RSS
Video: Living with Breast Cancer, Part III
Here is the third video.
posted by Ann DeMatteo at
7:09 PM
Blogs > Ann DeMatteo's Why Us?
Since my breast cancer diagnosis on June 9, 2008, I have spent a fairly decent amount of time wondering "why me?" I would like to hear from you about your cancer stories. Let's create a dialogue of learning, sharing and hope.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
About Me
- Name: Ann DeMatteo
- Location: New Haven, CT, United States
Ann DeMatteo covers Hamden and North Haven for the New Haven Register. In her 30 years at the paper, she has written various stories about cancer-related issues, including the bladder cancer connection to the former Upjohn Co. plant in North Haven and the brain cancer cluster study currently underway for 250,000 current and former employees of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. Breast cancer is slowing down her daily schedule, but is not stopping her creativity or her commitment to inform the public about their towns and now, about cancer causes, treatments and cures. She enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, friends and family, her twin niece and nephew, who are 5, and singing at karaoke.
- Sunday's video
- The second video
- Video - Living with Breast Cancer, Part II
- Video - Living with Breast Cancer
- I'm now an egghead
- More About Me
- My first post
Subscribe to
Posts [Atom]
3 Comments:
Annie.....Guess who? Your favorite Miss Shoreline! I just wanted to tell you that you look beautiful bald. Your wigs are fab too. Hey ever think of going blonde? Continue to inspire the world, and your mission is complete! Please know that I keep you in my thoughts daily, and in my nightly prayers. Your humor will get you healthy. As attitude is the essence of recovery. Take it from a nurse! Keep your face to the sun and you will make it through! Keep the blogs, video, and articles coming. I love to see your smiling face and infectious laugh. Love and miss you, Mandie
WOW, Ann..."It's painless." We have come so far since my breast cancer chemo 21 years ago. Then, there was no port and through each succeeding month of chemo, my veins resisted and it did HURT! My last chemo was done through a vein in my wrist because we'd exhausted other sites.
The video was terrific. It shows other things that didn't happen -- nothing at all really on which to take a note -- as you dutifully do in your video. Blood? blood components? I usually heard my white cell count and that was it. Where and when to avoid others? None of that. I was told not to have a manicure because all 26 lymph nodes (another change) were taken from under my left arm and some were cancerous. They said I would't be able to stave off infections. (I love manicures and pedicures today, by the way, but I am scarred by one leg infection on that side...)
The journey starts off as a very lonely and private one until you let in all of the millions of people who have already been there. And what the heck...there's always room for a good cry.
Your video made my eyes well up -- as I was transported back in time to the chemo room and the solitude and the wild thoughts. Twenty-one years later, the memory is still vivid but usually in hiding until I bring it out to share with someone such as you who needs to know there is hope. Everything will be just fine again.
I don't write this for pity. It's therapeutic. I say it to rejoice in how far the research has come and how proud I am to have been a part of it all. My first five years, I was understandably self-centered about this -- working on my own health and getting well. But 16 years ago I did get involved with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. That organization has been the leader in worldwide research advocacy and action on breast cancer.
I can't attend your fundraising ballgame on the 26th...thought I might be able to rearrange a family trip but I cannot. And I guess we won't be having our Scriber reunion this year -- maybe next. But maybe we'll still see each other soon. Keep your chin up. You are in many people's prayers...
Hi Ann,
I've been reading all of your columns and finally got over here to your blog.
Your videos are great. You're a star! You're a natural at explaining and educating people about the whole process.
I see what you mean about it not being like breaking your foot!
You have a wonderful sense of humor, which is going to help you through all of this.
Sending you good thoughts.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home