What would possess a woman to take joy in not shaving her legs or underarms for months, when she always had, and in fact - simply stopped using shampoo?

That same woman even got her eyebrows tattooed, started working out and shaved her head.

That's because this mother/daughter was getting ready for the battle of her life - fighting breast cancer. And October marks the annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

It's been nine years since --Doris Pastl, now also a grandmother, and owner of the Boynton Beach-based Specialty Advertising Inc. was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. That's when she entered her own personal, self-imposed boot camp of readiness: creating a support group around her, a positive attitude, purpose, focus, and humor.

She underwent treatments and surgery. She endured wigs, hospital gowns, no hair, nausea, fear, strength, laughing and crying. She chronicled "This is My Story," in a pamphlet-style book with photos, short cutlines and lists.

Pastl lists feelings, advantages of being bald (you never have a bad hair day) and disadvantages (if you've had a face lift, the scars will show).

Pastl's simple presentation makes it an easy read despite the fact that it is about someone's real life emotional and physical roller coaster. Any woman: aunt, sister, mother, grandmother facing the challenge could sit with a child to read "This is My Story."

But Pastl also knows the experience is different for every one. So she wants other women to share with her, to add to her lists. Pastl wants people to read her story and share it with others. To obtain copies, to add to her lists, call Pastl at 800-433-7452.

For a donation, you can have a hot pink hair extension woven into place as another way to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness and as fundraisers. Find out here where PINK Extensions are available at participating hair salons throughout the month.

Do you have a breast-cancer survival story to share with the Sun Sentinel?

UPDATE: Find out about fundraisers this month on Rod Hagwood's Fashion calendar blog. Some events, starting around Oct. 18, are specifically geared to breast cancer awareness.

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