January 27, 2019

Pink Everyday is dedicated to all the lives affected by breast cancer. The truth is that breast cancer is lifelong. There seems to be no end to the battle. My hope is that we can create a community of truth tellers by sharing our stories of grit, perseverance and bravery.

Ode to LB: A Love Letter to My Left Boob

Some goodbyes are quiet and somber. Others, apparently, involve paint parties, flamingos, and saying farewell to a boob that gave you 47 pretty solid years.

Well, my left breast (aka LB) and I are parting ways on Tuesday. Not because I want to—but because I must. And honestly? She’s not going quietly. For the last week, she’s been acting like a toddler throwing a tantrum in a Target aisle. Sharp, uninvited pain? Check. Middle-of-the-night cramps that make you Google “giving birth to a shard of glassthrough your nipple”? Yep. Sorry if that’s TMI—but welcome to the truth-telling table. Pass the red Jell-O.

Here’s what I do know: my PET scan came back clear except for LB. Lymph nodes? Still holding the line. So this boob, this original breastie, has done something incredible. She rang the alarm. She hosted a cancer party loud enough for doctors to pay attention. She got me to this point. And on Tuesday, she’ll be donated to science so someone else might have a better shot. Talk about going out with a bang.

I’ve never been more in awe of a body part. Well played, LB. Well played.

LB Eulogy

I feel I need to say a few farewell wishes to LB. I believe God is thinking the best way to guide me through this ordeal was for me to wish this bad angry breast so long was with pain! I’ve had enough pain in my life so on Tuesday I will be happy that LB is signing off in this world. She gave me a solid 47 years.

Breasties for sure! (oh, the puns…sorry about that. LOL!) There’s nothing like your first love or breast. But I’m ready for new things so LB will be laid to rest in a petri dish and dissected in the lab so she can save my life.

Literally, she’s offering herself up so they can study her in the lab and figure out the chemo concoction that will save my life. Isn’t that amazing? And her replacement will be a much younger model but we will love her fiercely cuz we don’t discriminate against boob age.

Life is too short. And quite frankly the girls were getting too long!

LB, thank you for 47 beautiful years. Thank you for throwing a huge party and getting me and the doctors to pay attention. It’s been an incredible ride. I love you for giving yourself completely to save me. Warrior on sweet LB! I’ve donated you to research so you go teach them something new. You’ve already proved to be brilliant and rare. Keep on living and fighting for truth, love and all things breasty! Amen.

Our schedule has been jammed packed with absolute loveliness! We have open houses at an amazing property and our clients have been nothing but supportive and work continues to be life giving. I worked my last lunch with adorable kiddos and an amazing kitchen staff. I couldn’t ask for better co-workers and friends. Tonight girlfriends powered around for a PJ Paint Party with hilarious shenanigans and stories. Tomorrow Steve and I head out on our Staycation in Seattle. We will give LB a Seattle night to remember.

Cancer makes you grow up real fast. This week I wrote my will and advance directive. I also hosted a PJ Paint Party, laughed until I cried, and made my boob a goodbye playlist. Grief and gratitude aren’t mutually exclusive—they’re dance partners. One twirls you into fear, the other brings you back to light. Together, they carry you.

Letter to Self

Dear Me,
You did it. You stared down fear with laughter and flamingos and real talk. You honored your body, even the parts you’re saying goodbye to. This is how healing begins—not with perfection, but with love. So carry that with you, everywhere.
Love,
Me