tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47707836913416805542024-03-24T19:33:13.224-04:00The Fabulous Boobies blogBeing diagnosed with breast cancer is hard. As a survivor of stage 3 breast cancer, I share information for survivors and caregivers about what it is really like to be a breast cancer survivor. There's more to this life than a pink ribbon. Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comBlogger621125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-5499458959158820302023-07-28T14:15:00.003-04:002023-07-28T14:16:11.306-04:00I made it 15 years. Happy cancerversary to me.July 28, 2023I have no idea how I really feel today. I'm all over the place emotionally. I've been a weird moody mess for about a week or so now. I'm tired. I'm sad. My anxiety is elevated. Most of all, I'm scared. On July 28, 2008, at around 9:00 am I received a call at work from the pathologist who conducted my core biopsy. It was a brief call. When he told me that I did have breast cancerNicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-86305254725063424092018-11-07T17:36:00.001-05:002019-04-03T01:12:00.040-04:00What You Need For Your Chemo/Treatment Bag (Gift Ideas for Cancer Patients)
What to take with you to chemo (or for your treatment day) when you may be there all day!
Going to the oncologist/cancer center can take a long time
The one thing I wasn't quite prepared for was the length of time I would end up spending at the hospital when I was being treated for breast cancer. Prior to my diagnosis, a trip to the doctor lasted maybe an hour - and most of Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comMaryland, USA39.0457549 -76.641271235.878577899999996 -81.8048452 42.2129319 -71.477697200000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-2474205834768171832018-09-21T10:00:00.000-04:002018-09-21T10:00:09.047-04:00Guest Post: I Need a Breast Biopsy. What Does that Mean?
I Need a Breast Biopsy. What Does that Mean?
You have just finished your annual mammogram, but this time, something doesn’t feel right. A few minutes ago, the technologist asked you to get dressed and sit in this little room by yourself. The radiologist wants to speak with you, she said. In all the years you’ve been coming here, you’ve never spoken with the radiologist before. As you look atNicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-61392673655017938272018-03-01T15:55:00.000-05:002018-08-17T05:39:42.782-04:00How I Dealt With The Diagnosis Of My Best Friend
**This post was originally written in 2012. It has been expanded and updated as necessary.**
Super Survivor Know-It-All aka Been There Done That, This Will Be Easy!
I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2008. My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. As a survivor, I felt that I had an inside track to understanding what it meant to go through breast cancerNicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comUpper Marlboro, MD 20772, USA38.8159473 -76.74969090000001938.8035753 -76.769860900000012 38.8283193 -76.729520900000026tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-67616055882116179612017-11-04T04:21:00.000-04:002018-08-17T05:39:25.745-04:00Remember that you are the boss in your breast cancer treatment
*Update 11/2017* I wrote this 1 year into my breast cancer treatment. I was exhausted but needed to make a decision about surgery. I struggled with my anxiety about making the wrong decision throughout my treatment period. I finally figured out what steps I needed to take to reduce my anxiety and focus on the decisions I needed to make.
It's perfectly normal to be overwhelmed Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comMaryland, USA39.0457549 -76.641271235.878577899999996 -81.8048452 42.2129319 -71.477697200000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-55334361480474977382017-10-23T20:39:00.001-04:002018-08-17T05:40:35.643-04:00How To Know If You Have Breast Cancer
The #1 Way To Know If You Have Breast Cancer
Breast cancer and pink ribbons have become as much a part of the autumn landscape as football games and tailgating. For a lot of people, all that they know about breast cancer is that it happens to women and the pink ribbon is the way to show support. Unfortunately, that's not it. That's not even close to "it" when it comes to Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comUpper Marlboro, MD 20772, USA38.8159473 -76.74969090000001938.8035083 -76.769946900000022 38.8283863 -76.729434900000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-71758943032905352702016-11-23T09:00:00.000-05:002018-08-17T05:40:53.825-04:0020+ UNCOMPLICATED Ways To Comfort Your Breast Cancer Survivor Friend
Hover over this image and pin this to your Pinterest board.
Do you really know how to help her? Without making it all about you?
Your good friend was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Your heart just broke into a million pieces. You're scared. Deeply scared for her and you don't know what to do next.
Should I call? Visit? OMG! How could this happen? Will she be okay? What does thisNicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comUpper Marlboro, MD 20772, USA38.8159473 -76.74969090000001938.8035753 -76.769860900000012 38.8283193 -76.729520900000026tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-27181567983137755402016-10-07T10:12:00.000-04:002018-11-07T18:23:37.756-05:00How To Wear Your Pink Ribbon T-shirts In Style
How To Rock Your Pink Ribbon T-shirts In Style
What's a girl to do with all those pink ribbon/breast cancer awareness shirts?
