PJ Clark's

Four years ago my mom, my sister and I walked into PJ Clark's, a cute bar on the corner or 53rd and 3rd. We just had a discussion with Dr. Montgomery (my soon to be breast surgeon). She gave me the option to have either a single or double mastectomy. What a day. Telling me that if I opt for the single, my chances of getting breast cancer again increase by 1% every year. So when I was 36, I would have 10% chance of reoccurance. At 46, 20% chance. You get the picture. So I opted to eradicate breast cancer in my body and immediately chose a double mastectomy. My sister and mom were a mess. "Are you sure?" they cried. I was never more sure. I told the doctor right away and without a tear in my eye.
After such a surprisingly easy decision, my sister, mom and I went to PJ Clark's to discuss the doctors appointments and decision. We had burgers and beers. A regular tradition after spending hours in NYC doctors offices hearing crappy news.

Two weeks ago (right before our Dolce-Stad European excersion), I was promoted at work! And last week, my coworkers threw me a little party with drinks to celebrate a PJ Clark's. When I got there, I went to the bathroom right near the very table where my mom, sister and I sat to talk about the hardest decision I had ever made in my life. And I looked in the mirror at my reflection and got tears in my eyes. Look at how far I've come? In 4 years I'm healthy, happy, with long hair and a new promotion! Go me!

Thanks so all my favorite people at Bloomberg for making tonight a night that I will always hold close to my heart! Love you guys and will miss working with you so much!

(see the photo of Greta and me below! We are missing Kelly, Dhanusha, Steve, Johnna and Bonnie!)

Onto the next chapter....

Invincible

It's October: Breast Cancer Awareness month.


Before I was diagnosed I never thought it could happen to me. My grandmother had it. She was old! She had gray hair (well, frosted hair really). She had really soft wrinkly skin that smelled of lavender. Sometimes cucumber.

So when I would see pink ribbons, I would think of Mema. My cute little Italian grandma. She never really talked about her experience. Or how scared she was. She was just a bull, a fighter.

Then finally, breast cancer took her away from all of us. Took away her wit, her funny (yet sometimes dirty) jokes, her love for Japanese soap operas and her adoration for her family.

It was then that it all became so real. People get plucked right out of the world because their time is up. And they just leave it all behind. I had been to wakes and funerals before, but Mema wasn't just any ordinary grandma. She was my friend. I told her about school, about my boyfriends, my job, and my friends. She even came to my rugby games in college! She shared so much with me in my life. And then she was gone.

I thought about her experience with breast cancer. That she found something. Something she never expected. So one day in the shower I poked around and I too found something. At 26 years old. But never thought it could happen to me. Because I thought breast cancer only happens to grandma's.

Little did I know that I was suffering from an aggressive type of breast cancer that not only caused me to have a double mastectomy and extensive treatment, but it also spread to my lymph nodes. It  had a life of its own.

Now looking back and living life post-cancer, I realize that anything can happen to anyone. My friend Drew fell from a fire escape. He fell right out of the earth. Why? It's just not fair.

So I've learned that life is so precious. And that every single day is a blessing.

Be nice.
Be kind.
And be careful.
Be smart, have fun and don't ever think you're invincible.

The Survivor Tree

Yesterday was September 11. A day that changed the world forever.
So many innocent people affected by something so uncontrollable - terrorism. A hate for mankind. So tragic. So sudden. So many wonderful people lost.

As I commemorated the day, I sat on my couch and watched a special about the WTC and a story that touched me in a very special way. The story was about a tree.

In the World Trade Center plaza, there was a pear tree that was completely demolished during the attacks. The tree was completely broken and burned leaving only pieces of the truck and broken branches. During the clean-up of the site, a man by the name of Ron Vega found the tree and saw life in this tree. This tree survived. So, he had it dug up and replanted in a farm in New Jersey. A few years later, Ron was put in charge of rebuilding the site and he never forgot about this tree - this scarred pear tree was a symbol of survival.

For 9 years, the tree showed signs of recovery, until 2010 when the tree suffered a blow from a really bad wind storm in the area. The tree's roots were pulled from the ground, and it was knocked over and had crashed into a fence. Once again, this tree was repaired and brought back to life. The tree was wrapped and anchored to the ground - the team was determined to keep it alive.  The tree survived again and again!

This is a story close to my heart.

Our very good friend Jason Tirri works on the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. Last year, he was kind enough to give us a tour and told us this same story.  As he walked us through the Freedom Tower, and finally through the grounds, he spoke of this tree and the fact that just two weeks earlier, the "Survivor Tree" bloomed for the very first time. My eyes filled up with tears. I couldn't help but feel a connection to that tree.

I fortunately was not in the World Trade Center during the attacks. I was not even in New York City. But I was in college, and remember the devastation it caused around the world. My heart was empty that day and still is - for all of those people lost. But that tree is a symbol for many things. Some things that I, myself has experienced. And that's survivorship.

That tree has been beaten, burned and demolished - from the outside. But something in that tree is staying strong and is fighting to survive.

