Tomorrow, October 1st, begins the pink parade. Or should that be "Pink", with a capital P?

I know I take this too personally. I know I sound hopelessly self-absorbed and bitter. Three years after the beginning of cancer, and I think I'm only beginning to fully grieve the loss of the woman I was before. I guess I was the only one, but after reading for many years, in many magazines, during many Breast Cancer Awareness Months, that a lumpectomy with radiation were as effective as a mastectomy in treating breast cancer, I assumed that would be all that was necessary.

Chemo? Baldness? Menopause?! The end of life as I knew it. And then, all those pictures of women in pink hats and pink t-shirts with their smiles.....I still can't figure out what they're all so happy about. I'm happy to be alive TOO, and incredibly grateful for the women who fundraised before me, but....does it have to be PINK? My new slogan -- Breast Cancer: Nothing Pink About It.