Thursday, February 25, 2010

Getting Your Mojo Back

Good morning,

It has been awhile since I have blogged on my site. Been really busy writing and reviewing my movie screenplay and also working. Story of my life!

Topic today is "Getting Your Mojo Back." Would love to hear your story as well.

I got my Mojo back when I finally had my breast reconstruction. Doens't sound like a big deal but believe me having no breasts for five years after loosing them to breast cancer is.

What does it feel like to have no breasts at all? Absolutely terrible! I lost my self esteem, and any clothing I put on didn't look good at all. I even at one point felt like a guy, if you can imagine that one.

The worse part was having to wear those heavy prosthesis (fake boobs), which some of you may already know about. They were hot, the bras ugly as hell, and they didn't make me look or feel great at all.

One day I decided not to wear the heavy prosthesis and went to a store to buy small silicone ones, which were more comfortable and much better than the prosthesis I had. I inserted both in my bra and off to grocery shopping I went. As I was shopping I saw the can of soup I was looking for on the bottom shelf and as I bent down to get the soup can I hear "plop." As I looked down at the floor there was my left boob I just bought. Well, not my boob but the silicone breast I just bought. As I looked around I noticed a little boy on the isle looking at me; his eyes open wide with shock. His mother was down the isle and all I heard was "mommy that lady's boob just feel on the floor." I was so humilated at that point I wasn't sure whether to pick up my breast or run out of the store. However, I quickly remembered that I paid $60 dollars for these fake boobs and I wasn't about to waste my money. I quickly picked up my boob, put it in my bra, left my cart and ran out hysterical laughing, leaving the little boy still in shock. Okay, not funny you think? Truly you had to be there. It was hilarious.

It was not long after that incident that I interviewed a young girl for my book "The Empty Cup Runneth Over".April, another breast cancer survivor was sharing her survivor story with me. We began talking about breast reconstruction and I told her I had not considered doing mine yet. What came next I was not prepared for. April decided to flash me her breasts to show me her reconstructed, new breasts with her nipples tattooed as well. Needless to say, I had the shocked look like the little boy in the gorcery isle had when I dropped my boob on the floor. April said that I must get a pair. I laughed hysterical and shared with her my story in the grocery store. Even more of a reason to get new breasts, she said.

The next day I had an appointment with a plastic surgeon and the rest is history. I am happy with my "B" size boobs. Many of my friends asked why didn't I get bigger ones. I laughed and said "Been there, done that." You see I had almost a size "D" before my breast cancer. I was considering having a breast reduction but breast cancer took care of that for me, unfortunately.

A Small B is Fine For Me! I love my new breasts, and going shopping was a blast. I loved shopping for a bathing suit for the first time after loosing my breasts, and everything I that I did put on looked great. It even made my waist look slimmer.

It was after my breast reconstruction that I got my "Mojo" back. I felt like a woman again, clothes looked great, and life is good!!!! That my blog friends is how I got my "Mojo" back.

I hope you all will share how you got your "Mojo" back too.

Have a great day eveyone.

Cindy

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Just when you think all is going well

Dear friends,

Hope you all are having a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Just when you think all is going well something always pops up. Some say "that's life," and other's say "what will be will be."

This year, 2010, certainly began with a bang for me. First, my job salary gets cut in half, then I find out that my brother's cancer recurred.

I want to thank everyone who sent prayers for my brother via FB friends and on TWITTER as well as their continued support and friendship. It is great to know that people do care. What surprised me even more was the outpour of calls I received asking if there was anything they can do.

I remind myself to enjoy life while you can because you never know when it will be over. I am living life to its fullest, and of course to always remember to love and laugh.

Best regards,

Cindy Papale

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Breast Cancer: "A Gift Without The Bow"

Welcome to Cindy's Blog Talk, which has not been up long. We hope you will come back and also jon in by posting. Thanks

My life totally changed in July, 2000 when I heard the words for the first time, “your biopsy is positive for breast cancer.” Because I worked for a breast surgeon for eleven of my twenty-seven years at the University of Miami my first thought was: How bad is my cancer? Then I thought am I going to die.

I was diagnosed with a stage I, multi-focal, invasive left breast cancer. The first procedure I had was a lumpectomy followed by a modified radical mastectomy, and three months later my right breast was removed prophylactically (meaning by choice). I had no breasts for the first five years as I had many concerns about going under anesthetic, rejecting the implant, and worrying how they would look. After having the opportunity to meet an artist/photographer and his friend who is a body painter I decided to be daring and have my body painted so that I could inspire other survivors and to let them know that they too, can still look beautiful after having both or one breast removed. AS THE COOL PAINT BRUSHED ACROSS MY BODY I FLASHED BACK TO THE DAY I WAS WHEELED INTO THE OPERATING ROOM TO HAVE BOTH MY BREASTS REMOVED. HAVING MY BODY PAINTED HAS TRULY BEEN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO SHARE MY DREAM OF HOW THE BEAUTY OF BREAST CANCER CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I hated not feeling like a woman, but I overcame this one day after interviewing a young girl for the book I was writing. After talking about breast reconstruction she decided to “flash me her breasts” and told me that I should get a pair. What a shock that was. Needless to say, it is because of her that I now have size "B" boobs!
For me having had breast cancer is “A gift without the bow.” The not- so- great part of the gift is that I eventually lost both my breasts. The best part is that I was able to choose the size breast I wanted and to give back the blessings I received by speaking to high school and college age students letting them know that being proactive with their body is important, and if they felt uncomfortable with the doctor they are seeing it is okay to question someone of authority. Seek a second opinion if they have to, but be proactive!

