My Cancer Counterattack !

Soy, Hot-Flashes, Menopause, Great Information!

2011-08-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

A new study that was just released shows that Soy Supplements are not the answer for hot flashes and bone lose due to menopause. Soy supplements have been a popular alternative to hormone replacement therapy.

The trial had 248 women take either 200 mg of soy isoflavones or a placebo daily. Neither the researchers nor the women knew who was taking which until the end of the study.

After two years measurements of bone-mineral density in the women’s hips and spines showed no difference between the soy supplement and placebo groups. The women had small amounts of bone loss in each group.

As for the frequency of menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, loss of libido and vaginal dryness, still no difference. At the end of the study more women taking the soy reported having hot flashes.

What other options do women have? For hot flashes, some antidepressants and the antiseizure drug gabapentin have been shown to help. Women should still turn to calcium, vitamin D and regular exercise to prevent bone loss.

To your health
Leigh

Great information from: Time Magazine, August 22, 2011 Health and Science Briefing, Sora Song

Melanoma, Skin Cancer, New Drug, Zelboraf, approved by FDA

2011-08-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Zelboraf (vemurafenib), a drug to treat patients with late-stage (metastatic) or unresectable (cannot be removed by surgery) melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

Melanoma is the leading cause of death from skin disease. The National Cancer Institute estimated that 68,130 new cases of melanoma were diagnosed in the United States during 2010; about 8,700 people died from the disease.

Zelboraf is specifically indicated for the treatment of patients with melanoma whose tumors express a gene mutation called BRAF V600E. The drug has not been studied in patients whose melanoma tests negative for that mutation by an FDA approved diagnostic.

Zelboraf is being approved with a first-of-a-kind test called the cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test, a companion diagnostic that will help determine if a patient's melanoma cells have the BRAF V600E mutation.

The BRAF protein is normally involved in regulating cell growth, but is mutated in about half of the patients with late-stage melanomas. Zelboraf is a BRAF inhibitor that is able to block the function of the V600E-mutated BRAF protein.

Zelboraf's safety and effectiveness were established in a single international trial of 675 patients with late-stage melanoma with the BRAF V600E mutation who had not received prior therapy. Patients were assigned to receive either Zelboraf or dacarbazine, another anti-cancer therapy. The trial was designed to measure overall survival (the length of time between start of treatment and death of a patient). The median survival (the length of time a patient lives after treatment) of patients receiving Zelboraf has not been reached (77 percent still living) while the median survival for those who received dacarbazine was 8 months (64 percent still living).

To read the full FDA report with side effects and more go to: FDA PRESS RELEASE

To your health,
Leigh

Is your Beef part of the latest Beef Recall?

2011-08-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc, Publix Super Markets Inc, and Kroger Co. announced the recall mainly in the southeastern US and said the problems arose at the National Beef Packaging Co of Dodge City, Kansas.
The USDA announced that National Beef was recalling more than 60,000 pounds of beef after Ohio Dept of Agriculture found the E coli bacteria during regular testing.
E.coli can be deadly and can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and other problems. In order to kill the E.coli the Agriculture Dept cautioned people to cook ground beef to a temperature of at least 160 Degrees.
Below is a list of the stores and a link to their web sites for more information.
http://www.winndixie.com/
See their alert window on the right side of the page for more information. Products include ground chuck and patties with “sell-by” label dates from July 31 to Aug. 12. Return the beef to your stores for a refund.
http://www.publix.com/about/newsroom/recalls/Recall.do?id=2561
Seasoned Beef Meatballs, Meat Loaf (Oven Ready), Ground Chuck Patties, Ground Chuck. Stuffed Peppers, Seasoned Salisbury Steak, Montreal Seasoned Chuck Patties,
And more. Full list with numbers on their page.
http://www.kroger.com/SERVICES/Pages/recall_information.aspx
See this page at Kroger’s for full list of their recalled items.
Please take care.
To your health
Leigh

One day Free Medical Clinic for the Uninsured New Orleans, LA,8-29-2011

2011-08-05T14:11:00.000-07:00

If you live in the New Orleans, LA, area and have no insurance please take advantage of the following ONE DAY FREE HEALTH CLINIC.

The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) will be sponsoring a one day free medical clinic for the uninsured on Monday, August 29, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.The New Orleans C.A.R.E. Clinic will offer free basic medical care and health education.

PATIENT INFORMATION:
The New Orleans C.A.R.E. Clinic patient hours are from 11:00am to 7:00pm.
Patients are encouraged to call ahead and make an appointment for this clinic event. Patients can call 877-236-7617 to make an appointment.
Uninsured Patients Only. Walk-ins will be seen on a limited, first-come first-serve basis.
Please note:- This event is for those WITHOUT insurance. Recipients of Medicare, Medicaid, or Veterans Administration benefits are not eligible.
If you are taking medications, please bring your medicine bottles.- Parking will be free.
Event Date:
Mon. 8/29/2011, 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Location

Ernest N Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd New Orleans, LA 70130
Get Directions ...

Call now and make an appointment now.

To your health,
Leigh

Hot Flashes from Menopause or Cancer Meds, Good for you?

2011-08-03T11:18:00.001-07:00

As a woman that is going through “Hot Flashes”, mood swings, night sweats; not from menopause but from cancer medication, it is interesting to hear that hot flashes may help protect the heart. An article in the March 14, 2011, Time Magazine, by Alice Park, states that according to the latest research, it turns out that women who have these episodes in their 50’s or 60’s also have an 11% lower risk of heart disease over the next 10 years, compared with women who don’t suffer the same symptoms.

Because heart-disease risk increases in women’s postmenopausal years as levels of the heart-protective hormone estrogen decline, this risk reduction is potentially lifesaving.

My cancer medications are having the same effect of lowering the estrogen so I am hoping that this means that it will be helping my heart as well as fighting cancer.

To read the complete article go to:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2056704,00.html

To your health,
Leigh

Getting help with the cost of prescription drugs!

2011-07-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

Need help with the cost of your medications. RX Outreach is a non-profit company that helps people with no insurance or low income to save on their medications.

In my own experience they were able to save me considerable amounts on a breast cancer medication I will be taking for 2 more years. I was part of the pharmaceutical company’s patient assistance program but the brand name medication was dropped from their list when a generic was put on the market. The generic still cost over $400.00 for a 30 day supply. RX Outreach saved me from having to quit taking the medication.

I gave their information to a friend and they were able to save her over $50 per month on her heart medications.

This company carries over 200 medications and I am sure they can save you money if you qualify for their program.

Their web site is: http://www.rxoutreach.org/
Or call : 1-800-769-3880

Check them out.

To you health
Leigh

Femara, Breast Cancer Medication, Replacement Success!

2011-07-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

After Femara was dropped from the Patient Assistance Program of Novartis and I found out that the generic, Letrozole, cost $446.00 for a 30 day supply, I thought I would have to stop taking it. I searched all over locally and on the web for a reasonable price for the generic replacement of Femara. Let me tell you some of the things I found out.

All the major Pharmacies in my area, even the local drug store, all were over priced. On the web you will find list after list of Canadian Pharmacies that sell in the U.S. The online prices ran for a 90 day supply anywhere from $72.00 to $320.00. I just received my 180 day supply and it only cost me $55.00. If you have no insurance or meet their income requirements and can not afford your medications see if you qualify at RX Outreach.

The forms can be downloaded from the site and they cover many medications (not just cancer medications). Perhaps you will find you can save money there.

I hope this information helps some of you with the cost of your medications.

To your health

Leigh

A Gene for Depression?

2011-06-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

Your DNA provides powerful clues to understanding disease, but genes aren’t destiny-- particularly when it comes to mental illness.

Researchers report that a particular gene may increase the risk of depression, but only in combination with an added, nongenetic factor--a stressful life event.

The scientists found that people with one form of a protein that ferries serotonin, a mood-related neurotransmitter, are especially prone to depression when faced with traumatic events, such as being diagnosed with a medical illness or being a victim of childhood abuse. The version of the gene that these individuals carry prevents nerve cells in the brain from reabsorbing serotonin, which leads to feelings of sadness and negative mood and may make it harder for them to recover emotionally from a crisis.

The results confirm earlier work that had linked the serotonin-transporter gene to depression under stressful circumstances, a connection that subsequent studies had questioned. The current analysis includes a broader range of study date, however, and appears to confirm the association.

To your Health, Leigh

This article is from: Time Magazine, Jan 17, 2011, Lab Report by Alice Park

I’ve heard garlic is good for you, but what exactly does it do?

2011-06-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

Are there any specific health benefits that come from eating a lot of garlic?

Ethnobotanist James Duke, Ph.D., one of the world’s leading experts in medicinal plants, places garlic among the best all-around plant medicines in the world. According to Dr. Duke’s seminal book, The Green Pharmacy, garlic is effective for alleviating conditions ranging from high cholesterol and high blood pressure to yeast infections and clotting disorders. Garlic compounds have the potential to help treat more than 200 ailments, Dr. Duke says. It’s the best overall plant for stimulating the immune system, the best anti-clotting herb, one of the best anti-fungals, and potentially useful for preventing heart disease and cancer.

How long has garlic been in the human medicine cabinet and what were its uses through the ages? Cultures throughout the world have recognized garlic’s healing abilities. The first-century Roman scholar Pliny the Elder cited uses for it from treating snakebites to dealing with dizziness and intestinal parasites. In China, records show garlic was used as early as the sixth century to treat conditions such as colds and digestive ailments.

For specific information on how much garlic is recommended for a particular condition, check out the articles at The Herb Companion, or read about garlic in The Green Pharmacy, a welcome addition to any home library.

Note: Because garlic is a powerful anti-coagulant (prevents blood clotting), don’t take it in large amounts if you have a clotting disorder, and consult with your health care practitioner if you take anti-coagulants, such as Coumadin, or therapeutic doses of aspirin. Stop using garlic two weeks before any scheduled surgery.

Even if garlic wasn’t healthy for you, my diet would still be full of the stuff considering that great aroma and flavor are part of what makes life worth living. Eat your garlic for health and enjoyment!

To you health and wealth, Leigh
Based on an article by K C Compton
Mother Earth News, 5-31-2011
Photo Credit: Fotolia

Cancer Drug Woes! Femara goes Generic, What Now?

2011-06-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

If you have been getting Femara from the Novartis Oncology Patient Assistance Program you have probably received a letter letting you know that it will no longer be available through their PAP program.

Their reasoning is that there is now a generic alternative available in the marketplace. Letrozole

I called my oncologist and they confirmed this is the case.

In the letter Novartis recommended checking with the following programs to see if they could help with cost coverage:

Rx Outreach, a generic Patient Assistance Program - http://www.rxoutreach.org/ or 1-877-837-9896
Cancer Care - http://www.cancercare.org/ or 1-800-813-HOPE
Partnership for Prescription Assistance - http://www.pparx.org/ or 1-888-477-2669

My oncologist office told me they have had some success at Cancer Care with help for other medications and suggested I start there.

I went to my local Walmart pharmacy to find out how much the generic will cost and was shocked to find out that the cost was $446.42 for a 30 day supply. Femara was only (ha, ha) $564.00. I do not see a great savings with the generic.

I will let everyone know as I do more research and see where I can find help or the lowest prices.

Since the Protocols say you have to take Femara for 5 years I guess the drug companies feel they have a captive group to force paying the high prices.

Bookmark and come back for more info.

To your health (can’t say “and wealth” at these prices)
Leigh

PS: If you have any information that would help my readers please let us know. Thanks.

New Cancer Radiation Burn Relief! Sunburn Relief!

2011-05-30T19:27:00.000-07:00

Are you having Radiation treatments and have red, blistered or irritated skin?
Do you sunburn when you go out to the beach or your child’s baseball game? This New Product May be just what you need!

I was talking to my best friend yesterday. She lives in Florida, had gone to the beach and had gotten serious sunburn on her head and face. She could not touch her forehead, it was so seriously burned.

A good friend of ours had recently gone through a series of radiation treatments for breast cancer. She had gotten severe Radiation burns and was given a new product to try on her burns
It immediately gave her relief and helped heal her blistered skin. She gave my friend some to try on her sunburn.

