Boobie Wednesday Blog

Our new home

2010-09-07T07:18:00.000-07:00

DETOUR DETOUR!!! lol

For more fantastically wonderful Boobie Wednesday-ness we would like to direct you to our brand new home!!!

Go to boobiewednesday.com and bookmark us so you can stay up to date with all the fun!

See ya there!

Boobie Wednesday is changing...

2010-07-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

Now that we have your attention...

YES! We are changing...but we promise it is all for the good! We have received emails and DMs asking if we are merging @boobiewed with @tatatuesday. Rob, the gentleman heading @tatatuesday, reached out to us and offered his help and assistance. For that, we are very grateful. He has purchased the domains for boobiewed/boobiewednesday and is in the process of gifting them to us. We are extremely grateful for his contributions. However, we want it to be known that @boobiewed and @tatatuesday are still two separate entities that are advocating the same cause. We are raising BREAST CANCER AWARENESS, reminding everyone to SELF EXAM. And for those of you whom are not familiar with @tatatuesday, we do encourage you to research them as well as @kokolulu, which is their charity of choice.

There has also been mention of @tatatuesday retweeting many of the #boobiewed posts from several people. We understand your concerns and want to address them. The concern being that tweets which include the boobiewed/boobiewednesday hashtag (#boobiewed) are being retweeted by @tatatuesday. Some of these retweets have been described as "being RT for a mere mention of #boobiewed and are not relevant #boobiewed" or "part of a conversation and taken out of context." We understand and respect your opinions. However, we are confident in saying, that @tatatuesday is just doing what many of us do--Retweeting to spread the word of #boobiewed!

Thank you for all of your support and participation. Boobie Wednesday would be nothing without all of you!

Like a good bra, we're here to support YOU!

2010-05-19T05:16:00.000-07:00

Here at Boobie Wednesday, our mission is quite simple. We want to help spread breast cancer awareness to as many people as we can reach! It's been proven time and again, that early detection is our best defense against breast cancer, which is why we choose to advocate self exams and breast health!

We also acknowledge that we have such a fantastic following at @boobiewed and we appreciate everyone of you! We would LOVE to help network a huge support group for YOU, our followers.

We are reaching out today toward our fighters & survivors! Are you or do you know someone who's currently fighting breast cancer? Are you or do you know a survivor? Ever wish you had someone who's "been there, done that" to talk to, cry with, or laugh with? Sometimes, it's just a simple direct message on twitter, a text, an email, phone call or personal card that makes the hugest difference in someone's day. Just knowing that there is somewhere out there who "gets it" and is not afraid to walk with them, makes the unbearable journey seem more bearable.

We would love to help build a support network such as that for you!!!

There are 2 ways to make this list.

*comment on this post with your twitter name and/or email addie and let us know if you are a fighter or survivor.

*send out a tweet simply stating #FightingBreastCancer or #SurvivingBreastCancer. If tweeting, please remember to include #boobiewed so we can easily find your tweets. We'll add you to our list.

It's that simple.

We also want to acknowledge that there are those who are open to supporting our fighters & survivors. Maybe they haven't been through the fight personally, but have a loved one whom they've supported. We'd love to list you, too! Drop a comment or throw a #SupportingaBCFighter or #SupportingaBCSurvivor tweet out there. Please don't forget to tag #boobiewed as well.

Thank you to all of our supporters! We couldn't do this without you!

Long time no post. 8 signs of breast cancer.

2010-05-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long delay everyone. Our boobie Wednesday family is getting ready to expand as @Honey_is _evil only has maybe days left before her Boobie Wednesday baby comes. Shes usually the genius who updates this blog but docs orders has her taking it easy right now.

Now the 8 signs of Breast cancer..

What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
The signs and symptoms of breast cancer include:

A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle.
A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea.
A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast.
A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple.
A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed).
Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple.
An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.
A marble-like hardened area under the skin.

We always ask men and women to check themselves monthly and we use #boobiewed to remind you weekly so you dont forget, but we can only do so much. You have the message, But only you can check yourself and spread the word to those you love.

The battle for boobies

2010-03-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

There are so many great and wonderful organizations out there dedicated to curing and raising awareness of breast cancer, and they offer so much information, and support for patients and families.

Just a few sites you might want to check out include

Breastcancer.org

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

National Breast Cancer Foundation

BreastCancerAwareness.com

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

And 2 sites you have to check out are

The Breast Cancer Site Where you can click once a day to give free mammograms.

The Pink Ribbon Shop Where you can but a whole bunch of cute pink ribbon merchandise and support some great causes while you're at it.

And just to make your day, here's the Pink Glove Dance ;)

Our friendly reminder..

2010-03-24T06:14:00.000-07:00

"Your mammogram is suspicious for breast cancer." "Your biopsy was positive for breast cancer." These are among the most terrifying words a woman can hear from her doctor. Breast cancer elicits so many fears, including those relating to surgery, death, loss of body image and loss of sexuality. Managing these fears can be facilitated by information and knowledge so that each woman can make the best decisions concerning her care.

Optimally, these issues are best discussed with the patient's doctor on an individual basis.

Male breast cancer does occur and accounts for about 1% of all cancer deaths in men.

Please remember, Once a month do your Breast self exam. It doesnt take long, and that few minutes can save your life. Practice on your partner and remind the ones you love that they should self exam as well. It only takes One reminder to catch a lump and save a life.

The Duo becomes a Trio

2010-03-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

Introducing our new Boobie Wednesday team member - @allconsoffun! This super awesome woman has volunteered to help us out and we love her so much for it! Make sure you follow her on twitter and give her a big welcome.

We love you chick!

Your Early Detection Plan

2010-03-02T06:47:00.000-08:00

First off let me apologize for the lack of Boobie Wednesday-ness last week. For a number of reasons I was unable to be here. But don't worry, I'm back! and more than that, I'm back with a brand-spanking-new blog post for you ;)

So I was cruising around the NBCF website, trying to gain some inspiration, and I happened to stumble across the Early Detection Plan.

Basically with the early detection plan, you enter your info, whether there is a family history of breast cancer or not, and they will create a calendar for you.

You can choose to receive your BSE reminders via email, text, IM, or you can have it emailed to you as a calender event. No matter how you have your reminder sent to you, I recommend you choose the print out option which will require you to download a PDF. The printout will look like this:

This will quick a quick breakdown of how to do your BSE. It's very helpful if you're not exactly sure how do your self exam.

I signed myself up for the plan, and I'm glad that there's one less thing I have to remember to do now. Do yourself a favor and sign yourself up too.

And that's your blog for this week ladies and gents!

Breast density linked to cancer

2010-02-16T06:30:00.000-08:00

Where it has often been said that breast cancer is not relative to breast size or density, researchers at the Melbourne University's School of Population Health may have found other wise.

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer related death in Australian women. Which leads me to mentioning The Breast Cancer site. Just visit the link and click to give a free mammogram. It's a great program, and I recommend every does it at least once, or every day :) It won't even cost you a thing.

Our new tee's are up at the store, so drop by and check 'em out. $2 from every sale goes to the NBCF.

