tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13799466868103550502011-07-30T21:49:55.998-04:00Since 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.Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-5861759118416062712009-10-20T21:29:00.002-04:002009-10-20T21:33:35.288-04:00

Hi Folks,We're almost done with another Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I just got home from a great fundraiser, "Cocktails for a Cure," to benefit Dr. Andrea Silber's Sister to Sister Program at the Hospital of St. Raphael.Tons of people showed up at Dunn's Pub for the event, organized by my support group, the Pink Ladies.Still trying to figure out what to do with my left breast.Still concerned

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-10780557575633863372009-08-30T11:34:00.002-04:002009-08-30T11:37:37.164-04:00

Hi Folks,Hope you enjoyed my Aug. 30 column in the Sunday Register about the Rev. William Killeen. He's so inspiring. I apologize for not checking in so often. Covering two towns, plus writing a weekly column, is tough to do.I've been quite tired lately, and my knees and lower back often ache. Don't know if it's the Arimidex, old age or just being overweight.I'm trying to put together a program,

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-39284747212838116542009-07-08T12:25:00.002-04:002009-07-08T12:28:32.159-04:00

Hi Folks,I will be doing a column about Amy O'Neill, a Hamden resident and the longest-living person with a painful skin disease called epidermylosis bullosa. She is totally inspiring, a wonderful person living with a terrible disease all her life. I have never met a person who loves life more than she, but she struggles each day to stay alive. She really needs our prayers.Ann

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-62183704398115310372009-05-10T13:10:00.003-04:002009-05-10T13:17:28.276-04:00

How can something so unpleasant be pleasant? That was my experience with radiation. As you may have seen in my column, I thought radiation was the toughest of all of the breast cancer therapies. For me, it was the one therapy that made me think daily about my cancer diagnosis. After the technologists set you up on the table, the four-food lead door closes and you're on the table alone in your own

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-51028003511871284902009-04-05T12:39:00.002-04:002009-04-05T12:43:12.245-04:00

Folks,I've been so bogged down with work for the Register and for the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Program, my volunteer organization, that I haven't had time to check in. Actually, I think that I just can't do as much any more. My mother tells me to slow down...AAAAAHHHH!! No time for that!Anyhow, I started radiation a week and a half ago. My NuBoob skin is already pink. I did an interview for

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-10747092659279003002009-03-10T17:58:00.002-04:002009-03-10T18:07:25.337-04:00

Hello Folks,Haven't been on here in a while. Thought I'd promote some of my upcoming columns.This week, I'm talking to Josephine DelVecchio, widow of the late Thomas DelVecchio of North Haven. Tom died on March 1, 2008, from lung cancer. Josephine has organized a March 28 fundraiser at Laurel View Country Club in Hamden. Proceeds will benefit The V Foundation, an organization that's raised more

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-55217097037300534082009-02-14T15:00:00.002-05:002009-02-14T15:02:21.891-05:00

Dear Readers,Happy Valentine's Day! Bob and I will truly be celebrating tonight as I got good news from my doctor yesterday. She said that my breast area is now cancer-free following its removal on March 4. I'll be writing about my mastectomy experience in Feb. 22's Register Living section.Thanks for all your support and prayers.Ann

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-62346932171842438622009-02-02T16:19:00.002-05:002009-02-02T16:28:01.316-05:00

Hi Folks,I hope that by the time I get to the operating room on Wednesday I will be calm and at peace. I have been very anxious about this surgery, primarily related to how freaked out I was in the recovery room after the last surgery. My surgeon said that I have no reason to worry about anesthesia or other surgery-related issues.So, I'm going to spend the next 48 hours praying and accepting the

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-47246939266176500852009-02-02T16:18:00.001-05:002009-02-02T16:19:27.624-05:00

Just to continue, I have a ton of work-related things to finish before surgery on Wednesday. Did most of the house-related stuff, though I need to still vaccuum and dust. Ugh.

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-36415356652803111942009-02-02T16:10:00.001-05:002009-02-02T16:18:22.356-05:00

Hi Folks,I have a lot of support connected to getting better, and I really appreciate it.I am very nervous about my pending surgery. I talk to my surgeon today and she said I have nothing to worry about!More later.Ann

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-73511265606470955552009-02-02T16:09:00.001-05:002009-02-02T16:10:40.808-05:00

Hi Folks,Among the things that I have to do before surgery is to make sure that my blog works OK. I have to file four things so that it can get straigtened out.I'll be right back!Ann

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-88789240738653377852009-01-01T16:16:00.000-05:002009-01-01T16:23:16.003-05:00

Hi Folks,Sorry I haven't blogged lately. I was quite busy in the days leading up to my surgery and I must confess, I forgot my password. I had to concentrate for more than a second to figure it out!My surgery on Dec. 30 went well. The doctor removed two pieces of breast tissue and some lymph nodes that appeared abnormal. I spent the days and weeks before surgery praying I was healed and hope that

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-92193116281050936212008-12-12T18:25:00.000-05:002008-12-12T18:26:05.040-05:00

Hey guys. It's been a while but here's the latest video with my gorgeous red hair. Enjoy!

