Cycling Can Be Beautiful

Jul 23 avatar by Jennifer Merschdorf, YSC CEO

As a new rider just at the door of the house we call cycling, I currently only have one cycling outfit.

This is an issue since I’ll be riding for three days in a row for Tour de Pink. Obviously, I need more than one outfit … but what to buy? And why is it so expensive?

During the last six months I’ve been asking all the other female cyclists I meet what they wear. I’ve heard a variety of responses. I’d thought I’d share a few recommendations, for those of you experiencing the same conundrum:

Terry (http://www.terrybicycles.com/) has become one of my favorite sites to browse through. It’s a Vermont-based company dedicated to getting more women riding bicycles — comfortably, safely and beautifully. Beautifully is the key word … let’s be honest, bike shorts are a challenge for most women. I purchased my riding “skort” from this company, and I’ve been incredibly happy with it. Thank God, since it’s the only thing I own!

Sheila Moon (http://store.sheilamoon.com) is another very cool website. It’s based in San Francisco, so of course it’s cool (I grew up in the Bay Area)! I have not purchased anything from Sheila Moon yet, although I have my eye on a few skorts I’ve seen on its site.

Team Estrogen (http://www.teamestrogen.com/). Besides having a great name, it has a great slogan, “Where style meets the road.” Come on — how cool is that? It has a huge variety of skorts and cute tops I’m looking at. It’s not 100% cycling, so I’m a little cautious about ordering skorts from the site since the chamois pad in the shorts is soooo important.

Bike Jane (http://shop.bikejane.com) is also a good one to bookmark (says the girl who owns ONE biking outfit). I like its selection and am pleased not to see those awful shorts everywhere.
These are my suggestions — does anyone have any others?

I am going to have to cough up some cash soon and start buying at least two more pairs of skorts and cycling jerseys … and probably another pair of socks!!! That’s all I need and then I’ll be rolling in style … my own style.

Comments (7)
Categories: Taking my Body Back

A Letter to Family & Friends About My Journey – Part I

Jul 19 avatar by Jennifer Merschdorf, YSC CEO

Letter #1
October 5, 2010
A letter to my family & friends

Pink EelephantPeople have said for centuries that if you look hard enough you will see that the world is made up of love, hope, happiness and amazing blessings every day. I have always tried to be a person who looks for those small moments (when they randomly pop up). Until one week ago, that is how I would have defined myself. That’s all changed.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36, I’d now define myself as someone who has been blessed to see the world in a completely different way. I now know that this world is made up of the most amazing, kind, loving, brave and brilliant people, who perform blessings and acts of kindness ALL THE TIME. These are not small moments that pop up (as I once believed) — they are everywhere, and they are for everyone.

Over the last week, so many of you have emailed, called, texted, emailed again, called again, texted again — over and over — with a single message, “We are thinking of you, Jen.”

I felt every single one of you — every single time. I have never in my life felt humanity wrap itself around me like it did (because of all of you) and say “you’ll be okay” … and because of that and because of all of you … I am doing well.

I came home from the hospital after my bilateral mastectomy surgery last Wednesday around noon with a huge appetite (not surprising) and went back and forth between naps, eating, small outings outside and more naps. The best way to describe how I felt during the past week is as though a huge pink elephant was sitting on my chest with no intention of leaving, nor losing any weight.

But, thanks to my wonderful parents and my beyond-amazing husband … my pink elephant and I began a dance of recovery together. Some days the pink elephant had the upper hand, and some days I did … but we moved slowly together in unison.

Today is an important day — today is the day that my drains were taken out. For those of you who don’t know what surgical drains are — God bless you and I pray you NEVER find out. For those of you who do know — say a cheer out loud for me because all I can do is cry in happiness that those God-awful things are gone. (I think the pink elephant even did a celebratory dance today.)

And to all of you — I could feel your wishes, prayers, cheers and words of encouragement from all around the world. For that, I will be eternally grateful. I am doing well. I feel okay. The pink elephant and I have become friends.

I love you all, thank you.

