FRIDAY FARE: Christmas Party Recipe Share...

Recipes from our Christmas party. I realize that these aren't exactly "healthy" recipes, but they were good! I'm not sure who brought some of these recipes...

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup coconut, if desired
1 (18 oz) roll Pillsbury Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookies

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and egg; beat until smooth. Stir in coconut.

2. Break up half of cookie dough into ungreased 9 or 8-inch square pan. With floured fingers, press dough evenly in bottom of pan to form crust. Spread cream cheese mixture over dough. Crumble and sprinkle remaining half of dough over cream cheese mixture.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Cool 30 minutes. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until chilled. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

Championship Bean Dip - from Colette Harris

1 can refired beans
1 cup picante (salsa)
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
3/4 cup sour cream
1 pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 T. chili powder
1/4 tsp. cumin

Mix ingredients together. Put in a crock pot and cook for 2-3 hours on low.

Cake Mix Cookies - from Beth Crowley

1 cake mix, any flavor. To the dry cake mix, add 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 2 eggs. Mix well. You can add chocolate chips, nuts, peanut butter chips, raisins, or any other add-in. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drop the batter by spoonfuls about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching closely because they brown quickly.

Avalanche Cookies - from Kathy Howard

1 1/2 pounds white chocolate or almond bark
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
5-6 cups Golden Grahams cereal

Melt white choc. or almond bark in double broiler. Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Mix until evenly coated. Drop by teaspoonfuls on waxed paper. Cool 1 hour.

Easy Mint Thins

Round buttery crackers
Mint oil
Melting chocolate
Optional - sprinkles or crushed peppermint candy

Melt chocolate according to directions, add a few drops of mint oil and stir. Coat crackers on both sides with chocolate and cool to harden. You may add sprinkles or crushed peppermint to the top of mints before cooling.

Mini Cheesecakes - from Colette Harris

24 Nilla wafers
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 (8 oz.) pkgs cream cheese, softened
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
cherry or raspberry pie filling or strawberry jam

Place cupcake liners in 24 muffin tins. Put one Nilla wafer in each liner, round side up. Combine sugar, eggs, cream cheese, lemon juice, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Spoon cream cheese mixture on the Nilla wafers, filling cups 1/2 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Let cool completely, then carefully remove papers. (They sink in the center.) Top with pie filling or jam. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Hints: I freeze the cheesecakes before I add the filling. They come out of the papers easier without sticking to the sides. Using the silver metallic cupcake liners also help the cheesecakes not to stick to the sides as much. Sometimes, before serving the cheese cakes, I will add a little cool whip to the top of each one and then add a small raspberry or cherry to the center - depending on the type of pie filling I use.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Brenda Coffee's Blog Post - Holidays, Cancer, and Hope...

Finally back from the holiday bustle! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Today, I thought I'd share a blog post I read a few days ago on Brenda Coffee's blog. She is such a great writer, and said many things that resonated with me. The post was called "Holidays, Cancer, and Hope", and can be found on the home page of her blog - BREAST CANCER SISTERHOOD. This is a blog I read often, because I signed up for her newsletter. While you're visiting her blog, go ahead and sign up for the newsletter. You'll get an email whenever she posts something. It's really nice.

Tomorrow, I'll try to post some of the yummy recipes we enjoyed at our Sister Survivors Christmas party a few weeks ago.

Have a great day!

-Kara

Merry Christmas!

Ladies -

This week is crazy busy, with all the Christmas preparations. I've been so busy, in fact, that I have barely any Christmas shopping done. So, I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and let you know that I won't be posting on this blog for this week, but next week I'll get back to posting each day. Let me leave you with this post, by Kathy Christensen - guest blogger... enjoy your holidays, and count your blessings!

-Kara


"Last weekend I traveled to St. George to spend time with my mother who is in the final stages of Multiple Myaloma (Cancer of the bone marrow. We are no strangers to Cancer in my family. Dad has survived Colon Cancer,Prostate Cancer, and also has skin cancers removed on a regular basis. I am a Breast Cancer Survivor and thankfully received the report this week that my follow up mammogram was clean and Cancer free.

As I spent these precious moments with my mother, I looked on this blessed Christmas Season with a new and profound gratitude. My mother's days are now numbered. She is made more comfortable and pain free by Methadone, Oxygen and Ativan for anxiousness. As I pondered in my mind the significance of this holiday and why we celebrate it, I realized (or rediscovered) that my mother is going to a far better place. She lost a little girl with Liver disease over 50 years ago and that baby (Cindy was her name)has waited a long time to have her mother back.

As we gather on Christmas Eve this year with our family, we will once again celebrate the life and mission of our Savior Jesus Christ. His life and mission are the most precious gifts that any of us will ever receive. Because of Him, we know our loved ones are not gone forever; they are just absent for a short time until we will eventually, at our appointed time, join them never again to be separated.

