I will remember

I will remember because these shoes are CUTE!



I will remember because she is smiling under that mask!



A while ago a girlfriend who is a survivor said "one day you will be able to forget this" she said that as the years go it becomes more distant. I NEVER want that to happen. This has been difficult, stressful and exhausting. But it has evolved me. Not just how it changed my body, we have all seen that! It has changed my outlook. I want to think of life every day and how I am actually breathing. When people ask me lately "How are you?" I say "I am breathing and that's half the battle". I am lucky enough to take in air and exhale, as I do that I feel life. I can not stop thinking about those fighting the last round of the cancer battle as they take their last breath and the life leaves them. How they have family next to them suffering because of cancer even though they do not directly have it. They should have peace and calm when they leave, not pain and suffering.If only it was easy for their family to remember the life they had and how great it was (even the hard shitty times was life). Peace comes from within and digging deep for this is a challenge. Yet once you do, you find the calm. I know some of you are ready this thinking WTF did she smoke, but it is me evolving!
 I never really had a filter system but believe me, if you heard the thoughts in my head you would commit me, so I have do a small one. Now I have nothing so if you do not want to know what an ass you are being do not ask, or better yet just stay away. I actually called myself a big ass yesterday because I was being one, looking at myself has been hard during this, but eye opening. I also have been on a mission to tell people how fantastic they are, it makes them smile and that directly makes me feel great. I am selfish like that.
I will not forget because I am on a serious mission to help those suffering from stupid dumb breast cancer. MC and I are starting a support group (with the help of Nikki) to help women, young women, cope with the before, during and after. Exercise the body and release the mind are both the basic part to healthy living.
Cure or Bust will be up and running soon (I will let you know when I start the team, please do not do anything until I do). I will be there to remember how this year challenged me and how I was powerful!! I will be there to give hope to those fighting. I will be celebrating SURVIVORS myself included. But mostly I will be honoring those taken.
The taken are what will keep me remembering. Keep me fighting for the cure of ALL cancers. So, get ready people, get mad with me and help me eradicate cancer. Don't worry we will have a celebration of life, those fighting, those surviving and those lost. They all deserve it!
Posted on September 15, 2012 by AnnMarie Giannino.

And now a word from our sponsor.....

 Anyone that knows me knows how hard I fought for breast education and health before I was diagnosed. I was a manic leader for our CNY Komen team Cure or Bust. That changed on May 5th when I found the lump and had the lumpectomy in June. It increased my drive even more, like off the charts. Yes, I maybe over board and in your face about it but early detection saved my life from stupid dumb breast cancer. The key to prevention is early detection people. Every time I get an email, Face book, text or blog post telling someone got their mammo today because of me or that they sat by their friend as she cried over her double mastectomy. Every time a blogger friend looks to me for support or shoes (Jackie is going to rock her chemo heels and Ashley better not wear those flip flops to treatment again!!). Every time a friend goes for 6 of 6 rounds of chemo and texts me (Rene you better). It solidifies my drive. So, I do not care how many strangers I tell about my journey, how many times I drive my BFF's nuts about being on top of their boobs or how much I promote my chest (its not porn people). I am the poster princess for early detection!!!
Well, I am off to Bridge Street today to spread the early detection word and about the event on October 21st. I do not know if I will be on for 4 minutes or 4 second (they have no idea how much and how fast I can talk). If even just one person gets the picture I am proud, if one person comes to support me at the show it's a success (well not at all, you people better show!!), if just one women fighting says "shit if that crazy lady did it. so can I" then my mission is working.  If just someone, one person  says "damn stupid dumb breast cancer looks good on her" then my hair, outfit and shoes were right on target!!! Here is the link, no clue if they put a clip up, but I hope they do or I will have to play the cancer card:)
http://www.9wsyr.com/content/bridge_street/default.aspx

I am NOT cancer I never was!
 
Posted on September 13, 2012 by AnnMarie Giannino.

