“I am sorry, but you have breast cancer.”

Shattering words. I know.  I have heard them twice in the last three years and am currently undergoing reconstruction after a bilateral mastectomy.

The National Cancer Institute estimates that each year over 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed and over 40,000 patients will die from the disease. Breast cancer is truly an epidemic among women and its prevalence is complicated by variables such as age, culture, income, rural isolation and genetic risk factors.

SYNOPSIS

LIFE INTERRUPTED, a documentary feature film about breast cancer chronicles the experiences of five unique breast cancer survivors including the filmmaker herself, through varying stages of the disease. These women have already confronted a life-altering diagnosis, and respond to their disease process and the rebuilding of their lives with honesty, dignity, humor, and grace.

Breast cancer is an equal opportunity disease and thus, it is important to hear the variety of stories and circumstances that women experience with this disease. With widely diverging ages (27-68), ethnicities (African-American, Native American, Jewish, Latina) socio-economic and geographic backgrounds, the shared stories illustrate the important role that education plays in successful detection, treatment and survival rates. Juxtaposed to these narratives, medical specialists will reflect on each case with unique assessments from their own clinical practice examining current trends in prevention and the role of research in the field of breast cancer.

WHY THIS FILM?

“Knowledge is power.  Rather than merely chronicling how one copes with an infirmity, Life Interrupted serves as an educational model for overcoming any challenge or obstacle with clarity and honesty, delivering tangible HOPE for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.”

Hearing stories from articulate women who have traveled this road before us is invaluable. Knowledge is power and the successful prevention and treatment of breast cancer depends on this.  As an informed consumer, the film is something that many survivors wish we had when faced with the myriad of decisions to be made.  Each woman’s diagnosis is unique to her circumstances and she must make life-altering decisions in a relatively quick and informed way. These decisions include information
gathering as well as emotional decision-making.

Breast Cancer is not a one-size fits all disease. Tests, research and many appointments followed my first diagnosis with specialists in order to determine the treatment that was right for me. I also relied on fellow inductees of the Dreaded Sisterhood for help in navigating the treatments and keeping hope alive.

From my ongoing experiences, I began to envision a powerful film that would include women from various backgrounds sharing their journey into and back from the world of Breast Cancer.

BIO

Paula Mozen, is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, educator, and PBS consultant who was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2008 and again in May 2011.  She has served on the film faculties at Towson University in Baltimore, Montana State University, and San Francisco State University. Her two highly acclaimed Health Issue documentaries are NO REWIND (teenagers and HIV/AIDS) and 3 girls i know… (young women and sexuality) are currently distributed nationally and internationally to over 6,000 high schools, universities (Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Columbia among many others ), public libraries, hospitals, medical schools, community health clinics and public health departments; have been screened at dozens of highly acclaimed international film festivals; and broadcast by PBS, Discovery Channel and Knowledge Network.

TARGET MARKET

Newly diagnosed patients and their families, healthcare advocates and caregivers will use the film as a guide and for support. It will be made available to Community Health and Cancer Treatment Centers for their resource libraries. It will be useful for healthcare providers who want to include cultural competence as a critical part of their curricula and will be made available to health programs at Universities and Medical Institutions.

DISTRIBUTION

Ms. Mozen will use her extensive experience and contacts in Health Issue documentaries to distribute LIFE INTERRUPTED to the markets mentioned above via a multi-platform strategy which includes; website and social networking, partnerships with local and key organizations who work with breast cancer, partnerships with educational distributors festivals, screenings, conferences and broadcast. (Comprehensive target market analysis and distribution strategy available upon request)

FISCAL SPONSOR

The film is being sponsored by Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE) www.womenandenvironment.org, a national organization that engages women to advocate for the right to live in a healthy environment. Effective ongoing Campaigns include; Safe Cleaning Products Initiative, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance, Mercury and Public Health.

LIFE INTERRUPTED CONTACT

http://www.lifeinterruptedfilm.wordpress.com

Paula Mozen, Director/Producer

406.624.6049, pmozen1@gmail.com

paula mozen

Happy Chinese New Year 4708.

