I also am still experiencing swelling in my feet and most of my shoes still don’t fit. If you’re a woman reading this and you’re like me, you know how devastating this can be to a gal who likes her shoes! I’m also experiencing some fatigue and I’m doing my best to fight my way through it. I even pushed myself this morning to wake up at 5:30am to go workout for a half hour downstairs. It was definitely a little depressing to read an article on womenshealth.gov today about a study that found that breast cancer treatment side effects (lingering pain, swelling, fatigue, mobility problems) may last for YEARS. Great.
My hair is growing back SO fast!! I went out this past weekend so have a picture to share:
It’s weird, even though I look at myself in the mirror and feel comfortable with what I see, hair wise, it’s so different for me to see how I look in pictures. It still doesn’t feel like “me.” I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on my hair and am quite impressed with how thick it’s grown back (and barely any grays!), but I still miss my hair and how it used to look every single day. I’m so curious to see whether it will grow back curly, wavy, or straight! Bets anyone?
Finally, I’ve forgotten to report back on how the Fab Fest 2012 event was in Chicago!!!! It was a-mazing. First of all, it was so good to meet up with my best friend, Maria. Thank you so much for flying in for the event and spending a good girls’ weekend with me. As always, it was a “worry-free” weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. A warm thank you also goes out to my parents who spoiled me and let me stay at the Four Seasons Chicago (where the event was being held). I felt like a pampered princess all weekend. The hotel was gorgeous. Highly recommend since I definitely couldn’t beat the quality of service, level of luxury and amazing view from our room of the John Hancock tower and Lake Michigan!!!
Here’s some pix:
http://www.photobin.com/slater1018/grid?galleries=60497&guest_pass=bzp5Eo5
Fab Fest 2012 raised over $160,000, and combined with other contributions, over $240,000 was raised! A group of 400 participants sought donations from over 2,500 people, which also means we all collectively helped spread the word of Bright Pink’s mission of empowering young women to be proactive with their breast and ovarian health. I got an amazing gift bag which was also very fun. Who doesn’t like free stuff?
As I’m sure some of you already knew, Giuliana Rancic supported this event and I got to meet both her and the founder of Bright Pink, Lindsay Avner. I told Lindsay that I wanted to start a Bright Pink chapter in Miami and she was super excited. It’s a challenge to start a chapter, but I am up for the challenge as Bright Pink has been instrumental in helping me on my journey. In the coming weeks and months, I hope to stay true to my commitment to doing my best to bring a Bright Pink chapter to Miami.
My friend Wendi Wiener has already signed on to help with fundraising efforts (I need a fundraising ally to help me out as 1 of my requirements) and I have secured my sister-in-law, Tammy, as my medical professional ally (another requirement of mine in order to start a chapter). Thanks ladies! Stay tuned for more to come with Bright Pink…
I’m sharing Wendi’s email to everyone on the blog in the hopes you can continue to contribute to such an amazing organization:
Dear Family,
As you may know, I have revamped my health a great deal over the last year and a half. Losing nearly 70lbs enabled me to run and finish the 2011 NYC Marathon. Luck has struck my way again as I found out last Wednesday that I have won the lottery for the 2012 NYC Marathon. Yes, that makes 2 years in a row for me. With less than a 9% chance of winning the lottery, I have beat the strangest of odds. Maybe this is a sign I should play the real lottery or powerball.
I will be running the 26.2 mile race on November 4, 2012. I have decided to give back to a very special cause that is near and dear to my heart - - breast cancer research. On August 18, 2011, one of my childhood friends, Rotem Adar, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the vibrant age of 34. The only other two people close to me who battled breast cancer were my grandmother Goldie and Aunt Esther. After watching someone the same age as me go through chemotherapy, a mastectomy, radiation and reconstructive surgery, I have become more passionate about fighting for this cause.
What is even more coincidental about Rotem’s diagnosis date is that it was on the 18th, which we know represents chai, or life. As running gave me a new lease on life, I will be running to celebrate Rotem’s life when I run the marathon. Bright Pink works to provide support and assistance for young women who are battling the disease. Rotem recently went to an event in Chicago for Bright Pink and was able to meet Giuliana Rancic, the celebrity from the E! channel who is 36 years old and currently battling breast cancer as well.
If you could be so kind as to donate $18 to the Bright Pink organization to support my Running for Rotem and breast cancer research, I would greatly appreciate it.
Here is the link:
http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=197254
Thank you so much,
Wendi
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