According to both of them this is the best product around for Radiation Burns and Severe Sunburn.

It is called: RADIADERM

Radiaderm is a 2 Step Treatment.

The first step is the cooling gel that cools and hydrates the skin to relieve discomfort and irritation and helps to promote healing. The gel is a water-based gel designed to quickly draw the heat out of a burn by acting as a heat exchanger. Heat energy is spread over the whole gel surface and at the outer surface of the gel, the heat is released into the air.

The second step is the Soothing Lotion that protects, moisturizes and helps promote healing. Also includes a sunscreen. The lotion helps to rejuvenate damaged skin stressed by radiation. It can also be included in your daily skincare routine.

The Cooling Gel and Soothing Lotion contain Lactokine™ Fluid, a milk-based skin rejuvenator that has been used in personal care products for over 15 years. Lactokine helps build the skin’s defense and protects against inflammation and helps stressed skin recover faster.

The Radiaderm™ Advanced Skincare System with Lactokine™ is listed in most national drug databanks with the National Drug Code Number NDC 59898-130-30 and may be eligible for reimbursement through insurance.

You can go to their web site at http://www.radiaderm.com/ to get all the information about this new product.

You can order online at http://www.radiaderm.com/ and Get free ground shipping!
Order Toll-free at 1-800 -693-1171or Contact your radiation center or hospital pharmacy.

To your Health, Leigh

Medical Disclaimer: All information on this site is of a general nature and is furnished for your knowledge and understanding only. This information is not to be taken as medical or other health advice pertaining to your specific health and medical condition.

Scoping Out Colon Cancer!

2011-05-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

It’s not likely to make anyone’s bucket list, but a colonoscopy could save you from needing to do everything on that list anytime soon.

A new study confirms that regular colonoscopy screening, which involves inserting a scope through the rectum and into the intestines to detect and sometimes remove growths, can lower the risk of colon cancer by 77%. That number changes depending on the exact site of tumors: risk is reduced just 56% if the growth is on the right side of the intestines (which is harder to reach with the scope), but that is still a big improvement over people who did not get routine screenings.

Common wisdom calls for a colonoscopy once every 10 years for anyone over age 50, but that advice has been questioned by recent studies suggesting that the invasive and relatively expensive procedure does not find more tumors than less expensive tests that analyze fecal blood or use a shorter scope. The reason for the varying results may be operator skill; proper preparation and thorough execution of the test could improve its effectiveness.

For patients, it may be worth seeking out such skilled physicians, since colonoscopy is one of the few screening tools that can both detect precancerous growths and remove them, preventing cancer in a single procedure.

This information is from Time Magazine Jan 17, 2011, Lab Report by Alice Park.

If you are over 50 please discuss with your doctor scheduling a colonoscopic screening for your health and life.

To your Health, Leigh

Use Music to Soothe Cancer Treatments

2011-04-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

Listening to music can be good therapy for people undergoing cancer treatment, according to recent research. The American Cancer Society reports that music therapy can help reduce pain and relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Studies also have shown that listening to music can slow your heart and breathing rate, reduce blood pressure, improve mood and even help you sleep better.

Here are some easy ways to get your musical "dose":

Bring an iPod or CD player with a headset to medical appointments. Listen to classical music, instrumental arrangements or anything you find soothing in the waiting room or during chemo infusions.

Tune your car radio to easy-listening stations. Or, listen to favorite CDs while driving to or from the clinic or hospital. Avoid jarring tunes and downbeat news stations.

If you play a musical instrument, carve out time for personal jam sessions.

Sing along to your favorite tunes-don't by shy!

this article was in the Healthmonitor Magazine, Feb/Mar 2011.

Check for this magazine at your doctors office, they have some great articles.

Good health and wealth to all,

Leigh

Jennie-O Turkey Burger Recall, Does it effect you?

2011-04-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

On April 2, 2011, Jennie-O Turkey Store, owned by Hormel, issued a recall of 55, 000 pounds of frozen ground turkey burgers that may be contaminated with Salmonella, according to US Dept of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service. The recall pertains to packages of “All Natural Turkey Burgers with seasonings Lean White Meat” with a “use by” date of December 23, 2011.

The ground turkey, which comes in four pound boxes containing 12 patties, is sold exclusively at Sam’s Club. Consumers who have purchased the product should not consume it and return it to a Sam’s Club for a full refund, Jennie-O said.

If you are a cancer patient and on chemotherapy, or have any other immune weakness for an illness or age, infants and the elderly, Salmonella infections can be life-threatening. Salmonella's is caused by consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella and is one of the most common bacterial food borne illnesses. The most common symptoms of the Salmonella are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever (according the FSIS). Additional symptoms may be chills, vomiting and nausea that can last up to 7 days.

Be sure to check your Turkey Burger Packages NOW!

To your Health, Leigh

Mammograms find more than Breast Cancer.

2011-03-30T12:44:00.001-07:00

Mammograms Do Double Duty! Mammography is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early, but the routine scans may also be useful in picking up signs of kidney disease. X-ray based mammogram screenings expose calcium deposits - one of the by-products of malfunctioning kidneys - in the arteries of breast tissue. This was reported in the Feb 11th issue of Time magazine in the briefing section, Lab Reports, by Alice Park. This just adds to the reason to be sure to get your mammogram; Early detection of breast cancer and early detection of kidney disease. To your health Leigh

Relay for Life, American Cancer Society Support!

2011-03-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

It is Relay for Life time, Get your teams together and get signed up. This annual event to benefit the American Cancer Society is coming up the first of May and now is the time to start collecting sign ups and contributions.

There will be events from the 24 hour walk/run to Survivor walks.

This is one of the biggest Cancer events of the years and it supports ACS research for a cure for breast cancer as well as other cancers.

I will be walking for myself as a Survivor of breast cancer and for my best friend that past away 6 months ago from breast cancer. My sister will be walking (if she is well enough) as a survivor of bladder cancer.

If you do not have a team of your own contact your local hospital or doctors office and find one you can join.

WE can stop cancer through research. Join in now!

get more information here: www.relayforlife.org/

To your health!

Leigh

Bladder Cancer, What Now!

2011-03-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

My sister just had her bladder removed last week due to bladder cancer. For 10 years she has had a cystoscopy starting at every 6 months to in the end having them every three months. She has gone through 2 sets of Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatments which did not make much difference. Luckily the cancer stayed a stage 1 for most of that time and only in the past year has become aggressive in its growth. It has gone from what the doctor described as broccoli to looking like a full forest.

I will be covering some of the information I have found out about this cancer from different web sites and also some of the trials and triumphs that have occurred.

This is the basic definition of BLADDER CANCER as defined by the MayoClinic.com site.

Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that begins in your bladder — a balloon-shaped organ in your pelvic area that stores urine. Bladder cancer begins most often in the cells that line the inside of the bladder. Bladder cancer typically affects older adults, though it can occur at any age.
The great majority of bladder cancers are diagnosed at an early stage — when bladder cancer is highly treatable. However, even early-stage bladder cancer is likely to recur. For this reason, bladder cancer survivors often undergo follow-up tests to look for bladder cancer recurrence for years after treatment.

If you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer please ask your doctor questions. He or she should be your first line of action. But never be afraid to look to others for more information. The internet has a wealth of information and support groups across the country can help answer questions also.

Good Health to us all!
Leigh

This information in not medical advise and is information only. Please discuss any questions with your doctor.

Women, Coffee and Stroke Risk!

2011-03-11T12:50:00.000-08:00

According to an article published online Thursday in the American Heart Association Journal Stroke, women who enjoy a daily dose of coffee may be lowering their risk of stroke.

Women in a Swedish study who drank at least a cup of coffee everyday had a 22-25 percent lower risk of stroke, compared to those who drank less coffee or none at all.

"Coffee drinkers should rejoice. Coffee is often made out to be potentially bad for your heart. There really hasn't been any study that convincingly said coffee is bad", said Dr Sharonne N Hayes, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "If you are drinking coffee now, you may be doing some good and you are likely not doing harm," she added.

The study shouldn't send non-coffee drinkers running to their local coffee shop. The study doesn't prove that coffee lowers stroke risk, only that coffee drinkers tend to have a lower stroke risk.

Well, I am headed to Starbucks for my daily cup of coffe, have a good one.

Good health and wealth to all,

Leigh

Breast Cancer and Tobacco, the Link!

2011-02-09T10:49:00.000-08:00

The list of cancers associated with smoking is a long one: Lung, esophagus, throat and larynx, as well as kidney, bladder, pancreas and stomach. Now add Breast Cancer to the toll.

Until now, studies had not been able to definitively link smoking to breast cancer because of tobacco's double-edged effect. While its carcinogens can trigger tumors to grow in breast tissue, its ability to block estrogen, a hormone that promotes breast cancer, may actually work to suppress malignancies. The latest research clarifies the risk, finding that per menopausal women who smoke had a higher risk of breast cancer than women who did not, but after menopause, women who puffed cigarettes were slightly less likely to develop the disease than nonsmokers. The theory is that postmenopausal women have low levels of circulating estrogen and may benefit further from tobacco's antiestrogenic effects.

Overall, the added Breast Cancer risk from regular smoking at any age was 6%, but that figure shot up for heavy smokers. Women who lit up before age 18 and smoke for three decades or longer had a 25% greater chance of the disease than nonsmokers.

Given the small window of time during which smoking may protect against cancer in the breast, it is a good idea to kick the habit now.

This article was in the February 7, 2011 Time Magazine in the Lab Report section by Alice Park.

If you happen to be a smoker, I know it is hard to quit smoking but for your health please quit.

Talk with you doctor to find out what medications may be available to help you quit.

My father developed throat cancer and 3 years later died from lung cancer for smoking.

My sister has developed bladder cancer which may be related to her many years of smoking.

Breast cancer does not happen just to smokers but please do anything you can do to reduce your chances of getting it.

To your health

Leigh

Can an Aspirin a day help Prevent Cancer?

2011-01-29T09:52:00.000-08:00

Could preventing cancer be as simple as popping an Aspirin a day?

According to an analysis of data on more than 25,000 volunteers who in trials took low-dose aspirin or a placebo in trials to lower their risk of heart disease, researchers found that the aspirin takers reduced their risk of dying from solid cancers by 21% vs. the placebo group during a five-year follow-up.

The results open the possibility that aspirin may become a powerful tool in the prevention of a variety of cancers.

This information is from the December 20, 2010 Time Magazine, Lab Report section.

Be sure to discuss with your doctor before taking any over the counter medications including Aspirin.

To your health
Leigh

Get Financial Help with Cancer Treatments!

2011-01-21T13:13:00.000-08:00

Even as new cancer treatments offer hope for some, their cost is out of reach for many. Tens of thousands of people seek help from drug companies and charities that provide free medicines or cover copays for people who can't afford it.

Here is a list (from the Associated Press on 9-27-10) of places to seek help:

Genentech: http://www.genentechaccesssolutions.com/

Novartis: http://www.patientassistancenow.com/

Patient Advocate Foundation: 800-532-5274 http://www.patientadvocate.org/

CancerCare: 866-552-6729 http://www.cancercarecopay.org/

Chronic Disease Fund: 877-968-7233 http://www.cdfund.org/

Healthwell Foundation: 800-675-8416 http://www.healthwellfoundation.org/

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: 877-557-2672 www.LLS.org/copay

National Organization for Rare Disorders: 800-999-6673 http://www.rarediseases.org/

Patient Access Network Foundation: 866-316-7263 http://www.panfoundation.org/

Patient Advocate Foundation: 866-512-3861 http://www.copays.org/

Patient Services Inc.: 800-366-7741 http://www.patientservicesinc.org/

As more and more people lose their jobs and can not get insurance and as the price of cancer drugs skyrocket, these services will be more in demand. If you need help with the cost of your treatment contact the companies above and see if they can help you. Who knows how long these programs will be available?

