Alison Kent

i’ll put my name to that. My aunt doreen had various amounts of cancer, which sadly means she passed away, and im certain one of them was breast cancer.
Cancer runs in both sides of my family with most of my relatives passing away because of it. i hope you get 175 comments, its well worth it.

I corrected the comments thing, sheesh. I can’t do math. I meant 25 copies = 250 comments = $175!

Breast Cancer Cure is one of the best causes out there!!! I have a close friend of our family who is a survivor. She is almost 2 years cancer free now. I think my dr will schedule me for the mammogram this year(5 years since my last). I have had the same lump since I was 17. All test have come back fine, but I get tested about every 5 years or so.

This is a great idea. My mother-in-law is a survivor, too. My maternal aunt is a scary story, though. She was very much into alternative medicine, abhorred doctors, and when she discovered a lump in her breast, she didn’t see a doctor about it for three years. By then the cancer had spread to her bones as well. She did chemo, but it was a hopeless cause, and she passed away six months later, last fall. My brother-in-law’s mother went almost the same way–she put off going to the doctor for a long time because she was afraid of what he would tell her, and by then it was too late.

So if you find something suspicious, don’t wait!

This is such a great campaign. You have my support. :)

Anything from Alessia is great stuff even if she is only the editor.

And to honor my aunt Dot who is a survivor, count me in.

This is such a wonderful thing you are doing here.

Hanging low and wobbling to and fro like they should, here, too! Thanks for the generosity! Blessings!

~Jamie

Wow - what a wonderful idea. This gave me watery eyes as I just think that it’s a great cause to donate to/be apart of. I walk in the Orange County, CA walk every year as to me this is a huge thing that I think everyone should support because you’re right - it touches your life one way or another. And those who have been through it are brave and inspiring people. It’s because of survivors that it gives others hope who are in the same situation.

Can I just say Whoo Hoo to those who have survived it and to say hang in there for those going through it - you’re in my thoughts and I wish you as speedy a recovery as possible.

Alison thank you for sharing about those you know who’ve had cancer and getting the word out there. You’re an inspiration as are the survivors.

Best Wishes To Everyone!

Alison,

Thank you so much for doing this. I was very honored to have a story chosen for the project as a number of family friends are breast cancer survivors, including one of my mother’s best friends from college who I’ve known my entire life. It was a shock to the system when she was diagnosed, but she’s doing well and is in remission now. I hope everyone reading will buy a copy anyway and will go get themselves checked for whatever type of cancer they may be prone to!

Alison, what you’re doing is so fantastic!

And Salvor, you’ll be glad to know that our gifted editor Alessia also lends her prodigious writing talents to the volume as one of the contributors!

Thank you very much for this generous offer. When Alessia proposed the project I had to take it. Having lost a grandmother to breast cancer, and being the daughter of a survivor reminds me every day how important it is to educate women about this.

It’s a great book for a great cause.

Cancer touches us all and a good friend of my mum (my sister and I call her Aunty) has had to have a mastectomy because of it -she survived and that is something to thank God for.

Coming Together For the Cure is a great book and you all should look into the range of Coming Together books that are out there -all of the volumes help different Charities, I think it’s a truly awesome project.

http://www.eroticanthology.com

My grandma beat breast cancer once and by the time she died (a year ago Memorial Day weekend) the doctors figured it had come back but she was 93 years old. She said she just wanted to see my grandpa again so decided not to fight it this time. I miss her every day. My brother and I said she’s probably happier playing bingo in heaven with my grandpa than she would have been here fighting it.

Way to go Alison!! This is a wonderful way to raise money for a very worthy and life changing cause!!

Alison! I am so thrilled to see this. Every time I think I can’t be more proud to be included in this antho, I see something else wonderful come from the experience…and I prove myself wrong.

Thanks for doing this and I hope we max you out on comments ;)
xoxo
Sommer

Fabulous! What you’re doing is amazing.

I wish you Love and Light for this project, and any other.

way to go!!! this is a great project. and anything alessia brio is involved in rocks!

Last year my twin sister was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She had to have a quadrant of her left breast removed, chemo, and radiation. She had her last radiation treatment in March 2007. She’s another survivor. Thank you for doing this. I’ve already purchased my copy of this book in support.

This is such a wonderful cause. My grandmother on my father’s side is a breast cancer survivor. My aunt, my mom’s sister, has had several lumps that came back as precancerous. Since I have it from both sides of the family, I have to be more cautious. So far, everything is good.

The annual mammogram is never easy. Yes, the squishing is painful but when I’m sent to have another test, followed by a sonogram, I can’t help but be afraid. Then I get a call from my doctor to say no biopsy this time and I’m thankful.