(Article taken from theage.com.au)

Announcing the winner

2010-02-11T07:06:00.000-08:00

The winner of the Be a Designer competition is...... @littleanimation
Your design will be featured on our t-shirts in the Boobie Wednesday store!
Second place will go to @thatwebchick, whose design will also be featured.
Thanks so much for your entries girls!

Help us help you

2010-02-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, your Boobie Wednesday blogger is sick again, and between very little sleep, pregnancy hormones, and a stuffy head, concentration is at a minimum.

So instead of telling you about something, we're asking you, our wonderful friends and supporters, what you see in the Boobie Wednesday future.

Leave a comment and tell us:
What do you love about Boobie Wednesday?
What could we improve?
How could we expand the Boobie Wednesday empire?
Any ideas for future competitions?

And anything else you'd like to add. We love hearing from you guys.

Have a great #Boobiewed!!!

{If you're wondering "Why Lara Croft?", I like the picture, and she is kinda infamous for her boobies ;) }

Survivors and Ink

2010-01-26T07:05:00.000-08:00

Another Boobie Wednesday approaches. It's a sunny day outside, the ground is sprinkled with white, and my brain doesn't seem to want to do anything but stare out the window...

Lets have a moment shall we...

Ok, no, this is not the view outside my window, but it is pretty right? :)..... And back to what we're supposed to be doing!

So today after many requests we're doing something in the vein of a survivor wall. There are so many women (and men) out there who deserve to be recognized for their courageous battle that there are simply too many to name, so I'm going to name the ones we all know. Yes, celebrity survivors.

Edie Falco
Sopranos star Edie Falco was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, and secretly battled it.

Melissa Etheridge
Diagnosed in 2004 with breast cancer, Etheridge is doing well.

Kate Jackson
2 time survivor Kate Jackson battled cancer in 1987 and in 1989. She is recognized as one of the most famous of the "angels" in "Charlie's Angels".

Olivia Newton John
Famous singer and actress was diagnosed 1992, underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Richard Roundtree
Shaft star is proof that breast cancer affects men, too. Roundtree was diagnosed in 1993, had a radical mastectomy and rounds of chemotherapy.

Jaclyn Smith
Charlie's Angels star, Smith discovered a lump in 2002. Treatment included a lumpectomy and radiation.

Suzanne Sommers
Actress and author Suzanne Somers was the source of much controversy when she decided to forgo standard treatment and opted alternative therapy and holistic medicine instead.

Shirley Temple Black
Child actress, Shirley Temple found a lump in 1972, and had a mastectomy.

Anastacia
The singer was diagnosed in 2003 and now raises breast cancer awareness since becoming a survivor.

And possibly the most notable breast cancer survivor (at least in my mind), Christina Applegate.

In April 2008, at the age of 36 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Due to circumstances, Christina chose to have a bilateral mastectomy. I think her story is one of strength and bravery, and if you want to read her interview with Oprah, you can do so here. I recommend it.

Many people, like Christina Applegate, choose to have breast reconstruction surgery, but others choose a different approach. Some women choose ink.

Meet Pat Fish, an amazing tattoo artist who does breast cancer related tattoo's.

"It is an unfortunate fact that breast cancer touches all our lives. In the past several years I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some outstanding people whose lives have been forever shaped by their encounters with the disease, and this page is a record of some of the work that resulted."

Pat has done some beautiful mastectomy artwork. I particularly like Beth's art.

"When we started... she just wanted two pink primroses to replace the nipples. She'd had enough of surgeries, and didn't want reconstruction, just a bit of art to help with the visual affect. I talked her into a blue monarch butterfly and we had a discussion about how covering the entire area with flowers would camouflage all the surgical scars... She has given me permission to post these photos here because she wants to help other women realize that there are options other than just living with the scars."

I think this is just gorgeous. There is more of Pats work on the page, so make sure you check it out :).

And here's some more beautiful mastectomy tattoos.

Lets give a round of applause for these strong, brave and proud women.

A little clarification...

2010-01-17T11:41:00.000-08:00

So lately here at Boobie Wednesday, we've been taking a lot of crap because of our methods. Sadly I think this is because people are complainy and ignorant. But just for the sake of proving a point, I would like to say a few things.

First of all more than one person has said "Isn't the show of your boobs disrespectful or ignorant of those women who don't have boobs due to mastectomies?" And here's my answer - Why can't a women with a mastectomy show her chest too?

There are so many women in this world who feel insecure or inadequate, whether it's your butt, your boobs or your hips. But you know what? Us Boobie Wednesday girls, we think you're perfect no matter who or how you are, and we think you should be proud of it.

So for those that have made comments about us discriminating against women with mastectomies - Are we discriminating, or are you?

Secondly, some people seem to have a problem with us using our boobies to advertise our cause, period. (Let me re-instate here: OUR boobies). Some have even said that it's wrong to use boobie pictures when breast cancer can affect every part of the body. Yes, it's true, breast cancer can spread, but it's called breast cancer because THAT'S where it starts.

And let me ask you this. When advertising companies have been using the female body to advertise everything from cars, to clothes, to vacations, why is it so wrong to use our breasts to advertise a cause that is actually RELEVANT to the female body.

And not just the female body either. Men get breast cancer too. And we don't exclude men from our campaign. On the contrary, we have more than a few men showing their own chests on Wednesdays in support of us and to spread the message of awareness. I've yet to hear anyone complain about seeing the male Boobie Wednesday supporters on their feeds.

Thirdly, we do not MAKE people show their boobs on Wednesdays, this is purely a matter of choice. We have a variety of pictures here on the blog that people can use ranging from cute to sexy, and even then we don't care if you change your picture or not.

Boobies are fun, and they get the attention of people whose attention might not otherwise be caught, but our whole point is breast cancer awareness. It's about what you say, not necessarily what you show. So if you only want to RT us, or not even mention us at all, we don't mind. We just want people to be aware.

I think that all in all, people should be allowed to use their bodies as they wish. I think that criticising someone for showing their boobies for a good cause is like criticising someone for their hair cut. It's really just pointless. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's wrong.

And for people who have asked the question of why we don't support other cancer awareness issues, like colo-rectal, or prostate, it's really just a matter of what got me into this, and that is - my boobs. I love them. I'm proud of them. I like other people to notice them. And if I can use my endowments for a good reason, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't.

(I would also like to add that we post info about different types of cancer all through the week from our @boobiewed page.)

For those out there who still don't agree with Boobie Wednesday for whatever reason, I'm sorry, but we'll just have to agree to disagree. All I ask is that you still do your BSE's and remind others to do so. You don't even have to do it on Wednesday.

(A few words from the other half of the Boobie Wednesday Duo.
I want to say, We love each and everyone of you that believe in what we are doing every week. Without you people, We would still do this, but We would have never reached so many in so little time. You Have taught us so much about yourselves and about the brave people you have loved and lost. Thank you so very much. )

BC Treatments and Be A Designer Competition

2010-01-12T06:02:00.000-08:00

Most of our posts on here relate to prevention and early detection. Well today our post is about some of the treatments available for those who have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

When I googled this a lot of the pages I found where companies trying to sell their own products, so I turned to the ever reliable WedMD.

