In Which I Plagarize Not One, Not Two, But THREE Other Blogs

From The Cancer Blog:

"Mattel has come out with a breast cancer pink ribbon Barbie doll. They are donating $250,000 to The Susan G. Komen Foundation.

As a member of the Young Survival Coalition (YSC) I often go on the website to join in the discussions on the bulletin board. The majority of girls that commented about the new breast cancer Barbie don't seem to be too thrilled with the idea. Their first question is what the dolls purpose is? It's great to raise awareness and raise funds but what does this doll tell us about breast cancer?

One thing young women with breast cancer don't feel like is Barbie. Especially a Barbie that looks like this picture. Some of the members of the YSC have a few suggestions for the Mattel Company.

-Barbie should be bald and have assorted wigs and scarves included instead of the bouffant hairdo.

-Barbie's skin should be more grayish and she should be at least 10lbs overweight from steroids, and chemically-induced (way too early) menopause.

-Some accessories in the box should also include a little toilet to throw up in, many prescription bottles that she can't keep track of, and clippers for when she needs to buzz her hair.

Ok, so the breast cancer Barbie looks like a princess. I'm fine with it but it would be cool if they made her more realistic.

Bald Barbie is probably beautiful too!"

-Kristina Collins

Straight from the YSC:

"From the photo you can see that Barbie has gained weight considerably, predominantly in the hips, ass and pooch area. She is sporting a paper "modesty vest," two drains and a gauze wrap tube-top bandage. She also has her lymphedema wrap, IV drip, port and has had some blood work done. Her toe nails and finger nails are unfortunately turning black and there is some concern that she may lose a nail or two. She is leery of going too far away from the toilet, can't remember if she took her pills today and is depressed that she doesn't have ovaries and can't have a baby. Her path report is looking OK but the bills are piling up and she is too sick to work, but has to keep working to keep medical insurance. Hot flashes are keeping her up all night and she wonders if she should call her old flame GI Joe when he comes home on leave from Iraq- but will he still want her? Her sex drive is gone, she's scarred-up and bald and twenty pounds overweight. Her body hurts, she feels as if she is losing her mind. She doesn't want to go anywhere or do anything. Yelled at Skipper for asking her if she wanted to go to the Townhouse this weekend for a party, then cried afterwards. Drove pink Corvette to Jack in the Box for drive through burgers and a chocolate shake for dinner.

Unfortunately, reality isn't as pretty. And it doesn't sell Barbies."

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This is me speaking now: I'm still all for raising awareness (and money) for breast cancer, I just find it interesting to hear opposing opinions on topics. And believe me, there's a lot out there being said that I'm purposely not sharing or posting because all in all I do honestly believe that all of the pink stuff is ultimately a good thing.

Another blogger expressed her contradictory feelings way more eloquently than I can:

"It's October 2nd. Two days into Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everywhere I turn there is something pink. Pink wristbands, pink koozies, pink Dyson vacuums (yes, I said vacuum). You can buy something "for the cure" wherever you go. Everywhere I go I am constantly reminded of breast cancer. At least I got the socially popular cancer. The one that looks so good on a teddy bear. It's two days into this month and I'm already sick of pink. I have finished treatment and I am trying to move on. It's pretty damn hard when I can buy something off the "pink stuff" table when I'm buying milk and juice.

I go back and forth between rage at the commercialism for a cure and being grateful that it may help someone. That if someone gets checked or pays attention to their body it was worth it. Funny thing is, there have been plenty of Octobers before. And plenty of pink crap. And I don't remember any of it. I wasn't "aware." It didn't stop me from getting cancer. Maybe I'm just bitter. I think to myself someone may see me and my bald head, check out the magnet on my car and put it together. Maybe they'll feel themselves up later. Or someone else.

I have a feeling it's going to be a long month. I have a feeling I will be happy and sad, angry and blessed...every day. It's a crapshoot. So every day, I will steel myself for the magazines, commercials, spam email, TV specials, etc. etc. I will count the days till October is over. At the same time, I will accept every pink gift as a gift of love. I will still be tempted by the pink thermos at Starbucks. It's cute. I will probably buy a few pink items myself. Life's about contradictions. C'est la vie. I will get through October, hoping I get to see many more Breast Cancer Awareness Months."

Well said, and I couldn't agree more!!!

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I am feeling okay so far after Friday's chemo, mostly just tired and my voice is messed up from the 'roids...you know, the usual. The week ahead will be worse, so I'm just mentally gearing up for that and trying to physically take care of myself as well.

The weather in KC is absolutely gorgeous right now and the trees are beginning to change colors. I love this time of year even though I know my least favorite season is soon to follow. But then that will be followed by spring and summer, so it's a small price to pay to freeze for a few months. I've been getting outside and enjoying the autumny niceness while it lasts and while I still feel well enough to enjoy anything.