Despite the fact that Cancer is NOT my friend, I will be forever grateful in the part it has played to strengthen my level of gratitude for this knowledge and the strength it gives me each and every day of my life."

15th of the Month Reminder

Today is SELF CHECK day!

On the 15th of each month, remember to do your breast self-exam.

Go to Cancer.org to find a self-check guide.

TUESDAY TIDINGS - A Breast Cancer Survivor's Blog...

I found a blog about a woman's breast cancer journey a little over a year ago that I really felt the need to follow. Why? Well, first, this woman was of the same faith I am, so many of the things she wrote about during her cancer journey resonated with me and touched me deeply. When I started reading her blog, she was close to the end of her cancer journey. She was diagnosed in 2007, and I found the blog at the end of 2009. One of the first things I read about was her decision to stop fighting the cancer with chemo, and live the rest of her life free from the complications chemo caused. This is the second reason I decided to follow her blog. I wanted to understand this decision she made. It was a tough one, and I'm not sure what I would have done in a similar situation. Another reason... her faith was so strong that it grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I found myself cheering for her, crying with her, hoping with her. And then came the day that I found out she had died. It was a hard thing for me to read about. She had several young children, and a wonderful husband - and I found myself wishing that she was still here. I don't think I've been as touched by any other blog as I have with Amber's.

Some of the things that I remember her saying...

"There are days when I long for heaven, and days when I long to stay here on Earth."

"I am trying to live well, and trying to die well. It is a difficult thing to do."

"I am a woman of faith, and I know that God's plan was not for me to beat my cancer. I know He has a purpose for calling me home early, and I know that I will be my children's guardian angel after I die."

It's been a year now since Amber Chase passed away, and I just stumbled on her blog again. So, I thought I'd share it with you. All of her writings are archived there - if you wish to read any of the posts, simply click on the archives, and the posts will show up down the left side of the blog.

Be aware that some of these posts can be difficult to read, especially if you are still going through your cancer journey. It is not my intent to upset anyone, or make things harder for anyone. So, if you think you need to wait awhile before visiting this blog, that's fine. However, it is very inspirational. Hopefully you'll find something in Amber's writings that will help you.

-Kara

The blog address is: http://amberchase.weebly.com/our-blog.html

MONDAY MEMOIRS - Friendship on the road...

We had such a great time last Thursday night with all you wonderful survivors. I've been thinking since then about friendship, and what it means to have friends that have walked the exact road you have. It's one of the most important things I've found - that having someone to talk to and to help you, someone who knows exactly what you needs, is such an important part of the cancer journey.

"For a shield from the storm, for a friend, for a love to keep me safe and warm...I turn to you. For the strength to be strong, for the will to carry on...for everything you do, for everything thats true, I turn to you."
-Christina Aguilera

"You were the one who made things different, you were the one who took me in. You were the one thing I could count on, above all, you were my friend."
- Tom Petty

"Once there was a darkness, a deep and endless night, you gave me everything you had and oh, you gave me light"
-Sarah Mclaughlan

What do you think about friendship? Is it important? Why? Grab your cancer journal and write a few words.

Have a great day!

-Kara

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - River Trip

Guest blogger, Nancy Christensen sent in this post:

Back in June of 1996, I took my three sons on an eight day river trip through the Grand Canyon. It was a trip I had planned and saved for years to take. What an experience it was! We were in the hands of capable and well trained river guides and it was indeed the trip of a life time for us. On the first day they taught us what to do if we went overboard; how to breathe; how to use our feet to keep the boulders away; how to stay calm....you get the drift. Just after lunch we boarded the rafts to begin our progression throught the rapid named "Hermit". They had just flooded the canyon and that stretch of water looked anything but inviting. My boys wanted to go first, so off we went (after the river guides had carefully scouted the water and how it was running) The rest of the group stayed back to photograph us as we went through. The waves were huge and to say the least, my heart was in my throat. I was in the back of the raft while my three sons were up front trying to keep the nose of the boat down as the river guide proceeded to move us through the rapids. Well, to make a long story short, the raft flipped and I kept moving forward, while my boys were picked up quickly. They had moved safely in to an eddy, and were put back in the raft. Then the river guide and my sons were off to get me. Of course I was panic stricken as I tried to decide when to breathe while those huge waves began smashing down on me. I honestly thought "This might be it....my life might end right here!" The river guides were true pros and they had us all back on the shore within 30 minutes, and no worse for the wear except my frazzled nerves. The guide told us that the river is very forgiving and the thing that kills people is panic and fear. If you relax and go with the flow, things usually work out. I have found that the same principle applies when dealing with Cancer. No good comes from unrest. Unrest, fear, panic, anger or sadness may motivate us, but our best effort emerges after these feelings have been replaced by peace. We will not accomplish our task and sooner or any better by performing it out of a sense of urgency, fear, panic or sadness. Let go of unrest. Let peace fill the void. We do not have to forfet our God-given personal power (or our peace)to so the work we are called upon to do today. Let peace come first. Then proceed. The task will get done naturally and on time.

