Fashionably Idu: cancer

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Last weekend, I attended an outreach health festival organized by Susie’s Cause Colon Cancer Foundation (introduced here) held in conjunction with Kaiser Permanente and sponsored by Genentech and Lilly at the Southland Mall in Hayward California. It was all about health education with emphasis on colon cancer screening and prevention. I also got to address the audience and shared my journey from diagnosis 3 years ago to where I am today. I call it a journey because that’s exactly what it is, a journey.

Destination unknown.

Aside from the fun activities at this event like face painting, games, there was an onsite health profession to answer questions people had about this killer disease, break the silence associated with it, show people how to reduce their risk and promote overall healthy living.

Breast cancer awareness month was back in October of course. But do people get diagnosed outside of that window? That will be heck yeah! I did mention last week as well (here) that I’d be telling you more about my friend Chika Akwiwu, a breast cancer survivor and founder of Breast health Angels Foundation who has also been very supportive of me in my cancer journey. Anyhow, her organization BHAF had their first 5K walk on the 29th of October in four different cities and I applaud her for pulling this off. Of course my pink tee chose to arrive a day later. Story of my life, Ha!

So today I’m sporting my tee (better late than never right?) in a show of love and support while bringing awareness to her cause and mission. Chika's vlogs are very informative. She’s got quite the personality, you’ll be hooked I promise. Stop by BHAF to read more about her, watch her vlogs and show your support. In the meantime, here are pictures of me sporting my BHAF tee and spreading the word.

Cancer of any kind must be stopped.

Can I get a resoundin Amen!

I also did mention (here) that I’d be following up with my oncologist Dr. Bahl last wednesday to go over my test results. I very kindly asked for your prayers and good vibes. And I released it to the universe knowing I had done all I could do. Thank you very much for all the good thoughts.

All is well yet again and I bless God. Always. Always.

Just curious though, how are you guys doing?
And I'm speaking in terms of 'eating candy'. I haven't stopped unwrapping and popping candy / chocolate into my mouth since my daughter stepped foot in the house from trick or treating. So much so I'm now hugely concerned that the effect is becoming noticeable on the waist line. If only they'd bypass the waistline and settle else where. Wishful thinking. I keep telling myself they'd be gone soon enough but that candy bag is starting to feel like a bottomless ~~mimosa~~ pit. Are you having the same issue? How are you dealing?

The Elections!
Like Rachel Maddow rightly said, we are in uncharted waters in so many ways.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see which way the currents flow.
Good Luck America!

When you're out shooting and run into a friend, you both pose for the camera :).

People do make the pictures, this dude joined in on the fun.

Deets

Tee - BHAF

Leggings - Forever 21

Sneakers - Vans (here)

Sunnies - MiuMiu (here)

Socks - Victorias Secret (here)

Sweatshirt - Victorias Secret (here)

Water Bottle - Victorias Secret (here)

Thanks a bunch for stopping by, keep thinking the purple thoughts xx.

Posted by Fashionably Idu in 5k walk, Breast Cancer, cancer, Colon Cancer, Survivor

Breast Health Angels Foundation

Saturday, August 13, 2016

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Let me be the first to say “Happy 2nd Anniversary Fashionably Idu”. Seems like yesterday when I celebrated my first anniversary with a giveaway. I am celebrating differently this time.

Read on.

Bardot Top and Cropped Flare Pants

All you need is lattes, lipstick and off shoulder tops.

Summer of 2016 will be remembered for changing the sartorial game with the influx and total embrace of cold shoulder clothing. I bet you haven’t been shrugging off this trend. You’ve not only embraced the trend you’ve also made it your new BFF. Me too! (Can I get a ‘Me three’? Yaasss!). For what is a gal without her shoulder baring Summer uniform? Just don’t invest too much of your hard earned $ on them. Much as you love it, it’s only just a trend after all and will be gone soon enough unlike staples. My rule of thumb when I shop is 'Splurge on Staples, Skimp on Trends’. Think high and low. So it’s ‘no can do’ to trends that make huge dents on the wallet. Paired this cute top with previously styled cropped flare pants with a volume that makes a every step dramaful, a boater hat, and Ambertina, my favorite of all the heels I own, this is a perfect after hours look.

