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Health & Fitness

"Chemo Kick-Off" Party: How I Prepared for the FIGHT of my Life!

Here are some great photos from the party I had the night before Chemo began. It was a celebration, of sorts, and a way for me to get my head in the cancer-fighting game!

Let’s start at the beginning of my journey. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2010 after finding a large lump during a self-exam. It took six long weeks of tests, scans and second opinions to determine that I was not metastatic but Stage IIIc. I was scheduled to begin 14-weeks of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy on my kids' last day of school in June. I planned a party the night before to get my head in the game.

I figured that sharing some photos from my "Chemo Kick-Off" party might be a good way for you to get to know me better on this slideshow. (http://www.kiernanphotography.com/WALL/index.html)

Here is how the Evite read:

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"Everyone's approach to cancer treatment is uniquely their own. I've chosen to face treatment head on, surrounded by family and friends, and to celebrate. This gathering is essentially about empowerment and support. My journey to this point has been an arduous one, but the support of all of you has made it bearable and seem doable. My family and I are suiting up for battle. Part of our battle preparation plan includes shaving my head. This may seem extreme, but it is less about losing my hair and more about taking control back from this crazy cancer. It symbolizes POWER over what happens to me and when. My boys will be shaving their heads in solidarity. I plan to beat this thing, and it starts now. I hope you will join us in the FIGHT. Each one of you has been an important part of my life and will be an important part of my recovery. Please wear pink."


Many thanks to Catherine Kiernan for the gift of her wonderful photography and slideshow skills and Cheryl-Ann Osberg Leslie for buzzing my hair!

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