It’s the year of the tiger and I can’t get that ROCKY song  “EYE OF THE TIGER” out of my head for some reason (too much Guitar Hero with the nephews and nieces over winter break perhaps???).

The Tiger is said to be lucky, vivid, lively and engaging. Another attribute of the Tiger is his incredible bravery, evidenced in his willingness to engage in battle or his undying courage. Maybe he’s so brave because he is so lucky.

My luck is on the move.  Two angels in the form of a music producer and his book publishing/writer wife are looking to adopt the film and me as a special project because of their deep believe in the message and my ability to make a film that will get out and truly make a difference in the world. Having that kind of support is awesome- it doesn’t get better than that.

This would entail moving things forward financially in the position of Executive Producer.  Since we have not yet finalized our agreement, I can’t share everything HOWEVER I can tell you one of the plans involves selling raffle tickets for a VINTAGE 1984 Turbo Diesel Mercedes Benz (when they first told me this, I thought it was metaphor for something else, I am not very car oriented-but this is the real deal, full size, fully equipped, mint condition automobile). Will keep you posted as this unfolds, I KNOW some of you would look very attractive behind the wheel of this sweet car

I also have retained Justin, an amazing new Intern (ex-basketball player and G.I.) from the MSU school of film who is smart and resourceful and passionate about documentary filmmaking, He is helping me with the ongoing, never ending project of grant research and development and it is great to have him on board.

Muchas gracias to the following tigers and tigresses who contributed time and money towards the project over the winter break: Deborah Ellen Ross, Bonnie Roditti, Maria Ferre, Eddie, Barbara, Isaac, Avery, Owen, Elizabeth and Howard Mozen, Erick Chaconne, Nancy Kessler and Thomas Lee.

OK, now this is where YOU come in, I need your help.  The following BALANCE Magazine Article came out in January and was just recently made available in the electronic version- check it out with Adobe Reader and let me know what you think.  If you are part of a social networking group and /or list serve and /or have a great mailing list of friends (ok, so that’s everyone out there) I would be ever so grateful if you could repost or forward the article by adding the link and putting out a good word or two about the project.  Be sure to include my website since the article unfortunately missed it.

I would love to see this go viral and YOU could make this happen, We still need support in the guise of letters, connections to foundations and organizations with a specific interest in Breast Cancer and to raise money. People give money to PEOPLE and I know you people know people (and that you’re the luckiest people in the world-tip of the fedora Ms. Barbara S.)

I am enjoying the winter snow with some memorable powder skiing in the last few days- but my very latest new love is rediscovering my passion for DANCING. Among other forms, SALSA has caught my fancy and what better way to chase those winter blues away.  I look forward to your feedback on the article and wish all of you a very Happy New Year (with a roar)!

Love,

Paula

Today…

marks winter solstice and the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s all due to the Earth’s tilt, which ensures that the shortest day of every year falls around December 21. On the bright side, the day after the winter solstice marks the beginning of lengthening days leading up to the summer solstice (June 22).  The pagan celebration of the solstice was one of the most popular holidays of the year before the coming of Christmas, Hanukkah and other cultural celebrations that we now recognize in December.  “It’s a way of connecting with our roots as humans … and moving on with our future.”

This solstice marks for me, the one-year anniversary of all cancer treatments completed, with clean, clear, healthy tests administered every 3 months (they still know my name at the Cancer Center (it’s kind of like Cheers) that say for now, that I am cancer-free-YAY!  And so I am using this opportunity to remind friends and family to take stock in and value your roots and to take this opportunity to DREAM WILD for the coming year.

LIFE INTERRUPTED Film notes and updates:

Through Lisa Lackner, Dean of Nursing at Salish Kootenai College located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Pablo Montana) I have been introduced Ms. Pat Bear of the Gros Ventre Tribe who lives on the Fort Belknap Reservation in Northeast Montana, 20 miles south of the Canadian border. She is a lively 68 year- old cancer survivor and community activist who participates in cancer support groups, survivor walks and dispersing prevention information to the women and men of the reservation. She is an excellent baker and recently mailed me a box of the most amazing pumpkin cookies I have ever eaten.  She is very excited to be participating in the project and to tell her story.