Beating Cancer
"Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me"- Psalm 66 V16

I’m also celebrating beating cancer. Yes you read that right. I am 3 years out from being diagnosed with colon cancer. From that fateful afternoon in April of 2013 that I was handed what seemed like a death sentence. After I had prayed until I could pray no more and better believe I can pray. I attended a catholic high school and that’s all we did anyhow. Surrounded by my children, siblings that flew in from all over and my then friend that I thought of as my surrogate sister. I was told I had colon cancer. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths and is among the top 10 cancers to affect people ages 20 to 49. I became a part of that statistic.

Blogging kept me busy and spared me zero time to think of the cancer while the last words of my friend and colleague Gary Golden that passed of cancer last year, 'God's Got This' kept me going.

After a surgery, blood transfusions, an almost 2 week hospitalization, very frequent checkups that I cannot even begin to describe how scary they were, (my siblings flew in and accompanied me to my checkups and I would sometimes refuse to get out of the car at the hospital for fear of what the doctor /test results would say) very close monitoring, CT scans (just had yet another 2 days ago), lots of blood tests and gosh I hate needles, (so much for being a renowned medical doctor’s daughter), lots of crying, lots of love, lots of everything that I have been through physically and more importantly emotionally, my brilliant oncologist Dr. Bahl now says it’s safe to use the word “cured”.
I say a resounding Amen.

Dear God, from the bottom of my heart I want to thank you for being with me all the way, for never leaving me, for loving me.

Yes I do have stretch marks on my lower abdomen from having my 4 wonderful kids whom I seriously applaud for walking this kick ass walk with me. Tucked away in between the stretch marks, almost blended in with them is my surgery scar. The constant reminder that I survived, that I beat cancer. You want pictures? I didn’t think so, LOL.

I’ve always been one to celebrate my life, more so now knowing that had God looked away for a split second, I might already be gone to glory. 'Amazing Grace’ and ‘Jerusalem My Destiny’ sung for those are my favorite hymns, and everyone moved on. Head stone might have read ‘Here lies Idu, she loved family, friends, teaching, makeup and clothes. Christian Louboutin shoes were her absolute weakness’. I sob as I write this 'cause heck yeah it’s very emotional although I’m one to cry at the drop of a hat anyhow. Always been that way, will always be that way much as I try to toughen up, LOL.

Presenting: Me!

Me! Yes me, with a new lease on life. Slaying on 'cos that’s what I do. And me as all the inspiration you need on days that challenges rock your life, on days that life throws you big sharp curves. That you’ll emerge from all that, determined as ever to keep living and not just existing. Especially if you have a good heart for that is every darn thing. Silver and gold have I not but I’m blessed with a good heart if I say so myself.

“And her heart was the best, it would always calm the storm for those who were afraid of a little rain”. - R M Drake.

~~Coming Soon to a~~ Now at a Coffee Table Near You

Fashionably Idu

Vol. 1

A Blook Just For You

I've been working hard on this project and I'm thrilled that it's finally launched. Grab one or two or more (why not), so you can have a hard copy of your favorite looks of me at your fingertips. All 100+ pages of goodness. On your coffee table. To inspire you like you’ve inspired me. It’s available on here and soon on Amazon and linked at the bottom of this post too. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Susie's Cause Colon Cancer Foundation. I have partnered up with them for this purpose.

“There is no greater duty or pleasure than that of giving to others” - Samuel Goldwyn

My Outlook

Writing a blog, which is by no means a walk in the park believe me (oops, I went Donald Trump on y'all again), holding down a full time very demanding job and a family while under the care of an oncologist for colon cancer goes to show that limitations are self imposed. So I plan to be and stay unstoppable! To keep living my life to the fullest, taking nothing for granted. For now is all we have.

I am more determined than ever to fulfill my dreams, to stay focused on my journey, at my pace and in my lane, tuning out any and every 'noise'.

You?

“Then she began to breathe, and live, and every moment took her to a place where goodbyes were hard to come by. She was in love, but not in love with someone or something, she was in love with her life. And for the first time, in a long time, everything was inspiring”. - R M Drake

I appreciate your loyal readership immensely. Thank you ever so much. It’s been an awesome journey. I now lift my glass in a toast to me. To many more years of fabulousness.

To Fashionably Idu!

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend. My lil girl is back from her one month visit to Canada. I picked her and my mom up from the airport and one of the first things she asked was 'mom can I go to London with grandma in December?'. I haven't picked up my jaw, hahaha.

Song Rec: All The Way Up