Pink Ribbon Giveaway: Belkin Remix iPod Case
I have, for one lucky commenter, a Belkin Remix Metal case for the iPod nano (a $25 value).
The back of the case is clear acrylic and the front features brushed metal (aluminum), with a soft-touch click-wheel protector and a pink ribbon in the lower right hand corner of the unit.
I’ve much more security carrying my iPod with me when it is in a case — I’m thrilled to be able to offer you that same security.
Let’s say … I’ll randomly choose from the commenters that “speak up” during this first month of my new blog’s debut!
So … tell me … how did music make a difference in your treatment, your healing, or your life?
Good luck!
(Image: Belkin)
Tags: Belkin, breast cancer, cancer, giveaway, ipod nano, pink ribbonRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Contests/Giveaways
36 opinions for Pink Ribbon Giveaway: Belkin Remix iPod Case
Sherry
Apr 8, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Great new blog Karen. Moving forward, growing, creating new life post breast cancer is all part of the journey. I too started a new blog. I no longer post on my breast cancer blog and have begun a new journey myself. It feels not only “right”, it feels goooood!!!
I love music…it has played a huge role in my life both pre and post breast cancer. At every difficult/traumatic or crisis point in my life, I have found music to be soothing, to help me express my feelings and to allow myself to “feel” what is happening to me.
As I move forward post breast cancer it still plays a key role in my life. I use music as I write or create my art. I listen to the lyrics and have a better understanding of what the artist was saying when penning the music. And the tune of the music? It’s as if I feel it flow through my veins. Excellent question.
Best of luck with your new endeavour!!
Michelle
Apr 8, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I am so glad you are back to blogging! As a sister in survival and a fellow TRAM Flap survivor I love reading how great you are doing. You have been such an inspiration. I figured if you could ski and ice skate I certainly could inline skate also…I can!
Connie Pombo
Apr 8, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Ahh…”the sound of music”…where do I begin?
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago, I underwent five biopsies in two weeks. Some of those were under local anesthesia and some were not! The nurse oncologist suggested that I start listening to relaxation tapes (my blood pressure was 192/110), and they couldn’t do surgery until it came down. So I began listening to tapes of nature sounds: babbling brooks, birds singing, and ocean waves crashing, but nothing seemed to work. Then a friend of mine, who recently finished breast cancer treatment, gave me her relaxation tapes and they did the trick. I started out with “chimes of angels.” It actually worked. For my fifth and final biopsy, I needed absolutely no anesthesia! Amazing what a little music will do. The surgeon wanted to know what it was that I was listening to so he could give it to all of his patients (I think he really wanted it for himself!).
The nurse oncologist said, “You’ll never want to listen to that music again, so be sure to pick something you’re not that fond of to listen to.” She was right in one sense; I didn’t listen to THAT one. But I learned that music is therapeutic and it lowered my blood pressure without medication, so I was able to have a successful outcome to surgery.
Music has always played an important role in my life, but now as a 12-year breast cancer survivor I see that it truly “saved” my life!
Music…what would my life be without it?
Karen Lynch
Apr 8, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Sherry, I’m so glad to hear you started a new journey — one that feels awesome. Do share what you’re up to sometime!
Michelle, you go girl! I’m so glad to hear you got back out there, too. It feels great, doesn’t it?
Connie, what a great story. I’ve been reading about music as therapy — I may have to contact you about that specifically sometime!
Kathy M Whitney
Apr 8, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Lost a Aunt to Breast Cancer. Music is a way to think of the few good times we had together.
Because of her passing. I get checked regularly
Barbara Moorman
Apr 8, 2008 at 11:10 pm
I have had an aunt who passed away from breast cancer, and my mother passed away as a result of a rare form of cancer, of the vulva. I was my mother’s primary caretaker, from the time she got sick, until she passed away.
I remember traveling to and from the hospital, either to visit her while she was there, or taking her to and from her appointments. The hospital was three hours away from where we lived. I spent a lot of time listening to the radio while on the road, either that, or playing cassette tapes over and over, while traveling.
Sometimes, I think that the music was the one thing keeping me sane, and together, and in control of my emotions, and helping me to keep everything in perspective, even when things got bad, and especially when things got better.
