The Power of my Sister Circle...

This past weekend, I had my "TaTa Titties" party.  My girlfriends made the whole thing possible.  It was my idea to have the party but, I realized that my sheckles (money, cash, moola) were low and so, I wanted to cancel it.  Not only did my girlfriends pay for the venue but, they paid for the food, beverages, dishes and cutlery.  I handled the decorations because I have a love affair with crafting.  SN:  Get a load of my tin cans that I painted gold and covered with lace.  They served as vases for my tissue paper roses.

The main reason I wanted to have this party was to raise awareness for the BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing.  I'm grateful for the testing because that's how I found out that I have the BRCA1 genetic mutation; which is why I'm having the prophylactic double mastectomy.  I also wanted to give my breasts the proper send-off!  However, the party turned into a celebration of sister hood.  My sister circle is strong y'all!

You know RW Designs had to create photo signs!  This a photo of my best friend, NeShanta and I.  She did all the food and even ordered some special items for me to wear on surgery day!

This is Tiffany!  She made me the cutest button earrings that say "TaTa Titties" and "Bye Bye Boobies".

This is Carole.  She owns a resale shop called Yezterdayz.  She made me three containers of amazing shea butter.

Carole and Ashanti are both part of Thirsty 4 Vintage.  I was so grateful that they came out!

My girl Tiffany again!

My girlfriend Janelle of Never Dessert You made me the most beautiful and, the most delicious titty cupcakes and Mastectomy cake pops.  They were a hit and really made the theme of the party come to life!

There were Titty Games and all sorts of FUNNERS!  There was the "Stuff Your Bra" game, the "Titty Word Scramble" and the "Make a Bra Out of Tissue" game.  There were gag gifts for all the winners of course!  

It was so uplifting and inspiring you guys.  Each woman present spoke about me in such a beautiful and compassionate way.  I was humbled and floored by the out pouring of love and support!

I know this was a long post y'all but, I'm so grateful that I was able to have this party.

Oh!  And since it was an all ladies affair, the men in my life, made a video for me!  Check it out!

http://youtu.be/S8zeeMvj7Ms

Finally, pin the hell out this party and share it with your friends!

I Accept It All...

When I decided that I would share my mastectomy journey with the world, I don't know what my expectations were.  I'm not certain that I had any expectations.  I just knew that I wanted to share my story in hopes that I would soothe and ease someone's mind.  I wanted mostly to educate, inform and empower women with my story.  I wanted my African American sisters to know how this cancer is more aggressive when it comes to us.  I wanted to be the example, the mouth piece, the very, very vocal spokesperson.

I was so grateful when all the well wishes and prayers started rolling in.  I'm the kind of person that really enjoys helping.  However, I have a really difficult time accepting kindness.  I know that I am worthy of the love and support that I am receiving.  It's just not the easiest thing - letting people do so much for me.

I know most if not all of my supporters are devout Christians.  They tell me that they're praying for me.  That they're standing in the gap for me.  That they're taking me and my family to the alter with them during their worship services.  I cannot express how much I appreciate these prayers.  I consider myself an atheist.  I don't believe in God.  If there is a God, I don't think I believe in the "traditional" sense of what God is.  So, I completely understand when I get those... "I know you're not a believer but...", "You don't have to pray, I'll pray for you...".  It used to really aggravate me until I realized, that they're sharing their faith in order to show me kindness.  I know that folks are expressing their love...in their way.  I WILLINGLY ACCEPT and RESPECT IT ALL!

It may be hard for some to understand how I could live my life with "no faith".  The reality is that I DO have faith.  I have faith in my beautiful family and marvelous friends.  I have faith in mother Earth and the infinite expanse of the universe.  I have faith in mankind.  I know everyone won't agree or like what I feel but, I just wanted to share a little about my mindset and what is getting me through this tough time.

I freely accept all positive energy in the form of prayers, meditations, mentions, shout outs, sisterly talks, brotherly talks, hugs, kisses, art work, songs or WHATEVER!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I'm Rochelle and RoseRedd.  E-mail me at: rosereddsaid@gmail.com

The Date is SET! Bye Bye Boobies.

Yesterday, I found out that my Prophylactic Bi-Lateral Mastectomy (I never tire of typing that, it really is a testament to the dexterity of my fingers) is going to be on MAY 30th.  That means I have 27 days left with my original breasts.  I was so drained yesterday.  I felt relieved, scared, nervous, anxious, angry, sad, happy, pessimistic and optimistic all at the same damn time.  I was intent upon not having "Birthday Surgery".  I didn't want to celebrate my 32nd birthday (June 14th) with a mastectomy for goodness sake!  Then, I remembered, I'm having this done so that I can have many more birthdays!  HELL YEAH to more birthdays!

I had to include this cartoon.  People think what I'm doing is extreme but, when you look at it like this...it's so easy to understand.  As if not wanting breast cancer or ovarian cancer wasn't enough.

So, now, of course, I'm busying myself with lists and chores so that I can be prepared to be incapacitated for a few weeks.  I have an awesome support system and I don't know if I could go through this without them. My husband is beyond amazing.  Had he not brought this test to my attention, I wouldn't even know my status! My most FUN activity that I'm planning is my TA TA TITTIES/BYE BYE BOOBIES party! I don't know why this party has become so important to me.  I guess I just want to give my breasts a proper send off.

Anyway, I hope that you share my journey with your sister friends.  It only takes mere moments to check your breasts LIKE THIS.  It only takes one blood test to know if you have these genetic mutations.  Google BRCA tests. No worries, here is a great link, click on it and learn, learn, learn!