tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77938973004096064822023-11-15T23:48:49.628-08:00Breastless In The CityA Young Woman's Story About Love, Loss, And Breast CancerCathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-40061229064455151012012-02-03T08:59:00.000-08:002012-10-02T13:23:38.370-07:00Seriously Komen?? Handguns For The Cure??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZMiQ8uSiSgjeyXPbn_iDcPxNjs1vSBnGBl4erBeyXt47QcaOjT5SVmX-iqmmncD5hoVNrcMRknBW9__vKwJrN1olWuvnsmBr-f9phzplDIy_TzkXdtncHgyRUkWIrDh8FaxnhkyCJ_0/s1600/pink_edition.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704955367921228226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZMiQ8uSiSgjeyXPbn_iDcPxNjs1vSBnGBl4erBeyXt47QcaOjT5SVmX-iqmmncD5hoVNrcMRknBW9__vKwJrN1olWuvnsmBr-f9phzplDIy_TzkXdtncHgyRUkWIrDh8FaxnhkyCJ_0/s400/pink_edition.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 350px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 350px;" /></a><br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 78%;">image from google</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am pretty speechless writing this post. This is pink washing at its absolute </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lowest! I thought I had seen it all with pink tires, pink oil delivery trucks, and the latest perfume debacle I posted about below involving Komen. But alas Komen had hit an all time low with these pink handguns for the cure!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seriously Komen, please, please tell me this is just a sad joke. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sure, lets promote violence for the cure! Buy a pink handgun and raise money for breast cancer?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
WTF??? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Check out <a href="http://www.wisconsingazette.com/breaking-news/komen-foundation-offers-pink-handgun-to-promote-breast-cancer-awareness-month.html">this article in the Wisconsin Gazette</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and read all about it. </div>
</div>
Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-9995360699786053702011-10-01T05:50:00.000-07:002011-10-01T05:59:27.805-07:00Raise A Stink . . . Komen Strikes Again<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/25eQp0mZ-qA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://youtu.be/25eQp0mZ-qA">Follow this link to watch on youtube</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think this video says it all and is why I am a huge supporter of <a href="http://www.bcaction.org/">Breast Cancer Action. </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Please <a href="http://www.thinkbeforeyoupink.org/">Think Before You Pink!</a></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-19961145012274097062011-08-25T08:43:00.001-07:002011-08-25T09:17:56.277-07:00Loosing My Survivor Touchstone . . .It has taken me over a month to find the strength to write this post. But I felt it important to share this with all of you. If you are a cancer survivor then you are probably all too familiar with survivor's guilt. You are also familiar with touchstone's I would guess. Well, I recently lost one of my close survivor touchstones and at the same time feeling lots of survivor's guilt. Then there is also tons of fear in the mix.<div>
<br /></div><div>When I was diagnosed 10 years ago at the tender age of 31 there wasn't anyone I knew who had been through it. Well, except one person. It was my cousin who had been through it 2 years earlier. She was also in her early 30's with 2 kids at the time. The day I got the news she was one of the first calls I made. It meant so much to talk to someone who was family, and close to my age who had survived a mastectomy and grueling chemo that I was facing. Neither one of us ever thought about breast cancer. You see we don't have a history in our family on either side (our mother's are sisters). </div><div>
<br /></div><div>We each handled the emotions differently but had similar treatments. I in NY was treated at Sloan-Kettering, and she in Houston was treated at MD Anderson both top cancer hospitals. She took tamoxifen and I opted not too. I have not had genetic testing and her results were negative. We both changed our diets and questioned environmental causes. I felt a bond with her as family but also as a fellow survivor. I always looked up to her growing up, she was 4 years older than me, so beautiful and kind. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I got a phone call from my mom a week before July 4th letting me know she was in the hospital. And it was bad. I was shocked. You see, I had no idea that her cancer came back 5 years ago. Nobody told me because my cousin didn't want me to worry. Still looking out for me as she did for everyone in her life. She passed away on July 5th. As I write these words I still feel such disbelief. My cousin did everything her doctors told her, even took tamoxifen, went for all her followup tests, made it 8 years before it came back. Here I am alive, healthy, and a 10 year survivor. I cannot help but feel guilty about that and yet at the same time fear for my own life. This feeling surfaced its ugly face when my dad passed from cancer 3 years ago and my sister-in-law passed 6 years ago also from cancer but is much stronger now because it much stronger now. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Next week I go for my annual mammogram and I cannot put into words the fear I am feeling. I know that it is partly from my cousin's death. She was a survivor touchstone for me. I am beginning to think that there has to be some big book up there with all of our arrival and exit dates etched in it somehow. I have to believe there is something more or I don't think I can keep moving forward and let go of the fear . . . </div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-58937622275445349992011-06-01T04:31:00.000-07:002011-06-01T04:45:04.936-07:00And The Winner Is . . