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It has been an emotionally charged week. My mom’s surgery was a success. Remember to LIVE each day and always look for the good, and don’t focus on the negative. As difficult as it is dealing with my family members and the challenges with these horrific diseases it has brought us closer together as a family.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I will be back to normal next week with my posts.
Have a Wonderful Weekend,
Xoxo,
Gigi
When your family is in a serious battle with this gangsta that goes by the name of “cancer”, your radar is up- reading, listening, talking, and becoming informed. So the other day I received this mailer from City of Hope that had some good info about the science of superfoods. We all know about them, but it is always good to see modern medicine making the connection as well.
I really believe that diet is so so important, and we have to take control of what goes in our bodies. Preventive care or if you are currently dealing with a health issue, it does not matter just make good choices and be in control of your diet. Eat as clean as possible, focus on foods in their natural form, ie. organic and fresh…say no to pre-made processed food – its crazy.
With my family history, ie. mom-cancer dad-cancer 3 siblings out of 5 cancer- so the odds are not in my favor- I HAVE TO DO all that I can and hope for the best-
So the latest via City of Hope:
English: A pack of blueberries from a organic farm co-op program. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
BLUEBERRIES
Fight triple-negative breast cancer, city of hope labs discovered the blueberry extract has been found to inhibit the growth and spread of triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer- and one that is common in african-american women. I love adding blueberries to smoothies or just snacking on them.
English: Close-up of Pomegranates on a table. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
POMEGRANATES
Researchers have identified six natural compounds in pomegranates that may prevent breast cancer growth. I planted a pomegranate tree a few years ago, I love them, it is so easy to add a hand full to a salad.
English: Cinnamon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
CINNAMON
Scientists found that cinnamon extract interferes with a tumor’s growth by blocking its ability to form blood vessels. I use “pumpkin pie spice” in my smoothies and even in my tea, an old friend taught me that trick many years ago, I even sprinkle it on apples- so good.
button mushrooms
MUSHROOMS
Fight breast cancer and prostate cancer. City of Hope scientists were among the first to discover that white button mushrooms can help block hormones that cause breast cancer to grow and spread. They are also studying these same hormone-blocking effects for prostate cancer. Another easy thing to add to salads or quickly stir fry with other veggies.
Gigi & Mom
Today I am with my mom for a second surgery. We are claiming that all of this will be over soon and looking forward to what the future has for all of us.
Xoxo,
Gigi
Gigi & Mom
Today my mom is having surgery. I’m amazed at her incredible strength, she has endured 12 weeks of chemo, watched her daughter battle cancer, lost her only son to cancer, another daughter diagnosed a month ago, her ex-husband died of cancer and numerous friends over the years have battled this horrific disease. There is no rhyme or reason why my 83-year-old mom would “get it”…
This past weekend my mom went with my family to San Francisco, we went all over the city, lots of walking, you would never know by her attitude that she had all this “mess” hanging over her. She was a trooper. I’m so glad we had this time together.
I don’t have the answer to this disease, once again like a broken record–Live each day like there is no tomorrow! Don’t waste time being angry, Forgive and love…and do the best you can taking care of your body–exercise, eat well, and take care of the mental “you”.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Happy Wednesday,
XOXO,
Gigi
I don’t like to keep putting this kind of info into the universe, but I feel like this is one of those messages that come out of nowhere when you are watching a really good show and the screen goes blank – “we interrupt this program etc….”. Yesterday I was still numb, today my regular post was hijacked-
Believe it or not but on Wednesday, another sister was diagnosed with f-ing CANCER. I can’t even explain how I feel–TOO Much for my little family.
So this is what my family tree is looking like about now…
cancer tree
Oh, I almost forgot my other sister had a car accident on Wednesday to add to the already horrific news. She is OK, but her car is jacked up.
So yes, I’m a little nervous, but I just keep it moving, living each day to the fullest. Do I worry? Of course… Do I freak out going to the Doctor? Yes. Do I have panic attacks waiting for test results? Yes. CAN I DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT? NO.