After speaking for two years to the students, I wanted to do more. I decided to write my book ‘The Empty Cup Runneth Over,’ which is a treasure trove of information to help inspire, empower, and educate young women and men about breast cancer. To date, I have spoken to hundreds of thousands of students as well as to middle school students.

If having had breast cancer wasn’t challenging enough, my greatest challenge came when my 20 year marriage ended. Sometimes I feel the break-up was caused by my having had breast cancer because we drifted apart after that. In some circumstances breast cancer either brings couples together or breaks up a relationship. I do not have any regrets divorcing, but being single, now 55 years old, and having had breast cancer is a lot of baggage to carry around. Dating is difficult because when does someone let their date know they are a survivor? It is hard for me since I wrote a book and of course I let my date know what the book is about. Next question from my date “Oh, are you a survivor?” I proudly say yes. Guess what? No second date. I have to say that I have overcome this challenge because I know I am a good person and very confident.

I continue to inspire and educate young women and men by participating on many health panels and speak at many conferences. Just recently I was on Sirius satellite radio and spoke at the ACS Making Strides for Breast Cancer, on channel 6 South Florida Today Show, and made front cover to our Miami Herald Neighbors newspaper section.

I would like all breast cancer survivors to know that being diagnosed is not a death sentence, and to surround themselves with positive people. Diet and exercise are important, maintaining a healthy body weight, and limiting alcohol intake are all important to living a healthy lifestyle. Peace of mind is very important, and I have found mine by giving back and helping others.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Journey Through The World of Breast Cancer

Below is a little about me and my journey through the world of breat cancer. While Self Breast Examination is important, "Awareness" is crucial for early diagnosis both for men and women as breast cancer has no boundaries. There is a 1-2% risk for men developing the disease. For more information please visit my website www.theemptycuprunnethover.com and watch several educational videos, radio shows I have been on, and more important, the survivor stories. Thank You, Cindy Papale/author/breast cancer survivor

My name is Cindy Papale, and I am a breast cancer survivor. My life totally changed in July, 2000 when I heard the words for the first time, “your biopsy is positive for breast cancer.” Because I worked for a breast surgeon for eleven of my twenty-seven years at the University of Miami my first thought was: How bad is my cancer? Then I thought am I going to die.

I was diagnosed with a stage I, multi-focal, invasive left breast cancer. The first procedure I had was a lumpectomy followed by a modified radical mastectomy, and three months later my right breast was removed prophylactically (meaning by choice). I had no breasts for the first five years as I had many concerns about going under anesthetic, rejecting the implant, and worrying how they would look. After having the opportunity to meet an artist/photographer and his friend who is a body painter

I decided to be daring and have my body painted so that I could inspire other survivors and to let them know that they too, can still look beautiful after having both or one breast removed. AS THE COOL PAINT BRUSHED ACROSS MY BODY I FLASHED BACK TO THE DAY I WAS WHEELED INTO THE OPERATING ROOM TO HAVE BOTH MY BREASTS REMOVED. HAVING MY BODY PAINTED HAS TRULY BEEN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO SHARE MY DREAM OF HOW THE BEAUTY OF BREAST CANCER CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I hated not feeling like a woman, but I overcame this one day after interviewing a young girl for the book I was writing. After talking about breast reconstruction she decided to “flash me her breasts” and told me that I should get a pair. What a shock that was. Needless to say, it is because of her that I now have size "B" boobs!For me having had breast cancer is “A gift without the bow.” The not- so- great part of the gift is that I eventually lost both my breasts. The best part is that I was able to choose the size breast I wanted and to give back the blessings I received by speaking to high school and college age students letting them know that being proactive with their body is important, and if they felt uncomfortable with the doctor they are seeing it is okay to question someone of authority. Seek a second opinion if they have to, but be proactive!After speaking for two years to the students, I wanted to do more. I decided to write my book ‘The Empty Cup Runneth Over,’ which is a treasure trove of information to help inspire, empower, and educate young women and men about breast cancer.

To date, I have spoken to hundreds of thousands of students as well as to middle school students.If having had breast cancer wasn’t challenging enough, my greatest challenge came when my 20 year marriage ended. Sometimes I feel the break-up was caused by my having had breast cancer because we drifted apart after that. In some circumstances breast cancer either brings couples together or breaks up a relationship. I do not have any regrets divorcing, but being single, now 55 years old, and having had breast cancer is a lot of baggage to carry around. Dating is difficult because when does someone let their date know they are a survivor? It is hard for me since I wrote a book and of course I let my date know what the book is about. Next question from my date “Oh, are you a survivor?” I proudly say yes. Guess what? No second date. I have to say that I have overcome this challenge because I know I am a good person and very confident. I continue to inspire and educate young women and men by participating on many health panels and speak at many conferences.

Just recently I was on Sirius satellite radio and spoke at the ACS Making Strides for Breast Cancer, on channel 6 South Florida Today Show, and made front cover to our Miami Herald Neighbors newspaper section.I would like all breast cancer survivors to know that being diagnosed is not a death sentence, and to surround themselves with positive people. Diet and exercise are important, maintaining a healthy body weight, and limiting alcohol intake are all important to living a healthy lifestyle. Peace of mind is very important, and I have found mine by giving back and helping others.

Cindy Papale is the cousin to former Philadelphia Eagle, Vince Papale, whose inspiring story "Invincible" became a movie starring Mark Walhberg, distributed by Disney. The movie was a huge hit, plus the book and DVD.