I an 47, a single mother, and had a double masectamy in 2009. How do I cope with the continuing medical bills? I have insurance and work a minamal paying job. I have a five year treatment plan and go to the doctors every three months my decuctiable starts over every year and I am now being suied by debt collecters from medical bill from the last two years and have four years to go,I feel like i am sinking farther into depression and in to debt. how do i keep coping?

Hey!!!

So glad I found you!!! I am 48 yrs young. Diagnosed with stage 2B. hr negative, est/proges + with one lymph node containing trace of cancer cells in Nov 09. Bilateral mastectomy on New years eve(!!!)Chemo for 3 months, radiation just ended a couple of weeks ago. Started Tamoxifen. I did gain about 15 lbs since my diagnosis. My guess- a lot of very generous friends sent food-which I ate…and ate! Plus, running turned to walking the dog and sometimes being dragged by the dog-Bless his heart. I am feeling really, pretty good. Looking forward to a visit with my surgeon, more tests, and 3 sweet little letters(I hope) N.E.D.-no evidence of disease. So, I am doing cardio in the form of; running, spin class, walking/riding my bike everywhere, swimming-total about 8-10 hours a week. I am weight training 4 days a week as well. I am working on a calorie deficit of a proportion that SHOULD give me a 1 pound weight loss per week. In 4 weeks-3 pounds-those all came off in the first week. Hmmm- perhaps I need to be patient? Increase deficit? Really- I am just very very happy to be here. Not having to buy new jeans would be a bonus-truly!! Stay strong girls! xo

Survivor Retreats

Check out this link for retreats. The list might be out dated but some of these retreats are still running yearly. http://www.survivorsretreat.com/retreats.html#

Nominations being accepted for the Pink Football Award

Football season is upon us again! Nominate a deserving breast cancer survivors for the Pink Football Award. The award will  be presented at Football 101 and recognized on the field at the Bengals vs. Buccaneers game.

The committee is accepting nominations for the 6th annual “Breast Cancer Survivor of the Year” Pink Football Award presented by the Marvin Lewis Community Fund and the Cincinnati Bengals from now until September 15th on their website at www.marvinlewis.org.

PRG member releases book

PRG board member Tami Boehmer has just released her book From Incurable to Incredible: Cancer Survivors Who Beat the Odds. The book features 27 stories of survivors from around the country who overcame a terminal prognosis. It also includes a foreword by bestselling author Bernie Siegel, MD, and Doug Ulman, CEO of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. To learn more  about the book  and to purchase, visit www.miraclesurvivors.com.

All PRGs, family and friends are also invited to attend Tami’s book signing party July 31 at the Sycamore Senior Center. To RSVP, go to http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?event=SASEAQNKZYCLRPJZFPEX&inviteId=VJXDHFPESTCDNWFVTEGR&showPreview=false&x=48996734.

The “what ifs” of cancer

What if cancer could be seen as teacher rather than an enemy? I discuss how I’ve developed an apprecation of the ways cancer changed my view of parenting, work, nutrition and the rest of my life in today’s post on my blog. http://www.tamiboehmer.com/2010/06/the-what-ifs-cancer-as-a-turning-point/

Camp Courage (Free Day Camp for Kids)

Saturday, June 5, 2010
Camp Courage (Free Day Camp for Kids)
Cincinnati Nature Center
Rowe Woods in Milford
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Camp Courage Youth Day Camp: A one day camp experience for any child age 5 to 12 who has been touched by cancer. Please call 513-731-3346 to learn more about registration and volunteer opportunities.

http://www.cancerfamilycare.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=47

Cancer Survivor Day 1st Sunday June

Check your local listing for events in your area. Here in Cinti they have a BB RiverBoats Cruise with Lunch. Wonderful way to spend the afternoon with someone your love. Enjoy your day where ever you are – you deserve it.

National
http://www.ncsdf.org/

Cinti
http://cancersurvivorsday.org/

Support is good medicine

If you have a husband, friend or family member who has been supporting you along the way, give them a hug! They need to be reminded how important they are to you.

I cite a study that shows survivors with a good support network live longer and talk about some of the wonderful ways PRG supports its members and families on my blog today at http://www.tamiboehmer.com/2010/05/another-rx-for-cancer-support/.

The Rusty Griswolds to play at a Cincinnati Reds Game to benefit Pink Ribbon Girls!