There are songs that, to this day, will take my breath away, because of their association with different aspects of my mother’s bout with cancer.
Tera Kolvenbach
Apr 9, 2008 at 12:04 am
My Mom died on 9/11. She loved Beethoven and his music always relaxed her. We played her favorite pieces at her memorial service, such as Ode To Joy.
Theresa Shafer
Apr 9, 2008 at 1:26 am
Ava Maria helps me to relax. When I relax I am less likely to get nausea. The slow beat slows me down. I am able to connect with the angels up high and soar above pain. While it plays I have escaped. Eyes closed, I am just away from whatever is happening here on Earth.
sandy
Apr 9, 2008 at 5:46 am
Music soothes and relaxes
Jennifer Phillips
Apr 9, 2008 at 10:03 am
Music helped my Mom get through her treatments and operations for all three types of cancer she had , including breast. And then after her death, it has helped me cope and survive and remember her. It brings the sweetest memories and calms and soothes any inner turmoil. Music is a must and need in my life.
Linda Lansford
Apr 9, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Music helps my friend keep on an even temperment during and after treatments
Cindy Chau
Apr 9, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Music is such a great way to help relieve the stress. Everything just melts away when I listen to music!!!
Suhang Jiang
Apr 9, 2008 at 5:07 pm
My wife loves her iPod and she just recently bought me one and I can sense that I don’t have any more stress left. I just wish I could’ve given my wife’s sister an iPod before she passed away so that she too can enjoy the beauty of music and have less stress in her life.
Fred
Apr 9, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Hi Karen,
I’m a 68 year old male and a two year breast cancer survivor. You could have knocked me over when I got the news that I had breast cancer. In May of 2006 I had a modified readical mastectomy on my right breast and so far, thanks to a great bunch of doctors, I’m doing fine.
Men should should include a breast exam with their annual physical and learn to do a self-breast exam.
Karen Lynch
Apr 9, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Hello everyone! So great to hear from you guys.
Kathy and Barb … you both lost your aunts. I’m so sorry for the loss you both faced. Barb, when I headed to/from my own treatments music was key for me, too.
Tera, I love Ode to Joy. It’s a great work.
Theresa, I too think music is a great way to escape. I loved that beautiful description.
Sandy, I agree; music totally helps me to relax.
Jennifer, I’m glad music helped your mother cope … and helped you cope with your loss. I’m so sorry you felt such pain, but it sounds as though you’re at peace now.
Linda — I’m always so grateful to be on an even keel; I’m glad music helps you with that.
Cindy and Suhang … you both mention how music relieves stress. That’s so true.
And Fred … thank you for sharing your story with my readers. I’ll discuss male breast cancer in a future post. It’s such an important topic. I admire your bravery and commend you for speaking out about the importance of BSE for men!
Caroline Morin
Apr 9, 2008 at 11:09 pm
This is a really important topic to me. My grandmother, who I adored, passed away two years ago from this disease. She was, from all appearances, perfectly healthy. Then, suddenly, she was gone.
She and I both shared a bond through Christian music. She had her favourite songs and they brought her such comfort when everything else in her life was bringing her down. I think of her when I hear those songs… they keep her memory alive in my heart.
Best wishes to all of you who have had to, or are currently facing this disease in one form or another.
Laura
Apr 10, 2008 at 10:14 am
Hi Karen,
Music had a great impact on me during my breast cancer treatment. So much so, that my kids and I started a non-profit group to raise money to purchase iPods for cancer patients. Music helped me get through chemo, but even more it helped me in between, to feel strong enough to go back for another round. I wanted to give that gift to others that struggle through treatment and maybe don’t have supportive people around. We want to give a “care package” of music. Kids have helped us raise money with move-a-thons and read-a-thons. So far we have given away more than 50 iPods.
Peace to all of you.
DAVID BREWSTER
Apr 10, 2008 at 12:53 pm
After I had my masectomy, I had to go on a full regemin of Chemotherapy. My love of music was one of the things that helped me through the weekness and nausea.