I'm a survivor who happened to already have a long love affair with pink... before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I run into survivors all the time who simply are sick of pink things. I empathize with them but I honestly cannot relate because pink Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comWashington, DC, USA38.9071923 -77.03687070000000938.7094713 -77.3595942 39.1049133 -76.714147200000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-28421227156999299812016-09-03T09:00:00.000-04:002016-09-09T09:17:25.087-04:005 Lessons of Unapologetic Bad-Assery That Prince and Muhammad Ali Taught Us
Learning lessons of bad-assery from the best to ever do it.
2016 has been particularly aggressive with collecting brave souls that we've loved and supported. Unexpected deaths of celebrities and personal friends/family members have shaken many of us deeply and given us another opportunity to examine our mortality and study our own lives. Are we really following our passions and our Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-6101363796606178692016-07-27T09:00:00.000-04:002018-08-02T14:27:55.611-04:0018 Great Sources for Breast Cancer Information and Support
Are you WOKE? About breast cancer...?All around me, on social media and in real life, people are chattering about being "woke". It got me to thinking... how many of us in the breast cancer community are woke? Like for real, honestly and truly aware about what's happening in the breast cancer community and how it affects us personally and others around the world? Do we know what's going on?
I Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comUpper Marlboro, MD 20772, USA38.8159473 -76.74969090000001938.8035753 -76.769860900000012 38.8283193 -76.729520900000026tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-71957643226639635942016-06-06T10:00:00.000-04:002018-11-07T19:42:40.172-05:00What it means to be a cancer survivor - National Cancer Survivors Day
Reflecting on being a cancer survivor
When I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in the summer of 2008, I felt alone. While I knew that many women and men had been diagnosed with this disease before me... I felt really alone in my fear and concern about my future. A few years after my treatment ended and I went into remission, one of my very dear friends was also diagnosed with Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comUpper Marlboro, MD 20772, USA38.8159473 -76.74969090000001938.8035753 -76.769860900000012 38.8283193 -76.729520900000026tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-80399570204052923612016-02-07T18:27:00.000-05:002016-02-08T08:39:14.315-05:00Beyonce SLAYED Me With #Formation
Formation is the visual representation of DOPENESS!
Please tell me that you've seen Beyonce's video "Formation" by now! PLEASE tell me that.
That video just put a visual on everything I've been feeling about 2016 and my life. This is the Year of Epic Transformation. I claimed it back in December and I say it to myself every day. Every day.
*If you haven't seen it, the video is below.Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comWashington, DC, USA38.9071923 -77.03687070000000938.7094713 -77.3595942 39.1049133 -76.714147200000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-10170086864824695752016-01-26T09:30:00.000-05:002016-01-29T06:55:24.547-05:00Someone Stole My Content! What I Learned From The Incident
I WAS ROBBED! But I'm not that mad about it.
A few days ago, I was tagged on a picture by one of my cousins. Turns out... the picture was of ME! But I didn't recognize the page, or the person who was running it. Neither did my cousin.
This is the post below.
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-47444012992549269402016-01-07T21:41:00.000-05:002016-01-20T23:46:23.114-05:00Hello 2016! The Year of Epic Transformation
Happy New Year!!
*blows horn!*
My goodness... 2015 is gone. GONE! I still had stuff to do, projects to start... projects to finish. My to-do list is still super long.
But.. despite my tardiness in completing what I wanted to accomplish last year, a new year is here. And it is time to get it in gear and get some things accomplished.
2015 in Review: The highlights
Well... Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-3363534624597153062015-11-29T09:30:00.000-05:002018-08-02T14:56:00.418-04:00Is there life WITHOUT cancer for a survivor?
Is there life without cancer for a survivor?
I was asked what life was like without cancer now.
*blink*
Life without breast cancer? Why... there's no such thing.
Let's talk about remission and NED
After you complete your "active treatment" of cancer, you are expected to be in remission. But, remission does not equal "cured".
Remission means that you no longer have evidence Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-43572031103283110412015-11-24T08:30:00.000-05:002015-11-24T09:21:51.062-05:005 Tips for Breast Self-Exams
5 Tips for Breast Self-Exams
Healthcare professionals agree that the best way to combat breast cancer is with early detection. In order to do so, women must perform regular self-exams on their breasts. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it will soon become a simple part of your routine.
Here are five tips for completing a breast self-check.