Pat has seen the rate of cancer go up on the reservation over the years and attributes this to the Landusky Mines massive cyanide heap-leach open-pit gold mines that were operated on the southern edge of the Ft. Belknap Reservation by the now-bankrupt Pegasus Gold Corp. More than 100 tons of ore were needed to reclaim one ounce of gold. Cyanide separated the gold from the ore, but it left tainted hills, streams and endangered wildlife in its wake.  The practice was banned in 1998 by a Montana citizens’ initiative; however, previously permitted cyanide heap leech operations can continue under their current or amended permits.

Through The Young Survivor’s Network, a national group dedicated to young women survivors of breast cancer, I was introduced to Kandace Robinson, a 27 year old from Winona Lake, Indianapolis who was recently diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer-stage 4 (the highest possible on a scale of 1 to 4).

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare but very aggressive type of breast cancer in which the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. This type of breast cancer is called “inflammatory” because the breast often looks swollen and red, or “inflamed.” IBC accounts for 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States and it tends to be diagnosed in younger women compared to non-IBC breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society’s Facts and Figures of 2008, it was estimated there would be 182,460 new cases of breast cancer and 40,480 estimated deaths.  One in every 258 women between the ages of 30 and 40 will be diagnosed with breast cancer within the next 10 years, often times alone or without the informational network needed to increase their survival.  Young women with breast cancer struggle with many tough issues: The possibility of early menopause, having children after diagnosis, generally more aggressive cancers and a higher mortality rate.

One of the leading health policy organizations- the US Prevention Services Task Force (USPSTF)– has issued new screening recommendations for women who are asymptomatic and who are not at elevated risk of breast cancer. In addition to calling for an end to routine mammography screening for women 40 to 49, the USPSTF is also encouraging a shift away from annual mammograms for post-menopausal women, and toward biannual (every two year) screening.

A lot of people have sent me comments about this  –OK, how confusing has this been for many of you????

My own experience includes 15 years of mammography that did not detect any symptoms of cancer (having a mother with breast cancer and no children before the age of 30 put me in the at-risk category), the lump that was found came from my own self-exam 3 months after a clean mammogram. Although none of the diagnostic tests taken were able to detect any problems, I do think that my cancer education and self-awareness brought on by my mother’s 12 year bout with metastatic stage 4 breast cancer did keep me on the alert and therefore helped me to detect mine at a much earlier stage 1.

I am not a doctor nor have I ever been asked to guest doc on ER or Grey’s Anatomy (hard to believe right?) and therefore am not qualified to make any recommendations to anyone except to recommend that each of you should understand the issues and your own personal history/risk of breast cancer which includes but is not limited to: Family History (mother, sister or daughter with bc), BRCA 1 and 2 genes, reproductive history (never given birth or birth after age 30) and women who began their periods before 12 or have had late menopause. Frankly, breast cancer is NOT a one size fits all disease and each woman owes it to herself to understand her own risks and then to make decisions based on what she and her doctor decide.  I am including the following two links, which expound on issues of the current debate:

Breast Cancer Action who has long believed that women who are pre-menopausal should not have regular screening mammograms, and everyone should know the benefits and risks of all screening methods (mammograms, breast self-exam, clinical breast exam) and make the best decisions for themselves.

Some people will be upset because their breast cancer was found on a mammogram that would not have happened under the new guidelines. Some people will be confused because they don’t understand what the downsides could possibly be to the early detection of breast cancer.

It’s very difficult for people to ignore their personal situations in thinking about what should happen as a matter of policy. But emerging science tells us that we need to try to do that if we’re going to get to the best place in terms of both reducing deaths from breast cancer and minimizing the harms that occur when we do mammography screening

We have suffered from oversimplification of the breast cancer early detection message for far too long. The new recommendations on screening may help us move to a more nuanced understanding of breast cancer, and ultimately for a better place for all of us.

Johns Hopkins’ Mammography RecommendationsThe study released by the United States Preventive Services Task Force will not change current practices at Johns Hopkins. We will maintain our recommendations that routine screening for women at average risk for cancer occurs annually from 40 years of age through 80, when it can be altered at that point.