If I can leave you with one thing … look for those blessings. They are everywhere … trust me … I can see them now.

Love,
Jen

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Categories: Survivor SYNC

We Are 1 YSC

Jul 16 avatar by Jennifer Merschdorf, YSC CEO

1 YSC: Face 2 Face.It is important to remember where you come from — but it should not define who you will be. This is a statement that is easy to write — but much harder to accept when faced with change.

YSC conducted an Affiliate Summit this past weekend that included representatives from all of YSC’s affiliates around the country.

I was in awe of these outstanding men and women — who have dedicated their lives to the success of YSC. So many of them have built strong communities of volunteers in their hometowns to support our cause. YSC is a national organization because of their hard work, dedication and drive.

However like all great things, YSC needs to evolve in order to be successful and keep up with the changing times. We are expanding in order to reach more young women affected by breast cancer throughout the country and ensure they feel supported and empowered. No matter where they live. No matter who they are. No matter what they do.

No one will ever forget the outstanding work our YSC volunteer leaders have done … their efforts will serve as the foundation for what we will do going forward.

Each of us has a voice and a passion for our movement … and the YSC volunteers that I’ve met around the country are some of the smartest, most caring and compassionate people.
If you have volunteered for YSC over the years in ANY capacity … I thank you.
And for all of the amazing volunteers who participated in the Summit this weekend … I thank you.

We all have a choice in how we look at opportunities presented to us. I can’t wait to see where the volunteers take the future of YSC … based on what I witnessed this past weekend, I think it will exceed my greatest expectations.

Remember: the past doesn’t define us … it only acts as a guide as we choose who we will become together.

Comments (4)
Categories: The Business of Breast Cancer

Wigged Out!

Jul 12 avatar by Tina Herold, Owner of Wigged Out

Wigged Out – Tina’s Wig Boutique

My first question to my doctor after being told I had breast cancer at the age of 34 was, “Will I lose my hair?” … not “Will I lose my life?” Seems silly now after everything else I’ve faced on this journey. My husband, Scott, said “Really, you are willing to trade your life just to keep your hair?” No, I didn’t want to do that, but I didn’t want to look ridiculous either. I didn’t want people whispering, “Oh, that’s a wig!”

For many women, hair loss is a part of the fight. I found the wig shopping process to be horrible. Sitting in those wig chairs was the loneliest I’d ever felt. It suddenly hit me that I really had cancer. Couldn’t the wig shop employees see and feel my fear and desperation? I needed help. Where was the compassion?

I became really good with wigs during my journey. I had always been blonde, but cancer gave me the confidence to try new things. I marched into my last chemo session feeling sassy in a red wig and announced to the nurses that I’d decided hair was a waste of time and I would keep my hair short when it grew back and just wear wigs. They all stood looking at me like I was crazy. Was this the same emotional wreck that was so worked up about wearing a wig? Yup, same gal, but different attitude and new perspective.

I will be a six-year survivor this October and I still wear a wig every day. I never thought I could love wigs and I do! I really think they need a new name like “spare hair” or “easy hair.” For me, they’re an accessory. I change my bag, my shoes … and my hair! I love never having a bad hair day and the ability to change styles and colors. I realize that wearing a wig makes the fact that you are going through cancer real, and that some women who experience chemo-related hair loss may opt to not wear a wig; but if you choose to wear a wig, try to look at it as a chance to have an alter ego … Your butt-kicking-cancer ego!

Four years ago I started my own boutique, called Wigged Out because I want other women to have a better experience than I did. I want them to know I’ve been right where they are and to walk out feeling beautiful and confident. My goal is to empower other women to fight their cancer and win — while looking fabulous.

I thought I’d share some things I’ve learned along the way …

In retrospect, I handled the hair loss all wrong. It initially came out 10-15 strands at a time and it gradually got worse. But, once my hair was gone, I stopped crying about it. I put on my wig and felt pretty normal. So, my advice is don’t allow the hair loss to control you. Take control of it and you will feel more in charge and can say, “All right cancer, you messed with the wrong chick!”