Thursday on Bridge Street....

Make sure you tune in to Bridge Street this Thursday as Kaylea and Chris have stupid dumb breast cancer as a guest! How cool is that? What an amazing way to be able to get the word about early detection out. I'm so happy to be able to go on and chat it up, I hope I let them get a word in edge wise. Tom is worried that it's live and they won't have a chance to bleep out all my swearing, kidding people! I don't swear in front of the kids so I will pretend they are there. Honestly, this is what I want to do, just get the word out. The more early detection and mammograms and breast cancer info is heard, the more people are inclined to get off their asses and get checked! So, please tune in to channel 9 at 10am and send me some non- swearing, shirt wearing vibes! Now, what shoes should I wear??
Posted on September 11, 2012 by AnnMarie Giannino.

what a fantastic way to support breast cancer awareness while custom framing your pictures


 

Bring this ad or your ticket to


935 Erie Boulevard East

Corner of Crouse Ave.

474-1000

 

10% of your custom framing purchase will be donated to

Race for the Cure team “Cure or Bust”

Offer valid until November 1, 2012


A battle with stupid dumb breast cancer documented in photographs

Date:  October 21st Time: 4pm until 7pm

Pascale Wine Bar and Restaurant

For tickets and information:

stupiddumbbreastcancer.blogspot.com

315-559-1203

 

 
Posted on September 9, 2012 by AnnMarie Giannino.

It's better to look good than to feel good

After a little boob juice yesterday, a group of girlfriends and myself got all dressed up and had a wonderful gathering last night. The food AMAZING, the wine flowing like the Nile (how many bottles of "good" wine did we go through), the ambiance beautiful, and we looked MARVELOUS!!!! Now I have to say that just because I was wearing a pretty dress and some cute shoes (thanks Margret!!) on the inside I felt like shit. As my friend Fernando says "it's better to look good than to feel good darling". Which I have been quoting a lot, which I have realized no one gets! So check this SNL skit out.

Ok, now for my warped thoughts. Last night made me feel so great. I have known these women for 10 years and see most of them every day at the gym. We have formed a bond based on health. Our goal is to keep our bodies strong, but by creating these friendships we kept our minds even stronger. The group was so kind in their words about me. When they first met me they called me "mighty mouse" because my weights were bigger than my body, that makes me crack up. My one friend said she has learned through me how to treat and help a friend going through something like this. The host commented on how she learned that doing something for a person battling any illness is the only way to help, just asking to "call me if you need anything" doesn't do jack shit because they are never going to call. The fact that I have taught these women this means I have taught others these things, too, and that is exactly what I want to do! I heard things like "inspiration", "strong", "tough", "amazing" these words about little me. All so intense words to me because I feel just, well, average. I am just another girl fighting stupid dumb breast cancer my way. Ok, so here is my warped comment...they basically gave me my eulogy. Now most of you know that I have a funeral background which makes me have an odd sense of death. I have thought about eulogies a lot especially my own. We say all these wonderful words to people at their funeral, they can't hear this and it certainly doesn't make them feel good about themselves when they are gone. Let's face it, while they are alive, we talk smack. We judge each other and bitch about all "faults" others have then when they are gone all we can do is say how wonderful they are. WARPED when you think about it. So, I want to thank these amazing women for not just making me feel great when I felt like shit but saying such kind, sweet words about my bitchy self. Stupid dumb breast cancer: thanks for making my friends give me a living eulogy. Here is my advice today.....tell that someone how amazing they are right now, make them and yourself feel MARVELLOUS!!!!

***Footnote-there was that stanky bitch that said "go home and take your drugs, you look like shit", but we will ignore that since everyone else was nice!
Posted on September 8, 2012 by AnnMarie Giannino.

Mommy is this why your boobies hurt so so bad?