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gRNl7DmYUd5rJbv4v0Ta6wISewLPhqAtRLJ-_exfaks4_A1P0EBA_AZQloitPZ-VmaXXb5HaNsEYpczamfwGAyiKLY1bvVZ2v9TxnyXhfC4Hf4mWurq8fS1g1JlneCR7tCgYv8tUwyk/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 159px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gRNl7DmYUd5rJbv4v0Ta6wISewLPhqAtRLJ-_exfaks4_A1P0EBA_AZQloitPZ-VmaXXb5HaNsEYpczamfwGAyiKLY1bvVZ2v9TxnyXhfC4Hf4mWurq8fS1g1JlneCR7tCgYv8tUwyk/s400/Unknown.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613215935864511698" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just want to say thanks to all of you who entered the giveaway! I enjoyed reading your lovely comments! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After throwing all of the names in a bowl ( I like the old school method!) the winner is . . .</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">RACHEL !!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Congrats Rachel !!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you enjoy the book!!</div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-84703938849901270762011-05-23T07:42:00.001-07:002011-05-23T09:06:21.338-07:00Sheryl Crow's Cookbook Review and Giveaway!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiz-mJ6fNgUHyHpltHqCQ3t6NO-zYXmd17cn_8JPIBWJsIUmcUzCUWBr-6WrgFzd39G3V-cO9_kES8jM38p4MzqNrR9o7iC4aweSLcTjRyQdvVlv8MdKdSnLzvAtkCphyphenhyphen0CUPkMIgzOE/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 159px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiz-mJ6fNgUHyHpltHqCQ3t6NO-zYXmd17cn_8JPIBWJsIUmcUzCUWBr-6WrgFzd39G3V-cO9_kES8jM38p4MzqNrR9o7iC4aweSLcTjRyQdvVlv8MdKdSnLzvAtkCphyphenhyphen0CUPkMIgzOE/s400/Unknown.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609924867190264946" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">As most of you who have been following my blog know I am a big believer in the mind body connection. I also feel that the food I put into my body can help me stay healthier. Now granted I didn't come to this knowledge until after my breast cancer treatment but better late than never is what I say! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Before my cancer diagnosis 10 years ago I never drank water, never ate veggies, and rarely ate fruit. I lived on diet soda filled with chemicals, prepared foods found in boxes and canned soups. Since then I have traded diet soda for water sometimes with a squeeze of lemon, eat fresh fruits and veggies and occasionally use a juicer. Don't get me wrong, I still do need my pizza and ice cream but try to keep that in moderation. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was already interested in Sheryl Crow's new cookbook when I was contacted by her publisher to review her new cookbook. I have enjoyed Sheryl Crow's music for years and was inspired by her as a fellow breast cancer survivor. I was already interested in her new cookbook when I was recently contacted by her publisher to do a book review. As I have made significant changes to my own nutrition in my life as a cancer survivor I was curious to see what I could learn.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the book Sheryl shares recipes created by her personal chef Chuck White. It is broken down into recipes for the seasons which was refreshing to see. I don't know about you but my apetite certainly changes from winter to summer. The book includes tons of recipes including appetizers, soups, snacks, main dishes, and some yummy desserts like the vegan chocolate-mint brownies and watermelon margaritas I am dying to try! It also encourages organic, local ingredients whenever possible which I think is important as well. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you want to win a copy of Sheryl's new cookbook all you have to do is leave a comment below! That is it! I will be announcing the winner on Wednesday June 1st! Good luck!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">PS . . . Feel free to share this blog post if you know any peeps that would be interested in the giveaway! :)</div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-58704208213473576962010-12-07T08:34:00.000-08:002010-12-07T08:45:34.729-08:00Book Giveaway Winner!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0ZtoykVqawUi18vzD3xnTjSZf4cEkBtMZYJV0vcuEshRq_lrSrC1meMtOiGnhuFhM9B6vOOW43fsWQkcsJ_5iWN3WozThwGwBgIhL11-7H1DqyWEj5IrH1IAZZhLTnzoooKW-i3vciM/s1600/bookcover2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 153px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0ZtoykVqawUi18vzD3xnTjSZf4cEkBtMZYJV0vcuEshRq_lrSrC1meMtOiGnhuFhM9B6vOOW43fsWQkcsJ_5iWN3WozThwGwBgIhL11-7H1DqyWEj5IrH1IAZZhLTnzoooKW-i3vciM/s400/bookcover2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547982092298646290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I want to thank you all for entering my giveaway! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> And the winner is Rona from <a href="http://ronagregoryart.blogspot.com/">New Challenges</a>!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Congrats Rona!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you enjoy the book!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-91067167865914424592010-12-06T04:49:00.000-08:002010-12-06T04:58:20.948-08:0010 Random Things About Me . . .Since I have some new followers to this blog I thought it would be fun to post some random things about me! <div><br /></div><div>Here's my top 10 . . . <div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">1</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">. I love to sing and wish I had a better voice!<br /><br />2. I love to dance and miss the days when I would go clubbing with friends to Webster Hall in NYC!<br /><br />3. I am so in love with my pug Bosco that it scares me.