Good Health in the New Year to us all.
Leigh

PS: be sure to check with your doctor about clinical trials and reduced drug cost for chemo drugs. I was able to get one of my medications replaced by the drug company to the hospital. If not it would have cost me about $50,000.00 ($5,000 per dose) at the hospital where I had my chemo treatments. If you need financial assistance be sure to talk to your local hospital Patient Assistance person also. They may know of some assistance that the doctor may not even know about. Never be afraid to ask.

Blood Test To Spot Cancer to be studied.

2011-01-19T12:45:00.000-08:00

According to an article by the Associated Press writer Marilynn Marchione a BLOOD TEST so sensitive that can spot a single cancer cell lurking among a billion healthy ones is moving one step closer to being available at your doctor's office.

Boston scientists who invented the test and health care giant Johnson & Johnson announced that they are joining forces to bring it to market. Four big cancer centers also will start studies using the experimental test this year.

Stray cancer cells in the blood mean that a tumor has spread or is likely to, many doctors believe. A test that can capture such cells has the potential to transform care for many types of cancer, especially breast, prostate, colon and lung.

Initially, doctors want to use the test to try to predict what treatments would be best for each patient's tumor and find out quickly if they are working.

"This is like a liquid biopsy" that avoids painful tissue sampling and may give a better way to monitor patients than periodic imaging scans, said Dr Daniel Haber, chief of Massachusetts General Hospital's cancer center and one of the test's inventors.

Ultimately, the test may offer a way to screen for cancer besides the mammograms, colonoscopies, and other less-than-ideal methods used now.

"There's a lot of potential here, and that's why there's a lot of excitement," said Dr Mark Kris, lung cancer chief at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He had no role in developing the test, but Sloan-Kettering is one of the sites that will study it this year.

How to Do CPR - Update!

2010-11-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

For 50 years, CPR has been performed the same way: quick breaths into the victim's mouth, followed by chest compressions in a repeated cycle to get the heart beating again. But in recent years, studies have shown that doing away with rescue breathing and using chest compressions alone may be just as effective, if not more so, in resuscitating victims of cardiac arrest. That's why the American Heart Association is updating its guidelines and urging both trained and untrained rescuers to start with the compressions and either eliminate or delay mouth-to-mouth breathing in cases when a victim's heart has stopped.

There are both social and medical reasons for the shift. About a third of people who collapse from cardiac arrest never receive CPR, largely because bystanders are unsure or squeamish about delivering it the right way. Streamlining the procedure to include only compressions - which should be firm enough to depress the chest by about 2 inches (5 cm) - could make it easier for more people to attempt resuscitation.

Medically, say experts, the body has enough oxygen to function for a few minutes after the heart stops, so using compressions to restore its pumping action should be the priority.

This article is from the Nov 1 Time Magazine by Alice Park.

Heart Disease is the number one killer of women. All adults should take CPR classes or learn how to do CPR. You never know when you will need it to possibly save the life of a loved one.
I just finished my class and realized I should have do it years ago. It makes you feel like you have the knowledge to help another in an emergency.

To Your Health,
Leigh

Tips for Eating Healthy for Cancer Patients and Everyone!

2010-11-14T14:34:00.000-08:00

Additional Tips for Eating Healthy!

Eat Breakfast: One of the best things anyone can do is to eat something nutritious at the beginning of the day. Having a good breakfast will help keep you from getting to hungry by lunchtime, a problem that often leads to overeating.

Order from the Kid’s Menu: If you want to cut down on the amount of calories you consume at lunch, the kid’s menu is a great place to start. Many restaurants will allow adults to order from the children’s menu, just ask.

Put another Shrimp on the Barbey: Ordering grilled items like chicken and fish are a much healthier choice than other protein sources at many restaurants. Try to consume fresh fish - grilled if possible- at least three days per week for more healthy benefits.

Downsizing: Portion sizes are out of control so be aware of how much food is put in front of you when you eat out. If possible, get a to-go box at the beginning of your meal and take half of your meal home or back to the office to eat another day.

Start bringing something from home: If people could do one thing to help them eat healthy, it is to prepare more meals at home. Fix a little extra to take for lunch the next day.

Healthy eating is one of the most important thing a cancer patient can do to help themselves.

Good health to us all!

Leigh

Healthy Ways to Eat OUT.

2010-11-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

One of the hardest things to do is to Eat Out Healthy!

We are always so busy running through the drive-through on the way to the children's events (football, soccer, cheerleading, etc). There never seems to be enough time so we get in the habit of quick food. Lunches at work seem to get shorter and shorter. You are late getting out of work so you run through the drive-through or call ahead for a pizza. That does not mean it has to be FAT food.

First you need to educate yourself on what your favorite drive-through or restaurant has available. Then plan ahead what you will be getting to eat. Ask the kids ahead of time or in the car before you get there,what they would like to eat from a healthy choice, not waiting for the last minute and letting them have whatever they want.

Even when we think we are eating healthy at a fast food place, often that turns out not to be the case. Just because it says "Salad" does not mean it is healthy. Pre-prepared salads have more sodium and calories than the regular items on the same menu. Some of the calorie amounts in many salads will open your eyes to this fact. Ordering a side salad or a small salad when possible is a better choice.

If you like the "Buffet" style restaurant, keep in mind those green beans, cabbage and squash are swimming in butter, oily stuff or a lot of water, then losses all it's vitamins. If you can order fresh vegetables and have melted butter on the side.

Watch for more tips!

To your health, Leigh

Can Breast Cancer be Prevented? Risk Factors!

2010-10-11T11:24:00.001-07:00

Can Breast Cancer be Prevented?

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is always an ideal approach, but breast cancer is never the fault of the individual. A balanced diet, a lifestyle that includes abstaining from smoking and drinking alcohol in excess and regular exercise are all ways to stay healthy, but none will guarantee a woman or man will not get breast cancer.

Are there Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?

BreastCancer.org notes that there are factors a woman or man can control that might lessen their risk for breast cancer. Those risks include:

Weight. Post-menopausal women in particular can reduce their risk of breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight. Fat tissue is the body's main source of estrogen after menopause, and having more fat tissue means higher estrogen levels, which increases breast cancer risk.
Diet. Many cancers are linked to diet, but studies have yet to show for certain which types of foods increase the risk for breast cancer. In general, it's good to restrict sources of red meat and other animal fats, such as fats from dairy products. Some studies have shown that eating a lot of red and/or processed meats is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. Eating a diet low in fat and rich in fruits and vegetables is often recommended to reduce cancer risk.
Exercise. The American Cancer Society recommends engaging in 45-60 minutes of physical exercise 5 or more days per week, as evidence continues to mount that exercise can reduce breast cancer risk
Alcohol and smoking. Alcohol limits the liver's ability to control blood levels of estrogen, which can increase risk of breast cancer. Similarly, smoking has been associated with a small increase in breast cancer risk.

BreastCancer.org also notes additional risk factors for breast cancer can include recent oral contraceptive use, stress and anxiety and exposure to estrogen.

While all of the mentioned risk factors are within an individuals control, there are a host of additional factors beyond a person's control that can increase risk of breast cancer. These factors include age, family history, personal history, and race among others.

Remember, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Join a group in your community and give anyway you can. Some of the things you can do, donate time to your local hospital or cancer support group, run in a race for a loved one or friend, donate old wigs or hats and scarves for cancer patients that can't afford them (contact your hospital and they will know who you should get in touch with) and you can also donate to the Cancer group of your choice.

Stay health and support Breast Cancer Awareness!

Leigh

Is Breast Cancer Hereditary?

2010-10-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

According to BreastCancer.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reliable, complete and current information about breast cancer, only 5 - 10 percent of cancers are due to an abnormality inherited from a parent.

While all breast cancer are caused by a genetic abnormality, roughly 90 percent of breast cancer cases are the result of genetic abnormalities that are a result of everyday life.

This information is from BreastCancer.org.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we will be posting informative blogs all month about Breast Cancer. Please check back.

Good health to us all,

Leigh

Where to Get Financial Help with Cancer Treatments!

2010-09-27T14:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a list (from the Associated Press on 9-27) of places to seek help:

Genentech: http://www.genentechaccesssolutions.com/

Novartis: http://www.patientassistancenow.com/

Patient Advocate Foundation: 800-532-5274 http://www.patientadvocate.org/

CancerCare: 866-552-6729 http://www.cancercarecopay.org/

Chronic Disease Fund: 877-968-7233 http://www.cdfund.org/

Healthwell Foundation: 800-675-8416 http://www.healthwellfoundation.org/

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: 877-557-2672 www.LLS.org/copay

National Organization for Rare Disorders: 800-999-6673 http://www.rarediseases.org/

Patient Access Network Foundation: 866-316-7263 http://www.panfoundation.org/

Patient Advocate Foundation: 866-512-3861 http://www.copays.org/

Patient Services Inc.: 800-366-7741 http://www.patientservicesinc.org/

Leigh

What is Breast Cancer?

2010-09-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and many people might be surprised to learn of breast cancer's prevalence. In the United States alone, breast cancer incidence in women is 1 in 8, or roughly 13 percent. Among women in the U.S., breast cancer rates are higher than those of any cancer except for lung cancer. It is important for both women and men (who can also suffer from breast cancer) to gain a greater understanding of this deadly disease.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. Any type of cancer is the result of mutations in genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy. In a healthy body, the cells replace themselves in an orderly fashion, as healthy new cells take over as old ones die out. When mutations occur, changed cells gain the ability to keep dividing without control or order, producing more similar cells and forming a tumor.

In the case of breast cancer, cancerous cells gradually invade nearby healthy breast tissue and make their way into the underarm lymph nodes, which are small organs that filter out foreign substances in the body. If the cancer reaches the lymph nodes, it then has a pathway into other parts of the body. Upon diagnosis, a patient will be told what stage of breast cancer they are in, which tells how far the cancer has spread beyond the original tumor.

I will be going into more information on Breast Cancer and heredity tomorrow so please bookmark this blog and come back tomorrow.

Please buy a "Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye" t-shirt (or one of my other t-shirts)and all monies I receive for the month of October will go to "Steel Magnolias" Breast Cancer support group in Jacksonville, Alabama. They send care packages and offer support to men and women everywhere, not just in Alabama. They helped me after my surgery and have sent care packages all across the U.S. Some of the items included in these care packages are head coverings, scarves, heart pillow, drain holders, a little teddy bear from the lovely ladies that make all these great items and more great gifts including makeup, information packets, and a great Newsletter that you get every month. (Some of the best Jokes I have ever heard. Laughter is the best medicine) The "Steel Magnolias" Support group goes to school and organizations to discuss breast cancer. This group was instrumental in getting law changed in AL to help cover medical cost for women with no insurance or low income to save their lives. There are now new locations of the "Steel Magnolias" opening up in other states to help men and women get through this devastating disease. They have a men's group called the "Men of Steel" to help men support their wives and to help the men deal with this disease also. This disease affects the whole family. Please help as all their monies come from donations.

Thanks, Leigh

Eat Veggies, Fight Cancer?

2010-09-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

A nine-year study shows that smokers who ate a wide variety of fruits and vegetables lowered their risk of developing lung cancer compared with those eating a smaller range of these foods.

The quantity did not seem to matter, leading scientist to speculate that variety, not volume, may increase your exposure to diverse and potentially powerful anticancer compounds, which still have not been identified.

This article by Alice Park, for Time Magazine, September 13th should tell everyone that fruits and vegetables are essential to your health and well being. If it can be found to lower the chances of someone that is a smoker from getting lung cancer, maybe it works with other cancers.

You can have a say in what you put in your body and how it helps your body work. Omega-3s and vitamin D have already been found to help fight breast cancer and you can get these from fruits, vegetables and are easy to add to your diet. Selenium has been found to fight bladder cancer and one of the best sources is Brazil nut.

To your health.

Leigh

Vitamin-D , How much is OK? Cancer Statistics.

2010-09-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

With sunblock and self-tanners, Americans are D-deficient but how many vitamin D pills should we be taking. New guidelines for the optimal dietary dose are expected out this fall and the studies on vitamin D's effects on cancer, heart disease and cognition are ongoing. Here is where the science stands on cancer now.