Because I’m a big believer in positive thinking, every morning I log on and before I do anything else, I visit The Breast Cancer Site and click for another.

As one of four girls, I knock on wood that breast cancer hasn’t touched any of us yet. And, yep, I have my mammagram scheduled for next month. You definitely picked a cause near and dear to all of us and thanks so much for what you are doing.

“I should be waaaaaaaay further down this list than I am. Everyone should be rallying for this, and this is such an awesome thing you’re doing…”

JL I couldn’t agree me. I’ve posted on a couple of groups and also did a blog on myspace letting people know about it.

Alison I hope you don’t mind if we pimp your blog. This is such a wonderful thing you are doing.

And it’s not just about women - yes women are the most likely to get it - but it does strike men as well. As sad as this disease is - it is not age/sex/gender/color specific - it will and can weasel it’s way into anyone’s lives.

Great point JL

I think it is really great that you are doing this. As one of the writers/editors/people involved in Coming Together, I just don’t think there is a better way to do this. Thank you.

Alison,
This is so sweet of you!
You know, we are all affected by breast cancer. Is there anyone who doesn’t know a victim or hasn’t had a personal fear? It’s so important to raise money to help the cause, and bring information about early detection and treatment to everyone.
Thank you SO MUCH for helping us spread the word!
~Carys Weldon

This is fantastic, Alison. Here’s one more comment to add to the wonderfully growing pile.

I lost my paternal grandmother to breast cancer, so this is a personal issue to me.

But I want to mention that I know survivors. I have a friend from 25 years ago that had a mastectomy and was told she was terminal–but she is still alive and has no signs of cancer in her system now.

And I have a friend who had a couple lumpectomies last year and she’s doing great.

And my mother had lumps about 20 years ago, and they turned out to be fibroid tumors.

So, if you/anyone finds a lump, that doesn’t mean it is definitely cancer, or that it is a death sentence.
*hugs*
Let us not live in fear.
~Carys Weldon

Commenting for the cure.

In honor of all those who fight cancer.

I’ve known three dear women who have fought the fight.

One of my bestest friends and fellow Italian (or as we call ourselves “Dago” chicks!) is a 10 year breast cancer survivor.
I have my “mammos”- grammed every year, do monthly breast self-exams and encourage all my friends to do the same according to the AMA guidelines for routine screening mammography.
And while it wasn’t breast cancer, my mom passed away from a brain tumor 11 years ago and cancer awareness and fund-raising is my “thing”.
Thanks for spreading the word, Alison! :)

Both my maternal aunt and my maternal grandmother were diagnosed with breast cancer, and both of them are survivors. We got lucky with my grandmother - they caught it at “Stage 0″ as the doctor called it.

My aunt had a rougher time, but she’s hale and hearty and just finished her Ph.D.

Great idea for the cause!
Erin

Hi Alison, and thanks Tammi for letting me know about this. I have a dear friend who was diagnosed last year with inflammatory breast cancer, and has spent the last year in chemo, mastectomy, radiation, and now chemo every 3 weeks. She’s hanging in there, but it’s tough. Thanks so much for doing this.

What a great way to support a good cause! and although I haven’t read these specific stories, I know many of the authors from online and can say they are CERTAINLY worth reading…
~Deathlynx

This is a great idea…..I make sure I go for all my “female” tests once a year. I try to eat right (I don’t also do) and exercise.

Here to all the survivors, fighters and those who weren’t so lucky.

A friend of my mothers is struggling with the after affects of treatment at the moment.

Hannah -

Sorry to hear about your cousin. That’s not an easy thing to go through for anyone - the person who has the cancer most of all - but their family as well. It’s just sad and seems so pointless.

Hopefully with the research that’s going on there will be a cure and hopefully FAST!

There’s no way I can’t NOT support this good cause. Good luck with the comments and prayers, blessings and good cheer to all the cancer survivors out there.

This My mother runs one of the top breast cancer research networks in the world. Her programs are the primary beneficiary of the Revlon Run/Walk held every year in Los Angeles and New York. My uncle works with her, and both my grandmother and great aunt had breast cancer. My grandmother had a mastectomy 15 years ago. We lost her a year ago to another form of cancer. My great aunt, unfortunately never quite beat it and she died after a very long fight.

As you can see, breast cancer is a family affair for mine. We always do the Revlon Run/Walk as a family and it is one of the most amazing experiences ever. All these thousands of women who have beat breast cancer, and all the families that support them, not to mention all those doing it for the women they’ve lost. It’s amazing to see all these generations. Grandaughters walking for their grandmothers, mothers walking for their daughters. Husbands, sons, fathers…it’s amazing.