(some thoughts used from Melodie Beattie's book "The Language of Letting Go.")

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - Sister Survivor Christmas Tree...

Here is the small Christmas tree I did for our Sister Survivor Christmas Party - it's very pink! I made our logo (double ribbon) into ornaments! I especially like the feather boa base, and the tiny pink disco balls! What do you think?






-Kara

TUESDAY TIDINGS: Christmas Party this Thursday night...

Sorry this blog hasn't been updated for the last week. This is the busiest time of the year - at least for me! ;-)

The news for today is about the Christmas Party this Thursday night at my house. I've sent out an email to everyone on the list. Phone calls will be going out hopefully today to all who don't have email. We now have 51 members! Here is the information I sent to the email list:
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The party will be held on Thursday, December 9th, from 6:30-9:00. It's an open house, so even if you can't come for the entire party, please try to stop by to say "hi". The party will be at Kara's house. My address is 5359 W. Earl Place, Highland.

Directions: (let me apologize in advance for the silly construction)

From south: take I-15 to the Thanksgiving Point exit (this is the last exit before going around the point of the mountain into Salt Lake Valley). Turn right (East) - going toward Timpanogos Mountain. Go about 7-8 miles. You'll come up into the middle of Highland. There will be a Kohlers grocery store on the right, along with a Dominoes Pizza and Subway. At that light (Alpine Highway), turn right. Go 1 mile. This will take you through 1 traffic light. After the light, take the first left into the subdivision. My house is the first (corner) house on the right side of the street. It's the only one without Christmas lights! Haha! (a landmark is my neighbors house - the first on the left side - it has a HUGE flagpole in the front yard. You really can NOT miss it!).

If any of you are coming from the north - just take that first exit as you come around the point of the mountain - Thanksgiving Point/Timpanogas, and follow these same directions.

If you live close to me, hopefully the landmarks that I've mentioned will help you find the place.

There are different ways to come, but these are the easiest directions to follow, I think.

We will be doing two fun things for the party (besides having several door prizes/presents, food, and hanging out with friends)...

1. If you'd like to participate in our COOKIE EXCHANGE, please bring a plate of your favorite Christmas treat (cut them into bite size pieces if you can), and copies of the recipes to exchange. Plan on around 40 copies. This will really help me with the food, so I appreciate everyone who can participate.

2. If you'd like to participate in our BOOK EXCHANGE, bring a copy of one of your favorite books (new). Please wrap the book, so no one can see it. We will put all of the books together. If you bring a book, you can go home with one.

***IMPORTANT*** You don't have to do either the cookie, or book, exchange. If you choose not to do those, PLEASE come anyway. Those are totally optional. If you don't bring a book, you just won't go home with one. No big deal. If you don't bring a treat, I promise there will be PLENTY of food. So, no worries.

This is an adult party - no kids please. It's not that I don't love kids, but my house won't hold that many people at once. ;-)

You can, of course, bring your husband, or your friend, or your sister, or whoever - or come by yourself. I would just like to know how many will be coming, so that I can plan the food accordingly. So, PLEASE R.S.V.P. to me - either reply to this email, or call me at 801-360-4666. If you know of someone who is not part of our group, but should be, please invite them.

I'm so excited to have you all here. Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I'm excited to share my home with all of you.

I look forward to hearing from you - let me know: 1) how many will be coming 2) if you will be bringing treats, and 3) if you are participating in the book exchange.

-Kara

MONDAY MEMOIRS - The Christmas Season...

I was going through chemo during the Christmas season of 2008. In fact, it worked out that I had 2 chemo treatments that December. I'm normally a "Christmas" person - I decorate a ton, love to shop, and generally get very into the holiday spirit. I love to attend things like Festival of Trees, and love to drive around looking at Christmas lights. I remember that year - I just didn't have the strength to do any decorating, or attend anything. My sister came and decorated for me, and I had help taking things down after the holidays. I didn't do any baking that year, and I really just had to rely on others to help make the holidays special for my family. My parents took me out shopping, and even did some of the shopping for me.

A few things that helped - I did most of my shopping online. It was better for me, because I didn't want to go out around crowds. I accepted help from others, and learned about that wonderful thing called charity. Everyone understood that I couldn't do things I normally did.

As I run around this year, trying to get ready for Christmas, my thoughts go back to 2008. It was a hard time for me. This weekend, as I tried to decorate my 12 foot Christmas tree by myself, I remembered that I couldn't even put this tree up in 2008. I just didn't have the strength. I still didn't have the strength to do it last year. This year, my kids helped me, and there it is - my beautiful tree! I still need help to keep up with everything, but I'm slowly and surely getting back to my old "Christmas" self.