<br /><br />4. I am afraid of flying although it hasn't kept me from traveling. I just hate every second I am in the air.<br /><br />5. I hate to cook much to the dismay of my husband Lou!<br /><br />6. I love to go to newport, RI and want to live there someday.<br /><br />7. I always wanted to live in a house by the beach, hek, I still do!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">8. I am a total procrastinator. Always cramming the nite before exams, everything last minute. Why can't I just get it done! lol<br /><br />9. When I was a kid I saw dead people. They didn't scare me at all. I found out years later from seeing pictures that they were dead family members. I believe in life after death and that those who pass on can communicate with us from the other side. I have been to mediums over the years and find comfort in hearing from those I have lost.<br /><br />10. I believe that everything happens for a reason even the bad stuff because of what it can teach you about the person you are.<br /><br />What's in your top 10?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">PS . . . There is still time to enter my book giveaway! Tomorrow I will be announcing the winner. If you still want to enter just leave a comment! Check out my last post for more info!</span></span></div></span></div></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-6218276156677480072010-11-29T05:08:00.001-08:002010-11-29T05:35:22.653-08:00Book Giveaway!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4-qB1Um9pcbeAO8vdSMX8mzd1ai43G47g-srHIpbAeVwatO-ptks96GFoU_6FnDRPqx0m5c9trNMO9lz-csVlnf_lZjpI2Bc-BFdIPC_xmRLxAqyUUMlGx-1BIVTGKO2xRSF6UNn7y0/s1600/bookcover2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 153px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4-qB1Um9pcbeAO8vdSMX8mzd1ai43G47g-srHIpbAeVwatO-ptks96GFoU_6FnDRPqx0m5c9trNMO9lz-csVlnf_lZjpI2Bc-BFdIPC_xmRLxAqyUUMlGx-1BIVTGKO2xRSF6UNn7y0/s400/bookcover2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544961332559316482" /></a>I am happy to announce today that I am giving away a signed copy of my memoir <i><b>Breastless in the City</b></i> to one lucky reader! In the book I share my experience as a young widow dating through breast cancer treatment. You can read an excerpt via the link at the top of the side bar. This giveaway is in appreciation for everyone who has been on this blogging journey with me here at <i>In My Life</i>. This giveaway is long overdue!<br /><div><br /></div><div>To enter the giveaway is simple. All you have to do is leave a comment (and you don't have to be a blogger). If you would like your name entered more than once become a follower (make sure to tell me). And to enter your name a third time mention this giveaway on your blog (tell me this as well). I will be drawing the name on Tuesday December 7! </div><div><br /></div><div>Good Luck!!</div><div><br /></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-47656003166027326552010-11-05T04:52:00.000-07:002010-11-05T05:02:33.795-07:00Taking Cancer Out On A Date<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKA4PieWf6B6cj17xD8bpiaiE046G2h9IU3R42L6UOqfBXo5h8FsiD_TKNNQDeeU1gi_1cMqy_tm1IRHOtQyneVyKzAQd6v9S67n-H6RZGyGXxGCLylOEGslwAZa0Vq38BIf93SQAH54/s1600/may08_lineArt_logo_dn.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 178px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKA4PieWf6B6cj17xD8bpiaiE046G2h9IU3R42L6UOqfBXo5h8FsiD_TKNNQDeeU1gi_1cMqy_tm1IRHOtQyneVyKzAQd6v9S67n-H6RZGyGXxGCLylOEGslwAZa0Vq38BIf93SQAH54/s400/may08_lineArt_logo_dn.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536032747922120642" /></a>That is the title of a great article I was interviewed for this week posted in the Philadelphia Daily News. It was penned by Jenice Armstrong. The interview was in preparation for tomorrow's Symposium that I am speaking at hosted by Fox Chase Cancer Center. <div><br /></div><div>In this interview I share what it was like dating as a young widow during my cancer treatment. It is tough enough to navigate the dating scene but it becomes that much more challenging when you are bald and boobless. </div><div><br /></div><div>Check out the article <i><b><a href="http://www.philly.com/dailynews/features/gossip/20101103_Jenice_Armstrong__Taking_cancer_out_on_a_date.html">Taking Cancer Out On A Date</a></b></i>. And I hope to see some of you in Philly tomorrow!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-31607260989450054132010-11-03T05:22:00.000-07:002010-11-03T05:41:01.049-07:00Speaking in Philadelphia at Fox Chase Cancer Center<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JoBtZv7bGZr-jn7Nq4JPunpNsSC5KyQgqD3tdqsAzXeevgSQk11NQFZ9Y6n9s8blw2NDMQX8dxrJEkQUS5BXCayLF4RaV3dEcZ3i33lplvVGazeHFZjdc583Zp5FoM8RXHfGbedA_z4/s1600/janepepper_banner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 51px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JoBtZv7bGZr-jn7Nq4JPunpNsSC5KyQgqD3tdqsAzXeevgSQk11NQFZ9Y6n9s8blw2NDMQX8dxrJEkQUS5BXCayLF4RaV3dEcZ3i33lplvVGazeHFZjdc583Zp5FoM8RXHfGbedA_z4/s400/janepepper_banner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535300084913441282" /></a>This Saturday November 6, I will be heading to Philly to share my story on a panel at the <a href="http://www.fccc.edu/janepeppersymposium/">Jane Pepper Women's Cancer Symposium </a>being held at <a href="http://www.fccc.edu">Fox Chase Cancer Center</a>. I will be discussing dating with cancer as well as ways that I have fought fear that comes in the life after cancer. <div><br /></div><div>I hope you will join me and the other wonderful panelists for a great day! I will also be doing a book signing after the panel discussion! I would love to see you there! So please come out if you are in the area!