This is a post to remind people that if you have the will to survive, you will. Keep fighting and never give up! Your body is a just a shell - it's what's inside that truly matters.

Fighting Pretty

Trying to start a new group for young women faced with breast cancer.
Just started a new blog and facebook page and really hope someday it will get big enough to help people all over the world to share their stories and teach young women that this is real and should not be ignored.

But all the while, knowing you can still be young, beautiful and sexy - and go through breast cancer! The most important thing throughout your breast cancer journey is to stay strong, stay smart and remember you are still you!

Hair, no hair, eyelashes, no eyelashes, you are still beautiful inside & out!

Fighting Pretty - feeling beautiful every day!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/FightingPretty

Testing Testing

Guess what?

Last week, I was asked by the American Cancer Society to join Desiree Carton and speak - on the radio - about my journey through breast cancer and my experience at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk that takes place every October. It was truly amazing!

We recorded at KTU first with morning show host, Cindy Vero. She was a ball of laughs! Plus, we were even wearing similar fabulous shoes!

The ACS ladies, me, and Cindy!

Mine & Cindy's shoes.



Next we headed over to Z100 to record with Loren Raye. It was a crazy experience for me, because I used to listen to Z100 when I commuted to my first job in New Jersey. She was great. She even talked about her cousin, who is about 42 years old who had just finished treatment. We were all crying like babies! But it was such a personal experience on such a public level. I feel so lucky to have been given this opportunity.

At Z100 with Loren Raye and the ACS ladies (Desiree & Beth)

Plus, I got to meet Greg T!

Sitting and talking about all of my knowledge on these two radio shows with the funny and outspoken hosts, plus Desiree from the American Cancer Society was beyond amazing. I truly felt like I was having a conversation over coffee and was reaching women all across the country to tell them my story, and teach them to do self-breast exams and just become more aware that this unfortunate disease can actually happen to young women.

Thank you to Clear Channel and the ACS for supporting me, my experience and really trying to make a difference!

So tune in on Sunday mornings between 6-8am on KTU and Z100!
And signup for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in October! I'll be out there walking, you should too!

http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/

Incredible

Just about 3 years ago Allison was getting married to the love of her life Rick.


Her bridal shower was set on Ricky's parents pontoon boat. To most people this sounded like a great time. To me, I was horrified.

I had to wear a wig. On a boat. In June. It was hot! And that hairy hat was not something that I wanted to have fly off my head in a big gust of wind!

But... It was my opportunity to look like a bathing... BLONDE... beauty. And so I did. I rocked that wig and even wore a big floppy hat to shade my creamy chemo smooth skin from the hot Maryland Chesapeake Bay sun.

I drank mimosas and hung out with my girls and celebrated all the love that Allison and Ricky shared.

Now, 3 years later we went back on that boat to celebrate Allison's 30th birthday. My how the times have changed. Kind of.

The girls were there, the sun was blazing, the drinks were flowing. But one thing was different. My long brown hair was glistening in the sun, tapping my face like a feather reminding me of how lucky I am.

Later that night I was getting ready for bed while spending the night in Baltimore talking with Allison about what a great day it was. Allison said "I think it's pretty incredible how far you've come since the last time you were on the boat. You were at the lowest point then and look at you now. It's like ...Kara's back!"

Ricky pops his head in and says, "Kara never left. That's what's incredible. You were always Kara."

Tears filled up in my eyes. Because they are both right. I'm feeling great, looking like my old self again but my spirit never changed.

Thanks to my friends for always keeping me smiling. Seriously - I was smiling so much my cheeks were hurting after this weekend. Love you all!

Goodnight Drew

Just sitting here reflecting on the past few weeks. Memorial Day weekend ... what a weekend. After spending 2 amazing days with my best friends in the world eating Maryland blue crabs, playing Buffalo-born Kan-Jam and drinking Natty Bo beers, the fun came to an end on Tuesday when Nate and I attended our friend Drew Putzel's service and funeral.


I didn't get to know Drew nearly as much as even Nate. Nate had spent much time with Drew at work and many a night after work having a beer. But I only knew Drew in the office and hung out with him outside the office just a handful of times.

Drew passed away just about one week ago and I still can't get over it. He was the cute guy at the office. The guy always smiling, a little shy, but witty at the same time. He was adorable and had so much more life to live.

After attending his funeral on Tuesday, I just can't believe this happened. His beautiful girlfriend Brooke was so graceful. She cried, she hugged and I just couldn't help but think how she must be feeling. I thought about Nate. And how I couldn't go on if anything ever happened to him. I thought about any of us passing away. It's going to happen at some point in our lives, but could it be around the corner for any of us?

I mean, I feel as though I beat death. I guess it just wasn't my time. But why Drew?

I have a heavy heart about losing Drew. About how his family, best friends and girlfriend are feeling now that he's gone. His big pearly white smile will always be remembered in my heart and if I've learned anything, it's to truly cherish every single moment you have on Earth. With strangers, with loved ones and most of all with yourself.

G'night Drew. Heaven is a brighter place knowing you are there.