Now the stages of breast cancer rate from stage 0 to stage 4. The average survival rate for a stage 0 diagnosis is 100%, where as stage 4 diagnosis is usually terminal, which is why its important to do your BSE's!

Here's a list of typical treatments:

Surgery is a standard. For smaller tumors, you might get a lumpectomy, in which only the abnormal cells and some of the tissue are removed. Some women choose a mastectomy, in which the entire breast is removed. After a mastectomy, you might choose to have breast reconstruction surgery.
Radiation therapy is standard treatment after a lumpectomy. Radiation therapy attacks any abnormal cells that might have been missed and decreases the risk of another cancer.
Hormone therapy with tamoxifen after surgery may also help prevent cancer from developing in the same or opposite breast.
Bilateral mastectomy -- the removal of both breasts -- is another option. Some women choose this approach because they are worried about getting cancer. They might have certain risk factors, like a strong family history of breast cancer. After surgery, you might choose to get breast reconstruction surgery. However, experts think that a bilateral mastectomy is a more extreme approach than women usually need.
Chemotherapy is treatment with drugs that attack cancer cells. It's often used after surgery to lower the risk of the cancer coming back. Women who had larger tumors are more likely to need it.
Biological therapy is another approach. In about 25% of women with breast cancer, an excess of a protein known as HER2 makes the cancer spread quickly. Herceptin is a new drug that's been approved to treat women with metastatic breast cancer that is HER2 positive. It stops this protein from making the cancer grow and makes chemotherapy more effective. It is most often used in combination with chemotherapy. Studies have led to its use in early breast cancer.
Clinical trials A clinical trial may allow you access to cutting-edge treatments. Many new therapies -- new drugs, new treatments, and new combinations -- are in clinical trials now. Keep in mind that any successful treatment we have now started out in a clinical trial.
Other drugs may also help treat some of the side effects of breast cancer treatment, such as nausea, fatigue, and infections.

So for any of you who ever wanted to know the options, whether for yourself or a family member, that's the standard list.

Just remember that every cancer is different, every patient is different, so every treatment is different. What worked for your friend might not work for you. Make sure you have good communication with your doctor and be open to their suggestions.

Ok, now that we've covered our serious issue for the week, we can get to the fun. Yes, FUN! Boobie Wednesday is bringing you a new competition! (Competition is now closed).

Basically, we've been asking you guys for AGES to help us come up with designs for the t-shirts at the Boobie Wednesday store, and some of your ideas have been great! Unfortunately, neither myself nor my partner in crime have the necessary resources to actually make the designs ourselves, so we're giving you the floor!

So here's the details. We need a t-shirt design, related to breast cancer awareness, and/or Boobie Wednesday and it must be (this is very important) ORIGINAL. We cannot accept entries that are reminiscent of any other campaign logos, or slogans or anything like that.

Secondly, it needs to be on a transparent background, and preferably saved in PNG format. Also to bigger you can make it the better. :)

If you've got all that done, send it to us at boobiewed@yahoo.com

What does the winner get, you ask? The winner gets to see their design in the Boobie Wednesday store! (AND you'll have good karma, because all the money we raise from selling your design will go to the NBCF).

So get creative and get em in! We'll be closing the competition on February 1oth, so you've got about a month to get your entry in.

Good luck!

Boobies 2010

2010-01-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first Boobie Wednesday blog of the new year!

I first want to take the time to give all our supporters a big squishy boobie hug. You guys have been awesome, and have really carried the #boobiewed message into the new year. We couldn't do it without you.

We also want to thank all those people who have shared their stories with us. We are truly honored that you would share your lives with us, and we hope more of you will :).

But now is the time of new beginnings so I figured we'd start 2010 with a new mission-plan (I hate the words mission-plan, it sounds so corporate), and some new picture choices.

So I'm sure you've all read the welcome post, and that about it covers it, but in 2010 we plan to bring you info on breast cancer, support groups, preventatives and treatments, a few competitions, and a lot of fun.

We will continue the message of the importance of BSE's, and the showing of our boobies on Wednesday. (he he)

We're still selling Boobie Wednesday stuff at the store, and $2 from every purchase goes to the NBCF, so make sure you drop by and see if there's anything you like. There's also a PayPal button over there on the right, if you want to donate instead of buy, and that will also go directly to the NBCF.

Now in the spirit of Boobie Wednesday, and because we understand that some people would rather not flaunt their chestal region, we're going to give you some pics that we think are cool.

You are free to use any and all of these, so please do.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Stick this in your pie hole (alternatively titled - Cancer Fighting Foods)

2009-12-15T07:34:00.000-08:00

Don't know what to cook for Christmas dinner? Consider this - Did you know that certain types of food help prevent cancer? Even breast cancer specifically? Well, you do now :)

Add these goodies to your dinner table and know that not only are you eating healthy, you could be doing yourself more good than you thought.

Yellow and orange vegetables are high in beta-carotene and this is linked lower rates of breast cancer. Carrots are the best source for this, and the beta-carotene in baby carrots is even more absorbable than that of regular carrot, and it's 500% more absorbable cooked than raw.

Cruciferous (or cabbage type) vegetables, like radish, broccoli, cauliflower, rutabaga, cabbage, turnips, and turnip greens, contain indole-3-carbinol, which lowers the levels of a type of estrogen that may promote breast cancer.

Tomatoes, in all forms, from sun dried to ketchup, contain lycopene. It has been shown that people who have a diet high in lycopene are linked to lower rates of breast and prostate cancer.

Grapes had awesome antioxidant cancer fighting power, and they make a really pretty centre piece. Go for Concord grapes if you can ;)

Foods high in omega-3, like cold water fish, and nuts and seeds are great cancer fighters. Studies have shown that women with higher omega-3 tissue levels have lower rates of breast cancer.

Cherries will not only make a pretty addition to your grapes as a centre piece, they have also proven to inhibit cancer in rats.

And because none of us want to sit here all day, here's the rest of the list:

Whole grains

Butter NOT margarine

Green tea

Olive oil

Garlic (hint: after you've peeled and chopped, leave to rest for 10 mins, this will allow all those cancer fighting goodies to form)

Spinach

Flaxseed

Soy

Fennel

Add some of these goodies to your Christmas table, and not only will you have a happy, healthy Christmas, you'll have a cancer fighting one too.

On that note, and seeing as how this our last post for 2009, we'd like to thank you all so much for helping to spread the word, and we wish you all a very merry Christmas.

Boobie Love ;)

We got our info from NaturalHealthWeb

Announcing the winner of the What's Your Sign Competition

2009-12-10T05:46:00.000-08:00

Put your hand together for Michelle! Her sign made me laugh in that sad but true kinda way. Lol.

Congratulations Michelle. Your $60 Boobie Wednesday surprise, will be on its way ASAP.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered. We loved all your comments and we hope you'll be back for the next competition. ;)

The Calm in the Chaos

2009-12-08T07:28:00.000-08:00

I figure we're all stressing right about now, aren't we? (I know I am). Thanksgiving was barely over before you realised - 'Oh crap, It's only a month till Christmas' - And then you start trying to figure out what presents to buy, and for whom, and how much to spend, and who's coming over for Christmas dinner, and which relatives to visit, and then there's the cards to write, and the tree to get and/or decorate, and should you do the outdoor display this year....

