Ponderings

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Me and Chip on the way to the show at the Canyon Club with Rick Springfield
Me and Chip on the way to the show at the Canyon Club with Rick Springfield

As we approach the holiday season, I shall pass on the turkey breast.  I’ll take sweet potatoes with a side of painkillers, thank you.  Why, because my anticipated meet and greet with the Booby Fairy was postponed to November 20th due to an unanticipated run in with a preschool Germipalooza.  No one should go under the knife with a cold/flu  if they have a choice!  So everyone, please don’t breathe on me, my husband or my kids – I’m hibernating until November 20th 😉  I truly look forward to ending this chapter of my life and turning the page to Good Health, Lots of Love and New Music.   With cancer came a Blessing.  Yes, a Blessing.  I am more appreciative of each breath I take, each hand I hold and each heart that holds me.  So many of you have helped me through a really tough year, and the outpouring of kindness, support and prayers from old friends, new friends, and complete strangers both amazes and humbles me.

One thing that truly helped me heal, both physically and emotionally, was having a special show on the calendar.   Eight weeks after the double mastectomy I got up on stage and opened for Rick Springfield.   Extra special care by Dr. Orringer during the expansion process, hard work with physical therapist Nicolette (Nicky) Theard and sheer determination from all three of us made this happen.  Special thanks to Geoff Pearlman, Paul Trudeau, Harvey Lane & Tina Trevino for rockin’ it with me.  And a shout out to Rick’s drummer of 13 years: Rodger Carter, for thinking of me for the gig.  It was an honor to share the stage with my friends and an ultimate rock star.  Rick really knows how to put on a show. Of course I was in seventh heaven watching Dave Grohl jam with him.  See below for my up close and personal encounters.

Me & Rick Springfield. I always wanted to be Jesse's Girl!
Me & Rick Springfield. I always wanted to be Jesse’s Girl!

I’m writing new music.  It comes from yet another place I didn’t know existed until I got there.  Hope to share the new setS with you starting in February 2014.  I have another 8 week prohibition period after surgery from Dr. O.  Since implants are now microchipped (bet ya didn’t know that), he will know if I disobey a doctor’s orders!

Me: Hi I'm Cindy Alexander, the opening act for Rick. Him: Hi I'm Dave Grohl. Me: Um. Uh I love you. I mean I love your work and I really admire you as a person. Him: Why? I'm an asshole.
Me: Hi I’m Cindy Alexander, the opening act for Rick.
Him: Hi I’m Dave Grohl.
Me: Um. Uh I love you. I mean I love your work and I really admire you as a person.
Him: Why? I’m an asshole.

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So what does a high maintenance gal (I’m allowing myself to be like this specifically for this adventure, because there have to be SOME perks to fighting cancer) do before the Big Boob Off?  I got a gel manicure/ pedicure and had my ultra hip hair stylist give me “show hair” to add some flair to my surgery.

Amanda Lee Capomaccio giving me “show hair” for my performance on the operating table.

And then I remembered that sexy blue cap I would have to wear…  So we decided to get creative and make sure we had something especially stylish for the big reveal when the cap came off in the recovery room. Lots of braids mixed in with the bed head waves.

On July 26th I showed up at Cedars with a posse. Family and friends took over the waiting area with Starbucks and muffins (none of which I was allowed) and Chip gave me the best back rub of our entire marriage.  When the surgeons ran late and I was stuck in the pre-op area connected to an IV and heart monitor, Chip then gave me the best foot rub of our entire marriage.  It’s interesting how life and death situations can bring out different and unexpected sides of people. I don’t think I’ve ever loved my husband more – and it’s not because of the back/foot rubs (but those helped).

The things we do for love…

My bilateral double mastectomy with tissue expanders (another perk – I’ve decided to upgrade and never have to worry about those “chicken cutlets,” specifically the one that fell out of my bra at the Mint in 1999) took about 9 hours.  My oncological breast surgeon, Dr. Lesley Taylor (who was 7 months pregnant) and my plastic surgeon, Dr. Jay Orringer are my heroes.  Not only did they save my life, they have also given me the emotional support and empowered me with knowledge to get through this challenging time.  They’ve inspired me with their passion and dedication to their profession/craft.  They are artists in their own way.  I also need to give props to the nurses on 8th Floor South East – they rock.

I’m not really sure of all the details post surgery and through the weekend because there was little drug button that I could push whenever I wanted to…and I pushed it a lot.  But I do remember that by the evening of July 26th, I was propped up in my hospital bed with two little monkeys, gifts from my Mommy.  She named them Booby A and Booby B.  I immediately renamed them Little F*cker 1 and Little F*cker 2.

Little F’er 1 and Little F’er 2 OUT, Chai Tea Latte IN

Something about breast cancer has affected my language and speech patterns.  It’s kind of like Tourette’s Syndrome, but not really. I swear a lot.  I’m going to try to get this under control before I get on stage again, I promise.

