Going Strong

Fighting Pretty has been going strong for a year now and things are heating up. And we couldn't be happier that we are able to help provide inspiration, strength and beauty to women all over American - and the world!

We have sent over 340 Pretty Packages in the last 12 months and need your support in order to continue our efforts in 2014. Please join us in the fight and donate to Fighting Pretty to help women out there feel strong and beautiful during and after cancer treatment.

Click here to donate today! 

Three Hundred and Counting!

As of this month ~ the start of the New Year ~ Fighting Pretty has sent out over 300 Pretty Packages to women all over America. And starting this month, we will have expanded to New Zealand!

Looking back on the idea of starting of this organization, I get a warm fuzzy feeling when I think about the reactions of women as they open their Pretty Package. We have received well over 100 thank you's and comments from loved ones and women battling cancer telling us how it is because of Fighting Pretty that they are now getting dressed up for chemo, getting out of their houses and fighting strong!

We have received pictures, letters, donations and more from women battling this disease showing their hanging boxing gloves, growing-out hair, of fun outfits as they "Fight Pretty."

This blog is a resource for all women to read...to gain inspiration, insight and strength as they battle through their cancer journey.

Please reach out to us if you have any tips on what keeps you strong and beautiful during cancer. We would love to share with the world!

Much love,
Kara Skaflestad

Happy New Year!

It's the new year ladies. Whether you like it or not.
Some of you are just starting on your cancer journey, and some of you have recently finished.

Back in December 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. And less than one month later, on January 14, I had a double mastectomy. The next month was my 27th birthday, and I started chemo. So the year 2009 was the year of cancer for me. So, I totally get it.

But looking back now, it's behind me. Yet every holiday season is a bit bittersweet. The coldness that fills the air is something that I now appreciate more than ever. The sparkles on the trees, the lights in people's windows, the Christmas songs, the buzz of the New York City streets, and now...the looks on my neices' faces when they open presents - they all remind me what I've been through and how I appreciate what I have become.

For those of you that are just starting your journey, start your year with vigor, strength and attitude. And know, that you will kick cancer's ass this year! And by next New Year's Eve, when your hair is slowly growing back, you will be rocking that hairdo and celebrating the amazing person you are!

And for those of you that finished - hooray! Celebrate 2014 and take in every moment, and appreciate all that life has to offer. It's been a hell of a ride, but it's only just begun!

Marvelous Maryann

One of our very own fabulous Fighting Pretty women sent us some photos to keep us posted on how she is doing. Not only is she fighting most fabulously, but she is doing well, and her spirits are up!

Take a look at some of her photos and keep her in your thoughts and prayers! Go Maryann! Red is definitely your color! You are amazing!!

Top 20 Ways to Cut Down Your Risk of Breast Cancer

I don't normally post things like this, but having gone through breast cancer, I wish I would have known some of these things prior to my diagnosis. None of the things below are hard to incorporate into your daily routine, so read on and start taking steps to reduce your risk of breast cancer!

Be sure to read the full article but for a quick cheat sheet....read on:

1. Be breast aware. If you see (or feel) something, say something! 
2. Take action if you’re high risk. If you know your mom/sister/cousin had breast cancer, get a mammogram, do a self breast exam. Get smart about breast cancer.
3. Get active. Studies show only 30 minutes of moderate activity can reduce breast cancer by 20%. It's only 30 minutes! (Think that you would easily sit on the couch for 30 - so get up and move you bootie!)
4. Get vigorous with the housework! See, you can work out for 30 minutes a day. Dusting and vacuuming counts!
5. Maintain a healthy weight. Be smart about what you put in your body. If you ate a big lunch, have a salad for dinner. And maybe only a few bites of Haagen Daaz. Not the whole container!
6. Try out the “prevention diet.” Read on about this one, not so sure what a "Meditteranean diet" even is.
7. Drink less booze. Have a small glass of vino, you don't need to finish the bottle! And if you are out with friends, try having a glass of water between each drink. 
8. Be careful when taking any artificial ­hormones. This is a big one. Talk to your doctor about this, and try to minimize your take in of hormones. 
9. Watch your lifestyle if you work shifts. Studies show this may have an effect on getting breast cancer. But some would say, it's because these ladies may work a ton, lose good eating habits and are stressed out! 
10. Attend screening appointments. Definitely a do! 
11. Keep your cholesterol levels down. Talk to your doctor about how you can manage your cholesterol intake. 
12. Take a fish oil supplement. Scientists believe that fish oils may help reduce ­inflammation, which may prevent cells from becoming damaged and cancerous
13. Breast feed your children. Studies show this is really great. Plus, the longer a woman breast-feeds, the lower her chances of getting the disease.
    
14. Reduce stress. Go to the spa, go for a run, have your hubby rub your feet, read a book, whatever. Do something for yourself that reduces stress.
15. Avoid unhealthy chemicals. Very important. Stay away from parabens (in makeup/beauty products), and DO NOT microwave food in plastic containers.
16. Eat varied and colorful fruit and veggies. Say no to processed foods, and yes to fruits and veggies. Just be sure that if they have skins, to wash them very well. 
17. Boost your fiber intake. Fiber may effect the way your body processes estrogen - a common cause of cancer in younger women. Opt in for fiber-rich foods like whole wheat pasta, brown rice and more.
18. Think twice before you have breast ­implants. There is a scary statistic related to this point. Your boobies are perfect just the way they are. 
19. Ask about aspirin. Something to think about...some research suggests women with breast cancer could halve their risk of dying from the disease by taking aspirin
    
20. Get some sun. Shocking to hear this, but it's true. Vitamin D is great for you, so go out and get some sun. But make sure you're wearing sunblock (preferably without parabens!)