Go you! What an awesome thing to do. I shall direct the Bitchery folks your way - and applaud your efforts! Well played!

I’ve lost a great aunt and an aunt (one of my most favorite people in the world), to breast cancer. My mother has had pre-cancerous lumps removed and I go every six months for mammos to keep an eye on a suspicious area. My daughter and I participate in a 5K Walk for a Cure at her university every Mom’s Weekend in the spring and I’ve promised her that next spring I will get a (small) tatto with her - mine will be a pink ribbon. I’m a huge supporter and will be getting at least one copy of this book. I think I’ll get two and do a blog giveaway.

Thanks so much for this, Alison and of course, Lauren! The biggest of hugs to both of you.

Good luck, Alison!

I know a couple of people who have had breast cancer but I wasn’t really close to any of them. But my uncle was diagnosed with lymphoma last year and I know how hard that was on everybody. He had to go through a lot of surgeries and went through chemo this past year. But luckily, he is now in remission and doing great.

A great cause to say the least. I lost my Mom to breast cancer 4 years ago. My aunt(Mom’s sister) has both breasts removed but her’s was not the spreading kind. We have Leukemia on Dad’s side and he and two brothers have passed away; Dad two years ago.

My grandmother passed away this spring from breast cancer. This Thanksgiving will be the 6th anniversary of my aunt’s death from breast cancer. My other grandmother and a great-aunt are both battling this disease.

I miss them all.

Two of my co-workers have sisters that are fighting breast cancer now. Years ago, another co-worker of mine passed away after a long fight with breast cancer. So I think this is a great idea, Alison. Thanks from all of us.

Hello - My Momma was diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 1991, she was 50 years old - she passed away in Nov of 1991 -

What ya’ll are doing, and have done is admireable - Thanks

I’ve dealt with cancer. Leukemia in my brother when he was little, cervical cancer in my best friend, grandmother, and a cervical cancer scare with my mother. I am consistent with my breast exams and will talk to my daughter when she’s old enough. I hope there is a cure found one day. But until then we must all show our love and support and keep out prayers flowing.

My mom had breast cancer four years ago that become secondary bone cancer (the cancer from the breast went into a rib). She is still kicking but it was a terrible two years. I think that is a diease that has touched everyone in some way and needs more support to find a cure so here is my post.

Alison, I think what you are doing is wonderful.

I have not had my life touched by breast cancer, but it is a scare that I worry about, now that I have a daughter.

Here’s hoping that they find a cure soon.

Michelle

I’ll give #96 :)

I’m speechless. What a wonderful idea and so generous.
My mother has had breast cancer three times. I’m only thirty-nine but I get checked every year.

I want to thank you for this, Alison.

Wow!! This is a great idea for a great cause. I do the yearly breast cancer walk at Fashion Island, Ca. Every year as I’m walking and I see “I am a breast cancer survivor” I am always in awe and inspired by all the brave women out there.

Thank you!

What a fine idea for an anthology and your generosity is wonderful. I’ve had several friends with breast cancer. One of them had a double mastectomy at the age of 35. We should do verything we can to support the research! Thanks for all you’re doing.

D. L. King

A friend of mine pointed out your blog, and I just wanted to drop in, say Hi, and offer words of encouragement for some positive action. Great idea and good luck!

Hi–Came here from the Smart Bitches.

In January, I had my routine mammogram. Turned up a suspicious mass. Had compressed views and a sonogram–still suspicious, though too small to feel. Had an excisional biopsy–1.2-cm invasive ductal carcinoma (the most common kind of breast cancer). Had a second surgery that took a bit more out (I’m busty, so this wasn’t proportionately a lot), tested three sentinel lymph nodes (better for healing than the axial lymph nodes and gives good results). The surgeon also implanted a MammoSite, which is a catheter used for “brachytherapy”–twice a day for five business days, they put a radioactive source inside the breast. This avoids a lot of the side effects of the more traditional external beam radiation, such as lung involvement. Am now taking Tamoxifen (probably not for terribly long, I’m at menopause, and the aromatase inhibitors will be a better option once my hormones settle down).

To sum up–routine checkup, small lump, two outpatient surgeries, radiation complete and MammoSite removed eight days after the second surgery, no cytotoxic chemo needed, doing hormone-type therapy. Still healing, very well according to radiologist and oncologist.

I think about how 40 or 50 years ago they’d have taken it all (including chest muscles, which is a VERY bad thing), and I’m so glad I live in an era where we have the means to find and treat this as well as we do.