We also feel it is important to continue educating women about their bodies including the normal contours of the breast to promote awareness of breast health. We believe that when women are armed with knowledge about their breasts, they are more likely to report changes to their physician. Again, please continue to schedule your mammograms annually, check your breasts, and let your physician know when changes occur.

I want to end with a huge thank you to new donors to the film; Eddie, Barbara and Isaac Mozen, Steven Friedman and Verna Wefsald, Chuck Wexler, Olivia and Sherman Milland, Anya Tuton and Donna Simpkins. We would be honored if you would consider making an end of the year tax-deductible donation to the film.  We are well aware of the difficult economic realities we are all currently experiencing and appreciate anything you are able to contribute. If you choose to do so, please click on the DONATION button and follow the instructions.

Wishing each and every one of you a very happy Holiday Season and a Healthy New Year!

Love,

Paula

Just returned from…

MENDING IN THE MOUNTAINS, a three day-two night retreat sponsored by the Wellness Community in Bozeman.  It was held at the 320 Ranch, a swanky-ish vacation spot a little past Big Sky (a glitzy ski mountain and community for those of you not familiar with all things Montana).  70 cancer survivors, all women- mostly breast cancer but also lymphoma, uterine, lung and brain. We ranged in age from 28 to 80.  I bunked with a charismatic young woman (39 year-old), mother of two, recovering from a double mastectomy and reconstruction.  Her “new girls” look pretty good and all she has left is to get the final nipple tattoos.  She lost her mom this summer, is selling her home because of financial stuff and is separating from husband.  Cancer does not occur within a vacuum; life has a way of reappearing once the major crises of diagnosis and treatment are tended to.

We had a blast hanging out, beading (making necklaces and bracelets from a stunning array of glass and wooden  beads generously donated by local vendors) received facials and pedis, went hiking, hot tubbing and those of us who wanted, participated in an assortment of support groups. We dined on delicious fresh food and were served wine with dinner (some of those cancer chicks can really party!)

Although each of us has our unique story, there is real strength and validation in numbers, having your own realities reflected back to you through other women’s stories and experiences is uplifitng and life affirming. These are my people now.

The Wellness Community (link at right) is set up to provide an array of programs to support the cancer survivor AT NO CHARGE. I recently received eight weeks of awesome acupuncture at our local center and am currently participating in a mediation group.  There are several community chapters across the US and one of many great resources if you or a loved one has cancer-pass it on!
Now, back to the film…Life Interrupted will be unique in that while we will feature compelling stories that reveal the breast cancer experience, it will also focus on education and prevention, something for EVERYONE.  In keeping with this, I will post different ideas and resources as we continue forth.  Check out the links on the right side under PREVENTION GOODIES where you will find links for: Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides (what is absolutely necessary to buy organic if you are on a tight budget which most of us are), cleaning out the toxic cleaning products in your home and how to pick the safest cosmetics and beauty lotions-there are amazing databases that are useful and available for FREE.

Film Updates: I want to thank Komen/Montana for their production grant and the following fabulous and amazing people for supporting the film with their generous donations:

Larry Marks and Gladys Monroy, Arlene and Alan Goldfarb, Neal and Sandy Mozen, Jan Rubin and Milton Mozen.

SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP GET THE FILM MADE.  Please consider making a tax- deductible donation in honor of National Breast Cancer Month,  for some of us, breast cancer is an everyday reality. If you know of any foundations that you think I should approach for funding, please let me know.  Think about who would get something out of having their name on this film: education, prevention, research, health disparities, treatment are just a few ideas.

Besides donations, I am looking for certain TYPES of people to interview-click on Full Proposal at right to see WHO I have in mind. Feel free to send me any names /contacts of women who are articulate, have compelling stories and would like ot share them in a film. I am currently working on setting up my Montana interviews and am speaking with breast cancer survivors at the Fort Belknap Reservation.

Mary Kay (no relation to the cosmetic company nor does she a pink Cadillac), a dear friend,  sent me this useful article and I wanted to pass it on as we enter the eye of the storm of flu season.  This message is from Dr. Vinay Goyal a renowned doctor who lectures on the topic H1N1 (SWINE FLU), its origin and precautions. He is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital and  Tata Memorial. Presently, he is heading the Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).   The following message is given by him, I feel it makes a lot of sense and is important for all of you guys to know.