That was my son when he watched this. Naw its fine, I got it! After much debating and lots of advice from friends and fellow boob juice women, I have decided to do one more fill, plus these tatas have shrunk!!I have been obsessed with looking at literally everyone’s boobs, I am getting very good at telling who has fakes and real. I have to live with these for the rest of my life, so does Tom even though he says he does not careJ.  The docs recommend trying on clothes to see how you look and most of my tanks are too big. Now let me say that having stupid dumb breast cancer has given me the right to shop like a mad woman after this so there will be new clothes, but I really like some of my old crap. It is a very hard decision. I am not at all looking forward to getting this down. Yes, now I know how it feels and while the injection of boob juice is bearable, the AFTER pain is not fun. And I have some fun planned this weekend!!! My workout girls are having an "After the Boobs" party tonight, these bitches can not only work out but they are awesome cooks and entertainers. Tomorrow we are going to my favorite restaurant as a bonus my dad and G-Deb is having the boys SLEEP OVER!!!! So the thought of being achy all weekend just sucks, but that it is life.

While I want to really piss and moan, bitch and vent but I cannot stop thinking about Jackie. My heart is heavy for her and her family and the suckiness of what she is going through. I HATE CANCER and how it changes your life and the lives around you. I see how it gets in my friend’s and family’s head and makes them sad.  Honestly, if you have never been affected by cancer, you do not understand the magnitude of how it rips lives up. It is stupid and fucking dumb how a disease really takes control of your life. I know my blog is not medically focused or scientific, but that is not what I need. This is completely for my emotions and how I feel. I will not apologize for the content. You either like me or leave me. I need this release and have found so many other survivors, fighters and those just diagnosed who need it too. I am so friggin happy to help them! Through this struggle I have realized who my support staff is and who is just standing there. Without my support staff, I would have snapped at the onlookers and things could have gotten ugly, so be grateful for them. I really am a nice loving person, really no jok,e I am. What are you saying I am not? WTF, how rude, don't make me smack you!

Genevieve will be there today to not only snap away some pictures but make sure I do not get too big. Gotta love my girls looking out for my girls!

Posted on September 7, 2012 by AnnMarie Giannino.

Tickets are on sale

Please join Genevieve Fridley Photography and me on October 21st from 4pm until 7pm as we display the real, uncensored version of stupid dumb breast cancer. The cost will be $10 advance sale tickets and $15 at the door. The show will be at Pascale's Restaurant in Fayetteville. Ticket sales will begin September 1st. Please contact me at amandtom@msn.com for ticket purchases. Tickets and donations can be paid via PayPal as well. The part of the proceeds will benefit the team CURE OR BUST at the 2013 Race for the Cure on May 18th. The other will go to Stand up to Cancer. https://www.standup2cancer.org/ I am so excited that we are using the money for research and education. Both of organizations are fabulous. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. If we have donations for food we will have more money for these important organizations! Contact me if you would like to donate.
There will be a cash bar and light appetizers, so drink heavily and eat minimal. We are looking for any donations for food and print costs. Genevieve is donating some prints. These print will be used at various events. If you are willing to help with keeping costs down PLEASE contact me. Thanks so The Art Supply Store for donating some framed pictures for the event, so generous. http://www.commercialartsupply.com/ Plus, please check the coupon on the blog as well! They are donating 10% of your purchase to Cure or bust, get your framing done and support the team.
Please mark your calendars and tell your friends. What better way to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month than showcasing a life SAVED from early detection. These pictures have been so incredibly therapeutic for me, amazing how Genevieve captures the emotion. They have also inspired other women going through stupid dumb breast cancer now (and friends of these women who need to see the harsh reality of it). I really hope to see you all there. Stupid dumb breast cancer lit a fire inside me. Join me as we find a way to stop it! I wonder what shoes to wear??!!
 
 
For Tickets Via PayPal. PLEASE tell how many tickets and if they are for survivors!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=HSCXDSM8FDDJJ
Posted on September 4, 2012 by AnnMarie Giannino.