So this is my approach “BUMP UP THE HAPPY DIAL ALL THE WAY…TO THE MAX!”
No time for madness, anger, cray cray’s, crazy, stupidity, envy, jealousy, negativity, meanies, haters, basically no time for bull shit on any level.
Just looking for the “good” and doing the best I can each day, and lifting others up to the best of my ability…
Parked my car next to a field of flowers that were in the parking lot…made me happy…
field of flowers in the parking lot
So Friends embrace today and find little bits of happiness in random places…
Happy Friday,
XOXO.
GIGI
It has been longer than I care to recall. So much going on, my life has been absolutely crazy! First I injured my left hip flexor on Saturday, January 11th, the same day we received the horrific news that our nephew had been in a fatal car accident. I’m convinced that the emotional impact of the news, combined with something I did while photographing the ladies at my Fresh & Fabulous 2014 event and my “advanced age” all contributed to an immobilizing injury. I was in so much pain I could barely walk and could only wear flip flops or slippers. I was already having nightmares envisioning my shoe collection on ebay and accepting that from here on out I would be regulated to wearing sensible shoes like Easy Spirit or Aerosoles instead of Loubies or Jimmy Choos. My girlfriends were already planning to get me a bling-ed walker heheheh
Zapatos
I was visiting my acupuncturist, Dr Daoshing a few times a week, making turmeric shots, drinking green juice, rubbing all sorts of smelly ointments and icing until my hip was numb. I was determined to heal myself, you see I have this fear of MD’s- I know my husband is one, but I have always been scared of doctors. It stems from a few bad experiences when I was a child, that I have never gotten over yet. The good news is that I’m back, walking and wearing my “medium” heels.
Acupuncture
Next my sister was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, I cannot begin to share the emotional toll that disease has on a family. The good news is that my sister has an excellent prognosis, and she is dealing with the chemo and the side effects like a true gladiator. I realize that life as you know it can change with the snap of a finger, there is no rhyme or reason most of the time–mess just happens. I always like to find a positive in every situation, and for my family it has brought us closer together, instead of being busy all the time doing whatever, we now make time for each other.
Breasts
breast cancer
And lastly PS Couture, kicked off our Fresh & Fabulous 2014 event. We hosted 20 gorgeous ladies this past month, in small groups transforming them and creating images of “how they dreamed of being photographed”. It was a blast and non-stop fun which also meant non-stop editing. Stay tuned I will be featuring some of the ladies here, these women are not only beautiful but they all have incredible stories–so inspiring.
PS Couture beauty posse
This past weekend my family had a memorial service for our nephew. He will truly be missed. A veil of sadness was heavy, family and friends traveled near and far to support the family at this difficult time. It rained the entire weekend mirroring our tears. 24 is way to early to depart, no parent should have to experience this, but unfortunately I’m finding out it happens more frequent than I realized, everyone seems to have a story of sudden loss.
Andrew Sampson September 17, 1989 – January 11, 2014
Reggie spoke at the services here are a few of the highlights.
So my friends, love your family and friends, have a forgiving open accepting heart, and cherish those special ones in your life.
XOXO,
Gigi
Gigi
If given a choice what could you give up? Your hair? Breasts? Complexion? Lashes” Brows? Figure? Self confidence? Faith? Integrity? All of the above?
Breasts
Hair
lashes & brows
figure
I asked myself that question yesterday. Most of us love our “physical self” we abide by the mantra “love yourself”, but what happens when the “self” is confronted with change? How do you continue to love as opposed to hating “self”? The body that betrayed you, and now is becoming a fragment of your previous self.
Tears Streaming
-nausea most likely
-day 14 – 17 hair gone
– white count down
-can’t have intercourse at this time
-metallic taste
-numb feeling
-once every 3 weeks
-everyday for 6 weeks
-the pill for 10 years
-no more babies
-early menopause
-don’t get pneumonia
-ANY QUESTIONS
Change is frightening. There is a lot I don’t know about, but what I do know is how to live. I do know how to shut down the petty bull shit and keep moving. I do know how to let stuff out and be vulnerable. I do know how to forgive and admit mistakes.