Vitamin D may prevent cancer by suppressing the cell growth and blood vessel formation that feed tumors. At least that is the idea, based on animal studies and analyses of human cells. But trials in which patients take vitamin D have not shown a consistent lowering of cancer risk.

One four year trial of 1200 postmenopausal women found a 77% lower risk of all cancers among those taking calcium and 1, 000 IU of vitamin D a day than among those taking a placebo. A larger study, however, in which subjects took 400 IU of vitamin D -- in the absence of an official daily recommended intake, that is the "adequate" intake for adults ages 51 to 70-- did not show lower breast-cancer risk.

The data are strongest for colorectal cancer: subjects with higher blood levels of vitamin D were half as likely as those with lower levels to develop the disease.

Always discuss the vitamins you take with your doctor before starting them.

This information is from "TIME" Magazine, August 30, 2010, Health Page by Alice Park

We will discuss vitamin D and heart disease next.

To your Health!

Leigh

Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research Info Released

2010-09-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

In an announcement made September 1st, new research suggest surgery to remove healthy ovaries gives a triple benefit to some women at high risk for cancer.

The women in the study had BRCA gene mutations and were counseled to help them decide between preventive surgery or more screening to watch for signs of cancer.

The study is the largest to date to find advantages for surgery for these high-risk women and showed preventive surgery lowered their threat of Breast cancer and Ovarian cancer and improves their chances of living longer.

This information is from the Anniston Star, September 1, 1910

To your health,

Leigh

Selenium May Protect Against Bladder Cancer

2010-08-31T17:01:00.000-07:00

Boosting Selenium Intake May Lower Bladder Cancer Risk, Particularly in Women

Aug. 31, 2010 -- Adding more selenium to your diet may reduce your risk of bladder cancer.

Scientists reporting in the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention say that adults with low blood levels of the mineral selenium are more likely to develop bladder cancer. The lower your levels of selenium, the higher your risk.

Selenium is a trace mineral found in soil. Dietary sources of selenium include plant foods and meats from animals that grazed on grain or plants grown in selenium-rich soil. The nutrient is also found in certain nuts. For example, brazil nuts often contain an abundance of selenium.The body uses selenium to make selenoproteins. Many selenoproteins function as antioxidants, which prevent cellular damage. Some studies have suggested that selenium can help protect against certain cancers, but clinical trials on selenium supplementation have yielded conflicting results.

For the current study, Nuria Malats, MD, PhD, leader of the Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group of the Human Cancer Genetics Program at the Spanish National Cancer Research Center, and colleagues combined information from seven previously published studies to conduct their research. They reviewed selenium levels taken from blood samples and toenail clippings and determined each patient's risk of developing bladder cancer. The analysis included patients mostly from the United States and some patients from Europe.

The study showed:

1. A 39% decrease in bladder cancer risk was associated with the highest levels ofselenium.

2. The protective benefit of selenium was seen mostly in women. Researchers believethis may be because of differences in how men and women's bodies break down andremove the mineral.

“Although our results suggest a beneficial effect of high selenium intake for bladder cancer risk, more studies are needed to confirm these findings before an enforcement of high selenium intake is recommended,” Malats says in a news release.

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for selenium for adults is 55 micrograms per day. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may require higher amounts. Most American diets provide the recommended amount of the mineral, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Before adding more selenium to your diet, talk to your doctor. Too much selenium can be unhealthy and may lead to a condition called selenosis. Symptoms include stomach upset, hair loss, garlic breath odor, white spots on the nails, irritability, fatigue, and mild nerve damage.

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences says the highest amount of selenium that adults can take safely without endangering their health is 400 micrograms a day. This is called the tolerable upper intake level (UL).

By Kelli Miller Stacy Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD
WebMD Health News

As I know someone who is now dealing with bladder cancer I was very interested in this news and hope it will help many in the future.

To your health

Leigh

Senior Safety Tip from a Fireman!

2010-08-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has read my blog knows I love reading "Dear Abby".

She has some great information and tips from her readers and this one is from a fireman.

If seniors don't have an emergency alert device, they should take their car keys to bed with them and place them on their nightstand. The little red "panic" button can be used to start the horn on their car in an emergency. The neighbors will hear the horn and help them.

Abby adds: First, forewarn the neighbors that if your car alarm goes off, it many indicate that you are in trouble. In her city, car alarms go off so frequently that people often assume it's a malfunction and ignore it.

Both are very good tips. Also ask your neighbors you may be close with to please check on you occasionally. Maybe Monday and Friday if they do not see you out and about. Many seniors fall and become unconscious and a neighbor has saved their lives just by checking on them and calling the police if necessary.

If you have a senior that lives near you take a minute and get to know them. Becoming friends can save that persons life and you will be surprised at the wonderful feeling you can get just with a smile and a "Hello". Remember, one day you will be a senior too!

Good Health to us all!

Leigh

NEW ORLEANS TWO DAY FREE C.A.R.E. CLINIC - August 31st & September 1st

2010-08-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

NEW ORLEANS C.A.R.E. Clinic - The NAFC C.A.R.E. Clinic will return to New Orleans on August 31 & September 1st. This clinic will help the uninusred of the Gulf Region as we approach the 5 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and as the region is struggling with the current oil spill crisis.
Patients call 1-877-236-7617

Free HEALTHCARE Clinic, Washington DC, on 8-4-2010

2010-07-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

The NAFC C.A.R.E. organization is holding a ONE DAY
Free Healthcare Clinic in Washington DC on Wendsday,

August 4th. This C.A.R.E. clinic will be at the Walter E. Washington
Convention Center.

Patients can call 877-233-5259 for further information.
http://www.freeclinics.us/freeclinic.php

The National Association of Free Clinics is the only
national non-profit whose mission is solely focused on
the needs of free clinics and the populations they serve.

They have helped thousands with low cost or free medical test,

screening, treatment, and references to doctors for future help.

If you think you may have a medical problem or just want to

have your blood sugar and blood pressure checked,

you should check out this free one day clinic.

To your health,
Leigh

Anti-Breast Cancer Pill!

2010-07-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

Fish Oil, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, helps protect healthy people from heart disease and now a new study finds taking fish-oil supplements may also reduce breast cancer risk by over 30% in postmenopausal women.

Omega-3, from dietary sources, trials have been inconclusive and the authors of the study caution that more study is needed before the Omega-3 pills can be used for prevention.

This information is from the July 19th Time Magazine, Health Section, Latest Findings.

Always check with your doctor before adding any supplements to your routine and you may want to discuss adding Omega-3's to your diet.

To your health,
Leigh

What is Normal after Cancer?

2010-07-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

Cancer Patients won't go back to normal after cancer. But they can find a best "New Normal".

In a Parade article from June 20, 2010 it discusses what is the new normal for some cancer survivors. It goes into some of the problems cancer survivors continue to have after treatment and after they may be named cancer free.

Let me tell you about some of mine. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago, had a mastectomy, chemo, and am now on what they call maintenance drugs.

I still have pain where my breast was, I laugh and call it my "Phantom Boob". I can be sitting perfectly still and it feels like someone sticks me with a hot poker. (this is what I imagine a hot poker would feel like). It goes away fairly quickly but the pec muscle stays sore for a while. Sometimes it hurts doing much lifting with my arms.

I had a mediport installed in order to have the chemo easier since I was going to have to have it for the next year and a half. (4 different types that took 2 1/2 years because of complications). Where the surgeon installed the mediport they had to go through the muscle in my arm area. I have had problems with this area ever since. I had to have it taken out because I was constantly in pain where the mediport was attached to the chest muscle above the breast. I still have pains in this spot also even though the mediport was taken out 9 months ago.

I started having a heart racing problem while on chemo. I would walk from my bedroom to my living room and my pulse would start racing around 110 - 120 beats per minute and would not come back down right away. Now I have to take heart medicine and watch for more heart problems.

When I sit too long my legs swell, when I stand too long my legs swell. My lower back aches. I have neropothy in my toes from when the chemo made my toenails turn black and fall off. The feeling never has come all the way back. Sometimes it is weird but the toes seem to burn. I don't know what to make of it.

Before I was diagnosed with breast cancer I was not the most active person, I did not run any marathons, but I worked in the yard, went swimming, and enjoyed outdoor activities. Now, it seems that the heat affects me much more than it ever did. I get dizzy and light headed. I am more sensitive to bugs, poison ivy, and plants that I never had a problem with before.

My maintenance medication, (Femara) which I will be on for 3 more years, makes me moody, gives me the hot flashes and night sweats, (sometimes I feel like I am on FIRE!) and fatigue is constant. My poor husband tries to help but there is nothing he can really do. I just have to wait for it to pass.

I have tried to discuss these items with the doctors but sometimes I feel like they just shrug their shoulders and don't really listen. When I first started chemo my jaw swelled up on both sides and I looked like a chipmunk with nuts in his mouth. This of course happened on a holiday weekend. When I saw the doctor the next week and told her about it all she said was she had never heard of anything like that before. When I lost my toenails and my toes were bleeding, I got the same reply. (I found out later from the web that was a common side effect of the drugs). My jaws still hurt occasionally and my toes will never be the same but I was very glad that my toenails did grow back because sometimes they don't.

Well, There is more to come another day as this is making me depressed. (another of the side effects that cancer survivors quite often have to live with.)

I don't like to complain and I try very hard not to but sometimes I guess it is good therapy just to let it all out.

If you need to vent just give me a reply or response and we will vent together.

You can see the whoe article at www.parade.com/cancer

The Nation's Biggest FREE CLINIC!

2010-06-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

In a May 9th article in the Parade Section of the Sunday Paper I found a great article that may help many uninsured people get help with medical expenses. You can see the full article on the Parade web site: http://www.parade.com/.

Since last September, more than 8,000 uninsured patients received treatment at C.A.R.E. Clinics in Houston, New Orleans, Little Rock, Kansas City, Hartford and Atlanta. 1,300 people received free medical care at the Atlanta one-day event.

At the Atlanta event, 60% of patients said they hadn't seen a doctor in at least a year and 20% hadn't had health care in more than 5 years.

These free clinics connect the uninsured with safety-net providers such as free clinics, sliding-scale clinics and federally qualified health centers near where they live so that patients can receive regular treatment on an ongoing basis.

The National Association of Free Clinics has a list of clinics across the US that help uninsured people get checked out for anything from hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, arthritis and more serious illnesses also.

You can get more information at: http://www.freeclinics.us/

Stay Healthy, Get Checked Out, Fight Cancer

Leigh

JV INVITE A Fantastic list building event!

2010-05-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

Splash Into Summer JV Giveaway! Get more traffic for your site with JV Giveaways!
Sign up now! Go here now before the Splash into Summer Giveaway starts.

I have upgraded to be able to put in 3 items and 5 text links and I will be able to get

all the download without having to sign up with each site. It is well worth the $9.97 cost!!

As I am new to Internet Marketing I have found that the JV Giveaways are
a great way to get your items and brand out to the public. Sign Up Now.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month!

2010-05-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

Check with your local hospital for a free Skin Cancer Screening. Many hospitals are having the free screenings during this month to help people become aware of Skin Cancer.

Summer is Suntan season and it is so important to use the proper Suntan Lotion with a good sun screen, SPF of 30 or more, to prevent skin damage from the sun. Children are especially susceptible to skin damage and early sunburns can lead to skin cancer in later life.

In an article posted on the American Cancer Educational Services site, Jodi Mailaner-Farrel of the Miami Herald gives you the following information. Five things you didn't know about skin cancer.

1. We know wearing sunscreen daily is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer, but now evidence suggests that what we eat could help reduce the risk, too. In a study published this year in the journal In Vivo, vitamin C, green tea and an amino acid found in beans, soybeans, lentils, meat, poultry, fish and dairy suppressed melanoma tumor growth in mice.

2. You don't have to get burned to increase your risk of skin cancer. Sun damage is incremental and accumulates over a lifetime. Don't think throwing a shirt on will help you. The average white T-shirt has a sun protection factor (SPF) of only 4 to 6!