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-51373319052775871142008-11-10T19:44:00.000-05:002008-11-10T19:46:07.233-05:00

Hi,I just wanted to once again thank everyone for all their prayers and thoughts. Not a day goes by that I don't receive a Mass card or have a conversation with someone who tells me they're praying for me or hear about a prayer group that's praying for me. That's totally awesome. I will have a lot to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. My last chemo is Friday and you'll be able to read about it on

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-20257890874337792422008-10-24T20:36:00.000-04:002008-10-24T20:42:42.594-04:00

Hi Folks,I hope you enjoy my newest video. It has pictures from a Lebed Method class I particiapted in on Oct. 12 and from the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Lighthouse Point Park on Oct. 19. I'm especially fond of the video because it features my friend and special angel, Miss Connecticut 2008 Ashley Glenn. Ashley is a physical therapy doctorate student at Quinnipiac University and

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-63607142780806963502008-10-24T16:22:00.001-04:002008-10-24T16:23:10.287-04:00

Here is another video. Thanks to Register photographers Vern Williams and Brad Horrigan for supplying the content for this one. Some great photos.

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-61549900719434029272008-10-18T12:51:00.000-04:002008-10-18T12:59:44.135-04:00

Hi Folks,I'm never up much earlier than 8:30 a.m. but this morning I woke at 5:30 a.m. for the chance to be on NewsChannel 8's Good Morning Connecticut featuring Chris Velardi and Matt Scott! Chris volleyed some questions to me and Dr. Denise Barajas of the Hospital of St. Raphael. He asked me about why I went public with my story, and I got to promote tomorrow's Making Strides Against Breast

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-59352900878565769972008-10-13T16:50:00.000-04:002008-10-13T16:51:09.440-04:00

Here is the sixth video installment of the series.

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-91214819415078456012008-10-12T23:39:00.000-04:002008-10-12T23:45:01.742-04:00

Hi Folks,I thought I'd clarify why I brought up the issue of weight loss in my Oct. 12 column. It's because there is a great connection between fat cells and cancer. If you don't want your cancer to come back then you need to keep the fat away.I exercised this morning! Went to a workshop on the Lebed Method, a form of mild exercise for breast cancer survivors and those who have lymphedema. More

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-34031505012490918582008-09-22T21:55:00.001-04:002008-09-22T22:05:41.648-04:00

Ladies & Gentlemen,It gives me great pleasure to invite you to a Hamden "triple-header." On Friday at 6:30 p.m., there will be a benefit softball game between the Hamden police and the Silver Bullets, a senior team organized by former Hamden Mayor John L. Carusone. Each year, the guys play a benefit softball game and this year they asked me to be honorary chair and to pick the charity. They also

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-70603019399055619822008-09-20T22:21:00.001-04:002008-09-20T22:21:27.819-04:00

Here is the fifth video.

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-25969598160464447532008-09-12T16:49:00.001-04:002008-09-12T16:49:44.287-04:00

Here is the fourth video.

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-26726829234359664112008-09-06T19:09:00.000-04:002008-09-06T19:10:09.842-04:00

Here is the third video.

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-53665570348031615842008-09-06T08:12:00.000-04:002008-09-06T08:15:42.266-04:00

Hi Folks,Wait until you see the video on Sunday Sept. 7. Web producer Brett Orzechowski did a phenomenal job putting together the segment at my chemotherapy treatment.As I've said before, I've always believed that as a reporter I am a teacher of the public. By talking to all of you about breast cancer specifically and cancer in general, I am broadening that mission.Hope you check out my column on

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-68221201769021715352008-08-31T10:05:00.000-04:002008-08-31T10:07:24.076-04:00

Hi Folks,I hope you enjoyed my second video, when what was left of my hair was shaved at New Haven Hair & Skin Studio in North Haven. Many thanks to Andrea Torre, who did a great job! Andrea has been working with cancer patients for 23 years. She trained under the great Vincent Farricielli. Both were on the ground level helping the American Cancer Society and the Looking Forward program at St.

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-16909111798002842652008-08-29T17:20:00.000-04:002008-08-29T17:36:25.656-04:00

Here is the second video. In case you want to watch the video in full screen, click the third icon in from the right (the one that's shaped like a television). To return to the regular screen, press the ESC button.

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-78964450668051324632008-08-29T17:09:00.000-04:002008-08-29T17:36:41.125-04:00

In case you missed it, here is the video introduction to my story. Each week, a video will accompany the column. Thanks for reading.And now watching.

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-74909667886789636332008-08-27T18:50:00.000-04:002008-08-27T18:54:57.027-04:00

Hi Folks,Shaving my head wasn't as traumatic as I expected. Based on all the knowledge I've had from friends who've gone through cancer, and from the kind people who have offered comments and suggestions, I was fully ready for this step.I got a closely-cropped haircut first, and hair continued to fall out over the weekend. On Monday Aug. 25, I went to Andrea Torre of Hair Replacement Concepts,

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-14250168272440105802008-08-22T23:25:00.000-04:002008-08-22T23:27:20.726-04:00

Since my breast cancer diagnosis on June 9, 2008, I have spent a fairly decent amount of time wondering "why me?" In my case, I had several risk factors staring me in the face: obesity, heredity and never having had children. I also enjoyed a glass of wine or beer almost every night. The American Cancer Society says all four risk factors play into an increased chance for breast cancer.Cancer

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1379946686810355050.post-25241499913898673252008-08-22T18:21:00.001-04:002008-08-22T18:25:59.582-04:00

Hi Folks,I hope you enjoy my column, which will appear in Sunday's paper. Let me know your thoughts.In case you missed my first two columns, you can find them here and here.Ann

Ann DeMatteohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15376939056916237514noreply@blogger.com1