</div><div><br /></div><div>For more information on the event and to register <a href="http://www.fccc.edu/janepeppersymposium/">Click Here</a>. Although the deadline says November 1st there are still spaces available! </div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-38002213490668041802010-10-22T04:59:00.000-07:002012-12-10T09:41:01.576-08:00Sharing My Story On WomansDay.com<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4H8JI4W7GBOYYWwKXDrhkdfnkwwL_GqOr0YG4XnFD_aWQnhHqMMMFUgwsPhpGHExFrL_qMMDdhnr7j540l7LxfMfYKtkjawqZxxxqxBxsNBNtGbxGDZW8FMZ1hA7ebxuMv3sgNB7MoI/s1600/logo-wd.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530839121866962546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4H8JI4W7GBOYYWwKXDrhkdfnkwwL_GqOr0YG4XnFD_aWQnhHqMMMFUgwsPhpGHExFrL_qMMDdhnr7j540l7LxfMfYKtkjawqZxxxqxBxsNBNtGbxGDZW8FMZ1hA7ebxuMv3sgNB7MoI/s400/logo-wd.gif" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 61px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 211px;" /></a>A couple of weeks ago I was approached by Amanda Greene, an editor at Woman'sDay.com who was working on a story about breast cancer blogging. I was asked to write a narrative of my breast cancer experience and how blogging has helped me along my journey. I was very excited as you can imagine. My piece was included in her article<a href="http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health/Conditions-Diseases/5-Breast-Cancer-Bloggers-Share-Their-Stories.html"> </a><b><i><a href="http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health/Conditions-Diseases/5-Breast-Cancer-Bloggers-Share-Their-Stories.html">5 Breast Cancer Bloggers Share Their Stories. </a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I feel so honored for the opportunity to share my voice with so many. </span></b><br />
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">You can check out the article here on <a href="http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health/Conditions-Diseases/5-Breast-Cancer-Bloggers-Share-Their-Stories.html">WomansDay.com</a><i> </i>!</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<i>Do you have a blog? How has blogging helped you along your own personal journey?</i></div>
Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-52394651058075736902010-10-08T04:03:00.000-07:002010-10-08T04:18:17.548-07:00Pink Revisited . . . 20 Years of Cause Marketing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16BkEXJuIOuGHx5dG01wlVEeIjs2dBDyzfZAUDH1bONs4wRiFG95HPWgZqGUBaEw9exAEmwLijsv9Jx0K8rysIE_f5IiBPkbSmdYw8ayV5sL6uqe8HR3Fdd-DWtWduyTHkUDcXhjvzMs/s1600/pinkproductsmontage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16BkEXJuIOuGHx5dG01wlVEeIjs2dBDyzfZAUDH1bONs4wRiFG95HPWgZqGUBaEw9exAEmwLijsv9Jx0K8rysIE_f5IiBPkbSmdYw8ayV5sL6uqe8HR3Fdd-DWtWduyTHkUDcXhjvzMs/s400/pinkproductsmontage.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525629526456926194" /></a>I have often shared my issues with the pink ribbon and cause marketing here on this blog. I am a big supporter of <a href="http://bcaction.org/">Breast Cancer Action's (BCA)</a> <i><a href="http://thinkbeforeyoupink.org/"><b>Think Before You Pink</b></a> </i>campaign because they challenge companies that may use pink to increase their sales especially those who produce products with ingredients linked to breast cancer. During the month of October everywhere you look there are pink ribbon's slapped on all kinds of products. <div><br /></div><div><a href="http://bcaction.org/">BCA</a> puts out a quarterly newsletter the<a href="http://bcaction.org/index.php?page=the-source---fall-2010"> </a><i><b><a href="http://bcaction.org/index.php?page=the-source---fall-2010">Source</a></b></i> and I wrote an article for the fall issue which came out this week. In the piece I share my feelings about the use of the pink ribbon and cause marketing. I encourage you to read it and share it if it speaks to you.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://bcaction.org/index.php?page=newsletter-111f">Check it out here</a>! And let me know what you think!</div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-25935084020984760102010-10-01T03:36:00.000-07:002010-10-01T04:10:52.120-07:00Great Resource For Cancer Patients Regarding New Health Insurance ChangesIt is tough enough to go through cancer treatment but to make the experience more stressful is the need to navigate the mucked up world of health insurance. I remember during my treatment I was living alone and would cringe when I went to the mail box. Luckily I had good insurance but there were still copays and things I had to fight to get covered. I couldn't even deal. So I would watch the insurance statements and hospital bills pile up on my kitchen table. <div><br /></div><div>Recently there have been new health insurance changes that will impact cancer patients and young adults. My friend and fellow cancer survivor <a href="http://www.everythingchangesbook.com/">Kairol Rosenthal</a>, the author of <i><b><a href="http://everythingchangesbook.com/everything-changes-book">Everything Changes</a></b></i> has a great blog post up with a guide to these new changes which went into effect on September 23, 2010. She discusses everything from insurance coverage, free preventative care, lifetime caps, and pre-existing conditions. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is so important to educate yourself as a patient and be your own advocate! So be sure to <a href="http://everythingchangesbook.com/kairol/guide-sept23-healthcare-changes">check out Kairol's post here!</a></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-16074335160977167342010-09-24T05:55:00.001-07:002010-09-24T09:42:52.597-07:00Tell Eli Lilly To Stop Milking Cancer!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thinkbeforeyoupink.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Think Before You Pink</span></i></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> is a campaign launched by </span></span><a href="http://bca.