3. Although 75% of skin cancer cases aren't deadly, some 10,000 people are still expected to die from skin cancer this year alone. Half of all cases of melanoma, the most dangerous kind, occur in people under age 57.

4. Dermatologists recommend monthly self monitoring of freckles, mole and birthmarks for any changes over time. Use a hand held mirror to inspect hard to see areas. One third of melanomas in men occur on the back.

5. The upper and lower eyelids are two of the most common places on the face where skin cancer can occur, according to the skin cancer foundation. Wear wrap around, UV blocking sun glasses for the best protection or a hat with a three to four inch wide brim.

I found them very interesting and will keep them in mind when going out in the sun.

Please take care of your children and yourselves this spring and summer. (really all year round as sun refection on snow can be very bad also)

Leigh

Cancer Patients: Spring is Here, Be Careful Outdoors

2010-04-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

If you have cancer and taking chemotherapy and other medications: Spring is here and you must be vigilant in taking care of yourself.

I love working in the yard. Everything from riding the lawnmower to pulling weeds in the flower beds. I love the colors of spring and summer and miss being able to really enjoy the swimming pool. Cancer medications react with the sun. I thought it would be OK to have a little garage sale. It was a beautiful day and I kept my hat on to keep the sun off my face. But I forgot about my arms and legs. The next day I had sun poisoning. I was sick for a week.

I had not been working in the garden because of the sun but the weeds were starting to take over, so out I went. I apparently had gotten some Poison Ivy growing in the garden and though I had normally not had a problem with it before my system reacted very badly to it. Oh was I miserable and so was my poor husband. He felt so bad for allowing me to go out in the garden. But as I told him, he could not have stopped me, I am bull headed all the way.

My whole system has changed and even though I am not on chemo anymore, my system reacts differently to almost everything. I never know what to expect. My medications make me sensitive to the sun still and I miss lying out by the pool and getting a tan. Time for "Tan in a Bottle". But I wonder if I will react to that.

Please consider what the worst that could happen would be before you go out and try to attack something in the yard. Bee stings may have a more deadly reaction if you are on medication.

Fire Ants, they are bad anytime. You may react to flowers and weeds differently. I love roses but right now the smell makes me nauseous. If you do decide to go out in the sun put on sunscreen, wide brimmed hat and wear a long sleeve shirt and slacks. Bug repellent is a must have.

Everyone take care and watch for all the little critters out there.

If you have any hints on how we can protect ourselves from the sun and bugs, Let my readers know. I am sure they would appreciate it and I would too.

Good Health to us all, Leigh

The Annie Appleseed Project, Breast Cancer Info Site

2010-04-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

As an "Older" Woman I am a member of AARP and today I got my AARP Bulletin with some great information about alternative medicine and cancer treatment.

One of the Articles was about Ann Fonfa, who started the Annie Appleseed Project and how it is celebrating it's 10th Anniversary this year. Ann is a fifteen year survivor of Breast Cancer and has done much research into the potential benefits of unconventional therapies.

Please go to her site, http://www.annieappleseedproject.org/ and search through some of the information that is making this site of of the leading sources of information on breast cancer.

I found the site very impressive and learned some new information myself.

Good Health to You All!!

I got a sweet message from Kelly telling me that my blog about the "Red Devil" Chemo had helped her and thanking me. I want to thank Kelly and all my readers as I have been going through a rough patch in my life lately and I really appreciate the feedback I have received.

Thanks Again

eBay Changes make me Close my eBay Store

2010-02-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

Due to the way eBay is changing the fee structure I have had to make some changes in my eBay business.

I will be listing some of the items from my store on auction one last time and then they will go to charity.

Other items I will let the 30 day listing run until the 29th day and then cancel the item and give it to charity.

As I list new items they will be on auction for one week and will then be given to charity.

I have appreciated everyone’s help but because of the New eBay Seller changes and Fee increases I can no longer maintain the store. I hope everyone will put me in their favorites so as I list new items they will be notified and have a chance to bid before they are gone.

I still have friends and family that are giving me wonderful items to list to help in meeting my medical needs and I want to thank them and everyone that has purchased from me for their help, You all give me great strength to keep fighting.

Please go check out my listings before they are gone: Decor Glass and Home

Thank you so very much, Leigh, Glasslady50

New Year Wishes for ALL! Health, Wealth, Peace

2009-12-30T08:13:00.000-08:00

We all are wishing for a Happy New Year!

We want 2010 to be the start of a New and Exciting

future for everyone.

We hope that the Economy will improve, Peace will

be instilled in all man and Health will be a prime item on every one's mind.

We are the builders of our Wishes and this is how we start.

Wealth starts at home. Watch how we spend our money, invest wisely, and get control of our finances and plan for the future.

Peace starts with giving of ourselves. To family, friends, church, neighbors, strangers, the sick and also the homeless. We all, at one time or the other, have needed a helping hand. If you are in the position, you can be that helping hand to others. Make a phone call to the elderly or the sick. See if there is anything you can do, even if it is just the phone call, it will mean so much to them. Visit, you do not have to talk a lot, just let them talk to you. Listening is a great healer for the person telling the story.

Give a caregiver a break. Caring for a terminally ill or chronically ill person takes a lot out of you. Even getting a 30 minute to an hour break can make all the difference in their day.

If you are able, make a donation to your favorite charity. Money is tight and many charities are having a hard time continuing the great work they do. If you are not able to donate money, donate a little of your time. Volunteers are always needed. Just look in your local paper and you will find article after article letting you know what is needed. Check with your local United Way and they may be able to give you more information.

Health is the most important thing we can give ourselves. Try to take better care of yourself. Good health will make it easier to concentrate, think and keep the mind and body sharper. Learn to deal with Stress. Stress is a main contributor to so many ailments. Your body converts stress into a contributing agent leading to depression, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and everyday aches and pains. Try to have a positive attitude (I know that can be hard in this environment but the negativity of stress just makes it worse, I know first hand)

Exercise! If you are depressed and sore from sitting around, Stretch! You don't have to do Jumping Jacks but if you just sit there you only make it worse. Move around, get a hobby (it does not have to be an expensive hobby, whittle, do decoupage, knit, do woodworking, stamp collecting, read (Library books are free and they have movies too). If you have a computer start researching your favorite subjects. Get your mind moving. If you can't work, as I said, Volunteer at a local charity. Giving will make you feel better and help you realize you are not alone out there. There are a lot of people dealing with similar problems. Helping others will help you. You may even meet someone that can help you out of your situation.

Watch what you eat. Start the New Year saying you will eat a healthier diet and if you are over weight that you will shred those extra pound. You will be amazed how much better you will feel with every 5 pounds you lose. As you lose weight, check out the local consignment shops for new clothes and save money as you go down in sizes. Take your old, larger size clothes to the consignment shops and make some money with them for extra spending cash.

Well, These are some of my goals and I hope they have given you some ideas for yourselves. The past year has been be rough for my family with my cancer, my husband out of work, my sister being ill, my brother losing his job and more. But I am optimistic that 2010 will be a better year for us all. But we are the ones that have to make it so!

I wish all of you the Best Health, Wealth, and Peace in the coming year and may 2010 be Great for us all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! LEIGH

Check out my eBay Store Decor,Glass and Home for Antiques, Books, Magazines, Woodworking, Jewelery, DVD's and more.

New Recommendations for Breast Cancer Screening

2009-11-25T13:02:00.000-08:00

I know everyone has heard about the new guidelines for breast cancer screening by now.

The stupidest thing I have ever heard is that self-exams don't work. Self-Exam saved my life!

The recommendation is that women from 40-50 do not need mammograms unless they are in a high risk group. Being a woman is a high risk group for breast cancer.

It has been proven that the established recommendations work, Less women are dying from breast cancer. This is directly related to the self-exams, mammograms and information that women are receiving.

Is this just another way for the insurance companies not to pay for mammograms?

Ladies and Gentlemen, I don't know about you but I will continue doing my self-exams and recommend to all my friends and family that they continue doing their self-exams and have their yearly mammograms.

I believe all women should have a baseline mammogram at the age of 40 no matter what the new recommendations are.

Please take care of yourselves and have a Wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Leigh

ps: if you know anyone who collects Owls I have some great artwork in my ebay store , check it out here.

A Shift in Cancer Screening Benefits - ACS

2009-10-31T14:00:00.000-07:00

As reported in the Nov 2, 2009 issue of Time magazine

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The American Cancer Society announced that the benefits of prostrate - and breast-cancer screenings have been overstated, after a study found that such tests often detect nonlethal tumors but fail to catch faster-spreading malignant growths. Screenings for colon and cervical cancers, on the other hand, have led to a marked decline in late-stage cancers.

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This article is short but to the point. We are our best screeners. Self Exam is a must for all women and men. Breast cancer can be fast growing and easily grow between your yearly exams. Mine grew to 2cm within 2 months. If you check yourself every month you have a greater chance of feeling any changes before anyone else. If you do feel something, have it checked immediately. I would rather have a test say something is nonlethal than to wait and have a malignancy growing through my body.

Please do all you can to protect yourself from this killer.

Good health to us all

Leigh

"Save the Boobs" Video, Women 20-40 Years of Age Watch It!

2009-10-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

This Canadian Public ServiceVideo was designed to get the attention of young women to make them realize that Breast Cancer is not an Older Woman's Illness. It does not discriminate due to age. It affects ALL Women, young and old. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Don't think just because you are 26 years of age that you can not get breast cancer. My niece has just been diagnosed with it. I personally have known 2 people under the age of 25 that have had breast cancer. One of them Died from it.

Young women must be pro-active and do their self-exams, get their mammograms, and do not be afraid to talk with your doctor if you have any concerns. If you are uncomfortable talking with your doctor then it is time to get a new doctor. You must be able to discuss this and any subject with your doctor. EARLY DETECTION can save your life and as the following video says "Save The Boobs".

Breast cancer is the number one cancer killer of women 20-49. Think about this Girls!
Brest Cancer KILLS!!!

Stay Healthy!!

Leigh

4 Things to Help Women NOT Get Breast Cancer

2009-10-17T08:57:00.000-07:00

The following are 4 things reported that women can do to reduce their chances of getting Breast Cancer.

1 If you are overweight, Lose that Weight!

2 If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation!

3 Exercise, Exercise, Exercise It can be low impact or more but get your body moving.

4 Breast feeding has been found to lower your chances of breast cancer.

and I am adding another.

If you are a smoker, please quit smoking. I know that it is hard but for your health and the health of those around you please quit.

I can't Breastfeed but I am working on the first 3 to try to reduce my chances of recurrence.

Good health to us all. Leigh

"TLC" Wigs, Hats, Headwraps and more for Cancer Patients

2009-09-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, Sorry I have been out of touch but family medical situations have kept me very busy lately.

I was going over a lot of my breast cancer information and wanted to let everyone know about a booklet the American Cancer Society puts out. It is called "TLC" and it has hats, scarves, wigs, breast inserts for your bra, tank tops and camisoles with pocketed bras, and

pocketed bras.

I loved the lovies my sister got me. They kept my head warm at night and were comfortable to sleep in. I did not wear a wig and it seemed that the only time my head got cold was at night. During the day I was OK going "ala natural".

My husband said I had a great shaped head.

With cold weather on its way, if you are expecting to be going through chemo and no hair, you may want to check out the lovely hats they have.

You can request the catalog from the American Cancer Society website:

www.cancer.org. Even it you do not buy from them, you will get a chance to see what is available and maybe look around your town to see what you can find locally. The booklet can give you some great ideas.

Stay healthy and informed.

leigh

Research is Needed for Finding a Cure for Cancer

2009-08-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

Cancer does not care if you are rich or poor. Money is not important to cancer cells.

Cancer does not care if you are famous, imfamous, or an everyday person. Look at Ted Kennedy, Farrah Fawcett, Cristine Applegate, and everyone else out there fighting with some form of cancer.

Research is the only way we will ever find a cure for cancer.