The Message………..

Thanks to media hype about H1N1, several people who trust me have either approached or called me to advise. The hype in media about the utility of face masks and N95 respirators as a tool for general =0 A protection against H1N1 can’t be deplored enough. Hence this short email to friends whom I have advised recently (and others whom I haven’t yet). Please realize that this is not an official advice, especially the one about face masks or N95.

Most N95 respirators are designed to filter 95% particulates of 0.3µ, while the size of H1N1 virus is about 0.1µ. Hence, dependence on N95 to protect against H1N1 is like protecting against rain with an umbrella made of mosquito net.

Tamiflu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further proliferation till the virus limits itself in about 1-2 weeks (its natural cycle). H1N1, like other Influenza A viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and proliferates (only) there. The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/ throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps not fully highlighted in most official communications – can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6.* Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm..

All these are simple ways to prevent , within means of most households, and certainly much less painful than to wait in long queues outside public hospitals.

Happy breathing!

Obama’s coming to the Big Sky…

Obama’s coming to Bozeman, Obama’s coming to Belgrade-the news hit early last week and everyone in town was trying to figure out WHERE he would be and more importantly HOW to get the tickets.  On Wednesday the 12^th, it was confirmed that he would hold a town-hall style meeting to discuss healthcare on Friday August 14^th at an airplane hanger near the airport (yeah, that’s where us typical Montanans hang out in all of our spare time…) Tickets would be given out Thursday at 9am,  first come first serve at both the Bozeman and Belgrade city halls, two tickets per person (one more than in the Willy Wonka story) and the number of tickets available was unknown.

Although I am not one to camp out for concerts (the Deadhead thing somehow passed me by) I had seen him last summer as a candidate and got to shake his hand, the thrill motivated me to help with the campaign locally and now was my chance to see him again.  I had already committed to a 12-mile hike up Mt. Baldy (8900 ft.) with a few friends and so I figured I could deal with the tickets after the hike.  After the hike, I was pretty beat and thought about blowing it all off, but when my neighbor Amy called and said we should wheel over her hammock and practice our urban camping techniques, I couldn’t resist.  We didn’t end up bringing the hammock, but at 10pm, with my sleeping back over my shoulder and a thermarest in hand, I walk over with my faithful companion Sascha and joined her and a few friends receiving a magic market umber of “91 to mark my place in line.  The first people in line had arrived sometime before 4pm.

The guy next to us had literally put up a snazzy Northface tent in 4 minutes flat, very impressive.  Turns out it was Conrad Anker with his wife Jenny Lowe, renowned climber (summit-ed Everest) and partner of Alex Lowe on the fateful mountain climbing trip that took Alex’s life.  We passed around a little wine that I had snagged from my cupboard, gossiped with our neighbors and fell asleep, only to be awoken at 2 am when the bars close down and the partiers thought they would take it to the streets.

The next morning we were all up around 6am. A purple Heart Veteran was passing out coffee from gourmet boxes that he had purchased at a nearby coffee shop, he said this is what he fought for-the opportunity to voice one’s opinion, when asked what his was he replied” I dunno”.”  A city council member handed out donuts, a newspaper carrier for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle handed out Free papers and Conrad made me a cup of hot chocolate.  Later on, my friend Ada stopped by with a latte and lemon cake- I was flying high (and loving it) on all those the carbs to be sure.  At 9am we got our tickets and reconvened the next day (Friday) at 9am to go out to the airport and wait in line for the show. If you are getting the idea that getting to see the President at a town-hall meeting is like a full-time job- you would be right!

Heading out to the airport, there were may crowds of people setting up shop with signs for and against CHOICE, healthcare, the environment, single payer, gay loggers for Jesus –you name it-it was there.  People (even the NoBamas) were orderly and friendly as we looked for a place to park.  We got in line and then at 10:30 am they let us into he hanger.  Things were well organized and I was amazed at how little security there actually was. We did have to go through a metal detector and turn on our cameras and cell phones but that was easy and smooth.