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i>B</i></span></span></span></a><a href="http://bcaction.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i>reast Cancer Action</i></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> (BCA) in 2002. It was started </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">in response to an increasing concern about the huge number of pink ribbon products and promotions on the market. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">This campaign also focuses on what they call </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC33CC;">Pink Washers</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. These are companies that say they care about breast cancer and promote its awareness but produce products that are linked to the disease! Many cosmetic companies put out products with known carcinogens in the ingredients that have been linked to cancer. This is of special interest to me as I try to avoid using products with bad stuff such as parabens and other chemicals/toxins. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">BCA's latest campaign is called</span></span><a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6098/action/milkingcancer"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">"Milking Cancer"</span></i></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. Head over there and sign the petition to tell Eli Lilly to stop milking cancer! Please take a moment to watch this video. It speaks for itself!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(100, 95, 94); white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:verdana, sans-serif;font-size:10px;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/6675967" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/6675967">Milking Cancer</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2318200">Breast Cancer Action</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Do you think before you pink?</span></span></span></i></p></span></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-61103415012530475632010-09-03T13:15:00.000-07:002010-09-03T13:22:59.791-07:00This Is One Inspiring Young Cancer Survivor!!<div>I am not going to say much about this as it speaks for itself except to say it is a must see! A young cancer survivor gets his chance to sing in a competition despite having lost part of his tongue and being told he would most likely never sing again. He sounds amazing!! I got chills and teared up watching this! </div><div><br /></div><object style="background-image:url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/W9YZs3F1PZk/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W9YZs3F1PZk?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W9YZs3F1PZk?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-84836072661045785312010-08-26T12:21:00.000-07:002010-08-27T15:31:11.078-07:00Good News And A Pain In The Boob . . .So as an update to my last post on scanxiety, my mammo thankfully came back normal once again! Always such a relief. I don't have to go back to see the surgeon till next year and I am off the hook with breast MRI which I am happy about as well. So it was all good news. <div><br /></div><div>Now on to the pain in my boob. Unfortunately I had a bad mammo tech for the first time in 9 years. I am certainly no stranger to mammo's. I have lost count as to how many I have had done over the past decade. What I am sure of is that I have never had pain during one. It is uncomfortable, yes, but painful, no, not for me. Until the other day . . . </div><div><br /></div><div>I saw my doc first and then hung out for what seems like an eternity in the always fashionable hospital gown. When I was called in by the mammo tech and she proceeded to set me up in the machine I had no idea the pain that was about to ensue. When she clamped that sucker down apparently as compressed as it would go I felt nothing but extreme pain. Then I felt tears well up in my eyes. I was scared and felt as if I would pass out. I literally could not imagine what the hell she was doing that was causing me so much pain. It took my breath away. Not only was the compression excessive but the length of time for the compression seemed much longer. I felt as if all the color drained from my face. She had to sit me down. I assured her that I had never had pain like that before. She spoke to me as if I was a newbie and assured me that I was not the only one to ever have this kind of reaction. Well, let me say that if she has alot of patients ready to pass out then she is doing something wrong! </div><div><br /></div><div>When it was finally over she assured me that I would now be able to relax out in the waiting room. I sternly let her know that I could not relax until I got the results. As I walked out of the room I turned as I heard her say "I got a really good picture though. . ." Hmmmm...."Goody for you" I thought to myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to say it was traumatizing. I never feared a mammo because it was not painful . . . that is until now. I hope that next time I have someone who knows what they are doing. The next day I got in touch with my doctor to let her know of my bad experience with the mammo technician. I can only hope it is followed up on as I would hate to see my experience happen to someone else. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Have you ever had a bad experience as a patient and been vocal about it? What happened? How did you feel speaking up about it?