Amy Lang is the founder of Birds + Bees + Kids and creator of MamaCon, a weekend conference for everything mom-related. She had me on her schedule to perform “Honey, I Shrunk My Libido” this weekend in Seattle. So when I told her I had cancer in November, I wasn’t sure I could make it. Amy was. I’m so thankful for that. I haven’t been on stage in a year; I’m three weeks out of surgery and still recovering from the biggest drain on my existence, and I made it! MamaCon was an absolute re-charging blast. Two whole rooms were dedicated to us-us-us. Make-up sessions, massage and manicures were all included. I studied my material…a lot. I wanted to make sure I still “had it,” despite not being on stage for so long. Plus, I wanted MamaCon to end with a comedy explosion. Amy gave me the most gracious introduction ever, talking about how devastated she was that I had cancer. I held the tears back, got on stage and rocked it. Performing again wasn’t about “having it” as much as “losing it.” Something was holding me back before – fear and insecurity maybe? A huge chunk fell away that I didn’t need. What emerged may very well be a belief in myself I didn’t have before. So suck it, Weird Cancer Guy. My positive beat up your negative.
THREE POSITIVES:
1- I am absolutely FIRED UP for my next performance – “Laughter is the Best Medicine” at SW Medical Center in June.
2- Coming home to the kids and Brian was so sweet. I gave them all presents from the Hilton gift shop, since hotel soap doesn’t cut it anymore. Liv filled me in on her new jungle game; Steven told me all about seeing Star Trek. Brian told me how happy he was to have me back because chemo sucked the spirit out of me.
3- At MamaCon, I realized I’m part of a secret club – the survivors. One triple-negative cancer survivor-mom named Judy found me and gave me massive support. The barista at the hotel is a survivor with an angel tattoo to prove it. And, a gorgeous woman named Carrie from Cookie Lee jewelry is a survivor as well. I hope surviving can make me look that good! She hooked me up with beautiful jewelry I wore on stage. The bond with these women was unmistakeable and so appreciated.
jacki kane 