So I think that today, we all need to relax and recharge, and lucky for you I know some really good ways to do it :)

1.The Bath

This is number one because it's my favourite ;)

Find half an hour in your day that you won't be disturbed, (for most of us this is after the kids are in bed), and run yourself a hot bath - the hotter the better. The heat and the steam will not only have a sauna effect but with encourage your pores to expel all the grease and dirt.

While the water's running, find an old sock, and fill it with one cup of oats, then tie a knot in it and drop it in the bath. This is often referred to as a milk bath because it makes the water turn white. All the good stuff from the oats will treat your skin while you soak, and when you get out your skin will feel fabulous.

And if you want to, you can add a few drops of lavender oil for a calm effect, or sandalwood which is said to promote peace of mind. Light some candles and turn off the light if you feel the need.

(Unfortunately I have seen way too many scary movies to be able to relax in a darkened bathroom. :P )

2. The Lotion

When you get out of the bath, grab your favourite lotion and have at it. Make sure you don't just use it on the usual spots, like your face and hands but cover your whole body. This is really simple, but it'll make you feel wonderful, and wonderful = happy = relaxed.

3. The Clothes

No matter what you'll be doing with your night, make sure to wear your comfiest clothes. I love my flannel PJ's best, but if you can't pick, try going for a specific colour.

Red will help out if you plan to get lucky, as it raises sexual awareness and men tend to find women in red very sexy ;)

Orange will cheer you up, and help you think positively.

Yellow will help you find inspiration, so if you're still stressing over some of those holiday choices, yellow might be your answer.

Green promotes harmony and balance and has a soothing effect.

Blue is a calming colour, and is the number one pick for straight up relaxation.

Purple will help you feel renewed and also supposedly helps you sleep.

White is the colour of enlightenment and spirituality, so if thats your thing, go for it.

You can check this site for the full colour spectrum.

4. The Food

Pick something don't eat a lot of, but really enjoy. Pizza, chocolate, popcorn, a footlong sub, whatever. It's really sad, but my comfort food is beef stew. I hardly ever eat it, but I love it. Just remember not to eat to much. Being stuffed will ruin your comfortable feeling.

5. Activity

Burning off energy is a great way to beat stress. Laughing, dancing, and sex are great energy burners, and usually the most popular choices. Watching a funny movie, going out with your friends, and getting lucky are the best choices for relieving tension and getting rid of excess energy, which will not only make you feel better, it'll help you sleep better too.

I feel the need to add here, that before I had a husband and kids who refused to let me, I used to go the grocery store in my goofy pajamas when I was stressed out. It felt good to walk it off and I giggled hysterically at all the looks I got. Always made me feel better.

Yes, I am a little weird.

Just a little.

And that ends todays lesson on chilling out. Don't forget to check out our cool Boobie Wednesday products at our store. $2 from every sale is donated to the NBCF, and if you have a few pennies to spare click on our PayPal link to donate to our Christmas Fund. :)

Every boob counts.

Everyone affected by Breast Cancer has a story. Here's yours.

2009-12-02T07:21:00.000-08:00

This week i want to show Everyone the touching and gut wrenching stories of the Boobie Wednesday friends and fans.

So many of you have shared with us How breast cancer has touched you.

This is what Terilynn Wrote in her Blog. http://terilynnstrek.blogspot.com/2009/10/different-sort-of-place.html

"Having lost a sister-in-law from this horrific disease as well as knowing FAR TOO MANY women and at least one man who suffer from its affects, I decided to participate.While I have always supported the Susan G. Komen Foundation, I really like the quirky, and quite frankly EFFECTIVE way these women have decided to get into the act."

This is from Madman459's Blog. http://madmansmess.blogspot.com/2009/11/finally-boobiewed.html?showComment=1258080511775#c4721156791964261489

"Breast cancer affects EVERYONE. Guys, us too. We've got the same plumbing, just not all the padding. Self examination is key, catch it early and it can be taken care of relatively easily and save your life. I have a sister in-law who survived breast cancer, but wound up losing a breast in the process. Luckily, she has been cancer-free ever since. This woman is a saint. Or at least she will be, eventually. (Hopefully, many decades from now.) I'm doing this for her and for every other person who has had to go through the ordeals of varying stages of breast cancer. It's a horrible disease that attacks the most fun, eye-catching, comforting and yes, nurturing part of the human body."

UberDorkGirlie's Blog is about her Aunt Carol and how she touched her life in many ways, including fighting Breast Cancer. Her story made us laugh and cry. http://lifeinmonkeyland.blogspot.com/2009/10/yup-ive-got-boobs.html

"I have a million great aunt Carol stories. But damn it, I should have a million more. My monkeys should have their own arsenal of great aunt Carol stories forming. OMG she would so love them. And she would so be their favorite. But, Cancer felt otherwise."

And Squozed's Story of his Mom's Winning fight is courageous and telling. http://squozedtoo.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/a-worthy-cause/

"Thankfully, we had a lot of friends and family who were nearby to help while she went through the treatments. My grandmother made her some beautiful scarves to cover her head that she still will wear to this day on certain occasions. Slowly, she started regaining her strength, able to do small things until she was well enough to do the routine tasks that she used to do taken for granted again. I am happy to say that she has been in remission since those treatments, only having one minor relapse a couple of years ago."

And our creative friends..

This art is from LittleAnimation

And SeantaClaus add to the Boobie Wednesdays Shirts. http://seantaclaus.livejournal.com/492050.html

And here are the Articles and Honorable mentions we have had.

Geektome's Article.. http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/geek-to-me/2009/09/show-us-your-boobies.html

Geekgirls Interview with our Co-founder Shimmer418 http://geekgirlsnetwork.com/blog/2009/11/boobie-wednesday

Tattooed_mummy's Blog. http://tattooedmummy.blogspot.com/2009/10/woo-hoo-boobies.html

Kylee E. Lane's Blog http://luxurylanesoap.blogspot.com/2009/10/why-are-my-bewbs-on-twitter.html

I just want to thank each and everyone who has helped us spread the Boobie Wednesday Message. You know who you are.

New Mammogram Guidelines... WTF?

2009-11-17T07:04:00.000-08:00

Today an article was brought to my attention concerning the new mammogram guidelines. Being that we're all about breast health here, of course I was interested, but what I read I found just a little bit ridiculous and a lot absolutely stupid.

The article, published on the AOL news site, states that

A government task force said Monday that most women don't need mammograms in their 40s and should get one every two years starting at 50 — a stunning reversal and a break with the American Cancer Society's long-standing position. What's more, the panel said breast self-exams do no good, and women shouldn't be taught to do them.

You can find the full article here

And all this in the interest of reducing stress levels? I guess the government is pushing for a "what you don't know, can't hurt you" plan.

I don't know about everyone else, but I would rather go in to have a biopsy and be told I was ok, than get my first mammogram at 50 and be told the cancer had spread so far there was little to no chance of survival.