</i></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-11405349513850914602010-08-20T05:23:00.000-07:002010-08-27T15:31:40.630-07:00Scanxiety . . . How Do You Deal??So one would think that after 9 years I would be used to followup visits and tests. I stupidly thought I would get to a point where I would be scanxiety free. In the beginning I went for visits every 3 months, then after 3 years I went every 6 months and then when at the 5 year mark I graduated to once a year. And that included an oncologist visit, breast surgeon visit and annual mammogram along with an annual breast MRI. <div><br /></div><div>Three years ago I went through a scare involving a barbaric biopsy in the MRI machine which thankfully turned out to be benign. But my anxiety reached new heights. Then 2 years ago my father died of cancer and I feared for my own life even more. Its almost like the more time I have where I don't have to go for that stuff makes it harder to go back. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am sitting here wishing I didn't have to go for my mammo in a few days. Tuesday I will be going in for my checkup with the breast surgeon and then the mammo. I rescheduled this appointment back in March and had to wait all this time which is lunacy to me and yet I felt as if I committed a crime. Now I don't want to go at all. Yes I know I am sounding like a whiny kid. I don't want to think of my life in time to live between tests and appointments. </div><div><br /></div><div>I need to create. I need to paint and sketch to help me with this fear. It always seems to help. So the next few days I will carve out time to do just that. Hoping it will quell some of my scanxiety. . . </div><div><br /></div><div><i>What do you do to deal with scanxiety? </i></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-86639606627133612082010-08-06T07:23:00.000-07:002010-08-06T07:31:38.181-07:00New Beginnings . . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqIyqWF7YgjH3EWqnVG5_fIRzse9n4NOh38zEqpg4eLHYSwTzxx47tH04ff7K9s0gE148bsNm2al6DHbNtV_DWnb0BGz9-DOoZ1T6QFTGeeazq_Il7BFCH9xRIlfgQ46krBakdWTQS6c/s1600/IMG_1117_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqIyqWF7YgjH3EWqnVG5_fIRzse9n4NOh38zEqpg4eLHYSwTzxx47tH04ff7K9s0gE148bsNm2al6DHbNtV_DWnb0BGz9-DOoZ1T6QFTGeeazq_Il7BFCH9xRIlfgQ46krBakdWTQS6c/s400/IMG_1117_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502304072568473778" /></a><br />I have talked many times on this blog about how much creativity helps me deal with my life after cancer and all the fear that comes along with that. Recently I have decided to take my creativity a step further. I have been enjoying learning about painting and mixed media for the past 6 months. I decided to start a new blog just to focus on sharing my creative journey. I will continue to post here at <i>In My Life</i> about cancer related issues and my after cancer life. <div><br /></div><div>I wanted to let you all know about this new blog for those of you who may be interested in following my art! So if you are then come on over and check out <i><a href="http://www.artsybutterfly.blogspot.com/">Artsy Butterfly</a></i>! </div><div><br /></div><div>Hope to see you over there as well!</div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-66906026533209995702010-07-30T04:55:00.000-07:002010-07-30T05:28:33.539-07:00Beds Causing Cancer?? Now I Have Heard It All . . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYVyk7bZ-RDi8nx_tGY7P5WVQjB9U6whhhpuObdJ9smYyEC_a_VrMtPkP4L_laf7i-pCmHAUf9DsgwDKK87i5tRtv3AKm-Wu-wFXht3RtPJ7DfK783udbsDvRzjQOyt-hF-5V6VR7lAE/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYVyk7bZ-RDi8nx_tGY7P5WVQjB9U6whhhpuObdJ9smYyEC_a_VrMtPkP4L_laf7i-pCmHAUf9DsgwDKK87i5tRtv3AKm-Wu-wFXht3RtPJ7DfK783udbsDvRzjQOyt-hF-5V6VR7lAE/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499674188684357938" /></a><div>Who would have ever thought that a place we go to find comfort and rest could be putting us at risk for cancer. I recently read an article that says the boxspring in bed mattresses can pick up radiation waves from radio and television. Supposedly it surrounds our bodies while we sleep and since most people sleep on the right side (myself included) the left side will be affected.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ok, so although my breast cancer was on my left side I am certainly not going to buy into thinking that it was caused by my bed. But I guess I will stick with my sleep number mattress filled with air...</div><div><br /></div><div>Read the entire article <a href="http://www.gizmodo.com/5598643/your-boxspring-could-be-acting-as-a-gigantic-cancer+causing-radiation-antenna">Your Boxspring Could Be Acting As A Cancer Causing Radiation Antennae </a>by Adam Frucci</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Have you heard about this? What do you think? Is there anything left to not fear?</i></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-67403042574251014462010-07-23T08:37:00.000-07:002010-07-23T08:55:44.266-07:00How Safe Are Your Personal Products??<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:monospace, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pfq000AF1i8&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pfq000AF1i8&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Its no secret that I started really looking at what I was eating and what I was putting on my skin after my cancer experience. Part of it stems from an attempt to gain some kind of control after going through such an out of control experience. When I started on this journey I had no idea that the FDA does not regulate the cosmetics industry. That is scary to me. The industry can put anything they dam well please in your products. Things like parabens and sulfates are in many products and are chemicals that have been linked to cancer. Whatever you are putting on your skin (which is the largest organ we have) will seep into our bodies. I know it is a new way of thinking but I everyone should be aware and be more choosy about the products you are using. So read your labels and make more conscious choices . . . it will be better for your health and the environment! <div><br /></div><div> Today I wanted to share a video called <i><b>The Story of Cosmetics </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">put together by the <a href="http://www.storyofstuff.org/">Story of Stuff Project.