| What happens next? Now I just get on dealing with the usual (and challenging) 'life after breast cancer' issues, that 'one day at a time' thing that you hear so much about... A lot of people said that I should write some songs about my breast cancer experience. I don't like being told what I should do so my initial reaction was to write a song called 'No Song'. A couple of months after the song was written, I added a bit at the end of it and changed the name to 'Tell and Show'. On 15 April 2007 I was feeling that the soreness from my operation and the radiation was manageable, so I celebrated by buying a set of prosthetic breasts. I wanted B cups but the sales person talked me into getting C cups. I wanted to change my mind but was too tired so I ended up with Cs. I wear them usually only when I perform. I have to wear a bra with them which makes the lymphodema worse so mostly I go without. On 26 April 2007, a young woman, Michelle Simpson, who I wish I'd known better, passed away after at age 40, after a seven year battle with breast cancer. |
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On 20 October 2007 the 'Katz and I provided the musical entertainment for the Bosom
Buddies Gala Function and Fundraiser in the Ballroom at the Hyatt Hotel. Me and
other survivors/supporters modelled some fabulous clothes on the night - what a buzz!
I have been seeing a psychiatrist at The Canberra Hospital to deal with my fear of the
cancer returning. The sessions are helping me a lot. Throughout this whole ordeal I
have found the public health system to be very good.
With some very generous financial assistance, the 'Katz and I are currently recording a
CD of original songs 'Spirit on the Rise'. I'm still low on energy (and the 'Katz aren't
spring chickens) so it's a slow process.
On 28 January 2008 my darling Mum left her body. Small in stature, big in heart,
others before herself perhaps a little too often. Always in the background but
remarkably shiny! 'Shiny' the song will be available on soon-to-be-released CD.
'Glory Box' the CD is available for sale by contacting me, (*NO LONGER AVAILABLE*)and
'GLORY BOX' - THE SHOW was held on Friday 9th May 08 at The Folkus Room. Thanks to
all the Bosom Buddies who attended. It was the best night ever.
Click here for more 'Glory Box' photos plus long review.
Buddies Gala Function and Fundraiser in the Ballroom at the Hyatt Hotel. Me and
other survivors/supporters modelled some fabulous clothes on the night - what a buzz!
I have been seeing a psychiatrist at The Canberra Hospital to deal with my fear of the
cancer returning. The sessions are helping me a lot. Throughout this whole ordeal I
have found the public health system to be very good.
With some very generous financial assistance, the 'Katz and I are currently recording a
CD of original songs 'Spirit on the Rise'. I'm still low on energy (and the 'Katz aren't
spring chickens) so it's a slow process.
On 28 January 2008 my darling Mum left her body. Small in stature, big in heart,
others before herself perhaps a little too often. Always in the background but
remarkably shiny! 'Shiny' the song will be available on soon-to-be-released CD.
'Glory Box' the CD is available for sale by contacting me, (*NO LONGER AVAILABLE*)and
'GLORY BOX' - THE SHOW was held on Friday 9th May 08 at The Folkus Room. Thanks to
all the Bosom Buddies who attended. It was the best night ever.
Click here for more 'Glory Box' photos plus long review.
On 19 July 2007 I had my porta-cath removed. What a relief to get that thing out of
me.
On 27 July 2007 the 'Katz and I played at the Bosom Buddies Xmas in July. I was
joined by Judi Pearce and Juanita Cucinotta (The Blues Cowgirls) and by bluesman
extraordinaire Glen Terry. What a fabulously fun night - thank you for the flowers!
I participated in the Breast Cancer Network Australia's Field of Women event on 11
August 2007. It was a logistical feat and I found it to be really quite sad.
me.
On 27 July 2007 the 'Katz and I played at the Bosom Buddies Xmas in July. I was
joined by Judi Pearce and Juanita Cucinotta (The Blues Cowgirls) and by bluesman
extraordinaire Glen Terry. What a fabulously fun night - thank you for the flowers!
I participated in the Breast Cancer Network Australia's Field of Women event on 11
August 2007. It was a logistical feat and I found it to be really quite sad.
On 26 May 2007 (a year a day after my diagnosis),
my little comeback concert was held at Cafe
Woodworks in Bungendore. It was a sell-out show
and was exhilarating and exhausting. DVD of the
night is currently being produced and will be
ready as soon as finances allow.
my little comeback concert was held at Cafe
Woodworks in Bungendore. It was a sell-out show
and was exhilarating and exhausting. DVD of the
night is currently being produced and will be
ready as soon as finances allow.
On 19 June 2007 (a year after my operation) my
Mum, Dorothy, was diagnosed with advanced
bowel cancer. She is having chemotherapy...
My sister's test results (for thyroid/lung cancer)
came back clear.
Mum, Dorothy, was diagnosed with advanced
bowel cancer. She is having chemotherapy...
My sister's test results (for thyroid/lung cancer)
came back clear.
19 May 2008: Good news! I have found a director who is
very keen to help me get my 'Hits With No Tits' show
happening. It won't be until 2009 - so much work to be
done before then.
20 May 2008: I was talking to a breast cancer survivor.
She said her husband had not touched her since her
operation. So very sad. What a stupid man. Cuddling
without boobs is pretty good actually - you can get really
really close and feel your heart beating.
24 May 2008: Tonight I play at Cafe Woodworks again (2
years since diagnosis). I'm feeling more robust than this
time last year but still need to rest a lot more than I like!
26 May 2008: Scattered Mum's ashes today out at River
Farm (NSW). We went to the rock up the hill where she
used to sit and dangle her little legs over while she played
flute.
28 May 2008: Still seeing the psych at TCH. Still trying
to come to terms with the fear of the cancer returning...