Today, take a minute to sit down and write in your cancer journal...

How did you get through the holidays when you were sick? What kinds of things help to make that time easier? Who helped? What did you miss being able to do?

And finally...

Count all of your blessings - being alive to enjoy the Christmas season is one of my biggest blessings!

Merry Christmas!

-Kara

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Give Your Troubles to God...

We are excited to hear from guest blogger & Sister Survivor member, Kathy Christensen, for today's blog post...

Several years ago after my second divorce, I was home trying to get
my life on track. Of course my spirits were low and I was doing my best
to "keep my head above water" each day. During the stressful times of my
life I have found it quite therapeutic to go window shopping in an effort
to get my mind on something besides my looming problems. Even though I
usually don't have the money to make any big purchases, it is fun to just
look and stroll along.

So off to the mall I went on this particular day. As I leisurely
passed all of the stores at the mall, my spirits began to lift. I
stopped for a Coke (my drug of choice) and things continued to look a
little brighter yet. I love card and gift stores so I wandered into the
first Hallmark store I found. I chuckled as I read some of the greeting
cards and found that it felt good to genuinely be laughing even a little.
I then came to the section of the store where they had mounted quotes on
display. As I browsed along one particular frame caught my eye. It
read, "Before you go to bed at night, give your troubles to God....He'll
be up all night anyway."

I was so taken by this message that I purchased the frame on the
spot because there was only one copy. When I got home that frame found
its new home on the headboard of my bed. Each evening as I retired to my
room to say my prayers and settle down for the night that thought gave me
such great comfort and strength. Cancer had not yet become part of my
personal vocabulary, but when that time in my life came, this thought was
safely locked away in my mind for quick recall. I knew that God would
be "up all night" to support me wherever and whenever I needed His help.

And so it is for each and every one of you Sister Survivors. None of
us need to travel this frightening and difficult journey alone. We are
here for each other and God is there for US whenever the journey gets
particularly rough. HE IS UP ALL NIGHT to offer support, help and love
whenever we need Him. All we have to do is humbly ask for His help.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - Head Down the Hill in Style - Pink Style!

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Hats off to Winter!

The snow is here! You better bundle up...

I had to have chemo during the winter, and it was a good time to wear hats. American Cancer Society's Tender Loving Care is a great place to shop for hats, scarves, wigs, and other head coverings.

My favorite "toppings" were the Cotton/Spandex turbans. They were comfortable, and I could jazz them up with beautiful scarves or braided twists...



I also had a favorite hat - the Cotton Knit Cloche.


And my favorite scarf was the Emma.



Each one of these coverings provided warmth during the cold winter months. If you'd like to shop online, go to www.tlcdirect.org. You can also call for a catalog, and to order: 1-800-850-9445.

Here's to a stylish winter!

MONDAY MEMOIRS - Cold & Flu Season

I've had two severe colds in the last month, and winter just started. Each cold I get seems to last forever, and is worse than the previous one. I think one of the problems is that my immune system is not as strong as it used to be. It's been a year and a half since my last chemo treatment, and I kind of expected to not have these problems still. But, as I've talked to other cancer survivors, I've learned that it can take 2-5 years to get back to your "normal" pre-cancer self. The fact that I can get back to my old self is good - but I wish it didn't take so much time. It seems that with each new cold, I get weaker and weaker. I guess this would be a good time to make sure I've got a flu shot, that I'm eating fruits and vegetables, and that I get lots of rest.

Today, open your journal and talk about getting better. As you think about this, try to recognize the things you are doing that help you feel better. Is there something you are trying that helps? Maybe you take a nap each day, and that helps boost your energy - or maybe you are careful to stay away from others who are sick.

My advice: Be careful of crowds. If you feel a cold coming on, get plenty of rest and Vitamin C. Take care of yourself!

FRIDAY FARE: Elegant Turkey, Cranberry, & Brie Quesadilla

Looking for healthy recipes for Breast Cancer patients, I came across this information posted at the Avon Foundation Breast Center, at Johns Hopkins Medicine website:



Guidelines for Healthy Eating



There are no food or dietary supplements that will act as “magic bullets” to prevent breast cancer from returning. National Cancer Institute guidelines for cancer prevention can be used to decrease the chance of a breast cancer recurrence. These guidelines include:



* Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

* Decrease fat intake to <>

* Minimize intake of cured, pickled and smoked foods

* Achieve and maintain a healthy weight

* Alcohol consumption should be done in moderation, if at all



So, today's recipes include fruit - and it's a great recipe for all the leftover turkey you'll have next week! ;-) I found this recipe on Healthy Kids Recipes (www.healthy-kids-recipes.com), and I can't wait to try it!