</a> So take a few minutes and check it out! It will make you think twice about what you are putting on your skin!</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Have you seen this video? What do you think? When you are shopping for personal care products do you read the label? Do you look for more natural products?<br /></i><div><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:monospace, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-51545317654811519972010-07-16T10:04:00.000-07:002010-07-16T18:46:54.650-07:00Bloody FlashbackYesterday I spent the afternoon with my friend. We had lunch and chatted it up for hours. It was a great time. On the ride home I came up on a traffic jam. One of those bumper to bumper deals. As I sat there wondering if it was an accident I heard a loud thumping noise. I looked up through my sunroof and saw the huge chopper in the sky. It wasn't just any chopper, it was the one that air lifts people to the hospital. It was like time just stood still. A chill ran through me and I felt a twinge in my stomach. <div><br /></div><div>Pretty soon before I knew it we were doing the dangerous car dance of shifting lanes from two down to one. In single file at about 5 miles an hour I could see the back of the tow truck as we crawled down the road. I saw the tow truck driver sweeping car crash debris off of the roadway. And then I saw the worst of it. It was the crumpled car up on the flatbed. I tried to hold back the tears as I stared at the twisted front tire and crunched driver's side front end. The metal was so demolished that it looked liked pieces of frayed wire. I could feel the tears well up in my eyes. All I could see in front of me was Paul's car or rather what was left of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I remembered going with my dad to see the car the day after his accident. He didn't want me to go but I had to in a futile attempt to make it seem more real. I could hear the crunching of rocks under my sneakers as I stepped slowly through the dead car cemetary thinking about how it was the last place he was alive. The last place they both took their last breath. The windows were rolled down and I could see his Giant's baseball hat sitting neatly on the passenger seat. As if it was in memoriam. The driver's side seat cradled his brother's hat. My eyes scanned around in an attempt to not really see what was there like the dark crimson blood stains smeared all over the head rest and dashboard on Paul's passenger seat. His light blue denim jacket curled up in a ball on the back seat was stained with the same blood. I carefully pulled out that jacket, grabbed the hat, and put them in a bag where they stayed for 2 years at the bottom of my coat closet. Sometimes in my lonliest moments I would wear it as I cried and wailed while I sat rocking back and forth on my living room floor.</div><div><br /></div><div>The police said it was the worst accident they had ever seen in all their years on the job in Greenwood Lake, NY. His car the most demolished one in a long time. So much so that a local high school wanted to use it during drunk driving awareness week. Although Paul's accident did not involve alcohol or drugs I agreed to have it put on the lawn to increase awareness in young adults about the dangers of drinking and driving. I searched for any tiny bit of good that could come out of the madness that became my life on that Labor Day in 1994.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was hard to control those bloody flashbacks for the rest of the ride home. It was almost impossible to hold back the tears. I couldn't help but wonder if there would ever be a day in my life when I wouldn't fall into a black hole from doing a drive by of a car crash . . .</div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-77351897537025838992010-07-13T10:39:00.000-07:002010-07-13T10:56:08.240-07:00Qigong . . . It Quiets My Mind<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dtUHbZFu-BI&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dtUHbZFu-BI&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to share with you one of the things I have found that really helps me with stress relief and quiets my busy mind. I never gave any of this a thought until after I went through my cancer experience and began to look at how I was treating my body. I wanted to learn how to keep it well. And not only my body but my mind as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although I do have my photography, writing, and daily walks this practice of Qigong really helps to center me and relax my neck muscles very quickly. It focuses on moving the Chi throughout your body, the energy each of us has around and within us. When our Chi doesn't move it can cause havoc on the body. I hold alot of tension in my neck muscles which causes headaches. I also have anxiety attacks from time to time mostly caused by my busy mind that never shuts off. It is very easy to do and involves breathing techniques combined with flowing body movements. When I am done my neck is instantly loose and I feel a calmness that I wish stayed with me longer.</div><div><br /></div><div>This video is a good overview of the purpose and benefits of Qigong. Daisy Lee Garripoli is a wonderful instructor and I have used her instructional dvd's for a few years now. For more info on Qigong and Daisy Lee visit her website <a href="http://radiantlotusqigong.com/">HERE</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>What do you do to quiet your mind and handle daily stress? Have you ever tried Qigong? </i></div><div><br /></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-54137840302621165932010-07-06T09:55:00.000-07:002010-07-06T10:27:01.418-07:00Wild Flowers<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-v9We4tuw-DSlhINjb9y4ajtI6dJoFO2EtOFm-2YIg_efLZYTkKAYuiyXE1qgSE33DFIZzMh_0FgGJcwHqjTGnql3u854aJxu4kF7L7x750c_YzC3ZOVqpoUZhJ1HhngkE4FRX2OY-RA/s320/IMG_0857.