And saying that breast self exams are useless? I would love to see the numbers on how many women have had their lives saved because of a BSE...

It seems to me the government is encouraging the population to be ignorant of their own health.

There is no history of breast cancer in my family, but all jokes aside, I love my boobs, and I couldn't imagine having them taken away from me, or having my LIFE taken away from me.

So I say SCREW the government. Early detection saves lives (and boobies), so please do your BSE every month. It could save your life.

Leave us a comment. We'd love to know what you think of this.

Our Christmas Wish

2009-11-10T07:17:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, here at Boobie Wednesday we're trying to raise $100 to donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation by Christmas. That will be our Christmas present to a woman in need of a mammogram, because that's how much a mammogram costs.

$2 from every purchase at the Boobie Wednesday store will be donated, so drop in, and pick yourself up a mug or a t-shirt with the fantastic picture @seantaclaus did for us. You won't find them anywhere else.

Help us help someone else.

What's your sign say?

2009-11-09T06:23:00.000-08:00

For many people, being a survivor of breast cancer is a badge of honor. And it should be. BC is a bitch and beating her isn't easy.

All those women who have fought the disease, whether they have won or not, are an inspiration to us all.

But it made me wonder something. For years I have joked that I have a sign about my head that says "Freaks and dirty old men, come this way", and I wonder how many of those amazing women had something similar before they earned the title of "Survivor".

It also gave me an idea for our Christmas competition. You ready for another one? OK here it is. Leave us a comment here on our blog and tell us what your sign says. For example...

...is my sign. So what does yours say? I'm pretty sure my sisters sign says "Beware. Moments of complete randomness may occur", and @shimmer418's is aimed at poor and/or married men. He he he.

So leave us a comment, tell us about your sign, and you could win a fabulous prize, valued at about $60. BUT, we're not gonna tell you what it is. Nope, it's a surprise. I can tell you it will be merchandise from our very own Boobie Wednesday store, the rest is a secret.

December 9th will be the last day to enter. Obviously you can only enter once, and make sure you leave your twitter name with your comment, or an email address.

We're looking forward to hearing from all of you, and if you happen to know any of those amazing people who have that wonderful "Survivor" sign, give them a hug from us. We think they're amazing :)

November And Awareness continues.

2009-11-03T09:08:00.000-08:00

Ok Honey_is_evil is sick so i will make it short and sweet.

This week i want to thank everyone for joining us for our first ever #halloboobies contest. Everyone helped us make it fun and informative.

Now that November is here Boobie Wednesday continues because Breast cancer doesn't go away when October ends.

Take the time once a Month to check yourself because Breast cancer Prevention starts with you.

Drum roll please

2009-10-30T05:45:00.000-07:00

And the winner of the fantastic #halloboobies prize is... *duh da da dum* @millarca!!!!!! Congratulations! Your entries were not only really cool and creative, but we could tell you really wanted to win :)

Picking a favorite proved to be a challenge, so we'll post all three of her entries.

Week 2 entry

Week 3 entry

Week 4 entry

Thanks to everyone else who entered! Especially @KyleeLane and @Susi_Sunshine. You guys are awesome :)

If you didn't win this month, don't worry! There'll be more Boobie Wednesday competitions coming soon, so stay tuned!

Week 4 #HalloBoobies winner is...

2009-10-29T04:31:00.000-07:00

Our reigning champ, @millarca! Her Clockwork Orange boobies won the day! Very creative.

And with that announcement our #HalloBoobies comp is officially closed. We'll be posting the winner of the prize here on the blog some time in the next few days, so keep an eye out ;)

We'd also like to make a special mention to @seantaclaus who has very awesomely donated a piece of artwork to us here at Boobie Wednesday.
(This work is copyrighted, do not re-post without express permission of Sean Parrack.)

Cool, huh? We're currently in the process of convincing him to let us use it on a t-shirt ;)

Don't forget to visit the Boobie Wednesday store. All profits go to the NBCF. $100 buys a mammogram for a woman in need.

Cause really, who doesn't like boobies?

Breast Cancer Myths

2009-10-27T06:18:00.000-07:00

When I saw this on the NBCF blog, I though "Hey, that'd make a great blog article." Upon reading it however I don't think I can write it better than they've done themselves, so I'm going to cheat and reproduce it for you here :)

Breast Cancer Myths

Don't let yourself be a victim of misinformation and the myths generated by fear.

BREAST CANCER MYTHS

The Myth

Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.

The Truth

If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes in breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician immediately. However, 8 out of 10 breast lumps are benign, or not cancerous. Sometimes women stay away from medical care because they fear what they might find. Take charge of your health by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing ongoing communication with your doctor, and scheduling regular mammograms.

The Myth

Men do not get breast cancer.

The Truth

Quite the contrary. Each year it is estimated that approximately 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 will die. While this percentage is still small, men should also give themselves regular breast self-exams and note any changes to their physicians.

The Myth

A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.

The Truth

A mammogram, or X-ray of the breast, is one of the best tools available for the early detection of breast cancer. It CANNOT cause cancer to spread, nor can the pressure put on the breast from the mammogram. Do not let tales of other people's experiences keep you from having a mammogram. Base your decision on your physician's recommendation and be sure to discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

The Myth

Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get it.

The Truth

While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. If you have a mother, daughter, sister, or grandmother who had breast cancer, you should have a mammogram five years before the age of their diagnosis, or starting at age 35.

The Myth

Breast cancer is contagious.

The Truth

You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else's body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth in your own body.However, you can protect yourself by being aware of the risk factors and following an early detection plan.

The Myth

Knowing you have changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene can help you prevent breast cancer.

The Truth

While alterations in these genes in men and women can predispose an individual to an increased risk of breast cancer, only 5% to 10% of patients actually have this mutation. This is not an absolute correlation. Like your age or having a family history of breast cancer, it's a factor you just can't control. But you can let your physician know, perform regular breast self-exams, and focus on the fact your chances of not having this disease are greater than 90%.

Here is the link to the page.

Another thing you might want to check out on the NBCF site is the Volunteer page. Just give them your info and they'll contact you about volunteer opportunities in your area.

And of course don't forget to visit the Boobie Wednesday Store to help us raise money for the awesomely fantabulous NBCF. $1oo pays for a mammogram, so help us help someone else :)

Because really, who doesn't like boobies?

And the week 3 #HalloBoobies winner is....

2009-10-22T04:28:00.000-07:00

~Drumroll~ @Millarca! You are our week 3 winner!

We thought you freddy boobs were totally cool, and you're now in the running to win a #boobiewed bear, and the shirt of your choice. :) Good luck!

(LOL, she also told us on her blog that it was gooey and smelled of peaches)

Don't forget guys, there's one more week left, and we're taking email entries all the time! So, Hallo your Boobies and send 'em in!

Men have boobies too... or is that moobies?

2009-10-20T05:25:00.000-07:00

Ok so lets be honest, many of you men came aboard the Boobie Wednesday train for the cleavage, (and that's OK, because that's how we tricked you into paying attention), but did you know that YOU can get breast cancer too? Yep, sorry to break it to you boys, but the moobies aren't safe either.