ELEGANT TURKEY, CRANBERRY & BRIE QUESADILLA





Chive Topping:

1/2 cup Sour cream, low fat

1 oz (1/2 cup) Chives, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon Fresh garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon Lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/8 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, ground



Quesadilla:

1 lb Turkey breast cutlets (or use leftover Thanksgiving turkey)

2 cups Brie, rind removed

8 Flour tortillas, low fat, 8-inch

1 cup Cranberries, sweetened dried

1/2 cup Walnuts, toasted and chopped

1/2 cup Chives, thinly sliced



Preheat oven to 350°F. Purée chive topping ingredients in food processor until smooth. Refrigerate. Sauté cutlets in lightly oiled skillet over medium heat 5 minutes per side until turkey is no longer pink in center and reaches internal temperature of 170°F. Cool and shred.



To make quesadilla:

Spread 1/2 cup Brie over tortilla.

Layer 1/2 cup turkey, 1/4 cup cranberries, 2 tablespoons walnuts and 2 tablespoons chives.

Top with second tortilla.

Bake quesadillas on baking sheet 8 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted.

Cut into wedges. Serve with chive topping. Makes 4 quesadillas.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS: Rain Dancing...

We have a new guest poster - Kathy Christensen. She is one of our own Sister Survivors, and she'll be posting here each week on Thursday Thoughts:

When I came to the first meeting for Sister Survivors, I didn't know quite what to expect. Not knowing anyone in the room, I decided to mostly listen and see what this organization was all about. As I listened to Kara, Collete and Bethanie, I couldn't help but be fascinated by their stories, their experiences and their positiveness. Later, when I listened to many of the survivors tell of their experiences, I felt almost unworthy to be in the room. My own Cancer adventure, although huge and disconcerting to me, didn't hold a candle to all that these many women had endured.

I was diagnosed on December 10, 2008, and had a lumpectomy on January 2, 2009. My very small tumor(less than a centimeter in size) was found during a routine mammogram. Because of this great blessing I was spared the rigors of Chemo Therapy and did not even come close to needing a Mastectomy. I decided that I could truly be the poster child for mammograms....Perhaps THAT is what I could contribute to the group.

At the November meeting I volunteered to try my hand at providing the Thursday Thoughts for the blog. I was happy to lighten the load for Kara any way that I could. As I thought of where I might begin, I remembered a wonderful little plaque that I found to give my best friend for her birthday birthday. It read like this:

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass; it is about learning to dance in the rain."

I absolutely fell in love with this thought because I feel that all of of us do
our fair share of "raindancing" as we progress through our lives. I feel that the women I have met in the Sister Survivors group are among the bravest and most courageous that I have ever had the privilege to meet. So carry on dear Sister Survivors....every one of you. You are among the best "raindancers" I have ever seen. The world can learn from all of us as we help lift, encourage and support one another. I am most proud to be a part of this group.

Sincerely,

Kathleen T Christensen (Kathy)

Pink Mountain Peaks

With all the funky winter weather going on here in Utah, I thought I'd share some of the beautiful "pink" pictures of Salt Lake and our famous mountains. The sunsets - especially during "bad" weather, are often very colorful, and make our mountains glow. I feel lucky every day when I wake up and glance out my window at these majestic peaks. It just makes me happy... ENJOY!


Salt Lake City

Wasatch Mountain Range

Beautiful Pink Peaks

And, one that I took a few months ago, in my backyard - very weird weather. The air was heavy, and everything glowed. This one isn't pink, but still beautiful...

Services and Programs Provided by the American Cancer Society and Sister Survivors

The American Cancer Society has many programs and services that are helpful for breast cancer survivors and their families:

Look Good... Feel Better:
Information and guidance to help women undergoing treatment. I've taken this class and I really enjoyed it. This class will help you understand how best to take care of your skin during chemo, how to apply makeup, care for wigs, and how to use scarves and hats. Participants are given a make up bag filled with products from beauty companies. 2 hour classes are available. You must preregister to attend class.

Annette Nielsen: 801-812-5584, Jodi Trost 801-357-8767, or Sharon Hinckley 801-493-4724.

2nd Tuesday of the month @ 6:00 pm - Central Utah Clinic, Provo
4th Monday of the month @10:00 am - American Fork Hospital
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I Can Cope:
A program that teaches patients and their loved ones how to live and cope with cancer. Classes available on the Web at www.cancer.org/ICanCope
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Reach to Recovery:
This program is for women facing breast cancer. This is an opportunity to speak with someone who has been through the breast cancer experience. To schedule a visit by phone or in person, contact Betty Memmott 801-602-7924, or Jill Pehrson 801-798-3343.
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Road to Recovery:
This is FREE service where volunteer drivers provide transportation for cancer patients to and from their scheduled medical appointments. Drivers donate their time and the use of their personal vehicles. To request transportation or become a driver, call Sharon Law @ 801-375-5952
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Bosom Buddies: (not an American Cancer Society Program)
This is the Sister Survivors' one-on-one mentoring program. Similar to Reach to Recovery, we match you up with a Breast Cancer survivor who is willing help you through your cancer journey. Call Bethanie Newby to find a mentor: 801-227-4620, or email: sistersurvivors@gmail.com
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Women's Cancer Support Groups:

