You may have seen my little post the other week about the Kitty Von Purr dress, or you may have noticed the lovely picture of Bernie Dexter at the top of this site, and you may also be asking yourself, “How does one fight cancer with style?” Either way, there is a story here to tell you.
To start at the begining I have to tell you how much I love the internet, (as if you didn’t know). The way it can bring like-minded people together who, for all sorts of reasons, not least the geographic, may have never otherwise met. It can also make those ’six degrees’ so much smaller. And this is how I met Kitty Von Purr.
Originally from Brisbane, Australia; Kitty now lives in Nashville Tennesee. Being a fellow Australian it turns out that we have many mutal friends, and so our connection was born. Through our keyboards we’ve be chatting about our love of vintage, music and wonderful people… as well as Kitty’s current battle with breast cancer. So many of my Australian and other international readers (including myself) have little understanding of the US Health System (such as it is) which plays a big part in Kitty’s life and opportunities for treatment at the moment.
One of the things I treasure about this community of wonderful people both online and in life, is that it keeps us connected and offers support, no matter how far apart we may all be. So I asked her to share a bit of her story with you.
“I am an Aussie gal living in Nashville Tennessee, my husband is from here. I do not have health insurance like so many Americans…
The early years !
The first vintage piece I bought was in my first year of high school, it was a cotton blouse with cigarette packets/brands all over it, and I still have it ! I bought because I thought it was funny & cute. Then I opened my first vintage store in the early 80’s while still in my teens, then a second not much longer after that. After that, I went to live in London for 2 years where I met cool rockabilly girls ( Vivien of Holloway ).
On returning to Australia I had a vintage furniture store in Darlinghurst called Okie Dokie with a friend Jane Fisher ~ she died from breast cancer..
I then started a vintage cosmetic company called Bella Cosmetics. I think I was too soon with this idea; if I had it today in the world of the internet I would make a fortune…….
So….back to now. In December I flew home to Australia as my step dad died; and while I was there I had my mammogram. I have one every 2 years, but I had had one 12 months prior as I was told I had a cyst under my arm and they wanted to double make sure. So when I had my mammogram the technician asked of I had noticed any changes. I told her the left nipple was only ever so slightly drawn in but it was probably because I had recently lost weight.
The scan was clear, ( 20 % of breast cancers ARE NOT seen in a mammogram ) mine was only detected under ultrasound. I also did not have a lump, mine is flat and by the time I could “feel” it it was already stage 3 .
I was asked to come back the following day to see a doctor, so off I went the next day, not worried or concerned; the idea of breast cancer had not even entered my head.
Next day I went to the Breast Clinic they did an ultrasound and I could tell that something was wrong ! The Doctor then told me it was a large aggressive breast cancer, in the 60 minutes he spoke with me I only heard the words Cancer, Chemotherapy, Mastectomy and survival rate, the rest of what he said was like an episode of Snoopy, where the teacher is talking and Charlie Brown just hears wah wah wah wah…..
I have stage 3A breast cancer and I am learning to live with it, what has amazed me is the amazing support and generosity of other women. My beautiful Bernie Dexter went full steam ahead with trying to raise money as I wanted to stay in the USA for treatment. It is a year out of my life and wanted to be with my husband, in my bed, with my friends etc. Then my lovely friends Bernie Dexter, Christine Linarden & Christina Robles put together the money to finance the Kitty Von Purr cancer fund dress. At the same time my husband Blair Glover and his friends ( Miss Lolly and Dave Willie) put together a benefit show called Chemo Confidential with bands, a magician, hula hoopers, a fire eater & go go girls & loads of fun prizes !!! My friend Stacey Dixon, another pinup model, ran a raffle at her and her husband’s Nashville Tattoo Convention. Then Olivia donated an art work for Bernie to sell.
All these amazing women stepping forward to help, it just humbles me so much to see how much women do care about each other !!! I have one girl Cassy Mummart Lawson, who’s Mum had breast cancer and every three weeks before chemo a card that she has handmade arrives. I have never met her but such a kind gesture lifts my spirits. My friend Christina (Dottie Devine) sends me boxes of organic fruit and gift cards for me to pamper myself. Bernie is just always there for me and has done soooooo much; she listens to me, the good and the bad, she has never wavered in her support even though she is so busy working and traveling for work, she is there for me 100 %.
Christine ( Pussy Le Claw) had been a sounding board and someone to have long phone conversations with and laugh and cry with. She never fails to make me laugh and talks to me about everyday life, cancer talk gets old really fast.
My friend Miss Inky emails me everyday and we chat about hairdos, hair don’ts and vintage clothing,shoes . All these women have no idea what a huge help the have been….”
And this is one of the reasons that I’m helping Kitty tell her story here. As a timely reminder to look after your breasts and always pay attention to changes no matter how small. And also to show you the fantastic Kitty Von Purr dress, specially made by Bernie Dexter to raise some of the much needed funds to support Kitty during this time. 100% of the profits from this dress go directly to the Kitty Von Purr Cancer Fund, so it is perfect for helping you look good and feel great!
The dress itself is made of a heavy weight, cotton jersey; so it is super stretchy and super comfortable! It can be dressed up and taken out on the town, or even perfect for lazing around in a pair of fluffy boudoir heels with a glass of wine and a good man. Machine washable, no ironing, rolls up to nothing; you could even pop this one in your handbag for after work cocktails!
So if your thinking about a new dress, make it a Kitty Von Purr and fight cancer in style!
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