Hello!
I am a cancer survivor who loves lipstick. I am 41 years old and New Year’s 2011 marks my first year (in the past three years), cancer free. Lipstick for me has been an obsession since high school. I was never allowed to wear make up, but I always had my Cherry Chapstick which added a hint of red. In college, my best friend Jennifer ALWAYS wore bright pink lipstick no matter what. I never knew how she could pull that off confidently. After college, I got my first job. Lipstick cost less than shoes…thus begins my lipstick journey.
I buy lipstick with any mood shift I have. Obviously with my cancer diagnosis, three surgeries, radiation, etc…my mood shifts were extreme and changed daily. I think over the three year period I have collected at least 30-50 tubes of lipstick and gloss. I was laid off from my job last June (right after radiation), YSL Golden gloss #14. I got another job right after, Laura Mercier Brown Plum. I quit that job in December, not because I had so many great options, but because I was tired (I never let myself fully recover), and it was a job I could not see myself doing long term. One thing with cancer is, you don’t want to waste time. I bought Bobbi Brown Raisin (my favorite color and brand, by the way).
I’ve been interviewing sometimes two to three times a week for the past couple weeks for a new job and have been very self controlled in terms of my lipstick purchases. Today, I splurged. I got stressed about the job hunt because I carry the insurance for the family and my ultrasound/PET scan is coming up and it ain’t cheap. Today I bought Dior 774. What’s bad is that when I came home, I saw the same tube in my ever-growing lipstick collection. Hate when that happens. Anyway, tomorrow’s a new day!
Anna's Lipstick Journey 
Hello Anna,
Well, as my son and I were driving home tonight, he began to repeat his endearing stories of Alex’s mom. I recalled the stories quite vividly, however, I never managed to put all of the pieces together when I met you. I apologize. How privileged I feel to have met you although we did not chat very much. I always feel blessed when I am in the presence of a miracle. My friend’s son, Alexander is a survivor – given only a 4% chance of survival, this young boy always told us not to worry because he was a living, breathing miracle. Oh boy, is he ever. One year later, my best friend, Vicki, was diagnosed with stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. It was a long year, but she too “beat the beast.” Now I can officially say that another living, breathing miracle has touched my life. Your message shines brightly through your son to mine. My Joseph is very fond of him and treasures the stories that he shares about you. Now I am focused on reading your book – your story, your journey. I look forward to meeting you again and having more time to chat with you.
God Bless
Thank you Shelly! Your comments made me cry. I’m glad our sons are friends, Alex has many stories that include Joseph. I look forward to seeing you again!
Hi, “ANNA”
I love you and your book!! Just finished reading it! 🙂
Love you Audrey!