Sister Survivors - Utah Valley Breast Cancer Support Group (not an American Cancer Society Program)
2nd Thursday of each month - 7:00pm - 8:30pm @ Fillmore/Spencer Law Office, 3301 N. University Ave., Provo UT (Jamestown) We would LOVE to have you join this wonderful group of women - this is for patients and survivors. We have classes, activities, and service projects.

Woman to Woman - all female cancers
1st Tuesday of the month: 6:30pm - 8:00pm @ Utah Valley Cancer Center at UVRMC
2rd Thursday of the month: 10:30am - noon @ UVRMC Northwest Plaza, Classroom 3
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Free Wigs, Hats, Scarves, and some Prosthetics:
Utah Valley Regional Medical Center - Jodi Trost 801-357-8767
Central Utah Clinic - Annette Nielsen 801-429-8066
(please call for an appointment)
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800-227-2345: Information about cancer, cancer treatment, patient and caregiver services, how to find help. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Website: www.cancer.org for information, Cancer Survivors Network, and I Can Cope online.

I hope this information is helpful to you. The most important thing to know and understand, is that you don't have to go through cancer alone. There is LOTS of help out there. If you need anything, or would like to ask questions about any of these services, please don't hesitate to contact us here at Sister Survivors. The email is: sistersurvivors@gmail.com

15th of the Month Reminder

Today is SELF CHECK day!

On the 15th of each month, remember to do your breast self-exam.

Go to Cancer.org to find a self-check guide.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - Need a shirt?

LOVE this shirt!

You can find this at http://www.giftsforyounow.com/Fighting-the-cause-Breast-Cancer-Awareness-T-shirt-33470X.aspx
You can personalize the bottom two lines to say what you want!

TUESDAY TIDINGS - 15 Inspiring Breast Cancer Sites

Two things for today:

1. The first, and most important thing is... we've posted a NEW Sister Survivor Spotlight - on SALOTE BERNARD. Go to the right sidebar and click on the word, SPOTLIGHT. That will take you to the interview with Salote. Enjoy!!

2. Second thing... A few days ago, I got an email from Jennifer Lynch at Toponlinecolleges.com. She sent me a link to an article that was recently published on their blog. I thought I'd share the link with you here...
( http://www.toponlinecolleges.com/blog/2010/15-inspiring-breast-cancer-survivor-blogs/ )

The article is called "15 Inspiring Breast Cancer Sites".

I've checked out all of the blogs listed. They are all good blogs. Many have lots of information about breast cancer and research - most of them are personal blogs with personal stories - I found a few "friends" that I followed while writing my breast cancer blog.

Instead of giving you information about them here, I'll just leave it up to you to check them out if you want to. You know what you like, and what resonates with you. Following blogs is a very personal kind of thing, I know. There are a few on the list that I might add to our blog list here in the future.

-Kara

MONDAY MEMOIRS - Gratitude vs. Fear and Anger...

I was thinking about Gratitude, since that is the subject of our next support meeting. I was reading through a blog from a lady I know, and came across this gem...

"One of the incredible truths about gratitude is that it is impossible to feel both the positive emotion of thankfulness and a negative emotion such as anger or fear at the same time. Gratitude births only positive feelings — love, compassion, joy, and hope. As we focus on what we are thankful for, fear, anger, and bitterness simply melt away, seemingly without effort. Gratitude is not just the key. It's a magic key — all you need to do is use it, and the world is suddenly transformed into a beautiful wonderland, in which you are invited to play. That's because, like most of the great spiritual truths, gratitude is stunningly simple."

Get out your cancer journal, and write about this quote. Do you think that if you truly focus on feeling thankful for the good things (and even the trials) in your life, it's impossible to feel anger and fear? I'm interested to hear what you think.

Some of Our Member Survivors Featured in Forbes Magazine...

A few months ago, a writer from Forbes Magazine contacted me through this blog. She discovered the Sister Survivors blog while working on a story about illness in the workplace for the Leadership/Careers section of the magazine. She was, quote, "writing about how employees should deal empathetically and respectfully with a colleague who may have fallen ill." She asked if I could put her in touch with some survivors who could answer some questions for the article. I email the survivors on our list about this. I haven't heard anything about it since that time.

Yesterday I received an email from the writer - Sara Peck. She sent me the link for her article. I was surprised to find, as I read the article, that all of the women interviewed were from our group! Here is the link, if you are interested in reading the article at Forbes...

http://www.forbes.com/2010/10/13/breast-cancer-workplace-employees-boss-illness.html

-Kara

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - It's Sweater Weather...

