Why Frozen Peas?
Here is Susan’s explanation, from Boobs on Ice, the blog she’s using to chronicle her cancer experience:
When I discovered a very thick area in my breast I called the doctor. The next day I was in her office. A half hour after that I was in the diagnostic radiologist’s.
A full afternoon and multiple stab wounds later we had a variety of samples of malignant tentacles of tissue that were on their way to the lab.
I was in a little pain - it would increase as the local anesthetic wore off - but left his office with a soft cold pack in my bra.
To keep bleeding down & relieve pain I’d need to keep things cool. Traditional ice packs are hard and heavy. As much as I try to be a good sport I’m not into having a brick sitting on my chest.
Enter a bag of frozen peas.
I tucked it in my bra, took a picture, and was ready to tell the story later that night. That bag of peas added a touch of lightness to what could have been a sad and serious tale.
- A bag of peas was something everybody could relate to.
- Some people love them, some hate them, some use them for their own injuries.
- A bag of frozen peas was a vehicle for conversation and let people tease me instead of having to cry.
- It let people share instead of bemoaning.
I napped a lot during the first few days after the biopsy. The news was sudden and stunning after all and my body was being assaulted.
Mmmm peas for lunch?
When I fell asleep with peas in my cleavage I’d wake to the smell of freshly cooked peas. That made the story funnier, and more human. Of course I shared it because what is life but a series of stories.
After enough cooked peas I moved on to baggies with ice cubes or larger gel-packs which truth be told still are too big and too heavy to be comfy but help with pain.
The peas however live on in the form of stories from others about their use of pea-packs and the line-up of twitter avatars sporting peas in support of my struggle.
This makes them a comfort in more than one way.
Special thanks to
December 21st, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Hi Susan,
I am a cancer survivor myself so I appreciate your recorded experiences.
Look Iam not going to beat about the bush, just get this ebook or better still paperback book from amazon - the contents and recommended treatments blew me away - please do not under estimate this post.
http://www.asunburst.com/cancertreatment/
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:51 am
*salute*
December 27th, 2007 at 11:58 pm
When I first started seeing “Frozen Peas” references on Twitter I just assumed it was someone trying to be some kind of a wise-acker. And I thought it was just stupid. I feel like an idiot now by not taking the time to see what it was about. Makes perfect sense now. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
December 28th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Having gone through what you are going through now, I understand completely. I used frozen peas and frozen corn.
A book I read, re-read and almost memorized was “Just get me through this” by Deborah Cohen.
http://www.amazon.com/Just-Get-Through-This-Practical/dp/0758202911
Also, check out BreastCancer.org it is another community of vibrant women fighting the fight!
January 4th, 2008 at 1:32 am
[...] It is Frozen Pea Friday and I have put up my peavatar on Twitter in honor of my new Twitter friend, Susan Reynolds, who was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer….read more about her story at her awesome blog, Boobs On Ice and all about the Frozen Pea Fund. [...]
January 19th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
I just found this website. I have had chronic knee pain for five years and nine knee surgeries over 8 years. I have worn out a countless number of pea bags because they are the best way to help with an injury, surgery site, etc.
I wish this group the best of luck!
January 20th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
[...] to the Frozen Pea Fund yet? Don’t know what it is? Well you can read the long story here, but the gist is that the Frozen Pea Fund raises money for the American Cancer Society in honor of [...]
February 1st, 2008 at 1:01 am
[...] help. Twitter users created PEAvatars to show solidarity with Susan while raising awareness. The Frozen Pea Fund, founded by Susan and Connie, sprang up organically to raise money for breast cancer research. [For [...]
February 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Great story! I really believe in the powere of peas! I have created a fun light, flexible,reusable too, cold pack just for the reasons you mentioned. All green, all natural . They are PeaPodZ. I say “Give Peas A Chance.”
February 5th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
*power
And by the way I too had breast cancer too and used the peas!!
February 11th, 2008 at 2:55 am
[...] of Every Dot Connects. Susan’s battle against breast cancer inspired the creation of the Frozen Pea Fund, which is working to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer. The FPF is one [...]
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:45 am
[...] all started when Susan Renyolds, who is currently fighting breast cancer, wrote a touching blog post involving the comfort of frozen peas. Now she maintains a blog about her battle with the disease [...]
March 10th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I am a cancer survivor, and I wish I had known about frozen peas during my radiation treatment! I hope your treatment has gone well, and I am glad to know you have strength to share your story with others.
It’s such a challenge to tell friends and family - and a burden on your heart when you see their faces upon announcing you have the BIG C. This sort of story helps alleviate fear and personalizes the experience for both the teller and the person being told.
God bless.
March 13th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Wow! What an awesome story! I plan to donate when you get the widget up
March 14th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Stacy and AAA — thanks for your comments. We’ll have that donation widget back up soon! It’s disabled for an exciting reason; we’re having growing pains!
Susan is doing well. Like anyone recovering from cancer, she has good days and bad days. But her spirit is strong and she LOVES knowing that sharing her story is helping others.
– Connie
June 4th, 2008 at 3:20 am
When I had my biopsy a few weeks ago, my freezer was empty. A confirmed bacholerette, I didn’t even have an ice pack on hand. Nothing. Nada.
Then it hit me … I had a couple packs of Cottonelle Wipes in the bathroom. I threw those in the freezer and voila. Butt wipes on ice. Wrapped in a washcloth, it was better than an ice pack.
As for the biopsy and subsequent surgery … it was a benign phyllodes tumor.
I go in tomorrow morning to have the rest of the tumor removed.
… I’m chilling the butt wipes already!!
June 24th, 2008 at 7:13 am
My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer, years after retirement and is a living breathing example of strength in the face of adversity, for women everywhere. She was able to fight through it, and now lives a happy, completely normal, functional, adventurous life.
Thanks for the blog and the fund!
June 1st, 2009 at 9:46 am
[...] had taken to blogging frankly about her ordeal on her “Boobs on Ice” blog. Taking a cue from her use of bags of frozen peas as pain-relieving ice packs, the Frozen Pea Fund wa… as a totally grassroots, social networking effort. For some time, “Frozen Pea Fridays” [...]