Thanks, peeps!

Thank you to all so far who have made donations, agreed to sell raffle tix, or provided silent auction items..I will be sending out an invite soon on FB and email with all the fundraiser details with dates, times, and specifics so you can all set your calendars for April 16th.  I've enjoyed the cards, well wishes on FB and email, your comments here on my blog and the phone calls.  Special thanks to:

Max, my wonderful boyfriend who has helped me in so many ways to deal with so many things the last couple months--thank you for loving me unconditionally and embracing my temporary Justin Bieber physique. You know you secretly love the Biebs.

My parents, Tony & Marcia and sister Danine, for pitching in financially, enduring doctor consults and for helping to organize the fundraiser and for supporting me through this difficult time.   Looking forward to being on my feet again to be able to repay the kindness.

My guardian angel, Kristine, who helped me get through those first 4 days at home.  You gave me the survival skills I needed to get through the worst of it.  You left your kids and husband to take care of me, tamed my periodic freak out sessions, endured my evilness when the meds were wearing off and made me laugh when I really needed it.  Thanks for putting up with my bullshit..I'm coming to Bloomington soon to treat you to a wine laden, percocet and pain free girls night out. 



My BFF Jeannie, for coming to visit and  stocking my fridge with yummy goodness.  And for checking on me all the time and just being you.  Thanks for realizing when I want to talk and when I'm simply just not in the mood.

My dear friend Wendy, for having a slumber party and providing me with some much needed girl time. OH LORD!

My friend Carol Ann for coming to visit me in the hospital.  Glad we were able to spend that time together. We will celebrate your big day sometime in the future.

And once again, thanks to everyone else for all the love, support, and kindness during all of this. 

More funny updates to come....

Kim's Address

posted by Max

I've gotten a number of calls and emails asking for Kim's address. Yes, she'd love to get your cards, letters, flowers, etc. Here it is:


Feel free to contact me via email, max_rose@sbcglobal.net or on facebook if you would like any information. Thanks for everything!

Bra shopping!

If any of you ladies want to start feeling good about about swimsuit shopping, you should try post mastectomy shopping!  Pre surgical drain removal, of course. Max and I spent an hour at Kohl's trying on different sports bras and compression tops...extremely low moment trying to wiggle in and out of everything while maneuvering these damn drains.  Also looking at myself in the mirror with my post mastectomy sutures and Justin Bieber sized chest along with my percocet bloated belly.   Pretty wild time--can only imagine what any of the people were thinking outside the dressing room listening to us.  "Pull there!"  Don't touch that! Ouch! Damn it! OMG, I'm so sorry! Geez, gimme a minute! Up, not down!  UGH!"  Just awful and awkward for all involved.

On a good note, saw my plastic surgeon today--said everything looks fantastic--yes, he said fantastic--drains coming out Friday at 11 AM.    Gave me a scrip for more Percocet to get me through.  Can't come soon enough!  41 hours and counting!

Damn Drains!!

Surgical drains suck.  They are like two albatrosses hanging off my sides sucking the life out of me along with whatever else they are sucking out. They come with me wherever I go, to the bathroom, to the shower, to bed.  They make it impossible to wear anything close to normal.  Iv'e learned it's a little easier to get around if I tuck them in the waistband of my pants.  One of them burst open yesterday while lying in bed and squirted my warm icky mastectomy juice all over my stomach.  Fun!  And hey, if you need to get a prisonor to talk, screw the ripping off of fingernails and electric shocks.  Put some surgical drains in their sides and they will be sqealing like pigs in no time.    This sucks worse than I ever thought it would!.  Hopefully another day or two more and these bitches will be taking a hike.  UGH.

Tomorrow's topic:  Swelling and post mastectomy clothing options.

I Miss My Hospital Bed!

"Got a litte drain in my pocket, going jing-a-ling-a-ling". This was probably the best thing I said about my situation yesterday. These drains are brutal! For the uninitiated, they are like two little plastic grenade-sized bulbs that catch excess fluid - they need to be emptied often - not fun.

Quote for today, "I think this is how Elvis died."

K

Oh MY God am I sore.

That about sums it up.  Don't feel like writing much.  BTW, who sent the cupcakes?  Thank you mystery cupcake sender.

Successful Surgery, The Recovery Begins

posted by Max.

I'm sure Kim will have a few posts about today, but I wanted to take a moment and let everyone know that the surgeries were done without complications and she is resting (as much as anyone can actually rest in a hospital) in her room with an unobstructed view of Lake Michigan. Seriously, she's got the corner suite, on the 10th floor, overlooking Lake Michigan! I hope she remembers to draw those shades tonight before she goes to sleep, otherwise that sunrise will be blinding.

She's in good hands, although the staff doesn't really get her sense of humor. The pain meds also made for an interesting round of Jeopardy! Oh, the pain meds were served exactly at 4:20, which I'm sure won't be lost on all of you ;-).

Thanks for all the prayers, well-wishes and support both now and during the upcoming recovery period.

Hospital contact info for my surgery tomorrow.

Hi, all
I'm scheduled for surgery at 7:30 am tomorrow, the 15th.  I will be at St. Joseph's hospital in Lincoln Park and the number to check on me is 773-665-3400.  I should be in a room by 3pm.  Feel free to call the hospital and they will transfer you to my room.   I willl also have my cellphone.  Thanks for all the well wishes and I hope to update you soon.  Shutting it down to enjoy my last night with the girls.