You can help, Give to:

The American Cancer Society: As the nation's largest private, not-for-profit source of funds for scientists studying cancer, the American Cancer Society (ACS) focuses its funding on investigator-initiated, peer-reviewed proposals. http://www.cancer.org/

Cancer Research Institute : The Cancer Research Institute is the recognized leader in supporting and coordinating the research of immunological approaches to preventing, controlling, or treating cancer. http://www.cancerresearch.org/

St Jude Children's Research Hospital: St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made here have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly.
St. Jude researchers are published and cited more often in high impact publications than any other private pediatric oncology research institution in America. St. Jude is a place where many doctors send some of their sickest patients and toughest cases. A place where cutting-edge research and revolutionary discoveries happen every day. We've built America's second-largest health-care charity so the science never stops. http://www.stjude.org/

City of Hope: On our park-like campus just northeast of Los Angeles, City of Hope Helford Clinical Research Hospital brings groundbreaking research and compassionate care under one roof. It embodies our mission to deliver the newest, most promising therapies to patients without delay, while creating an environment that encourages open collaboration between physicians, caregivers and clinical researchers. City of Hope includes the Beckman Research Institute. http://www.cityofhop.org/

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure : The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Awards More Than $45 Million to Breast Cancer Research http://www.komen.org/

Each of these organizations does fantastic work in cancer research and there are more out there.
Please Help

Good Health and a good week to all,
Leigh

What to Eat During Cancer Treatment

2009-08-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

I was on the American Cancer Society web site today doing some research and I came across this great book for anyone going through cancer treatment. I wish I had known about it when I was going through chemo. I am going to order a copy to send to my sister-in-law. She was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I have been visiting her the last two week, that is why I have been out of touch.

(This is a small synopsis of the book.)

If you or someone you care about is going through cancer treatment or experiencing other health problems that make eating difficult, this cookbook will make life a whole lot easier. Inside you will find 100 fast, flavorful recipes, all organized by side effects, including recipes to deal with nausea, diarrhea, constipation, sore mouth, difficulty swallowing, taste alterations, and unintentional weight loss.

Includes 6 special bonus sections, including advice for the caregiver, tips to make eating out easier, a kitchen staples list, advice on avoiding weight gain during treatment and tips on assembling a take-along food "survival kit", as well as a helpful list of organizations that provide information on nutrition and cancer.

The book sells for $19.95 and looks like it will be well worth the money. This price includes the shipping to domestic addresses. Makes it even a better buy.

I am putting in a link to the direct order page.

Take advantage of this and I hope it will help you get through the rough times during chemo treatment.

Good health to us all,

Leigh

anyone interested in Vintage Cookbooks, I have a bunch for sell in my eBay store,

Decor, Glass and Home. The money goes to help pay my medical bills from my breast cancer.

Update to 7-19 blog about ALS and VA Benefits

2009-08-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

In my blog of 7-19-09 I wrote about an article in Dear Abby from Fred Campbell about changes in the VA benefits for veterans who died of ALS.

Today Dear Abby had a new letter from Fred Campbell saying more than 2,000 emails and many letters and phone calls have been generated since Dear Abby's article came out on 7-18-09. Fred says that he is worried that it may take him too long to respond to all the inquires he has received so he is asking for her help by letting everyone know that if their veteran husband died of ALS, they should call the Department of Veterans Affairs at (800) 827-1000. This will get them to their nearest VA regional office. They should ask to speak with a service officer about their ALS claim for COMPENSATION, not pension. This will expedite the claim process.

If you read my blog from 7-19 and contacted Fred or gave the information to a loved one or friend, PLEASE give them this information to help expedite their claim.

Good health to us all.

Leigh

German Cancer Clinics, are they better than the US.

2009-08-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

Farrah Fawcett and so many others have gone to Germany for Alternative cancer treatments that are not allowed in the United States. You wonder what they have found out that the doctors do not know about here or is it a situation that the FDA just won't approve the treatments. If someone has been diagnosed with terminal cancer shouldn't they have the opportunity to try anything to stay alive? Why are the cancer treatments here so expensive comparably to other countries? Why don't the pharmaceutical companies want to promote more natural healing remedies? Is it just because they may lose a little money? There have been reports lately about an inexpensive medication that helps colon cancer patients, an Aspirin. A report on grapefruit juice increasing the results from one medication (rapamycin) to reduce tumors. Maybe there is more that Mother Nature can do to help cancer patients than the Medical community is letting us know. I read the German Cancer Breakthrough Report and found it very informative. Maybe you will to:

The German Cancer Breakthrough Report

Good Health to us all,

Leigh

WoodWorking Books and Back issues of Magazines in my eBay Store.

2009-07-24T09:52:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note today to let any woodworkers out there know that I have some great woodworking books and back issues of magazines in my eBay store. Most of these books are like new. Some were never opened. My father-in-law was an avid woodworker and loved to order books. There were many that had never been looked at more than once before he passed away from cancer. Woodturning, Carving, Furniture, Minitures; he collected them all. I have more back issues of magazines being listed this weekend but right now I have Chip-Chats and Woodturning listed.

Go to: Decor-Glass-and-Home and see them all.

I really appreciate all the help and hope everyone enjoys their purchases.

I also have some great gardening books available.

Good health to us all, Leigh

Lou Gehrig's Disease, VA Benefits, Widow's Benefit

2009-07-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

I know my column is about my cancer and cancer information but I like to read Dear Abby everyday. This has helped me find out some great information for family and friends. Including the Heart Kit for Women and more.

In a recent column I found out some information that I feel should be out there for everyone who is a veteran or veteran's widow/widower. Anyone who knows of anyone in this situation should also pass on this information.

This information was sent in by Fred Campbell, EX-POW and Chairman of VA outreach for American Ex-Prisoners of War who wanted to alert all veterans (not just former POWs) of a recent VA ruling.

On Sept 23 2008, Lou Gehrig's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, was made a presumptive condition for all veterans who served in our armed forces for at least 90 days.

This means that the widows of those veterans who died of Lou Gehrig's disease in years past are eligible for the VA widows' monthly benefit, which is very substantial.

Many people are not aware that a veteran's death due to this disease is now considered service-connected. Fred states in his letter that he helped on one claim that involved an ALS death 46 years ago, in 1963.

Fred Campbell can be contacted at 3312 Chatterton Drive, San Angelo, TX 76904 and can be e-mailed at fredrev@webtv.net

I will continue to read Dear Abby and pass along anything I feel is of help.

Good Health and Happiness to all
Leigh

Please check out my eBay site for more great items for sale to help me pay my medical bills.

How Patient Privacy is Disregarded and Abused by the Media, RE: Maura Tierney

2009-07-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

More and More Celebrities are having their Medical Privacy invaded by the Media. Freedom of the Press is good but what happened to Decency. Just because someone is an actor or actress, or person of notority or fame, this should not give the media open season.

The new series "Parenthood" production was put on hold due to an actors medical condition. Maura Tierney, of "ER" fame, is one of the actors in the new series

In a media release by NBC over the weekend about the 'Parenthood" delay, NBC cited a "medical evaluation that valued cast member Maura Tierney is undergoing". Maybe the media experts at NBC need to think about the repercussions of their statements.

This "caused confusion and undue alarm about my health," Ms Tierney said, which lead to her going public about her condition.

She is recovering from surgery to remove a breast tumor. Maura said, in a statement to tvguide.com, that she would not know the exact diagnosis or course of treatment until after the surgery.

The need for Media Sensationalism by the Studio, and Newspapers, and all media, caused additional strain when none was needed. Going through the Unknown and waiting for the results from the surgery is stressful enough.

We hope and pray that Ms Tierney's results are benign. And if they are not we hope and pray that the media will have the decency to let her tell us when she is ready.

Farrah Fawcett said she came out and told the public herself so that the media would not have a field day with her illness and she could do it on her terms.

Anyone, going through cancer or any illness, has the right to tell family, friends, and if they want to, the public, on their terms. The media should not be making that decision for them.

Best wishes to Maura and her family. We hope for the best results.

Leigh

After Chemo, Long or Short Hair, What to Do?

2009-07-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to figure out what to do with my hair. Do I keep it cut short or grow it back to shoulder length. I have always had long hair as you can see from my before picture. I wasn't terribly bad looking with a bald head but I do not think I would want to keep that look. My hair has grown back in and is starting to get long enough to be cut (I did have it trimmed but was not happy with the way it was cut).

A while back there was a letter sent to "Dear Abby" from a young lady talked about how her aunt had just gone through chemo and lost her hair but it had grown back. Her aunt was keeping her hair cut short but she had always had long hair and the niece thought she should let it grow back long again. The niece could not understand why the woman did not want to grow it back long again.

Let me try to explain some of my feelings on the subject.

I always loved my long hair. I did not have to get it cut all the time and I could wash and hang dry. I did not like having to blow dry my hair because it was very thick and took a long time to blow dry so if I had to go out somewhere immediately that could be a problem. I color my hair. I have had a lot of gray in my hair since I was 20 years of age. So I color my hair. With long hair I could go longer between colorings. The roots did not show as much. But because my hair was thick sometimes (especially if I put my hair in a ponytail) I would get headaches from my hair.(This was especially true when my hair was down to my waist, the older I got the shorter my hair got until it was just shoulder length) Those are my pros and cons on long hair.

I wore no wigs during my chemo and except when my head was cold, no scarves. I did have two hats I wore during the summer to keep the sun off the top of my head. I did not mind being bald, easy shampoo and dry, no coloring etc.

I thought short hair might work out OK but I came to find you have to get it cut more often to keep a nice clean look. You have to color it more often because the roots show more. I do like the quick dry and style. My biggest problem is finding someone who can cut my hair to where I like the look. I guess I had long hair so long that I do not know what short look is right for me. I do not go for the spiked look. I like having the tops of my ears covered. I just don't know.

Part of the Problem is the awkward stages the hair goes through while you are letting it grow long. Plus the texture of my hair has changed and it may not lie the same on my head.

I also hesitate letting my hair grow long again because what if I have to have more chemo. Hair gone again. Less traumatic if the hair is short, I think. I did not get real upset when we cut my hair short when I started chemo. We sort of made a party of it. But, I do not see that happening if I have to go through all this again.

The niece that inquired about her aunt's hair may want to consider she may be going through the same thing. Maybe she found a short cut that she likes and does not want to go through growing her hair long again. Maybe she is afraid to let it grow long again. Maybe she knows she will have to have some more treatments but has not told everyone else.

The niece should be thankful her aunt is there (and I am sure she is) and enjoy everyday. She said her aunt's hair was so beautiful but I bet if she really thought about it, Her aunt's beauty inside made the hair beautiful.

Well, I guess I will ponder what to do about my mop of hair. Maybe someone knows what short hair style would look good on my puffy (med) round face and give me some hints.

Everyone have a Great Day and Good Health.
Leigh

Great Items for Sale on eBay to Help pay Cancer Bills

2009-07-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a Great 4th of July and did not eat too much food or get too much sunburn. (watch that for skin cancer:) Ours was nice and relaxing. We could watch the fireworks put on by the city from our front porch. I want to thank Rebecca in Texas for purchasing the Avon Ivory Bracelet and Earring set I had listed and had mentioned in the blog before. I appreciate all your help.

I have a couple of items to tell you about today that I hope someone will like.

The first is an Abalone Necklace and Earring set. It is new and can be seen HERE

I have more jewelry and estate jewelry

I have some wonderful woodworking books and gardening books available.

One is "101 Weekend Gift Project from Wood" and can be seen HERE

I hope everyone will take a look at my eBay store. click here to see it

All your help is greatly appreciated and I thank everyone for looking.

I am going to have to have my mediport removed as it has come loose and is moving under my skin. It is getting very close to the fold where when you lift your arm and move it up or toward the front the mediport is pinching. Very uncomfortable. (feels like someone is cutting into you with a very sharp knife:(

If anyone else has had this happen please let me know what you had done. Looking for some feedback as to how serious this is and how soon I need to have the surgery done.

Health and Happiness to all Thanks Leigh

free hit counters

Paget Disease of the Nipple: Questions and Answers

2009-06-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

I found this fact sheet and wanted to pass the information along to everyone. It has a lot of great information.