I embrace 100% of me, and it is the inner most parts that I would not want to give up. The exterior “pretty” parts are not ours to keep, they are fading each decade regardless of what you do to desperatly hold on to them…it is part of the life cycle. Those inner parts however, your soul and heart are what enables you to confront adversity and find strength to deal with whatever blocks your path, if you give up your soul, and faith you are jacked. The external markings can be replaced, bought, rejuvenated, but the soul-less person is lost-
So my friends happy Friday..
“Stay calm and carry on”!
Xoxo,
Gigi
Breast Cancer Awareness
About a month ago I had a serious life check. My routine mammogram went awry, I went from receiving the “see you next year” form letter to the “you need to come in for a sonogram” and depending on how that goes a needle biopsy. Holy shit. Talk about fear factor, the panic that quickly sets in ,when life as you know it is challenged is daunting. My tear making mechanism was working overtime. Never having any health challenges before, combined with losing my brother three years ago to colon cancer and my paranoia of needles, I was a basket case. I knew how devastating cancer could be, I had also lost my father to throat cancer and my mother is a thyroid cancer survivor.
Pink In Honor Of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Right away I went into research mode and started reading everything about breast cancer, I found comfort in reading breast cancer survivor blogs, story after story of courageous women who beat this disease. Until you are confronted with a potentially catastrophic diagnosis, the thoughts that invade your mind, are debilitating. What about my family? Friends? The “what if” s filled my head like a hard drive almost full, about to crash. I would find myself subconsciously reciting The Act of Contrition, a little catholic prayer I used to say in elementary school. btw I have not been a practicing catholic for over 35 years.
needle breast biopsy
The day of my biopsy was the most frightful day of my life, between the procedure, the 24 hour wait for the results and the thought of what would happen next, I was SCARED. More than any of my top 10 list of my most frightful experiences.
1. More than when I got hit from behind by a big rig and I was in my little convertible BMW
2. More than childbirth, (and that was scary)
3. More than an icy black run with my intermediate skiing skills
4. More than swimming in the open ocean with the sharks
5. More than a colonoscopy
6. More than my first brazilian wax
7. More than any “risky” behavior I may have had in my entire life
8. More than sitting in the deans office being asked to leave college
9. More than being attacked in New Orleans
10. More than IRS cleaning out my bank account
So my husband knowing I was more at risk from passing out from the procedure due to my level of fear, gave me some sedation so I could relax before the biopsy. So imagine this, I’m in the waiting area in my gown thingy, waiting to be called by the tech, the drug is working and I start doing yoga in the middle of the floor. By the time I was called I was in another world, all I remember was that I walked into the room and I sat on a table and then I woke up the NEXT morning in my bed with a ice pack and a bandaid on my left boob. My husband told me that when I came out that I told him I wanted to go to “high tea” and he took me to Chado Tea Room in Pasadena and I ordered Mauritius my favorite tea, of course I have no memory of this what so ever.
Our bodies are so fragile
The next day I did my usual routine, Reggie left the office early so he could be would me when I made the phone call to find out my results. After going through the voice messages and pressing the correct numbers, I reached the nurse who gave me the news that my biopsy was benign. Frozen for a moment, then the tear mechanism started again, and a sign of relief came over me like a gentle embrace. This experience made me realize how fragile we really are, and that each day is special and should be enjoyed to the fullest. I’m thankful for my results, but I know when faced with an obstacle our bodies will amaze us with the strength they have to fight.
Pink Eye
Treat your body well, love your life and get check ups-early detection is part of the cure. Strive toward a vegan life style, exercise daily and take time and eliminate your stress. Make time for those important people in your life, don’t keep putting things off until tomorrow and put a smile on your face daily.
Xoxo,
Gigi
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