Linda's Lessons

Check out this post from Linda Guenther, a rock-star who is keeping positive and battling cancer all with a smile on her face!

It's July 13, and this round of chemo (#3 out of 4) seems to be kicking my butt - sooo tired, but halfway there!! But here's a little bit about me, and some things that I've learned on my journey. Here goes:

I am a wife (2nd time is a charm!) and mother of 2 grown children living in Alexandria, Virginia originally a transplant from San Francisco, California. I had kept putting off having a mammogram because I "thought" I was too busy and quite frankly I didn't enjoy having my boobs pulled and squashed! Big mistake.
At about the same time my pcm ordered a mammogram appointment for me, I noticed a lump in my left breast. What followed was 2 mammograms, an ultrasound then a biopsy. On April 8th, 2013 I tested positive for cancer. More specifically, IDC, DCIS and ER+ PR+ HER2-. I felt as if someone just punched me in my gut. With no prior history of cancer in my family, I never thought I would hear those dreaded words, "You have cancer." On April 30th, I underwent a lumpectomy, a sentinel node removal and bilateral breast reconstruction. Good news is that my surgeon was successful in removing the cancerous tumor and was able to get clear margins on it; not so good news is that the node had micro cancer cells in it, which meant adding chemotherapy to my treatment plan.

I'm still recovering from the surgery but feeling better each day. I cannot believe how perky my boobs are now! Hey, you gotta find a silver lining in all of this, right? Now, if only I could get a tummy tuck...then that would be like hitting the lotto! ;-)

So what have I learned from all of this? Well...let me tell you:
Q: Most days I find myself...
A: Enjoying my time with my husband, playing with my 10 year old Westie and giving advice to my 2 grown children. They keep me laughing and can at times,  make me want to drink! LOL

Q: Given what I know now, what would I recommend to other women?
A: Go and get your mammogram and if you find a lump - don't ignore it, get it checked! Maintain a healthy weight, eat more greens and watch your diet. I now try to get my veggies in my daily diet by making green smoothies mixed with fruit. It's so much easier to "drink" your veggies than try to eat them all.

Q: How has my life changed?
A: I definitely have a new "normal" now. With this disease, you have to throw away your vanity, get over being shy about your boobs and losing your hair and just accept and love the person you are. I cherish my family even more...I'm also learning to minimize the "stressors" in my life, mainly toxic or negative people - in my case, it would be extended family.  Life is too short and too precious to waste time on people like that.
I'm finding that with so many doctor's appointments, you start to feel like your second home is the hospital!

Q: When I'm having a bad day, what do I do?
A: I like to lay my head on my husband's shoulders. He's my best friend and my biggest supporter; he gives me strength when I feel like I have none. There are some days that you just have to have a good ole fashion cry and let it all out. However, I do try to remember there is always someone else who has it rougher than me. To clear my mind, I like to go for walks with my pup, Riley...being outside in the sunshine and fresh air does wonders for the body and mind.

So next, I will go through 4 courses of TC chemotherapy - 3 weeks apart, 6 weeks of radiation and then hormone therapy. I am scared to death of chemo with all the short and long term side effects but I keep thinking about my kids and my future grandchildren and that gives me the strength and courage to stay strong and fight this disease!

Here's to Linda! She is amazing and certainly Fighting Pretty!!!

Fighting Pretty Tips from a Gorgeous Gal

After seeing a woman by the name of Alexis, only through Facebook, her energy shines through posts, pictures and her amazing smile. See below, isn't she gorgeous?

We asked her to share some of her tips on Fighting Pretty and here's what she had to say:

These days exercise keeps me going!
Being outside! (With good SPF and a Sunshirt (SPF 50 protection).

I make sure that any day I have the energy I am outside walking with my headphones on and I definitely look up new music on iTunes daily.  My FEEL GOOD songs are:

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: "Can't hold us"
"Can we go back, this is the moment | Tonight is the night, we’ll fight 'til it’s over | So we put our hands up like the ceiling can't hold us!!!"

Avicii (feat. Nicky Romero) "I could be the one"
"When you need a way to beat the pressure down | When you need to find a way to breathe | I could be the one to make you feel that way | I could be the one to set you free"

Gym Class Heroes featuring Ryan Tedder "The Fighter"
Give em hell, turn their heads | Gonna live life 'til we're dead. | Give me scars, give me pain | Then they'll say to me, say to me, say to me...there's goes the fighter! | This one's a fighter!

One Republic "Feel Again" 
With you I can feel again! 
Regarding make-up, I just recently went out shopping wearing only a chemo cap, but lipstick, blush and mascara. I ran into a woman who knew my mom and within 15 minutes she asked if I would date her son.  No, literally, I was like: "Um Lady, I'm totally bald...and in chemotherapy" and her response was: "You're absolutely beautiful!"  It was a huge compliment! It's hard going out, because I think once people recognize a woman on chemo they're afraid to make eye contact.  The days I wear make-up, its really shocking to see that the general public isn't that afraid.  I believe other people realize I'm not scared of the changes my body is going through, and there is no reason for them to be afraid either.  

Thank you for empowering us as cancer survivors and showing us that cancer can't stop us, even when we are affected at such a young age.

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Check out these gorgeous pictures of Alexis and her dear friend Michele!
Our love goes out to you Alexis and you are ONE HOT CHICK!! xoxoxo