Should you get human hair or synthetic? Everyone has a different opinion. Here are some things to consider:

Human hair:
•    Generally more expensive. Quality wigs in this category usually start around $800.
•    Requires daily styling (curling, flat iron, etc.), just like regular hair.
•    Can get split ends (from heated styling tools) that will need to be trimmed.
•    Needs to be washed with a mild shampoo and conditioner every 6-10 uses.
•    Tends to feel heavier and hotter.

Synthetic wig with a monofilament scalp

Synthetic Wigs:
•    Tend to be less expensive ($150-$400 for a nicer one).
•    Are available with a monofilament fiber that looks like a human scalp.
•    Need to be cleaned once a month with shampoo for synthetic hair, but daily you just need to shake it out and pop it on. Do not brush a synthetic wig, only use a wide-toothed comb and never comb it when it is wet.
•    Can be cut to fit your face. Make sure you go to someone with experience cutting synthetic hair. If it is cut wrong, it will stick out in an awkward way.
•    Are heat sensitive. You can’t open an oven, hot dishwasher, cook on a stove or expose it to any type of high heat or steam. If you decide to go with synthetic, it is best not to wear your wig in the kitchen.

 I hope this information is useful. If you need help, I’m happy to answer questions or offer support. Just visit my website www.imwiggedout.com and click on the “Talk to Tina” link.

I wish you well on this journey and please know you are not alone!

Comments (4)
Categories: Guest Bloggers

Car Back!

Jul 09 avatar by Jennifer Merschdorf, YSC CEO

Participants in first 2012 TdP Metro NY Training Ride:
(from left to right: Jean McLoughlin, Kristin Westbrook, me, Matt Purdue, Ken Barrows, Peter Finder, Michael Dayton, Herb Dershowitz, Kim Jenkins, Mitchell Fink, Natasha Weischenberg, David Cura, Laurie Cohen, Pablo Colon)

Have you ever driven past a large group of cyclists and wondered about the chaos that must be involved in keeping so many people together while juggling traffic lights, moving cars and hills … all while staying together? I have.

Before this spring my thought would have been: “Why spend your precious Sunday being cooked by the sun while your life rests in the balance of two skinny tires?”

However, I have made a commitment to myself to take my body back from cancer by riding 200 miles on a bike, and so I’ve begun my own dance with these skinny tires. Since I have no prior cycling experience (translation: have no control and could easily fall over into city traffic at any moment) my husband and I have been riding in upstate New York surrounded by fields, cows and an occasional woodchuck.

While these first rides have been filled with strenuous hills, the greatest concern is a sunburn — or being hit in the face by a bee. The road is quiet, so you feel one with the bike, the road and the surrounding farmland.

This picturesque experience came to a screeching halt moments (literally) after the start of my first group Tour de Pink training ride. As we came to a busy intersection, I realized I had not stopped at a traffic light yet. I certainly had never ridden in a group of 15 cyclists. There were cars everywhere, bikes everywhere and funny terms being yelled out all around me. If they say life is lived outside your comfort zone — I was more alive during this group ride than I had been in years.

Our group of cyclists moved as one creature, always warning its parts about threats around it. As we rode you would hear “car back!” come from the back and move up past you, each person yelling it out so the next person in front of them could do the same, so that we all knew a car was behind us. Moments later “runner front!” would move backwards through the group the same way.

“Hole!”

“Gravel!”

“Slowing!”

The shouts became a song moving back and forth between the entire group that I had begun to rely on. Everyone around us was taking care of each other. Everyone was part of the whole, no matter where they were in the line.

The amazing cyclists that rode on this group ride with me are angels in my eyes. They took great care of us newbies who were only two years out from diagnosis. They rode slowly beside us, teaching us and creating a space where we felt comfortable.

This is what Tour de Pink is all about. Talented cyclists giving their time and energy to help young women affected by breast cancer, like me, do something they never thought was possible.

Comments (2)
Categories: Taking my Body Back