We still; had a couple of hours to hang out until the event began and we visited with friends, took pictures, talked to the press and basically felt really lucky that we had gotten in. There were about 1500 people including press and politician’s and union groups and entourages with about 600 tickets going out to people like me who had waited for them.  We got to sit second row and slightly right of center-the eye contact was thrilling.

Senators Tester, Baucus and then Gov. Schweitzer took the mic, an invocation was done by a local minister, the national anthem was sung by a voice teacher and her student. Katie Gibson, a 7 year cancer survivor came to the podium and told her story about how her insurance dropped her in the middle of a multi-year treatment plan that ultimately saved her life, and then she introduced Obama. Secret Service guys preceded him, all chiseled jaw and darting eyes, all looking  like GQ models.

Obama took the stage and the crowd went wild after this long buildup. (note to self- sometimes, you gotta make ‘em wait, anticipation can be highly effective) And he delivered. Rock star, gorgeous, articulate, energetic, on his game for sure. He gave a 20 minute speech about the need to change the status quo in healthcare, you all have heard the stuff so I don’t need to repeat it.  He answered 5 or 6 questions from various people in the audience, nothing was prewritten or screened and the man knows how to think on his feet.

At the end of the session, our man shook hands with people on the stage and even kissed a few women (making the rest of us swoon) and then acted like he was heading out the door.  Instead he turned back and began shaking hands on my side of the room and since I was so close to the stage, I know I was going to have the chance to press his flesh again.  I tried to find a friend to take my picture but alas, they were all jockeying to get in line for their own handshake. Since he shook my right hand last summer, I decided to put out my left hand and was able to hold onto his hand while he shook several other people’s hands- I was holding hands with Obama and I wasn’t about to let go (until one of the ss guys tapped me on the shoulder and gave me “the look”)!

I would like to say he made eye contact but can’t be sure, and it must all be such a blur to him-to do this over and over wherever he goes! I recently heard an interview that suggested that Obama was not always the most likeable candidate and that some people in his campaign thought he was moody and downbeat.  He has certainly learned from his mistakes and made himself into the right guy for the right time- this healthcare debate is really tough and I for one am so glad we have someone of his mental caliber helping to helm the ship.  It took a long time to get into this mess and I do believe it will be messy to get out-but we will if we persevere.

No, the prez didn’t call me on but if I had, I would have asked him this:

“Last year I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. I have a 5,000 deductible insurance plan and I pay about 3,000 a year in premiums-putting me at 8,000 out of pocket before my insurance kicks in (and it doesn’t even cover eye or dental darn it).  I have to stick with the plan I have because of my now pre-existing condition, what can the new plan do to help people like me?” So now  I will pose that question in the healthcare/insurance section of   the new film and hope we can get some answers soon.

Wishing one and all a very happy end of summer and get in your last kicks before you have to stash those white shoes away for another season.

Love,

paula

in June 2008, I was seamlessly inducted into the breast cancer club, no membership fees required!  I am now back on the mend after receiving surgery and 38 radiation treatments. I originally kept my friends and family in the loop by sending out emails on a regular basis.  Not only did I receive a huge outpouring of support but people told me they actually looked forward to getting my news (well, they were sorry about my diagnoses but they loved getting inside scoop.)   Several of my filmmaker and public health-type friends pressed me to make a film-”no way” was my initial response, I had too much to do in my own recovery.

Time passed and  I  learned to take charge of my own circumstances by educating myself on prevention and treatment techniques.  I  later becoming the “go to”  girl when friends or friends of friends were diagnosed with breast cancer.  Newly diagnosed patients and their friends and family wanted to hear personal stories and get ideas on how to navigate the medical system for themselves. Each woman that I listened to had a unique take on the breast cancer experience and no matter who I met, we always had an immediate connection because of our shared journey into breast cancer.

A year later, I have realized that I in fact am the right person to make a film on breast cancer. I am interested in collecting useful information, stories and experiences, to become a resource for prevention and re-occurrence. So, now I am producing a new documentary film  called:

PLEASE CLICK ON UPDATES (in the above menu)  to get the latest news and follow the progress of the film.  We hope to get you involved in supporting the film with donations of  time, money, resources and contacts.  We will gladly use all the help we can get!