On July 31, I got the best news possible:  The cancer was completely removed by the surgery, there was no evidence of any significant invasion, and my lymph nodes were clear. I will not need chemotherapy or radiation.  Yes, I’m one of the lucky ones.  There is no limit to my gratitude, and I believe that the power of prayer and healing, positive thoughts from so many people contributed to this successful outcome.   I am truly blessed.

Interesting timing…look what finally came to life one year after we shot it: The Dr.’s agree, I’m “Wonderful” 😉  (Click to watch the video)

Thank you Kim for this key…I do Believe

 

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Before it comes out from someone else’s post….I want to be the one to tell you that I will be FINE, better than fine actually. I’m a warrior with no choice but to win. I am joining 1 in every 8 women born today who will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and I have the inspiration of the warriors who have fought before me. I was just diagnosed with breast cancer- caught it at the EARLIEST stage. I feel immensely grateful, lucky and blessed for the hindsight and experience of my parents who are both survivors. I was diligently watched and the only reason we caught it when we did is that I insisted on yearly MRI’s as a high risk candidate. My mammograms and ultrasounds were CLEAR! I am having the “Angelina” , just a beat behind. I’m having my surgery (a double mastectomy) on 7/26 and will be ready to tour with a new set- in more ways than 1- by Winter! For those of you who see my kids, please understand that they only know Mommy has an “owie” in her booby and the doctors are going to make it all better. We’re keeping it simple and they are my biggest concern right now. Jette has made sure to tell the checkout clerk at the market, the pharmacist, the mailman and everyone at a birthday party about Mommy’s boobie. So I thought I would tell you before my 4 year olds secretly open a twitter account. I have the best friends and family a person could ask for – and we’re Stronger Together. Now you know where that song came from  XO pnut

July 15, 2013 Update:

I’m thinking of having a Boob Voyage party.  The party games will include the bra toss (into a fire pit).  Woke up staring at the two things that infused life into my children for a year while I played “Love Will Keep Us Alive” (Eagles) in the back ground.  Cow’s milk is off the list.  I guess I finally have an excuse to buy a pet goat.  You know I love goats….   But I digress.  Meeting today with the Dr. who will upgrade my avatar after it’s been sliced.  I’m currently avoiding tv shows like Dexter.  I realize that some of my posts may be waaaaaay too much for some of you. That’s ok – just block the news feed.  I will try to keep it under control but realize that this is who I am right now and I’ve never been one to edit myself, much to Mommy’s dismay (but she loves me unconditionally ~ and she is with me step by step through this process).  Chip gets to go shopping with me today….I told him there are no catalogues (unless you want to pick up trashy mags), just a few bins of squishy things that look like mini floatation devises for grunion.   Should be fun.

Art Appreciation

 

 

Bobby Prize

July 16, 2013 Update  Resting up in my childhood bedroom. Mommy taking good care of me. This was the booby prize after today’s surgery (Part 1 of hopefully only 3). For those of you whom are not faint of breast, google “nipple delay.” The last thing I remember before I fell asleep on propofol was my smiling surgeon saying “think about a beautiful place you would like to vacation….” I said “The Italian Alps… Perhaps Lake Maggiore.” She said “It’s cold there… Here’s a blanket.” Then I was in a light warm and fluffy place. I just got off the phone with Dr. Lesley Taylor (Goddess/ Surgical Oncologist) and she told me the part of that conversation I completely forgot. She said she asked me “What’s the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?” and I answered “Watching my children breathe.” Thank you all for the incredible emails and posts on Facebook. You are making this inconvenient and uncomfortable adventure a lot easier than it would be without your support. Love, Cindy

 

Wednesday July 17th Update This is a Public Service Announcement. Cancer is NOT in charge. Therefore, today I confirmed a show with Rick Springfield at the Canyon Club on September 20th. It’s good to have a goal. See you there. In the meantime, back to my nap.

July 23 Update

I had a long talk with my boobs this morning – part of the long ceremonial goodbye before Friday’s Boob-Off. For those of you who are just now tuning & may find this shocking – deal with it.   Anyway…. I realized that the first time we became acquainted with each other was in 2nd Grade. March 17th to be exact. I was dressed in Luv-it Jeans with little ice cream cones on the back pockets, and had chosen a super soft light blue long sleeved shirt. It was cold outside. As I got on the school bus, this little jerk named B*** B***** (Mom said I’m not allowed to say his name because after all “he was just a little kid” and “it’s in bad taste to say his name”) pinched my right boob and gave me a titty-twister. This was no minor cop a feel – I got a bruise. Apparently I had forgotten it was St. Patrick’s Day. And apparently so did Mom and Dad, who let me out of the house in sacrificial clothing. Remembering that “To err is human, to forgive divine” I sincerely say: Mom, Dad, and B*** B***** – I forgive you.