Contrary to my baser capitalistic instincts, I digitized and offered free of charge a couple of breast cancer pink ribbon logos. I was completely unprepared for the response I got from so many people who have been affected from breast cancer. This has recently hit a little closer to home for me. The sister of a friend has had a double mastectomy this past week resulting from her first mammogram. She went in for her baseline mammogram and a suspicious area was identified. Consequently, breast cancer was diagnosed through the biopsy and surgery was scheduled. She elected to have a double mastectomy, not wanting to possibly go through the process again. Cancer cells have since been identified from cells in the second breast so it appears to have been the right decision to proceed with the double mastectomy. She’s now dealing with the aftermath of such a radical change to her body as well as the post-op care.

Doctors do their best to prepare you for what’s ahead but until it happens to you, you can’t begin to image or anticipate how you will react to the resulting changes to your body. Cold hard facts are presented and possible treatments discussed. Before and after are pictures presented. But no one can prepare you for what happens in the middle. I’ve come across a great story and website that I found to be decidedly different. I hope it can help someone who’s looking for some answers after they’ve had a mastectomy and are starting down the road to recovery and reconstruction.  It's sponosored in part by the Susan G. Komen foundation

It tells the story through pictures by a professional photographer not in a cold medical chronicle but a very moving and tasteful pictorial. Please take the time to check it out, visit the links and read her story. The end result for her was beautiful.

Many people have downloaded my free pink ribbon designs and have taken the time to share their stories. I invite any who have done pink ribbon embroidery, whether from my designs or others, to email pictures or stories to me and, with their permission, I’ll post the results of their work on a special pink ribbon page on my website. I recently added a pink ribbon appliqué to my site as well. If you can’t find the breast cancer or pink ribbon embroidery design you need, drop me an email and some art and I will do my best to get you what you need.

In the meantime, get those mammograms and check ups and don’t forget those self exams. If it helps, ask a friend ... and Good Luck with the boobies!

....for Kim...