The first review of Bald is Better with Earrings!  From Publisher's Weekly


link to article

Bald Is Better with Earrings: A Survivor’s Guide to Getting Through Breast Cancer

Andrea Hutton, Author

Breast cancer survivor Hutton offers a wealth of insider knowledge on exactly what to expect of the “emotional and physical roller coaster” involved in battling the disease. Hutton offers both serious and lighthearted suggestions for getting through early testing, advising readers to “never go to a mammogram alone” and rating the flavors of pre-PET/CT scan barium milk (“mocha is the best”). She provides tips for choosing the appropriate surgery and information on breast prostheses, noting wryly that the proprietors of stores selling these tend to be well-endowed women, evidence of a possible “conspiracy.” A chapter on chemotherapy covers preliminaries, aftercare, and side effects before delving into the big conundrum: “how and when to shave your head.” Hutton explains basic care for synthetic and real-hair wigs and compassionately addresses potential feelings of a loss of femininity. She illuminates some less-discussed treatment side effects like “steroid rage,” fingernail breakage, loss of eyelashes, and radiation fatigue. On the interpersonal level, Hutton discusses best practices for telling your family your diagnosis and categorizes different reactions loved ones tend to have, while giving permission to “lash out appropriately.” Finally, Hutton reflects on the ongoing stress of continued screening, noting, “Once you’ve crossed the street, you’re stuck on this side forever.” While there is no universal cancer experience, Hutton covers the most likely scenarios in detailed fashion with grace, empathy, and humor. (July) 

Available at: Barnes and Noble

Pre-order my book

Here's the link to pre-order my book on Amazon. It has all the tips and helpful hints that I learned from going through treatments.

Bald is Better with Earrings

I'm super excited to announce that my book, Bald is Better with Earrings, A Survivor's Guide to Getting Through Breast Cancer is available for pre-order on Amazon. It's the book I hope nobody has to buy - but if you do, I hope it will be helpful.

Got a publishing contract!

I'm so excited to announce that HarperWave, an imprint of HarperCollins will be publishing my book next year. Keep checking back for updates. Here's the description from the HarperWave website:

ANDREA HUTTON

Bald is Better with Earrings

Written with warmth and humor, as well as eyes-wide-open practicality, Hutton's book is a guiding light to women diagnosed with breast cancer. When Hutton was diagnosed at 41, she searched for—but couldn't find—practical information about how to navigate her new reality. What might she (really) expect from chemo, radiation, surgery, hair loss, fatigue, nausea, emotional pitfalls, support, etc? For the 1 in 8 women who will journey down this path, Hutton offers welcome insights, tips and stories in this indispensable guide.

• Agent:

   Sandra Djikstra/Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency

• Territory:

   US, Canada, Open Market

Happy Birthday

It's my birthday today and I feel lucky. I've always loved the presents, well-wishers, and chocolate cake - but birthdays are way more important now.  No surprise, right?

A few weeks ago I had my last Zometa treatment. After 3 years of going every 6 weeks for an infusion and blood tests, I was released back into the wild. Sure, I'm still on massive doses of Tykerb and am on intimate terms with the famed Tykerb rash, but I got 2 days per month back. The day spent in the oncologist's office for my exam and infusion, and the one three days later, when I would feel like a truck ran over me. That's 2 days every six weeks that were "cancer days" instead of Andrea days.  Turns out,  those days start to matter. They matter ALOT. So I really can't be bothered fretting over the creases that are getting deeper every time I smile (can't really call them laugh lines anymore - more like laugh canyons), and the fact that no amount of watering seems to make that boob grow back. I'm going to take every good day that comes my way and milk it for all it's worth - and today is a good day!

Sure, I still feel insecure about my future. Those doctor's appointments, though draining, were also a reassurance every 6 weeks that I was ok.  That there'd been no change. No spike in tumor markers, no sign of anything new and ugly rearing its head. Those infusions, though occasionally debilitating, were also part of a treatment plan.  Many women feel a little lost when they end treatment.  It's a huge relief, but there's also that piece of you that wonders, "Now what?" Is it really safe for me to be out here on my own?

Of course I have that little voice in my head that says the farther out I get, the higher the risks. Today, though, I'm telling the voice to be quiet - that it's pretty much the way life is, right? The farther out you get - the riskier it seems.  But today's my birthday. So today, as I celebrate turning 45, I'm really celebrating. Come to think of it, I think I'll celebrate tomorrow, too.

I think I hate Pinktober

I think I hate Pinktober and I feel kind of guilty about it. As a breast cancer survivor, shouldn't I be waving the pink flag and walking and running my feet off? Shouldn't I celebrate the fact that there's a whole month dedicated to breast cancer awareness? Instead, all month long I am filled with conflicting emotions. I'm grateful for every penny that is raised for research for a cure - but I'm so "aware" that it drives me a little crazy. Every single time I go to the grocery store during October, the checkout clerk asks me if I want to donate to breast cancer.  That's what they say, too. Not, "Do you want to donate to help find a cure?" Or, "Do you want to donate for breast cancer research funding?" NO - they say, "Do you want to donate to breast cancer?" And it takes all of my willpower to keep from saying, "No thanks, already donated a breast."

Don't get me wrong - thank goodness for the millions of dollars raised by pink-wearing NFL players, yogurt cups with pink ribbons and companies that give generously during Pinktober. It's just that I have a very strong emotional response to the flood of pink out there. I wish we could keep the message simple. Let's put those resources toward developing vaccines and treatments that don't make you feel and look worse than the disease itself.  Let's donate to fund research for a cure - because someday I'd really like October to go back to its original colors of red, gold and orange for Fall.