Paget Disease of the Nipple: Questions and Answers

Key Points
• Paget disease of the nipple is an uncommon type of cancer that forms in or around the nipple (see Question 1).
• Paget disease of the nipple is almost always associated with an underlying breast cancer (see Questions 1 and 2).
• Scientists do not know exactly what causes Paget disease of the nipple, but two major theories have been suggested for how it develops (see Question 2).
• Symptoms of early-stage disease may include redness or crusting of the nipple skin; symptoms of more advanced disease often include tingling, itching, increased sensitivity, burning, or pain in the nipple (see Question 3).
• Paget disease of the nipple is diagnosed by performing a biopsy (see Question 4).
• Surgery is the usual treatment for Paget disease of the nipple. Additional treatments may be recommended under certain circumstances (see Question 5).
• Many clinical trials for breast cancer are under way (see Question 6).

1. What is Paget disease of the nipple?
Paget disease of the nipple, also called Paget disease of the breast, is an uncommon type of cancer that forms in or around the nipple (1, 2, 3). More than 95 percent of people with Paget disease of the nipple also have underlying breast cancer; however, Paget disease of the nipple accounts for less than 5 percent of all breast cancers (1). For instance, of the 211,240 new cases of breast cancer projected to be diagnosed in 2005, fewer than 11,000 will also involve Paget disease of the nipple (4).

Most patients diagnosed with Paget disease of the nipple are over age 50, but rare cases have been diagnosed in patients in their 20s (1). The average age at diagnosis is 62 for women and 69 for men. The disease is rare among both women and men.

Paget disease of the nipple was named after Sir James Paget, a scientist who noted an association between changes in the appearance of the nipple and underlying breast cancer (1, 5). There are several other unrelated diseases named after Paget, including Paget disease of the bone and Paget disease of the vulva; this fact sheet discusses only Paget disease of the nipple.

2. What are the possible causes of Paget disease of the nipple?

Scientists do not know exactly what causes Paget disease of the nipple, but two major theories have been suggested for how it develops (1, 2). One theory proposes that cancer cells, called Paget cells, break off from a tumor inside the breast and move through the milk ducts to the surface of the nipple, resulting in Paget disease of the nipple. This theory is supported by the fact that more than 97 percent of patients with Paget disease also have underlying invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (1). DCIS, also called intraductal carcinoma, is a condition in which abnormal cells are present only in the lining of the milk ducts in the breast, and have not invaded surrounding tissue or spread to the lymph nodes. DCIS sometimes becomes invasive breast cancer. Invasive breast cancer is cancer that has spread outside the duct into the breast tissue, and possibly into the lymph nodes under the arm or into other parts of the body.

The other theory suggests that skin cells of the nipple spontaneously become Paget cells. This theory is supported by the rare cases of Paget disease in which there is no underlying breast cancer, and the cases in which the underlying breast cancer is found to be a separate tumor from the Paget disease (1).

3. What are the symptoms of Paget disease of the nipple?

Symptoms of early Paget disease of the nipple include redness and mild scaling and flaking of the nipple skin (1). Early symptoms may cause only mild irritation and may not be enough to prompt a visit to the doctor (3). Improvement in the skin can occur spontaneously, but this should not be taken as a sign that the disease has disappeared. More advanced disease may show more serious destruction of the skin (1). At this stage, the symptoms may include tingling, itching, increased sensitivity, burning, and pain. There may also be discharge from the nipple, and the nipple can appear flattened against the breast (1, 2).

In approximately half of patients with Paget disease of the nipple, a lump or mass in the breast can be felt during physical examination (1). In most cases, Paget disease of the nipple is initially confined to the nipple, later spreading to the areola or other regions of the breast (1, 2). The areola is the circular area of darker skin that surrounds the nipple. Paget disease of the nipple can also be found only on the areola, where it may resemble eczema, a noncancerous itchy red rash (1). Although rare, Paget disease of the nipple can occur in both breasts (2).

4. How is Paget disease of the nipple diagnosed?

If a health care provider suspects Paget disease of the nipple, a biopsy of the nipple skin is performed (1, 2, 3). In a biopsy, the doctor removes a small sample of tissue. A pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to see if Paget cells are present. The pathologist may use a technique called immunohistochemistry (staining tissues to identify specific cells) to differentiate Paget cells from other cell types (1). A sample of nipple discharge may also be examined under a microscope for the presence of Paget cells (3).

Because most people with Paget disease of the nipple also have underlying breast cancer, physical examination and mammography (x-ray of the breast) are used to make a complete diagnosis.

5. How is Paget disease of the nipple treated?

Surgery is the most common treatment for Paget disease of the nipple (1, 2, 5).
The specific treatment often depends on the characteristics of the underlying breast cancer.

A modified radical mastectomy may be recommended when invasive cancer or extensive DCIS has been diagnosed (5). In this operation, the surgeon removes the breast, the lining over the chest muscles, and some of the lymph nodes under the arm. In cases where underlying breast cancer is not invasive, the surgeon may perform a simple mastectomy to remove only the breast and the lining over the chest muscles (2, 5).
Alternatively, patients whose disease is confined to the nipple and the surrounding area may undergo breast-conserving surgery or lumpectomy followed by radiation therapy (1, 2, 5). During breast-conserving surgery, the surgeon removes the nipple, areola, and the entire portion of the breast believed to contain the cancer. In most cases, radiation therapy is also used to help prevent recurrence (return of the cancer).

During surgery, particularly modified radical mastectomy, the doctor may perform an axillary node dissection to remove the lymph nodes under the arm (1, 5). The lymph nodes are then examined to see if the cancer has spread to them. In some cases, a sentinel lymph node biopsy may be performed to remove only one or a few lymph nodes. (For more information about sentinel lymph node biopsies, please see National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 7.44, Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Questions and Answers, at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/sentinel-node-biopsy on the Internet.)

Adjuvant treatment (treatment that is given in addition to surgery to prevent the cancer from coming back) may be part of the treatment plan, depending on the type of cancer and whether cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes. Radiation treatment is a common adjuvant therapy for Paget disease of the nipple following breast-conserving surgery. Adjuvant treatment with anticancer drugs or hormone therapies may also be recommended, depending on the extent of the disease and prognostic factors (estimated chance of recovery from the disease or chance that the disease will recur).

6. Are clinical trials (research studies) available?
Where can people get more information about clinical trials?

Yes. The NCI is currently sponsoring many clinical trials for all types of breast cancer. These studies are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. As new and improved treatments are found for breast cancer, the treatment options for Paget disease of the nipple will also improve (2, 5).

People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the NCI’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER and in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies, which can be found at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. Further information about clinical trials is available at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the NCI’s Web site. The Web site offers detailed information about specific ongoing studies by linking to PDQ®, the NCI’s cancer information database. The CIS also provides information from PDQ.

Selected References
1. Kaelin CM. Paget's Disease. In: Harris JR, Lippman ME, Morrow M, Osborne CK, editors. Diseases of the Breast. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004.
2. DeVita,VT Jr., Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, editors. Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004.
3. Beers MH, Berkow R, editors. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. 17th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Company, Inc., 1999.
4. American Cancer Society (2005). Cancer Facts and Figures 2005. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society. Retrieved April 20, 2005, from http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2005f4PWSecured.pdf.
5. Marcus E. The management of Paget's disease of the breast. Current Treatment Options in Oncology 2004; 5:153–160.

Related NCI materials and Web pages:
• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 2.11, Clinical Trials: Questions and Answers (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Information/clinical-trials)
• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.14, Improving Methods for Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/breast-cancer)
• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 7.1, Radiation Therapy for Cancer: Questions and Answers (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/radiation)
• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 7.20, Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer: Questions and Answers (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/adjuvant-breast)
• Surgery Choices for Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/breast-cancer-surgery-choices)
• Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for Women (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understanding-breast-changes)
• What You Need To Know About™ Breast Cancer (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/breast)

This fact sheet was reviewed on 6/27/05

Good Health to us all and a Happy 4th of July tomorrow!!

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Farrah Fawcett Loses her Battle with Cancer

2009-06-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday Farrah Fawcett lost her Battle with Cancer. Her death was somewhat over shadowed by the death of Michael Jackson.

Farrahs battle with cancer was made public in 2006. She created a show that followed her on her tireless rounds of treatments from the disease. This story "Farrah's Story" recently was aired on television.

The show showed the up and downs with dealing with chemotherapy, hair loss, depression and the hopes and fears of the unknown future.

Farrah's story also showed the strength she had and the love her family and friends and how they helped give her more strength.

All cancer survivors have to go through the same, whether for a short time or over years. We try to live our lives showing the same strength and appreciate all the love and support we get from our family and friends.

Farrah put it all in front of the TV audience for everyone to see what a deadly word CANCER really is. This helps other people understand and comprehend just how devastating hearing those words "you have cancer" can be and the fight it takes not to let it defeat you. You just keep battling until the end.

Farrah Fawcett fought a brave battle and her story will help others along the way.

Thank you, Farrah, for allowing us to see your strength.

Good health to us all, and say a prayer for Farrah. Leigh

AVON Vintage Ivory Color Bracelet and Earring Set

2009-06-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

As many of you know I am selling items in eBay to help pay my medical bills which have accummulated since my diagnosis of Breast Cancer. I have no insurance and did not qualify for the breast cancer/cervical cancer program in my state. My cancer was not diagnoised at the county health department but at my doctor's office which according to the state made it a pre-existing condition thus eliminating my having access to their program. This is why I am resposible for all the bills. But I decided at the time that there was still a lot I had to do with my life and it was worth whatever I needed to do to keep going.

The reason for this little message is that occasionally I will be showcasing an item I have for sale at eBay in my Blog. I have Vintage jewelry, glass, books, clothes and more. I hope you do not mind but I wanted to get some extra exposure for the items. I hope you will look and see if there is anything you might like for yourself or as a gift for someone you know. I appreciate all the help and support I have recieved from my readers and from my eBay customers. Thank you!

FOR SALE! Vintage AVON Ivory Color Bracelet and Earring Set

This set was made in Japan, Exclusively for Avon. I do not know if it is Ivory or Shell. It does not look like plastic. Elastic in the bracelet and Clip Earrings.

You can go to this auction by clicking Here

Thanks again for you help, Leigh

PARP Inihibitors, Breast Cancer, Years of Research Ahead?

2009-06-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

PARP Inhibitors. PARP is short for "poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase," which is used by cancer cells to repair DNA damage, including the damage inflicted by chemotherapy drugs. By blocking the enzyme, researchers aim to further undermine the ability of cancer cells to heal themselves.

Yesterday it was announced that these PARP Inhibitors may be the greatest breakthrough for breast cancer patients since the development of Herceptin in the late 1990's.

According to the investigators in the most recent string of favorable studies almost two-thirds of mutation carriers had a clinical benefit from treatment with olaparib, Johann S. de Bono, MD, PhD, of the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, and colleagues reported in the June 24 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine

I hope they are right. 15% to 20% of all women with breast cancer have the BRCA1/2 mutation. This drug has also shown favorable results in test of women with triple-negative breast cancer (as stated in May at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.)

The agent demonstrated activity in patients with breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer.

The following note was attached to one of the articles I found on google. Action Points for Doctors to tell Patients.

Action Points --->
1. Explain to patients that an investigational drug showed activity in tumors that have certain types of genetic mutations.
2.Emphasize that the drug is not yet available.

My one hope is that "The Powers that Be" will allow testing to continue at a rate that approval can be given quickly for this medication to get to the people who need it.

Great Health and Long Life to us all, Leigh

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Inflammatory Breast Cancer Fact Sheet from the National Cancer Institute.

2009-06-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

I found this Fact Sheet and it answered many question I had not been able to answer before.

Hope you find it as informative as I did.

_____________________________________________________________

Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Questions and Answers

1. What is inflammatory breast cancer (IBC)?

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare but very aggressive type of breast cancer in which the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. This type of breast cancer is called "inflammatory" because the breast often looks swollen and red, or "inflamed." IBC accounts for 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States (1). It tends to be diagnosed in younger women compared to non-IBC breast cancer. It occurs more frequently and at a younger age in African Americans than in Whites. Like other types of breast cancer, IBC can occur in men, but usually at an older age than in women. Some studies have shown an association between family history of breast cancer and IBC, but more studies are needed to draw firm conclusions (2).