I'm pissed off that I still have pain from the operation (the
swelling is still going down!) and radiation, and
lymphoedema.
very keen to help me get my 'Hits With No Tits' show
happening. It won't be until 2009 - so much work to be
done before then.
20 May 2008: I was talking to a breast cancer survivor.
She said her husband had not touched her since her
operation. So very sad. What a stupid man. Cuddling
without boobs is pretty good actually - you can get really
really close and feel your heart beating.
24 May 2008: Tonight I play at Cafe Woodworks again (2
years since diagnosis). I'm feeling more robust than this
time last year but still need to rest a lot more than I like!
26 May 2008: Scattered Mum's ashes today out at River
Farm (NSW). We went to the rock up the hill where she
used to sit and dangle her little legs over while she played
flute.
28 May 2008: Still seeing the psych at TCH. Still trying
to come to terms with the fear of the cancer returning...
I'm pissed off that I still have pain from the operation (the
swelling is still going down!) and radiation, and
lymphoedema.
29 May 2008: Bosom Buddies Xmas In July is on Friday 25th July. I'll be there with Christo, the
Blues Cowgirls and Glen Terry, singing and playing up a storm.
Also looking forward to Bosom Buddies Gala Fundraiser on 27th September. I'll be there too
with Christo and the big band!
26 July 2008: We had great fun playing for Bosom Buddies Xmas In July. Many thanks to the
Blues Cowgirls and Glen Terry for helping us out. And to Bosom Buddies for their warm welcome
and the gorgeous flowers.
5 August 2008: Christo and I will be on telly this Sunday 10 August, Channel 10, 8.30am!!!!
KarismaKatz Debut CD 'SPIRIT ON THE RISE' Launch scheduled for Sunday 24 August, 2 pm, Olims
Hotel.
15 September 2008: I'm disappointed that I my application to ACT Arts for funding to put on my
breast cancer show 'Hits Without Tits' was not successful. Perhaps it was considered too
confronting... I was not happy to read that a huge amount of funding was given to someone to
develop computer games! Fair dinkum, what is the world coming to?
27 September 2008: Another fabulous Gala Fundraiser on Saturday night. I sang my song "My
Mother Was Right" and Melissa Etheridge's "I Run For Life" at the beginning of the night and the
KarismaKatz 6 piece band provided dance music until the canned ABBA music took over...
We had such fun modelling the expensive clothes, although my back was aching the next day
from wearing those ridiculously high heels. We weren't allowed to juggle our prosthetic breasts
which was a bit disappointing. And I wasn't allowed to model the high fashion clothes without
my boobs on. It sucks when people think they're being helpful but don't really want to get into
the realities of breast cancer and have no concept of the crazy ways that us survivors cope.
3 October 2008: I am continually being told that I am inspiring and a role model. I struggle with
this. I might look confident and strong on stage but I often feel quite fragile and scared and
depressed and anxious.
I lifted a fold-back speaker a couple of weeks ago. This was a major breakthrough in my
recovery. It took 2 1/4 years for me to get enough strength back to do that!
I had my bone density scan a couple of days ago and very happy to report that it has improved
since last year! The exercise and calcium supplements are working!
I still see the psychiatrist once every couple of months. I still need to have the lymphatic
drainage massage (I see Elsebeth Perry-Petersen for this). I still wear my sleeve, especially in
the warmer weather. I still have pain from the operation and radiation. I still get very very
tired.
I am hanging out to get my body in the ocean water. It's the only place I feel completely at ease.
Blues Cowgirls and Glen Terry, singing and playing up a storm.
Also looking forward to Bosom Buddies Gala Fundraiser on 27th September. I'll be there too
with Christo and the big band!
26 July 2008: We had great fun playing for Bosom Buddies Xmas In July. Many thanks to the
Blues Cowgirls and Glen Terry for helping us out. And to Bosom Buddies for their warm welcome
and the gorgeous flowers.
5 August 2008: Christo and I will be on telly this Sunday 10 August, Channel 10, 8.30am!!!!
KarismaKatz Debut CD 'SPIRIT ON THE RISE' Launch scheduled for Sunday 24 August, 2 pm, Olims
Hotel.
15 September 2008: I'm disappointed that I my application to ACT Arts for funding to put on my
breast cancer show 'Hits Without Tits' was not successful. Perhaps it was considered too
confronting... I was not happy to read that a huge amount of funding was given to someone to
develop computer games! Fair dinkum, what is the world coming to?
27 September 2008: Another fabulous Gala Fundraiser on Saturday night. I sang my song "My
Mother Was Right" and Melissa Etheridge's "I Run For Life" at the beginning of the night and the
KarismaKatz 6 piece band provided dance music until the canned ABBA music took over...
We had such fun modelling the expensive clothes, although my back was aching the next day
from wearing those ridiculously high heels. We weren't allowed to juggle our prosthetic breasts
which was a bit disappointing. And I wasn't allowed to model the high fashion clothes without
my boobs on. It sucks when people think they're being helpful but don't really want to get into
the realities of breast cancer and have no concept of the crazy ways that us survivors cope.
3 October 2008: I am continually being told that I am inspiring and a role model. I struggle with
this. I might look confident and strong on stage but I often feel quite fragile and scared and
depressed and anxious.
I lifted a fold-back speaker a couple of weeks ago. This was a major breakthrough in my
recovery. It took 2 1/4 years for me to get enough strength back to do that!
I had my bone density scan a couple of days ago and very happy to report that it has improved
since last year! The exercise and calcium supplements are working!
I still see the psychiatrist once every couple of months. I still need to have the lymphatic
drainage massage (I see Elsebeth Perry-Petersen for this). I still wear my sleeve, especially in
the warmer weather. I still have pain from the operation and radiation. I still get very very
tired.
I am hanging out to get my body in the ocean water. It's the only place I feel completely at ease.