Things I Wish My Doctor Told Me!

What you don't know CAN hurt you! Being a Tough Girl means saying good bye to Martyrdom and Hello to being Inner Tough. Your cancer was a wake up call for your body to do something different. Listen up! If your not doing it, NO ONE else will - But sometimes, we just don't have the right tools and information we need to live the best lives we possibly can. Join us for our kickoff luncheon with a cancer nutrition specialist, inspiring speakers, lunch and PRIZES! We love prizes~ and most of all, a chance to meet other amazing women in our community that have 'been down that road'. And just remember, being 'Tough' means arming ourselves with the knowledge that will keep us healthy and HAPPY!

Oh, and PS. It's my 'Cancerversary' That day so I would really love to share it with all of you-
I know, I just pulled the cancer card. I'm gross.. . .

When: Friday, October 30th 2009 from 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Where: Regions Bistro & Bar 9343 E Shea Blvd Suite 100
Suggested donations includes: Speakers, healthy lunch, drink & dessert.
Space is limited! You must RSVP to Angella Hamilton at
480.323.5280 or mylifeaftercancer@yahoo.com

In the next hour.

In the time it takes to watch an episode of American Idol, 81 women will be diagnosed with cancer. That's just in the United Stated alone. Mothers, sisters, daughter and friends. Think of all the women in your life. Since cancer is so common now, people think it is easier to deal with. I did. When I was first diagnosed, I thought. " O.k. a little radiation, light surgery and that will take care of things." I knew several people who made it through cancer 'just fine'. I really had no idea. To make things worse, I felt guilty because after the cancer was gone, I still felt like crap. I smiled, I went back to work but inside I was far from 'fine'.
I was very vocal about my experience with cancer and yet, I also went through a period of time I wanted to just move on and forget it ever happened. But I have kids and I want them to know how to avoid this nightmare in the future and yes, I do believe the choices we make now for ourselves and for the environment are critical to our survival in the future.

I can't promise them we will have a cure for cancer or chronic disease, but I can teach them the tools I have learned along the way to lead a healthy, happy life. I wanted to walk away from cancer - but something kept nudging me to share my experience. Teach people the things I have learned ( and am still learning ) form people in my quest for health. I knew it was the right thing to do when I decided to do the "Life After Cancer Event" and people started coming out of the woodwork to help. This told me two things: 1. I was not alone in my feelings after cancer and 2. There were people who really wanted to share their knowledge and expertise as much as I did.
If you are reading this and have experienced cancer, please join us on October 30th at the Fairmont Princess -If you know of someone who might benefit from this, please share this with them- you never know how you can impact a life.

Want A Little Preview of the "Life After Cancer " Event?

THIS EVENT INFORMATION HAS BEEN CHANGED! PLEASE SEE UPDATED POSTS


O.k. - I just couldn't wait any more to share my great news with you!

Dr. Daniel Rubin has just agreed to come on board for the "Life After Cancer" in October at the Princess Resort.

Dr. Rubin is a internationally recognized Speaker and Naturopathic Oncologist is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association as well as The Arizona Clinical Oncology Society. He also serves on the Elite Medical Advisory Board of Allergy Research Group, Inc., a publicly-held company specializing in nutraceutical research and product formulation with a focus on oncology. A frequent lecturer in both the academic and professional settings, Dr, Rubin has been asked to speak both nationally and internationally regarding oncology. He has appeared on local television regarding his work in oncology and has been featured in local newspapers and national magazines.

Visit Naturopathic Specialists Here for more information and check back often. . . I have more surprises up my sleeve.

The Tough Girl's Guide to Life After Cancer

I was 37 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What I thought was going to be ‘a little cancer’ turned into being quite an ordeal. No one can really prepare you for the experience. It’s like trying to explain colors to a blind person. They might ‘think ‘they have an idea, but you don’t really ‘get it’ until you ‘get it’.

I knew from the beginning of my diagnosis if I was going to get through this, I needed to get my *inner tough girl* on. The ‘Inner Tough Girl ‘blog became my form of therapy.

The Tough Girl’s Guide To Life After Cancer

Many moons ago people would ask what I ultimately wanted to do with my life- I would respond "I want to build something that will outlast me." Meaning,I wanted to change and impact people in a way that would make the world a better place. I had no idea the plan that was to unfold - as most of us rarely do. Besides bring two beautiful people into the world, The " Life After Cancer" events are my contribution to the world.

The other day,I was in the grocery and heard some ladies talking about their chemo treatments. I realized there were 5 of us in the produce section and 3 of us had undergone chemotherapy . It was time to do something about my dream -it was time to make a leap of faith even though I felt it was "too big" for me. As fate would have it, once I made this decision, all kinds of help stepped up to the plate and volunteered for this project. There was no turning back.


In the beginning of my treatment, my ‘tough girl’ was like a cheerleader. Rah! Rah! Save the world- Sack that c-a-n-c-e-r . Then it was like a broody teenager- pissed off most of the time, annoyed and emotional. Then something shifted and I was ready to step up to be the person I was intended to be – Confident and happy with who I have become.



I realized there is a lot of support for women initially diagnosed and going through treatments, surgery etc. but not too much about what happens after the cancer is gone and the treatments are over. I understand there are a lot of people who go on with their former life- a life before cancer-but for me, cancer deeply impacted my life and my relationships. Nothing is the same and to be quite honest. . . I had a tough time dealing with this reality.

People would say "Oh, well you are so young, you will recover fast!" and yep - that's true - but being young and recovering from cancer creates a whole host of physical problems. Yeah, I AM young and I would like my sex life back - I AM young and I did not plan on having debilitating arthritis and fatigue for my 'younger years'. I AM young and did not plan on having to worry about bone density at my age or my teeth falling out for crying out loud. Yes, I will admit - I feel a little robbed of my youth. Whatever-I try not to think about it too much.


A friend recently passed on this quote to me about faith:
Faith...
When you come to the edge of all the light you have, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.

It's my time to fly ...