the parameters or timing of established funding mechanisms. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007, the Chapter allocated $12.9 million to breast cancer research, community health projects, and other programs that will make a difference. The projects funded by the Chapter address breast cancer in all of its stages – from how to prevent and detect it, to improving treatments so there are fewer side effects, to helping women with breast cancer lead healthy lives after treatment ends.
Been busy with my baby, but next entry I want to talk a bit about my Mom's diagnosis and how it affected us all.
I have a few items that I've purchased, all of which are pink ribbon-themed or support the CBCF. They're in a shoebox under my desk, so they're not anything too big, but I want to give back a little to everyone who has supported me.
Prizes will be awarded for:
1 - Person who makes me laugh the hardest 2 - Highest donor ummmm ... I'll have to keep thinking.
Also, everyone who pledged me and is willing to provide me with a mailing address will be receiving a personal thank you note including a pink ribbon to show they support breast cancer research and awareness.
Well, the defiantly not-napping baby is swinging away right now, and I'm going to take advantage and have my shower. I have to say, one of the best features of Blogathon is that I'm doing this amazing fundraising in my PJs! However, it's time to get dressed and face the day.
Time for some sponsor love!! Thanks to everyone for their generous donations:
CBCF has graciously provided me with some information about the organization and about breast health. This post will contain some of this information, and I'll be continuing to excerpt from it during the periods when I'm blogging from home and can access the email. :)
About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Updated June 2007
Founded in 1986, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is the leading national volunteer-based organization dedicated to creating a future without breast cancer. The Foundation works collaboratively to fund, support and advocate for relevant and innovative breast cancer research; meaningful education and awareness programs; early diagnosis and effective treatment; and a positive quality of life for those living with breast cancer.
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Chapter
The Ontario Chapter is the largest of the Foundation’s four regional offices, raising and allocating funds for programs unique to the needs and priorities of the breast cancer community in Ontario. Grounded in the communities of Ontario, the Chapter carries out its mission through its provincial Board of Directors, its volunteer network across the province, and its staff. Since 2000, the Chapter has allocated more than $50 million to research, community health projects, and other programs that will make a difference.
Brief post this time ... I have a 6-month-old baby who is very vocally not napping in her crib right now. :D
I am very grateful to live in Canada where we have public health care. It's a relief to know that when I need a mammogram I'll be able to get one free of charge. But I'm aware that many women around the world don't have access to that kind of care. Here's how we can help them.
One click a day doesn't cost you anything, and it does a world of good for underprivileged women. I think of it as a pay it forward kind of action. Even if I don't need it, someone I know and love, or someone they know and love, is going to need this service sooner or later.
My contact at the CBCF asked me to provide her contact information for anyone who would prefer to make their donation to CBCF by telephone instead of online.
Donations made directly to Mary Claire will be credited to the Ontario chapter of CBCF, and the funds will be used for awareness campaigns, education and other programs in Ontario funded by CBCF. Donations made online are credited to the National Office of CBCF and all those funds are moved directly into research. Either way, there is valuable work being done by the money we're raising today.
Second entry ... doing some computer housekeeping because it's going really slooooooow.
I have had contact wiht the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and they are quite excited to see how this fundraiser turns out. No one has ever blogged for them before - an awesome responsibility lies on my shoulders now! I've raised about $250CDN at this point, which exceeds my original goal substantially. I hope I can grab even more donations over the next 24 hours and really make them proud!
I just want to outline for myself and for any friends that drop by to visit my schedule for the day. Yesterday was my Mom's birthday, and we weren't able to do our family celebration as my sister was working in another city. So, for part of today I will be remote blogging by phone post and/or text while my sister and I take our Mom to a spa and have pedicures. Yay! Then I'll be blogging from my Mom's house while we have family dinner.
9 a.m. until approx 1:30 p.m. - blogging from home.
1:30 p.m. until approx 4 p.m. - remote blogging by phone post and/or TextLJ (if I can figure that out!)
4 p.m. until approx 8 p.m. - blogging from Mom's house.
8 p.m. until 9 a.m. - blogging from home.
I think it's incredible fitting that I'm spending part of Blogathon with my Mom. After all, it's to honour her that I'm doing this!
OK, so I have a timer. I loaded up on both healthy and junky snacks. :D I have the LJ phone post number programmed into my cell phone.
Each of you is arriving here from a different place. You live in different countries or cities. You lead very different lives. But you all have one thing in common. Or two, rather. You'll find them on the right and left sides of your chest, slightly below your collarbones. That's right, you all have breasts. (Yes, even you men. Don't argue the semantics with me. The survivors aren't going to, so why should you?) Breast Cancer is a serious disease. Chances are, you or someone you know is currently being impacted. Your donation, $1 or $5 or whatever you can afford, will help bring the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation one step closer to a cure.
For those of you unfamiliar with Blogathon, from 9 a.m. EST July 28th to 9 a.m. EST July 29th I will be updating this blog at half-hour intervals over the course of the 24 hours. The Blogathon motto is "Stay up late, make a difference." and that's what I'm hoping to do. I welcome any and all of you to stop in and visit this blog during that time. I'll be looking forward to company and conversation (so to speak) to help me stay awake through the whole thing! Over the course of Blogathon, I will be celebrating Boobathon! We will celebrate those in our lives impacted by the disease, but we will also celebrate us and our boobs! I will be sharing information, personal stories, and links related to breast cancer awareness and prevention. In addition, I will be creating an honour roll. Each person that pledges me can email me at ehlara[@]gmail.com with a name to be added to the honour roll of Fighter, Survivor or Loved One Lost. I will be sharing stories about the people I am personally adding, and will be happy to share any information provided to me about the folks I'm adding to the honour rolls. As a small incentive, I have a few small gifts to give away to my sponsors. The sponsor donating the highest amount will receive a gift, as will a few random donors and folks who make the effort to hang out with me during the 'Thon.
**Please note that only pledges are made at this time. You will be prompted to complete your donation after the 28th, and only if I successfully complete the 24 hours of Blogathon. Your donation will be made directly to the CBCF through their own secure online donation form, so you don't need to worry about whether your donation really makes it to the charity. In addition, if you do not wish to sign up with blogathon.org, please email me and I can arrange for a proxy pledge. You will still be able to complete the donation yourself through secure online donation, or by mail if you choose.**
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excited