I LOVE that argyle sweater, don't you?

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Giving up "Hope"...

One of our Sister Survivors sent in a link to the National Breast Cancer Coalition's Breast Cancer Deadline website. It's an interesting thing to watch/read. The basic idea is that for years we've had "HOPE" that there would be a cure for breast cancer. In the last decade, there has not been a significant decrease in the number of daily breast cancer deaths - even though there has been lots of time and money pumped into research for a cure. Now, they have decided that hope is not enough - that we need a deadline to come up with a cure. Here are just a few words of explanation from their website:

"Plainly, we need something more powerful than hope.

We didn’t hope our way to the moon. If all we ventured was hope, we’d still be on the ground.

We got to the moon because we set a deadline for getting there. We have never had a deadline for the end of breast cancer. It’s not that we tried and it failed. We’ve never tried. We have never had one. Never.

No date. No goal. No rush. Nothing to hold ourselves accountable to. No one on the hook. No reputations at stake. Is it any wonder we haven’t ended it? How can we possibly achieve a goal if we don’t have one?

Consoled by hope, we keep giving breast cancer more time.

No more.

Today we give up hope. It’s the most optimistic step ever taken in the history of the breast cancer battle.

Today we set a goal. Today we set a deadline. January 1, 2020. The end of breast cancer. Hope is a wish. The deadline is a commitment. Hope says whenever. The deadline says within ten years. What if we fail? We already have. What about pink? It’s time to show our true colors. Ten years is too short? We ended polio in seven."

Here is the link if you'd like to read more or watch the video...

http://www.breastcancerdeadline2020.org/

There is also a huge countdown clock on the site.

MONDAY MEMOIRS - Fellow Survivors - Sisters...

This last week - on Thursday - Sister Survivors had their Kick Off. It was such a pleasant night. I met many new breast cancer "sisters". I wish I would have had more time to talk to them. Today, I thought it would be good to write about the other breast cancer survivors we've met throughout our cancer journeys.

For me, meeting other women who have gone through this has been an important step in my healing.

First, there were the women in my family and my friends - they helped me see that there is hope - that I can do what it takes to fight breast cancer.

Then there were the women I saw at the hospital/medical centers... those having chemo, or tests. I learned to recognize them by their bald heads, and beautiful countenances. These were my fellow survivors - and they helped me realize that I wasn't the only one fighting breast cancer.

Finally, there are those women I've met through Sister Survivors. These women have a passion similar to mine. We all want to make sure something good comes from our cancer battle - and helping other women with the fight is an important part of that.

Open your cancer journal today, and write about some of the women you've met who have helped you make sense of your cancer journey. Gratitude is the key here - keep your gratitude in mind while thinking of who to write about.

FRIDAY FARE - Healthy Recipe... Chicken Nachos

Here's another scrumptious recipe sent in by guest blogger, Shannon Stahura...

"This recipe is great to make when you don't have time to make anything and it's a crowd pleaser!"

Chicken Nachos

Ingredients:

Whole Roasted chicken from deli (precooked and you shred it )
1 15 oz can of corn
1 15 oz can black beans
2 cups fresh salsa
2 cups shredded cheddar
2 cups diced tomatoes
1 bag tortilla chips (baked are optional)

Directions :

1. Spray skillet with Pam and heat shredded chicken corn, beans, salsa and tomatoes to desired temperature.

2. Spread chips out on serving plate and top with chicken mixture .

3. Sprinkle cheese over chicken mixture and top with sour cream and serve it up!

(I made the Chicken Tortilla Soup, that Shannon posted last Friday, for dinner last Sunday - it was a HIT! Yum!)

Thanks, Shannon.
-Kara

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Excited!!!!!

I feel like a kid on Christmas day - but, this is WAY better than Santa Claus.

Tonight - just a few short hours from now - is our "Share the Journey" Kick-off for Sister Survivors. We set up last night, and today is going to be a busy, trying-to-get-last-minute-things-done kind of day.

With that said, I'd better get moving! See you tonight!

(See Tuesday's post for the time/address/etc.)

-Kara

WORDLESS (almost) WEDNESDAY - Recnac Monsters...

A little bit of an explanation on the picture for this week... I recently interviewed a 2 time Breast Cancer survivor - Lynn Woodard. She told me that when she was diagnosed the first time, she and her kids decided to call Cancer, Recnac (Cancer spelled backwards). It sounded less scary! I agree. ;-)

Their family now makes Recnac monsters for children going through chemo. They are absolutely adorable! That's enough words for our "Wordless Wednesday", right? Here they are...

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Sister Survivors Kick Off!

THIS WEEK IS THE WEEK!!! Our Sister Survivors Kick Off is on Thursday, October 28, at 7:00 pm.