Research shows that women ARE 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer, but any man can develop breast cancer, and the older you get the higher your chances. In fact most male breast cancer occurs in men aged between 60 and 70.

"The prognosis for male breast cancer is the same as for breast cancer in women. In the past, male breast cancer was often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, which may have led people to believe it had a worse prognosis. Although male breast cancer and breast cancer in women are similar, important distinctions such as breast size and awareness affect early diagnosis and survival in cases of male breast cancer." - MayoClinic

Some of the give away symptoms men develop include:

Skin dimpling or puckering

Development of a new retraction or indentation of the nipple

Changes in the nipple or breast skin, such as scaling or redness

Nipple discharge

(And lets be honest here boys, you should probably go see a doc if any of these things happen anyway)

Now in men, nearly 20% of cases are inherited, as compared to almost half of that in women, so if you have a history of breast cancer in your family you're at greater risk.

But like they say, prevention is the best cure :) Say healthy, avoid drinking like a sailor at every opportunity, and if you notice any difference in the moobies GO SEE A DOCTOR.

Because, hey, they might not be as nice as the puppies, or as talented as this guys

but they're still important. ;)

(And on one final note, don't forget to visit the Boobie Wednesday store and help us raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. We've made pitifully little money this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We're also looking for ideas for mens T's so if you have any, email us or leave us a comment. Thanks!)

We got our info from MayoClinic.com

And the week 2 HalloBoobies winner is...

2009-10-15T05:50:00.000-07:00

Congratulations @millarca AND @KyleeLane. Yes! We have 2 winners this week. We loved the effort @millarca put in, but we loved @KyleeLane's gore, so you'll both be going into the draw to win a Boobie Wednesday teddy bear, and t-shirt of your choice.

@KyleeLane

@millarca

Don't forget everyone, there's still 2 more weeks of #HalloBoobies on #boobiewed, and we're taking email entrants all the time - boobiewed@yahoo.com

Good luck!

What exactly is breast cancer?

2009-10-12T16:50:00.000-07:00

So what IS breast cancer? Well we know it's scary and just about anyone can get it. Even you guys aren't safe from this nasty. But why does it happen and how?

Luckily for you, the Boobie Wednesday girls are here to answer your questions. :)

Well, umm, thanks to the good people at www.breastcancer.org anyway.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. says,

“Just think about the many things that might cause the wear and tear that leads to abnormal cell growth—pollutants, hormones, pesticides, smoking, alcohol use, obesity, stress…. Or maybe your cells just made a mistake one day when they were making new genes to pass on to their baby cells. Perhaps there was a misprint in the genetic instruction manual that said switch growth on instead of growth off. This is a test. ”

To give you the brief rundown:

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells.
The term "breast cancer" refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast.

Here is a very unsexy boobie pic that explains the anatomy of the breast a little further.

Breast profile:

A Ducts
B Lobules
C Dilated section of duct to hold milk
D Nipple
E Fat
F Pectoralis major muscle
G Chest wall/rib cage

Enlargement
A Normal duct cells
B Basement membrane
C Lumen (center of duct)

Cancer in any part of the body is caused by "mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy". But in the breasts the cancer usually either "begins in the cells of the lobules, which are the milk-producing glands, or the ducts, the passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple".

You can get a description of the stages of breast cancer here.

"While there are steps every person can take to help the body stay as healthy as possible (such as eating a balanced diet, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and exercising regularly), breast cancer is never anyone's fault. Feeling guilty, or telling yourself that breast cancer happened because of something you or anyone else did, is not productive."

Basically breast cancer is really scary. Not just because it's life threatening, but it's boobie threatening too. To some that might sound totally superficial, but whether you like it or not, breasts are a symbol of womens sexuality, and who among us would want that stripped away?

So be smart. Stay healthy. Eat well, exercise, and above all do your monthly BSE just like we showed you here.

And when you've done all that, why not donate to help save someone elses boobies too? We recommend NBCF and Komen for the Cure, and of course you can buy something from our very own Boobie Wednesday store where all profits will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Cause really, who doesn't like boobies?

HalloBoobies week one winner is...

2009-10-08T05:17:00.000-07:00

Congratulations @Susi_Sunshine and her bat Kurt, you are our first weekly winner and could win a Boobie Wednesday bear and t-shirt! Yay for you!

Don't forget guys, we're taking email entrants all the time, and you can also enter by using the #halloboobies tag next Boobie Wednesday.

Maybe it'll be your name here next Thursday.... ;)

October Rocks!

2009-10-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

October totally rocks right?! First, because it's Halloween, and everyone loves Halloween don't they? Halloween is my most favorite time of the year, probably cause it's so dark and pagan, he he, but also cause I like having an excuse to dress up and ask people for candy.

But, October also rocks, because it's Breast Cancer Awareness month! Yes, October is the month of wonderful things! Halloween and boobies! Yay! And because we love these things so much we've decided to put them together to come up with the worlds most fabulous competetion... But more on that later.

Before we get to the really good stuff, I thought I'd give you all a little more info on the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). I'm sure in all our tweets, you've heard us mention them, but it occurs to me I haven't told you anything about them.

This is what they have to say:

The National Breast Cancer Foundation mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for those in need. NBCF accomplishes this mission through our initiatives, such as the National Mammography Program (NMP), Beyond the Shock educational video, MyNBCF online community, and the Early Detection Plan. NBCF programs provide women help for today and hope for tomorrow

If you ask me, that sounds like a really good plan, so all profits from our Boobie Wednesday store will be donated to the NBCF. You should cruise around their site and see what else there is to see too. We strongly recommend the community section. We even have our own profile there.

If you feel like your bank account is only good for one karma filled donation I'd recommend you check out Boobiethon. Us Boobie Wednesday girls love boobiethon and we're telling you to donate! He he he.

Now back to our competition... Because, as previously stated, we think that Halloween and boobies rock, I've come up with a little competition to combine the two... Introducing... ~drum roll~ HalloBoobies!!

All October I'll be running a HalloBoobie competition. We'll have a weekly winner every Wednesday and on Halloween I'll announce the over-all winner. This person will get the most awesome of prizes! Yes, MOST awesome. The over-all winner will win one Boobie Wednesday bear and a t-shirt of their choice from the Boobie Wednesday store.

I told you it was fabulous. ;)

Now all you have to do to enter is fancy dress your boobies. Yes you heard me right. Your boobies. Paint them, draw on them, put a rat in your cleavage, whatever! Just make it imaginative and Halloween themed.

Then, post your HalloBoobies as your picture on Boobie Wednesday and add a #halloboobies tag.

Or alternatively, email your picture to us at christalwishes@myspace.com or boobiewed@yahoo.com and we'll post the best of our email entrants here on the site.

You can enter as many times as you like, and we'll post the weekly winner on Thursday!

Good luck and have fun!

Yup, I've got boobies

2009-10-01T14:59:00.001-07:00

So here in Boobie Wednesday land, we've had some great responses and stories from people. Some sad, some uplifting, some both. I feel I should mention @forceofseven right here, as she's told me her story, and I think she's a very brave and amazing person.