Cancer treatment is pretty much ick–the way we treat is to attack the cancer, and that means attacking other things too. But here it is, just about seven months after I got word there was something suspicious, and because it was caught early and everything went as well as it could (I was very lucky), I have a promising prognosis and all I’m doing is taking a pill once a day. Well, and having hot flashes. And seeing more doctors and getting felt up a lot. ;-)

It’s SO great what research has done. I’m incredibly grateful. We’ll still be watching things closely, but the scary part is in abeyance, and I hope it will remain so.

Thanks very much for doing this!

How wonderful.

This is a wonderful cause. My sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of forty-five. Very scary. I’m pleased to say she is a survivor.

I found you via Smart Bitches. What a wonderful, wonderful thing to do Alison.

Samantha Graves

I used to think breast cancer couldn’t touch my life. A few months ago, a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. We’ve crossed our fingers and hugged through so many ups and downs. The ups are winning.

Thank you for doing this…

My Grandmother was a victim of Breast Cancer and anything that is done to help find a cure has my support.

One day, I hope that Breast Cancer will have a vaccination like Cervical Cancer.

and I will pass on a link to another way to raise money for the fight.

Good Luck

Hey, My Grandmother had breast cancer so my Mom, my sisters and I are all very dilligent about our breast health. Also, don’t forget the men, it can happen to you too.
Cheers, Yvonne

My grandmother had breast cancer. I think she was in her late 30s. This was about 40 years ago, and my mother was about 10 years old. My grandmother was pregnant and was told it was either her or the baby. She chose the baby. Her death affected my mom very deeply, and in turn I’ve felt the repercussions of it.

Allison, this is a wonderfully generous offer on your part–such a beautiful thing to do. A neighbor of mine is a breast cancer survivor, although she doesn’t talk about it much. I am thankful that no one close to me has ever been diagnosed. I’m glad to support and do what little I can for such a great cause. Thank you.

Hi–2 yr. BC Survivor here! Thanks for taking your time and funds to help seek a cure.

This is a great idea! My grandmother was a breast cancer survivor. She lived to be 93!!!!!

commenting! this is such a worthy cause, and I’m glad to provide 1/10th of one book’s price to it (put that way, I’m probably only “donating” 50-75 cents or so… ouch.)

My mother has had lumps removed three times, and I have been keeping a close eye on the cysts in my breast since my early twenties. I know my daughter will have to be extra vigilant as she grows up, and older.

Breast cancer can, and often does, strike all around us. Just this April, the 33yo daughter of an acquaintance was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was, sadly, completely asymptomatic until then, and the cancer had spread to most of her organs. She’s undergoing extremely aggressive chemo treatments, and we have strong hopes for her recovery.

So, here I am.

Thank you, Alison, for your generousity. *hug*

Alison, what a great thing you’re doing!

What a breathtaking gesture Alison. This is the effort I appreciate seeing as a two year (and counting!) breast cancer survivor. Individuals helping one another; not corporations trying to cash in on breast cancer and empathy to pad their overflowing profits while claiming to raise money for the cure. Hats off to a creative and encouraging idea!!

Hope you can get the 250 comments! As Taylor mentioned I’m a cancer survivor of stage 4B, Hodgkins. We had faith when my dad was diagnosed with stage 2 stomach cancer since I was cured but he lost his battle after only 2 months. Cancer is something we need a cure for everyone! Good luck!

What a good idea. I’ll comment. One of my aunt’s was recently diagnosed. She’s already had a partial mastectomy and they’ve removed some of her lymph nodes but from my understanding they now think they haven’t gotten it all. And unfortunately she’s not the first person I know to be diagnosed with breast cancer. Thus my comment.

This is amazing, Alison. Thank you so much for this. My husband’s mother is a breast cancer survivor.

A group from my day job get together every year for the Relay for Life. We’ve done this for the past four years. The year we started our group was the year that three of our coworkers were diagnosed with BC, and thre former colleagues lost their battles with cancer. Since then we’ve gained another survivor, and lost another great friend to cancer. So we try to do as much as we can. Thank you for doing this.

My aunt and her daughter died of cancer. They were beautiful, giving people that didn’t deserve to die so young. :(

I never met my maternal grandmother. She died of breast cancer before I was born. I wish I had known her.

I work out at Curves, when many cancer survivors are encouraged by their doctors to join. The manager is a cancer survivor. And I walk with Curves on Cancer Walk in October.

BTW, I will be deducting out my own comments from the total!

Bravo to you for supporting such a worthy cause!

Add another survivor! and Thank you for doing this