Show up right at 7:00, because we'll be holding a silent auction for 1/2 hour before the program starts. There's LOTS of great auction items, so don't forget your wallet! ;-) There are several things I'm so excited to bid on. I just hope I get one of them! I think the thing I want the most is the beautiful beaded watch. Or, the designer fabric apron. Or, maybe, the ridiculously CUTE 3 foot snowman! I can't decide!

At 7:30, we'll start the program, which will include a beautiful song written by Bethanie Newby - one of our Sister Survivors, and the keynote speaker (it's a surprise). We'll also have a slideshow, with pictures of our Sister Survivors, and the doctors and nurses who helped them. (I'm just SO excited for you to see pictures of me bald! Yeah.)

Then, after the program, there will be 15 more minutes to check your bids, and/or bid some more. And then, the auction will be over!

Add some super YUMMY desserts, a 300 piece art gallery, a witch's cottage, a castle, and a german village - oh, and some elephants, giraffes, and a gorilla - and it's going to be a FUN night!

Bring your family and friends (12 years and older), and join us. If you haven't RSVP'd yet, please email sistersurvivors@gmail.com, or call Dr. Bishop's office at (801) 802-0120, and let us know how many you are coming with.

The address is: 110 South Main, Lindon UT - It's just off of State Street - near Wallaby's Smokehouse and the China Lilly restaurant.

See you there!!!!

-Kara

MONDAY MEMOIRS - Becoming Real...

I just read a great post on Writing Through Cancer. I was looking for ideas for writing prompts, and this is a site I sometimes go to for inspiration. The post for this week is absolutely beautiful. In fact, it has to do with just that - beauty. The author, who I believe is Sharon Bray, talks about the struggle cancer survivors sometimes have with their new bodies. It made me think about my body, and the changes it has been through...

I would be lying if I said that it has been easy - getting used to this new body I have. It hasn't. In fact, I'll never, ever forget that moment when the bandages came off - after my bi-lateral mastectomy. I was with my best friend, Lori. The doctor took the bandages off, and then stepped out of the office for a minute. I stood up - scared to death to look in the mirror and see what wasn't there. Lori and I stood side by side staring into that mirror. It took my breath away. I remember the feeling of loss - wishing I wouldn't have gone through with it. Wishing I could go back and make a different decision, even though I knew my decision was the right one for me. I would never look the same again. I took me quite a long time to come to terms with my new look. I was nervous (understatement of a lifetime!) to show my husband. I don't know why - I should have known that he'd love me, no matter what. But, it wasn't easy. I've gradually become used to the way I look, and I'm grateful for the work my doctor has done. It's made me "whole" again.

Sharon Bray talks about the Velveteen Rabbit - how he wants to become real. I love the quote from the Skin Horse. The Velveteen Rabbit wonders how long it takes to become real... "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

When I was newly married, I was healthy, thin, and pretty - no wrinkles, no scars, no evidence of a life lived. Now - 25 years later - I'm not thin anymore, I'm starting to lose my tight skin and find the wrinkles, and I've definitely got scars - some from childbirth, some from surgeries, and some from illness. "But these things don't matter" because I'm REAL - I'm BECOMING.

Some of us have had surgeries. Some have had chemo. Some have had radiation.

Whatever the "stops" were on your cancer journey - you've changed. You've become a little more real.

Take a few minutes to write about the changes your body has gone through during your cancer journey.

-Kara

FRIDAY FARE - Healthy Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Sorry for the lack of posting this week. We've had a CRAZY few days getting ready for our Kick-Off next Thursday. I hope you are all planning on attending. We've got a great keynote speaker, and a silent auction with a TON of cool stuff.

Anyway, guest blogger, Shannon Stahura, sent me this recipe LAST Friday (when I was super sick), and I didn't post it. It looks SO yummy. I think I'll make it when my son comes home with his girlfriend to visit on Sunday. Here is her recipe for you...

"With the chill in the air, I am still focused on soups. So... here is another soup recipe. It just seems like a great way to stay warm, get comfort and of course get those veggie servings. Not to mention, when you stick with the broth-based soups they tend to be low in calories and fat, so that is always a plus. This week's soup is one of my favorites. I make it probably once a month and its something that everyone loves. I get a lot of recipe requests for this one!"

Chicken Tortilla Soup
(prep time 30 minutes/ serves 8-10)

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - cooked and shredded or diced
2 cups of fresh salsa
6-8 cups of chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup onion
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp seasoned pepper
2 cups canned black beans
2 cups corn
juice of one lime

Directions

1. Bake or boil chicken breasts, then shred or dice chicken and set aside.
2. In a large stock pot, melt butter and sautee onion until soft. Add chicken broth, then add everything else. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes and serve.

*Optional
Top with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheddar, sour cream and diced avacado and serve with a wedge of lime.

ENJOY!!!