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490842964882750114" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; ">I hope you all had a great holiday weekend. It has been super hot here in NY but early Saturday morning I grabbed my camera while it was still cool and headed across the street to capture a few shots of these pretty purple wild flowers. This is the view I can see from the bottom of our driveway. I always wanted to live near the water and reservoir or not I love it.</span><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to get some macro shots of the flowers. I have a Canon D10 with a macro setting. I have been wanting to get a separate macro lens for my Canon XTi but need to save up the dough for that one! I did however get some great macro shots with the smaller D10.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBf2K-MVjQcYeEOSEclQylbmltPohO_Zwdtd6pxOD8EXl91E2rqsTlnk6-jn9MzQhaxdcLzc9y4Aq0hvRtVP4m_qwtMOhPPybuoYAms-MEy32enHIcT8X3TicCl4Vjxqac8xsyGAi4qA/s320/IMG_0850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490842189923273650" />And then I wanted to get even closer. . . </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8apLfGQFGPkrMF-r0K1IKfzyjzM6OvwOj02xaw3aPy50HAH9pilC3tGGo2NAAQ9KWgwo2OTShA8_3YVmP57PHubkzln-6HiHGem3R0SvJ67LgZNkFL3d032fRncsv-aD8yD1modUPNU/s320/IMG_0852.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490841837666579666" /></div><div>I am very pleased with how the shots came out. These are such tiny flowers but so pretty and what a vibrant shade of purple!</div><div><br /></div><div>It has been too long since I have grabbed my camera and headed out the door. As I have said on this blog before it is one of the creative outlets that takes me out of my cluttered busy mind and into a colorful moment. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Do you have a creative outlet? If so what is it? How does it make you feel?</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">All images are © Cathy Bueti and may not be used or reproduced without permission.</span></i></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-7261357290609617142010-06-30T11:08:00.000-07:002010-06-30T11:29:56.444-07:00Favorite Summer Driving Song . . . Do You Have One?<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xPy2BggZP5I&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xPy2BggZP5I&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Today in NY we are finally getting a reprieve from the super high heat and swampy humidity. I woke up this morning to cool, crisp, light air outside and promptly opened all of my windows. A nice change from the constant running of A/C. As I felt the breeze blowing in I enjoyed the scent of new air roaming through the house. It was only 6:30 and I knew it would grow warmer later on but I didn't want to miss this cool morning.</div><div><br /></div><div>It got me to thinking about how much I love to drive with the windows down on a cool day. I like to open the sunroof, roll the windows down and blast the stereo. Back in the day before I had a car with air conditioning I used the dreaded 4-60 A/C. My first car was a '75 volvo with a pathetic radio. That car was a lemon but to me it mean freedom (until I broke down in PA alone on interstate 81 . . . but thats a whole other story!) Driving with the music blaring, windows down on the highway felt freeing to me. It still does.</div><div><br /></div><div>Certain songs are really good driving songs especially in the nice weather. For me that song was always <i>Pour Some Sugar On Me</i> by Def Leppard. So today when I was out on this beautiful day I played it over and over on my car stereo. I still think I will never get tired of that one! </div><div><br /></div><div><i>What is your favorite driving song? What was your first car? What do you enjoy doing on the best weather days?</i></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7793897300409606482.post-89080544431888908532010-06-24T10:45:00.000-07:002010-06-24T13:30:45.772-07:00Going Gray Just For Fun?In last year's post<a href="http://cathybueti.blogspot.com/2009/04/gray-area.html"> <i>Gray Area</i></a> I talk about trying to accept my graying hair. I decided to stop coloring it last year and am in the process of welcoming the gray and just letting nature take its course. I am still not sure how I will adjust to it as it has been strange to see so many grays popping up and taking residence all over my head. However having said it will always be better than when I was bald from chemo. That will always go down as my worst bad hair day (or rather no hair day) ever.<div><br /></div><div>So I was stunned recently when I heard about celebrities like Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, and Kelly Osbourne dying their hair gray just for the hell of it. Apparently it has become a fashion trend these days. There are apparently twentysomething girls going to the salon having gray put in their hair. It has been seen on the runway as well. With all the women dying their hair to cover the gray it is refreshing to see it coming out in the fashion world. I don't know how long this trend will last but I found it quite interesting nonetheless. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can check out this article all about it in the <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/fashion/gray-expectations_JqXTQsHsSyC4AYLQSbK4VK">New York Post</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>What do you think about these celebrities going gray for fun? Do you think this trend will last? Do you dye your hair? Would you ever consider going gray?</i></div>Cathy Buetihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09176782992604138092noreply@blogger.com0