October Newsletter

It's October ALREADY??? Where has the time gone??? I know I've completely lost track. Here I am thinking that I just wrote a newsletter, and looking back, it's been since APRIL!

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month!! What are you going to do to promote awareness? You can volunteer, visit some cancer care centers and just spend some time with the survivors that are battling this crappy disease. There are a lot of walks and events this month to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness, check out your local libraries, newspapers, and listen to radio stations for news of these events. Remember, every little bit helps. Also, to celebrate breast cancer awareness month, the book is for sale for $14.95 apiece! Buy two books and get a free journal! (Please specify what type of journal you would like on your order) As always, we are still donating ten percent of our proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

TGOIF is gearing up now that October is here. There are a lot of talks coming up, the soonest one being in Batesville, Indiana. I'm super excited for this one, as I get to speak about what I really want to share: life lessons that i learned during breast cancer. It's going to be a really fun time, I think. I'm also doing some interviews on the radio this month! Keep an eye on the blog, for I'll post when and where as soon as I find out.

Personally, things have been so busy. I have re-enrolled in school, going for an associate's in surgical technology, since I can't hang with the big dogs in the biochemistry program. I'm excited about it, it will be a quick way to get a degree so that I can get out there and get a JOB. I had to taper off on the horseback riding a little bit, mainly because I want to finish up school, but I have a few friends that are willing to let me ride their horses when I need a fix! Eric and I are all settled in to our new home in the suburbs and I love it, it's so peaceful and quiet out of the city.

SO, things are going fabulously! I hope that you and your loved ones enjoy this October! Stay safe and warm!
Hugs!
Rachael

 

April Newsletter

Yay! Spring is on the way!

I love spring. It’s the time that we open up the windows and air out the house, sit outside and blink in wonderment at the sunshine that has finally arrived, and start making plans for the summer.

This spring has been great for me thus far. Eric and I have decided to sell our home and build a house out in Independence, KY. So spring cleaning is happening with a vengeance as I work on getting the house ready to sell. I’ve been taking things one step at a time to make it a little less overwhelming.

Our books arrived on March 10, with the journals arriving on March 17. It was quite an adventure moving 4000 pounds (yes, you read that right) worth of boxes into the basement. We never would have been able to do it without the help of some great neighbors!

I had my first book signing at the house on March 20. It was a private affair, we invited family and close friends, but we were still able to sell 35 books! I had a great time catching up with old friends from high school, who all showed up to help with the catering for the party.

For spring this year, I invite you to daydream about the future. What plans have you made for yourself? Any exciting ideas for the summer? Any long-term future plans that you are happy about? Take some time to think about these plans and visualize yourself meeting your goals.

Next, take one small step toward achieving your goal. Share your plan with someone else! Spend some quiet time with a friend or family member and discuss your plans with them. You’ll be amazed at how much you will learn from the conversation and how much fun you will have!

It’s February already, and we are moving right along! The book is at the printer’s in China and it looks like we are still on goal for having the release party on March 17!  I still haven’t figured out where to hold the party, but it promises to be fun, regardless of location.

I had a great time in January starting back into public speaking. I gave two talks at the Bohecker College of Nursing. Great people and the students were very bright and interested. I’m working on a new talk now titled (of course) “Where’s My Boob?” This talk is less educational, and more motivational, with lots of funny storytelling involved. I think that this allow me to express myself a little more as well as get the message out there that it is possible to see the humor and the love even when things seem to be at their lowest.

I’ve also decided that it’s time to take this whole “where’s my boob” thing seriously. As of February 1, I will embark on a quest to find out where my boobs are and what happened to them! I think it will be educational and fun to find out what the Tumor Board does with them, and whether they are involved in research or education. Who knows, maybe my boobs helped to save a life! You never know!

Once again, all our products are “order-able” now! The book and the journals will not be available until March, but you can pre-order! Remember that all products ordered before March get free shipping! (This includes the gift baskets!)

Thank all of you so much for the support and kindness and I hope that February is a wonderful month for all of us!

Warm hugs!

Rachael

 

Happy New Year! Thank you for visiting the brand new website! This holiday season has been absolutely crazy! I am beginning to give seminars to nursing schools, colleges, and hospitals again to market the book. We are in the final stages of editing “The Gown Opens in the Front,” and are getting ready to start with the layout work soon. Thank goodness we have the website running, so that we can get reserve orders placed before the books arrive!

New Year’s Day is always a time for me to reflect a little bit. This past year wasn’t an easy one. This year was the year that I realized that although I am fully recovered from cancer, I’m never going to be “over” it. I had some very rough times with depression and anxiety, mostly from survivor guilt and because I’m still grieving over what I lost. I think that working on the book brought a lot of pain to the surface. It needed to be done, but it began the final step in my healing, and what a scary step that is to make!

That being said, a new year is now upon us! I am excited for myself and for all of you! Let’s take the chance to start fresh with the lessons that we learned from last year. I know that I learned how to be more patient and compassionate, how to set boundaries for myself, and how to be honest with myself about my hopes and fears. This year, I will strive to put those lessons into action.

I hope that the New Year brings joy and prosperity to all of us!

Warm hugs!

Rachael