But there was one other story that really moved me too. It was posted on the Life in Monkeyland blog by @UberDorkGirlie, and was brought to my attention because of the special mention @boobiewed, myself (@honey_is_evil), and @shimmer418 got.

At first I expected it to be another "You girls are doing great!" type thing. (Which we are really unbelievably grateful for by the way). But what I found different was that our mention came with a story. A really great, really touching story.

I loved it, and I know you will too. With @UberDorkGirlie's permission, here it is:

They say every family has a black sheep. Well, my aunt Carol was the rainbow colored one. To me she will not only always be my favorite aunt, but one of the best female role models I had and will ever have. Aunt Carol redefined original. You can walk to the beat of your own drum, she had her own five piece band. If Lucille Ball, Betty Page and Audrey Hepburn had a lovechild, maybe, just maybe, you could come kind of close. Funny as hell, yet equally graceful. Ladylike manners when she was telling someone to go to hell (and believe me they had it coming). Dancing forward through life bold and brave, yet always thinking of others first.

She was the oldest of five siblings in a household that saw many rough times. My grandfather died young, barely in his 50’s at the time thanks to the working conditions he was in day in and day out. No matter how bad things were, she always made sure all of her brothers and sisters had a present beneath the tree on Christmas morning and every lovingly wrapped present was from “Santa.” Oh how she loved Christmas. Trips to her house in Minneapolis were my favorite times ever growing up. Second only to their trips down here. Trips, I am very grateful to say, that happened pretty frequently.

Aunt Carol was also my very first official Partner in Crime. Many of you know that I inappropriately grope my coffee mug every morning. What you don’t know is how deep my love of coffee goes. Ever since I can remember, I have loved it. I would bug my parents incessantly when I was little for some. As it would “stunt my growth,” it was off limits. Bless Dannon’s heart though, they made a coffee yogurt that my parents would get me. When we visited aunt Carol, she would sneak it to me. She was so slick about it too. When she made me hot cocoa, she’d use coffee instead of water. We called them “Cocoa Mochoas” and they were our little secret. They were so delish. That’s right, screw you Starbucks. I still make them for myself during the winter. And it still brings tears to my eyes on the first sip.

I have a million great aunt Carol stories. But damn it, I should have a million more. My monkeys should have their own arsenal of great aunt Carol stories forming. OMG she would so love them. And she would so be their favorite. But, Cancer felt otherwise. Fuck you very much Cancer. I swear one day you will wreak the just desserts you deserve. If only it were a person we could torture for decades day in and day out.

It was roughly the late 80’s when she was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer. A time when little was really known about it and old people whispered “Cancer” as though anything louder would summon it like a beast from the deepest bowels of Hades. No one wants to wake that beast. Doctor’s didn’t really do mastectomies. Radiation and chemotherapy were their sole weapons of choice. “It’s not the Cancer that kills you, it’s the treatment” we’d hear over and over. WTF does that mean?? Then why do it?? She beat it over and over again. A tumor would pop up and she’d ride it out until it was gone. Then I guess it got really pissed. It came back with a vengeance and it spread. At one time she had a brain tumor the size of a golf ball on her brain. Oh the grin on her face when she looked back at the baffled doctors when she lived through the treatment for that one and it had completely disappeared. Eventually, the beast decided to devour her entire body at once. No holds barred, spitting in the face of all the prayers and hopes for recovery. The last 3 1/2 months or so of her life, my mother lived there so she could take care of her. Every Friday after school, my dad and I would make the somber trip up. Every Sunday, the dreaded ride home. No matter how bad she felt,, even when she was down to 84 lbs and you could SEE the tumors all over as she lay in her hospital bed, aunt Carol was always smiling. She never once complained, never once screamed “why me?!?” and she always asked how you were doing right at first sight.. Not out of a point of formality, but because she truly cared.

I was 15 when she was taken from us. Her funeral is still vividly etched in my mind. I sat paralyzed at the back of the funeral home at her wake, praying repeatedly that it was just a nightmare and I’d wake up any minute in my own bed, back in Wisconsin. That is until I noticed my grandma alone in her own little corner with the same desperate look on her face. My ever constant personification of strength sat there looking so small and fragile. Like the weathered depiction of heartbreak. It pained me to hear her “no” when I asked her if she’d gone up yet. Everyone was so busy surfing their own overwhelming tide of pain that she got lost in the proverbial shuffle. So, I took a deep breath, grabbed her hand and up we went. Our slow and heavy stride in unison, the closer we got, the tighter our grip to each other. When we got there, both of our breaths were held as we looked down at our own version of an angel knowing each other well enough to know that we wouldn’t be uttering the typical “they did a really nice job on her” or “she looks peaceful” bullshit. Nope. We were both thinking “ fuck you, I want her back.” There is only so much heartbreak even the strongest of people can bear and grandma, though tough as nails, was no different. She lost it. Yup, grandma literally tried to climb into the casket with her. I thought she was just going to hug her goodbye. I should have known better before I saw her little leg hike up over the top of the casket. It’s ok, you can laugh at the image. I can giggle a bit about it now. Knowing I was about to get my ass kicked, I proceeded to pull grandma up off of aunt Carol and the casket. I swear to you she was laughing her ass off up in heaven looking down at the scene. Everyone else stood there dumbfounded. It didn’t sink in until I had struggled/dragged grandma half way to the exit door of the funeral home and by then she was in no mood to be coddled by them. I am proud to say I had the sense to grab her purse on the way out and not just for the possible need for self defense should she try to turn and make a run for the casket again. When we got outside, I shoved a cigarette in her mouth, lit it, did the same (not many can say they smoked their first cigarette with their grandma nor that it was a Pall Mall straight) and said “go ahead and hit me for saying it, but someday, this is all going to be ok. It’s going to hurt like a son of a bitch and that pain will never really go away, but it will be ok.” She took a long deep drag, looked at me and said “You’re right, I do wanna punch you and it does hurt like hell. But, no one loves you more than I do. Thank you Carol Ann.” For months she would repeatedly call me Carol Ann. For years after she would still slip and do it on occasion. You know what, it was the best compliment I have received. That I will ever receive.

So, yesterday I stumbled upon @boobiewed on Twitter. I always support Breast Cancer awareness and the fight to end it day in and day out. This is our month though. What @shimmer418 and @honey_is_evil are doing is amazing, brave and yes, fun. Above all, I found it very liberating. The goal is to show your breasts on Wednesdays across Twitter to raise awareness for Breast Cancer. I’ve seen people bare their breasts for awareness before, but I have never had the courage to do it. I’ve had issues with mine for the better part of my life now. I showed up to fifth grade sporting a b cup on my (then) little frame. My maiden name ends in witz which was changed to “tits” for that whole year. And the damn things just kept growing. Teen years with a D cup was rough. By the time they hit DD, they had turned into an entity of their own to some respects. No matter how hard I tried to hide them, they were ogled. Older people would talk to me like I was stupid because I had big breasts. I know, it’s like the size 4 friend we all have that likes to complain about being fat while we all want to smack the shit out of her. It’s really not my intent. And in all honesty, I don’t have the right. My point is that I’ve got some body issues going on, which every one of us does whether we admit it or not on some level. My tatas just happen to be one of the biggest catalysts for that. No pun intended there. Even though I’ve come to terms with them in some aspects, I still always hide them. Until yesterday. I thought about it, thought about aunt Carol and my grandma and lifted my shirt, snapped a pic and plastered my polka dot bra proudly all over my lil corner of Twitter. And, I will continue to do so. Hell, I submitted it to the @boobiethon today.