Peace out,
K

The meaning behind the blog name

You may be wondering about the title of this blog.  I was walking home from work last summer(before cancer and unemployment) and I happened across a homeless dude sitting by the currency exchange.  As I walked by him, he said "If I had a cupcake, I would shove it right up your ass."   Not sure why he chose a cupcake which did not really seem as threatening as others items i could imagine being shoved up there.  And I got to thinking vanilla, chocolate, red velvet?  Frosting or sprinkles?  Mini cupcake or full size?
Anyway,  I have since adopted the if I had a cupcake phrase to correspond to almost anyone or anything that is bugging me at any given moment.  Such as "If I had a cupcake, I would shove it right up cancer's ass." 

A cancer blog? How uplifting!

Let me start this first post by saying I never thought I'd be the one to ever blog about anything.  Especially not about my experience with breast cancer.   My boyfriend, Max was industrious enough to set this up for me to be able to have a permanent link for any info on my current situation and  upcoming fundraiser .  Some of you may know about what's been going on with me, some of you may be clueless, some of you that read this might not even know me or care.   Basic facts:  I lost my job and insurance, then I got breast cancer.  My financial situation is a sinking ship and so is my attitude most days. In 3 days, I'm going to have a double mastectomy and begin a very long reconstruction process that will make or break me.   I'm guessing break me, then maybe make me in that order.
I never thought I would have cancer at my age and be unemployed at the same time.  I never thought I would find myself in a position to need a fundraiser to help me stay afloat.  Those of you who know me well know that I treasure my independence and have a hard time asking for help when I need it.   So thank you to Max, to my friends and family for organizing this fundraiser to try and get me back on my feet again.  And thank you to any of you reading this who will lend a hand in whatever way you can.  There will be a lot of people to thank going forward and I will do my best not to forget any of you.   Ive already got some thank yous in the works for my next little side blog. 
Anyway, I just wanted to check in to say hi, thanks for reading, thanks for helping and sharing this info with friends.  I'm not sure what I'll be posting about, but considering the topic, I'll try to keep the reading light.   Cancer is certainly no picnic, as some of you may know, and it certainly comes with its variety of emotions, mood swings, and even some extremely hilarious moments.   There is definitely never a dull moment.  Doctor consults with good docs, bad docs, weird docs, people pretending to be docs?  blood work, MRI's, xrays, biopsies, scars, bruises,  exhorbitant insurance premiums and doctor bills, hours spent on the phone with insurance companies and doctors,  genetic testing, hospital parking fees,  clueless residents in training, radioactive dye shot in to my boobs with very sharp needles, insenitive comments made by the most unexpected or random people,  personal meltdowns, crying jags at the most inappropriate times, mood swings so vast I don't even recognize myself during them, the list goes on and on......sounds fun, right?    Sometimes it is funny.  Fun, not so much. But funny indeed.  And I need funny right now.

Please check out the fundraising info which is the first page of this blog and I will check in soon with most likely a bunch of random nonsense most of the time..but also with new details on the date, time, specifics of event, dates and hospital contact info for my surgery and how things are going once im home and recovering.   Best case scenario, I come out of all this cancer free with a really fantastic bigger better set of boobs.   And a job. A really cool job would be nice.  A really cool job with insurance and new bionic boobs.  A girl can dream...

Fundraiser for Kim Juszynski

On November 10, 2010 Kim Juszynski had her first mammogram just two weeks before her 39^th birthday which was suspicious and required additional biopsies.  Just one day later, on November 11, Kim became a victim of our poor economy and lost her job along with her health insurance. On December 4^th, Kim and the rest of her family were faced with the daunting news that all biopsies tested positive for cancer and Kim was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. She has endured a multitude of consults, tests, and procedures, all of which lead up to bilateral mastectomy on February 15^th, and will be followed by many months of reconstruction. The enormity of facing breast cancer combined with the added stress of being unemployed has understandably taken both an emotional and financial toll on Kim, and on her family as well. The huge insurance premiums, deductibles and out of pocket costs for medical care are starting to pile up, making this trying time even more burdensome.

As friends of Kim, we are trying to make these hard times a little easier if we can. And that is where we need your help. We are hosting a fundraiser in Kim’s name on Saturday, April 16^th to be held at The Emerald Isle in Edison Park. More details about this event will be provided at a later date. There will be a silent auction, raffles and Split-the-Pot throughout the evening. We need help in raising more items for the auction. Examples of items we are seeking would be: gift certificates to restaurants, bars, professional services or spas/salons in Chicago and suburbs, tickets to sporting events or theater, gift baskets, electronic items such as TV’s or mp3 players, etc.  100% of the proceeds are going to directly to Kim to pay her bills while she is unemployed and to assist her and her family in paying high insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs. We will also be selling raffle tickets beginning in March for 5 tickets for $5 for 3 separate raffle prizes including an Amazon Kindle and a 42” flat screen TV to be handed out before the fundraiser, again all proceeds going directly to help Kim with medical and living expenses. If you as an individual or as a business would be willing to help distribute raffle tickets, please let us know and we will get the books to you. 

Monetary donations are also being accepted. You can go directly to any Chase Bank branch and make a donation in any amount. Also, you can make a donation via Paypal using Kim’s direct email address.With your help, we are confident that Kim will come out on the other side of cancer and unemployment in a position to regain her life and prosperity.

Please pass this on to any friends or contacts that might be interested in lending a helping hand.  

We realize this is a tough financial time for many of us.  By sticking together as a community and helping out our friends and neighbors, we can all make a difference.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Friends of Kim Juszynski