LeighAnn Maloney
Apr 10, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Thank you for the music thread. I’m a four year ovarian cancer survivor (currently on my fourth round of chemo) with the BrCa1 gene mutation. Because of that, I’ve also had prophylactic bilateral mastectomies. Music - particularly Christian music - has kept my hope alive and my eyes focused on God rather than my situation. I use it to get energized during the day and to silence all the negative thoughts at night. Blessings on all of you in your various struggles.
Maggie
Apr 12, 2008 at 1:25 am
I am a breast cancer survivor of 19 months. Music helped give me an escape from the stress of my life during a time that was not so great for me. Now music is still a way for me to decompress from a long day or to bring me back into the present moment.
Karen Lynch
Apr 13, 2008 at 11:30 am
Hello to all of you, my latest contest commenters!
Caroline, I’m sorry about your grandmother. LeighAnn also shares your love of Christian music, I see. I agree, it is so uplifting. I was just listening to the cast of American Idol’s version of Shout to the Lord this morning!
LeighAnn, my mother is an ovarian cancer survivor (you may have read that in my posts featuring my survivor story). I applaud the strength and endurance you’re exhibiting in your fight!
Laura, I love what you’re doing. I might be talking more about that in the next few weeks. If I forget, drop me an email so I can ask you follow up questions.
David … another male with breast cancer! I’m so glad my readership is crossing the gender divide! (Or maybe you are a woman using a man’s email just to throw me … either way, I’m glad you’re here.)
And Maggie, you’re not alone … many of my commenters have mentioned the stress relieving benefits of music.
Dance on all!
Bunny
Apr 13, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Great new blog! :)
Music has always been able to change my mood, cheer me up, make me dance, relieve my stress, and even make me cry!
Carol Drury
Apr 15, 2008 at 2:02 pm
music calms my soul!!!
Angela
Apr 15, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I blogged you on Prizeatron!
http://www.prizeatron.com
Katrina McMahon
Apr 16, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I know so many people who died of breast cancer..including my grandmother, and really close friend, that I am a very proud supporter of the fight against it!
ariane
Apr 20, 2008 at 6:43 am
music has always been my company when every time i feel sad and lonely. it calms and make my soul dance!
Tia Carter
Apr 21, 2008 at 6:32 am
i hope i win
Mary V
Apr 22, 2008 at 12:06 pm
At night when the bad thoughts come and sleep doesn’t, it is important to me to listen to uplifting music. It restores my faith.
trudee carreiro
Apr 29, 2008 at 1:14 pm
lost a couple of cousins to breast cancer I think music is the way to go and really relaxes you
Kelly Kimball
Apr 29, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Great Blog. I am a 6 year survivor. 5 years with mets. I just started blogging. I love listening to music it blocks out the noise in the chemo room.
Best of luck.
Donna
Apr 29, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I have stage IV terminal breast cancer. I’m only 38 years old. I have to go to chemo every Friday, and if I didn’t have music to listen to, I don’t think I could make it through. Alot of times, the chemo room is so depressing, sometimes it’s not, but to me it’s a depressing place. Music helps me to get through this every week, I use it to try and block out everything, mostly the anxiety of everything I have to deal with. So yeah, without music I would probably go crazy. Thanks for the giveaway, and just wanted to say more awareness needs to be made to Breast Cancer Mets. (stage IV) There’s no cure!
sarah woods
Apr 29, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Thecasewonderful reminder of the pink that early detection/early diagnosis is the key. Wonderful idea for every time you take your iPod then there is your reminder.
Veronica Garrett
Apr 30, 2008 at 8:03 am
Music works wonders for me in this stressful world. It enables me to relax by calming me down. I realize that life is meant to be enjoyed.
Brooke
Apr 30, 2008 at 10:02 am
Without music, there is NO WAY I’d have been motivated to work out at the gym. I’ve lost 15 pounds so far!!! I have a lot to go, but I’m totally into it now!
Zipporah Sandler
Apr 30, 2008 at 4:01 pm
My mom passed away from Breast Cancer at the age of 55. I am now 54 and I try to do everything that I can to get checked.
Bobbye F
Apr 30, 2008 at 6:23 pm
When I was diagnosed with cancer I withdrew from my family and friends. I turned to music, especially the Fray. It let me morn and gave me hope. Things are much better a year later but music is my escape from the world to deal with the things that come up next!
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