Stand with your shoulders straight and Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-53207937095836146672015-11-16T09:30:00.000-05:002015-11-16T09:30:00.866-05:00It's The Melanin | Outfit of the day
It's The Melanin | Audacity Tees by pinkribbongal featuring rock n roll jeans
Date night/Girls night out outfit
A few months ago, I quietly launched an online t-shirt shop called Audacity Tees. I actually started it awhile ago but I never told anyone about the store.
*I know, crazy...*
I'm still on a mission to get some style back into my life and dress in a way that reflects Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-3646477978063501852015-11-13T14:45:00.002-05:002015-11-13T14:45:30.157-05:00Losing A Metastatic Pink Ribbon Sister Is Always Hard
Remembering my pink ribbon sister Tami
Earlier this year, I attended a breast cancer blogger summit with the Komen Foundation. It was my second time being invited and participating. To be honest, it is one of those events that I look forward to because it is an opportunity to mingle with other pink ribbon sisters that I normally only interact with through social media. The fact that I met Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-39605479839981100992015-11-03T08:00:00.000-05:002015-11-03T08:00:00.351-05:00These Black Bloggers Discussed Breast Cancer Awareness - And It Was Grand!!
These Black Bloggers Discussed Breast Cancer Awareness during Pinktober...
And it was GRAND!
Another Pinktober has come to an end. I'll be honest, this year was a doozy for me. A DOOZY I tell you. So much was happening in my email box that I started to avoid reading my email because I just couldn't take it.
*sigh*
I am finding peace again with Pinktober
Along the way, Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comWashington, DC, USA38.9071923 -77.03687070000000938.7094713 -77.3595942 39.1049133 -76.714147200000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-52272672856129997942015-10-25T11:44:00.000-04:002015-10-25T01:10:52.144-04:00Hmm... am I being superwoman right now?
Being Superwoman is not admirable when your health is in jeopardy
*Update 10/15: Five years later... I still really hate the idea of being "Superwoman" but I can honestly say now... I was scared that I was going to lose my job because I had been sick for so long. I went to work after having surgery a few days before to show that I was a team player. In hindsight, I should have stayed Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-4916625733854216762015-10-24T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-24T19:43:03.691-04:00The Winner Has Been Chosen!
The Contest Has Ended: Rochelle G. is the winner!
You know what is seriously a lot of fun? Giving away cool prizes! I don't know why I haven't done more of this... but I will certainly be doing more giveaways and raffles in the future. (I'm lining up ideas right now)
The raffle ended yesterday at midnight and I was seriously nervous about who would win. I had no idea who entered (I Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-34140680780326911352015-10-23T18:00:00.000-04:002015-10-24T00:05:55.067-04:00Have you been following Good Enough Mother's Survivor Stories?
Rene and I at the Komen Bloger Summit 2014.
(I'm fangirling all over her! She's so incredible.)
Confession: I absolutely adore Rene Syler of Good Enough Mother!
Her passion and infectious zest for life is captivating. Her blog is absolutely amazing! Her talk show is great... Just whoa. She's an awesome chick. The fact that she's super passionate about breast cancer is one thing that I Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-56463886427204703492015-10-20T18:06:00.000-04:002015-10-23T04:07:37.384-04:00The Type of Friend That I Am
I take terrible selfies... but my heart is good.
*This post has a lot of gifs. If that is a problem for your computer or your phone, you'll have to skip this one. But they are there for a reason.
I am a special kind of friend. I tell you the truth. Always.
This post is kind of a rant that has been stewing inside for maybe a year or longer. Probably longer. And today Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-86080091761079935282015-10-16T17:21:00.000-04:002020-07-07T23:22:42.358-04:00Increasing Awareness of Your Protections Following a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Increasing Awareness of Your Protections Following a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
R. Scott Oswald and Adam A. Carter
Employees returning to work following a breast cancer diagnosis have it very tough. After months of dealing with an unfavorable and very scary diagnosis, they often return to work only to find that their employers simply prefer to replace an employee who needs to take leave. To Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4770783691341680554.post-49673667918045581322015-10-13T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-15T20:56:02.862-04:00My Fabulous Boobies Is Giving Away A 32-inch TCL Roku TV!
Could you use a 32" HD RokuTV? You have a chance to win one!
I was contacted by the wonderful people of TCL with an opportunity to gift a reader with a beautiful new television. TCL (one of the largest television manufacturers) is raising money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in honor of breast cancer awareness month. For each pink television they sell, they will donate $50.00 Nicole McLeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08080038670373879676noreply@blogger.com