I am sure I speak for all those involved when I say that if just one person learns to do regular self exams, one person learns they may be at risk, one person learns about early detection, then by god it is more than worth it. There are some of my sisters out there that have battled Breast Cancer and won that don’t have the luxury of bitching about breast size any longer. They are merely thankful to be alive. So, for them, for my aunt Carol (who was the polka dot bra in the drawer of life), my monkeys and for every woman out there I say “Yup, I have boobies. I am proud of them, I vow to examine them regularly and to remind every woman in my life to be proud of theirs and do the same.”

Please take the time to follow: @boobiewed, @shimmer418, @honey_is_evil and @boobiethon.

Please take the time to visit:

The Official BoobieWed Page

The Official Boobiethon Page

And, pretty please with bra whose underwire never pops out on top, check your breasts monthly, encourage the women and men (yes boys, while you cannot live the dream of staying home and fondling them all day, you are able to get it as well, though much more rare) in your lives to do the same. Get involved, help raise awareness and show us your tatas!

Wow you guys

2009-09-30T10:53:00.001-07:00

OK I know, i already did my post for this week, but I have to give a very special mention to three wonderful people. @geekgirldiva @geektome @cynraven have all been wonderful supporters and promoters of Boobie Wednesday, and @geektome even wrote an article about us! (Make sure you read it.)

How fantastic is that!?

Guys, this means so much to me and @shimmer418 you had us both in tears. You guys rock. Seriously.

Just wanted to say thanks, and we love you guys so much!

Guess What Time It Is

2009-09-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

So, in case you didn't know ladies and gents...

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) organization is "a partnership of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to screening services."

I think they deserve a round of applause, especially considering that 2009 is their 25th Anniversary. Congrats guys!

Make sure you all visit the site at www.NBCAM.org and check out their "How To Help" section. :)

In other news, three teachers from the Navarre school in Toledo Ohio, are being honored in their fight against breast cancer. You can catch the news clip here.

And dont forget guys, The Boobie Wednesday Store has new stuff as of last week, so drop in and help us raise some money for the NBCF this October!

Saving the world, one boobie at a time.

2009-09-22T06:04:00.001-07:00

So we all know breast cancer is bad right? Well, did you know that the National Cancer Institute estimates that in the US in 2009, there will be over 192,00 new cases in women, 1,900 in men. They also estimate 40,170 deaths in women and 440 in men. That's a lot of boobies boys and girls, and there are ways we can lower the numbers.

For instance... The Breast Self Exam (BSE). Yes, I know all of you and your dirty minds are having a little giggle right now (I am too, don't worry), but aside from your yearly examinations by a doctor, this can be a very effective early warning system. And the key to the BSE is to know your boobies. Every breast feels different so you need to know what is normal for you... You could even enlist your partner in this.

So here's what you need to know. Breasts are naturally lumpy, so don't let that freak you out. If the lumpiness can be felt through the breast tissue it's not a worry, it's the ones that feel different from the rest of the breast that you should worry about. Still, don't freak if you feel something different, just call your doctor and get an exam. Lumps found in the breast may be cancer, although cysts and fibroadenomas can cause similar lumps.

Now, anyone over 20 should perform regular BSE's about a week after your period, so you're not tender. If you're not menstruating (i.e menopause) aim for the same day every month.

OK, so how do you perform a BSE? Well, it just so happens I'm about to tell you. According to eMedicinehealth there are a few ways to do it.

Facing a mirror

Stand before a mirror and compare both breasts for differences in size, nipple inversion (turning in), bulging, or dimpling. Note any skin or nipple changes, such as a hard knot or nipple discharge.

Inspect your breasts in the following 4 steps:

With your arms at your sides

With your arms overhead

With your hands on hips - Press firmly to flex your chest muscles.

Bent forward - Inspect your breasts.

In these positions, your pectoral muscles are contracted, and a subtle dimpling of the skin may appear if a growing tumor has affected a ligament.

Lying down

Right breast

Place a pillow under your right shoulder.

Put your right hand under your head.

Check the entire breast area with the finger pads of your left hand.

Use small circles and follow an up-and-down pattern.

Use light, medium, and firm pressure over each area of the breast.

Feel the breast with the surfaces of the second, third, and fourth fingers, moving systematically and using small, circular motions from the nipple to the outer margins.

Gently squeeze the nipple for any discharge.

Left breast

Repeat these steps on your left breast using your right hand.

In the shower

A BSE can easily be performed while you're in the bath or shower. Some women discover breast masses when their skin is moist.

Raise your right arm.

With soapy hands and fingers flat, check your right breast.

Use the same small circles and up-and-down pattern described earlier.

Repeat on the left breast.

And that's how we do a BSE :) Easy right? And yeah, it might be a bit scary to examine yourself for lumps, cause what if you find one right? But early detection makes all the difference, so make sure you give those babies a little bit of extra attention once a month, and lets save the ta-tas!

(Don't forget to visit the Boobie Wednesday store and help us raise money for Breast Cancer Research :)

The Boobie Wednesday Store!

2009-09-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

Good news everyone! No! Great news! Boobie Wednesday now has a store! Yes a store!

Hop on over to The Boobie Wednesday store and buy something to show your support. And just as an extra karma bonus, all the profits will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation!

And don't forget to tell your friends about us! The more boobies the merrier! ;)

Welcome to Boobie Wednesday

2009-09-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

So I'm guessing your first question is "What is Boobie Wednesday?". Boobie Wednesday is something that a friend and I started on Twitter (@honey_is_evil @shimmer418) to promote Breast Cancer Awareness, and just for a bit of fun. Who doesn't love boobies right?

We're asking everyone to change their avatars to a set of boobies on Wednesdays to show support, and when people ask why, you can send them here!

Unfortunately this is a 2 woman operation and it's been a bit slow getting off the ground, but in further weeks you will be able to find articles relating to Breast Cancer Awareness, and we even have a competition or two in the works.

We hope you join in on Boobie Wednesday, and don't forget to include #boobiewed in your tweets, so we can find all you cool people out there.

And just incase you didn't want to use your own boobies (or if you're a man) we've decided to supply you some. :P See you on Wednesday!

Just click on any of the picks below, then right click and save to your computer. :)

Alternatively, get your Twibbon on your here. You could even do both! :)

Shimmer418 here.. Just adding 2 more links.. The first one is http://www.boobiethon.com/ and the second is their reader submitted photo page. See guys and girls, anyone can help with a good cause. http://www.boobiethon.com/site/gallery/

Just remember on Wednesdays on Twitter, change you Avatars to Pictures of Boobies and Do #boobiewed or #boobiewednesday On your Tweets.