My dear friends,
It has been a long couple of months since I wrote to you and for that I apologize.  Life here has been full of twists and turns, and my recovery from some of my treatments has left me less than competent to keep you up to date, (as I am sure you noticed from my less than coherent but heartfelt Sept. 11th note lol).  But I am cancer free and plan to stay that way! I am feeling good as I do hope that you all are. 

 I have resumed working on, " Work in Progress"  the foundation I am creating to help women with financial and emotional support during all of the stages of breast cancer survival from diagnosis to recovery.  And have finalized the logo and am in the process of trademarking the name and logo! Shirts and other goodies will be on my site for sale, to help with this process in the next month or so.  As I am able to resume business based on my energy levels,  you will see these items as well as some changes to the website which should make checking out much  easier.  I may even have enough energy to bring in a new item or two. Woo Hoo!

And now for the elephant, or shall I say skin care in the room.  I with the help of Mother Earth News Fair, was able to wait until pretty much the last minute to decide whether or not to show at the fair this year. Thank you MENF for your kindness and consideration! With the help of my wonderful doctors, nurses and family I decided that for health reasons, this year was not a good option.  I am so sorry I will not be there.  I was looking forward to seeing all of you and getting all of those hugs I was promised!!  But next year is looking good! 

In the mean time I have decided to do my first ever pod cast in the next couple of weeks, and during that time will offer the same specials and discounts that I would have had at the fair. If anyone out there is familiar with how to do that via FaceTime or Skype please let me know.  
I will be missing you this weekend, but wishing all of you a fun and successful fair.

Love and light,
Amy and Helen  :)

September 11th holds a place dear in my heart. I cannot;  Forget where I was when Martin Luther king,   or Robert Kennedy or John Lennon died . The personal fear for my family and friends some  being in,  or so  close to the World Trade Center. 

My children , husband and I being so close to the CIA and the Pentagon leaves a hole in my heart that is filled only with grief and gratefullness that we are still here. 

As I ponder on this event I am reminded that all things should be viewed upon in perspective. 

I was sick but am recovering, I have been poor but i now take action. I was foolish and selfish but am learning.  I am blessed with these gifts and more, in my life. 

We should never forget our challenges in this life, but learn from them and help others through them. In these ways we grow and fill our hearts and others with joy and blessing, and friendships we may never have experienced. 

Go out on the  world today and be kind. You never know how you can affect one person. 

Love and light to all!

Amy

I haven't written for a bit because it has been a crazy and numbing sort of week. My surgeon called last Friday to let me know that in the body scan that was done to prepare for diep flap surgery(they use fat and tissue from your belly to reconstruct after mastectomy) they found an anamoly in my hip bone that was "suspicious". I have truly learned to hate the word suspicious. I now have a pavlovian response and go right for the wine bottle.
The reason I decided on a mastectomy even though the brac2 tests came back negative and my cancer wasn't large, was that I have 2, yes 2 kinds of cancer; DCIS and LSIC in 2 different parts of my breast. Wooo hoooo,, lucky me. So I qualify for the , as I call it, "tummy tuck reconstruction". I will be beautiful dahlink! Again, lucky me.

My wonderful parents came up to keep me occupied , my husband took off to worry with me, my boys did anything they could, including arguing over who next has to get something for mom. The rest of my fabulous friends and family sent light, love, and prayers.
Well my wonderful, loving people something worked. My oncologist called yesterday afternoon. The bone biopsy came back NEGATIVE! So again I say Wooo Hooo! Lucky Me!
AND THANK YOU,
Love and light,
Amy

Our hearts and prayers go out to all in Boston. We are thinking of you!

I must say. Whenever I feel down, and that has been more than I would like lately. I read all of your wonderful messages and I start to feel better. Thank you all!

Now I could really use your help. First I need someone who is fb savy to help me set up and attach the group that I've been talking about(presents will abound to those who can help!). I'd like it to be a safe space where I can blog about ideas and such and anyone that wants or needs to talk can, (as long as everyone is kind to eachother!) . I would expect no less from you wonderful people!

Second, I need to have a "keep me busy" sale. What would you like to see on sale? Would you prefer free shipping, or a discount on an item or three? Let me know, this one's for you.
;-)

It has been quite a crazy week here. We have been reeling from a not too happy surprise. It seems that 2 weeks ago during my normal mammogram, they found something not so normal. I was called in for more pictures and tests, biopsy after biopsy, pain, fear, more pain, more fear. I was poked, prodded and basically miserable but I desperately tried to keep an upbeat attitude as the days went on until we heard; sometimes that didn’t work out so well. 

I was called this past Monday and told that yes I did have breast cancer. It was not a fun day. I was stuck in the state of numb for quite a few days as my wonderful husband Michael and I periodically emerged from our numbness, long enough to see many, many doctors. And yes, share a few glasses of whatever was around. I have to say that the support of friends, family, and the doctors we have spoken to has been outstanding! I on a regular basis I thank my son Zach for saving my life. It was because of an uncomfortable cyst that he had, that I even went to get the mammogram. I was always too busy or couldn't get a convenient appointment, or was a mom. As a mom, because he needed to go, I decided to support him and go as well. Most of me is glad that I did. The side of me that would rather ignore all things unpleasant, not so much.

As my family and I traverse the hell that is breast cancer I thought that I would share my travails in hopes of helping or reaching someone out there. I will share what is happening with my body, my skin, my family and why I have made the decisions that I have. I will answer any questions that you have and even possibly post some of my own. I will share any new concoctions that I come up with, and if they work offer them to you. I will try to keep my family, and all of you up to date and upbeat. But mostly, I will continue to get what you need to you. Maybe just a bit slower. 

So Please have faith, say prayers, be patient and I will see you in Pennsylvania in September.

All my love,

Amy

I so wish that skincare could make us as healthy on the inside as it can on the outside! If that was the case, I would have no worries!! Though your skin is the largest organ of your body and it is crucial in acting as a barrier to the environment, we still need to compensate on the inside. Luckily the recipes that Dad and I have created are actually made with ingredients that can help with immune function. They work inside and out! For viruses, try some Lemon Balm and Oregano. For hundreds of years they have been used by those "OLD WIVES"(like me!) to combat colds and flu. Try mixing them with honey and make hot or cold tea. Sip it regularly to make you feel better. I personally like to use fresh herbs, but whatever floats your boat! :)