Key Points

• Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare but very aggressive type of breast cancer (see Question 1).
• IBC usually grows rapidly and often spreads to other parts of the body; symptoms include redness, swelling, and warmth in the breast (see Questions 2 and 3).
• Treatment for IBC usually starts with chemotherapy, which is generally followed by surgery, radiation, targeted therapy, and/or hormone therapy (see Question 4).
• People with IBC are encouraged to enroll in clinical trials (research studies with people) that explore new treatments (see Question 5).

2. What are the symptoms of IBC?

Symptoms of IBC may include redness, swelling, and warmth in the breast, often without a distinct lump in the breast. The redness and warmth are caused by cancer cells blocking the lymph vessels in the skin. The skin of the breast may also appear pink,
reddish purple, or bruised. The skin may also have ridges or appear pitted, like the skin of an orange (called peau d'orange), which is caused by a buildup of fluid and edema
(swelling) in the breast. Other symptoms include heaviness, burning, aching, increase in breast size, tenderness, or a nipple that is inverted (facing inward) (3). These symptoms usually develop quickly—over a period of weeks or months. Swollen lymph nodes may also be present under the arm, above the collarbone, or in both places. However, it is important to note that these symptoms may also be signs of other conditions such as infection, injury, or other types of cancer (1).

3. How is IBC diagnosed?

Diagnosis of IBC is based primarily on the results of a doctor’s clinical examination (1). Biopsy, mammogram, and breast ultrasound are used to confirm the diagnosis. IBC is classified as either stage IIIB or stage IV breast cancer (2). Stage IIIB breast cancers are locally advanced; stage IV breast cancer is cancer that has spread to other organs. IBC tends to grow rapidly, and the physical appearance of the breast of patients with IBC is different from that of patients with other stage III breast cancers. IBC is an especially aggressive, locally advanced breast cancer.
Cancer staging describes the extent or severity of an individual’s cancer. (More information on staging is available in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) fact sheet Staging: Questions and Answers at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/staging on the Internet.) Knowing a cancer’s stage helps the doctor develop a treatment plan and estimate prognosis (the likely outcome or course of the disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence).

4. How is IBC treated?

Treatment consisting of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy is used to treat IBC. Patients may also receive supportive care to help manage the side effects of the cancer and its treatment. Chemotherapy (anticancer drugs) is generally the first treatment for patients with IBC, and is called neoadjuvant therapy. Chemotherapy is systemic treatment, which means that it affects cells throughout the body. The purpose of chemotherapy is to control or kill cancer cells, including those that may have spread to other parts of the body.

After chemotherapy, patients with IBC may undergo surgery and radiation therapy to the chest wall. Both radiation and surgery are local treatments that affect only cells in the tumor and the immediately surrounding area. The purpose of surgery is to remove the tumor from the body, while the purpose of radiation therapy is to destroy remaining cancer cells. Surgery to remove the breast (or as much of the breast tissue as possible) is called a mastectomy. Lymph node dissection (removal of the lymph nodes in the underarm area for examination under a microscope) is also done during this surgery.

After initial systemic and local treatment, patients with IBC may receive additional systemic treatments to reduce the risk of recurrence (cancer coming back). Such treatments may include additional chemotherapy, hormonal therapy (treatment that interferes with the effects of the female hormone estrogen, which can promote the growth of breast cancer cells), targeted therapy (such as trastuzumab, also known as Herceptin®), or all three. Trastuzumab is administered to patients whose tumors overexpress the HER–2 tumor protein. More information about Herceptin and the HER–2 protein is available in the NCI fact sheet Herceptin® (Trastuzumab): Questions and Answers, which can be found at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/therapy/herceptin on the Internet.

Supportive care is treatment given to improve the quality of life of patients who have a serious or life-threatening disease, such as cancer. It prevents or treats as early as possible the symptoms of the disease, side effects caused by treatment of the disease, and psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to the disease or its treatment. For example, compression garments may be used to treat lymphedema (swelling caused by excess fluid buildup) resulting from radiation therapy or the removal of lymph nodes. Additionally, meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy can be helpful to those who want to talk about their feelings or discuss their concerns. A social worker can often suggest resources for help with recovery, emotional support, financial aid, transportation, or home care.

5. Are clinical trials (research studies with people) available? Where can people get more information about clinical trials?

Yes. The NCI is sponsoring clinical trials that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is a treatment option for many patients with IBC, and all patients with IBC are encouraged to consider treatment in a clinical trial.

People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the NCI’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER and in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies, which is available at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. Further information about clinical trials is available at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the NCI’s Web site. The Web site offers detailed information about specific ongoing studies by linking to PDQ®, the NCI’s comprehensive cancer information database. The CIS also provides information from PDQ.

6. What is the prognosis for patients with IBC?

Prognosis describes the likely course and outcome of a disease—that is, the chance that a patient will recover or have a recurrence. IBC is more likely to have metastasized (spread to other areas of the body) at the time of diagnosis than non-IBC cases (3). As a result, the 5-year survival rate for patients with IBC is between 25 and 50 percent, which is significantly lower than the survival rate for patients with non-IBC breast cancer. It is important to keep in mind, however, that these statistics are averages based on large numbers of patients. Statistics cannot be used to predict what will happen to a particular patient because each person’s situation is unique. Patients are encouraged to talk to their doctors about their prognosis given their particular situation.

7. Where can a person find more information about breast cancer and its treatment?

To learn more about IBC, other types of breast cancer, and breast health in general, please refer to the following resources:

• NCI’s Breast Cancer Home Page (http://www.cancer.gov/breast/)
• Breast Cancer (PDQ®): Treatment (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/breast/patient/)
• Understanding Breast Changes: A Health Guide for All Women (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/understanding-breast-changes)
• What You Need To Know About™ Breast Cancer (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/breast)

Selected References

1. Merajver SD, Sabel MS. Inflammatory breast cancer. In: Harris JR, Lippman ME, Morrow M, Osborne CK, editors. Diseases of the Breast. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2004.
2. Anderson W, Schairer C, Chen B, Hance K, Levine P. Epidemiology of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Breast Disease 2005; 22:9–23.
3. Chittoor SR, Swain SM. Locally advanced breast cancer: Role of medical oncology. In: Bland KI, Copeland EM, editors. The Breast: Comprehensive Management of Benign and Malignant Diseases. Vol. 2. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1998.

# # #

Related NCI materials and Web pages:
• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 2.1, Cancer Information Sources
(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Information/sources)
• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 5.32, Staging: Questions and Answers
(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/staging)
• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 7.1, Radiation Therapy for Cancer: Questions and Answers (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/radiation )
• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 7.2, Biological Therapies for Cancer: Questions and Answers (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/biological)
• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 7.45, Herceptin® (Trastuzumab): Questions and Answers (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/therapy/herceptin)
• Chemotherapy and You: Support for People With Cancer (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy-and-you)
• Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies
(http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/Taking-Part-in-Cancer-Treatment-Research-Studies)

For more help, contact:

NCI’s Cancer Information Service
Telephone (toll-free): 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237)
TTY (toll-free): 1–800–332–8615
LiveHelp® online chat: https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/livehelp/welcome.asp
This fact sheet was reviewed on 8/29/06

Good Exercise is Important for Cancer Health! Try Golf!

2009-06-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

One of the things my doctors told me during my fight with cancer is to try to stay active. They said this would help with depression and muscle aches.

Well, I did not because I felt so bad and was that a mistake. I had no energy, felt washed out, and generally felt like crap. Sorry about the language but that was how I felt.

My sister asked me one day to come out and play some golf with her. She had just had gastric bypass surgery and needed to walk everyday. She hated just walking down the block and she used to play golf occasionally so she thought she could get her exercise that way.

I had never played golf and really did not care to learn but I wanted to support her in any way that I could so I said OK.

Well, I found out something out there on the golf course. It made me feel better to get out of the house and walk around and get some fresh air.

Now I may not be Tiger Woods, but my sister and I both are enjoying getting a little exercise and sunshine. Yes we take our time, drink lots of water and we don't do 18 holes. But who cares, we are having a good time and feeling better.

Since I don't know a lot about golf I decided to check out some of the information on the web and found this great site called http://www.golf.todays-tips.com/ and they have some great information. They have the basics for people like me and videos for improving your swing, curing your slice, chip shots and my favorite, getting out of the bunker. The also have information on Golf health, Golf Vacations and Golf Equipment.

I am improving every time we play and I have two ladies joining us this week from my cancer support group. They thought it sounded like lots of fun and wanted to try.

Ladies, whether it is golf, tennis, swimming or just walking around the block, Get out of the House! If you are feeling bad, it will make you feel better. I wear my wide brimmed hat and lots of sunscreen, light weight clothing and get out there and go.

Don't worry about your score, remember it is just a game and HAVE FUN!!!!

Health and Happiness to everyone, Leigh

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Drug Combinations may Raise Risk for Breast Cancer Survivors

2009-05-31T16:57:00.000-07:00

An article posted by Marilynn Marchione of the Associated Press on May 31, 2009 gives reference to a Study reported Saturday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting, in Orlando, Fla.

The Study, being the largest to look at this issue, found that using some antidepressants can prevent the cancer drug tamoxifen for working properly.

The study states Breast Cancer survivors risk having their disease come back if they use certain antidepressants while also taking the cancer prevention drug tamoxifen. Tomaxifen cuts in half the chances of a breast cancer recurrence. Because hormone pills are not considered safe after breast cancer, many women also take antidepressants for hot flashes caused by tomaxifen. The new study found that using these interfering drugs - including Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft - can virtually wipe out the benefit tamoxifen provides.

Many doctors question the magnitude of harm from combining these medicines. A smaller study did not show this problem.

The Bottom Line is the same: Not all antidepressants pose this problem and women should talk to their doctors about which ones are best for them.

you can read another article on the report: Some Antidepressants May Thwart Tamoxifen's Effect on Breast Cancer here

Take care and stay healthy, Leigh

Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act, Lifetime TV, Petition

2009-05-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

I received the email listed below and thought everyone should read it!!!

As a Breast Cancer Patient who went through a Mastectomy not quite 2 years ago I was shocked to hear what the insurance companies are doing. The thought that I could have been sent home a few hours after having surgery (I did go home the next day) is really scary.

I would never have been able to comprehend and retain the information that was given to me the next day if I had only a couple hours. I would not have been able to check my drains or empty them. I would not have been able to change my bandages. I was barely able to say my name.

Please, Think about all the women in your life, Mothers, Sisters, Daughters, Best Friends, Co-workers and all women. This Information affects them all. 1 in every 3 women will get Breast Cancer and could be put in this position.

Please Go to the website and follow the instructions listed below:

********************************************************************************

The U. S. Forum is pleased to pass along the following item from an active member of the Forum Women helping Women. The choice of action is yours of course.

Thank you,Dr. Mary Ann Roldan, U.S. Forum Chairman 2008-2010

It really does only take about 20 seconds, please fill out the form for yourself and the rest of us. K.R. (NM)

Proposed Mastectomy Law Change

(Written by a surgeon);

I'll never forget the look in my patient’s eyes when I had to tell them they had to go home with the drains, new exercises and no breast. I remember begging the doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands were tied by the insurance companies. So there I sat with my patient giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because the glazed, hopeless, frightened look spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank you' they muttered.

A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is removed in order to remove cancerous breast cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a mastectomy, you may know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are trying to make mastectomies an outpatient procedure. Let's give women the chance to recover properly in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.This Mastectomy Bill is in Congress now. It takes 2 seconds to do this and is very important. Please take the time and do it really quick!

The Breast Cancer Hospitalization Bill is important legislation for all women. Please send this to everyone in your address book. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of those times. If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the 30 seconds to go to vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same.

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support.. Last year over half the House signed on. PLEASE! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.

http://www.mylifetime.com/community/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer/petition/breast-cancer-petition

This takes about 2 seconds. PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your 20 friends.

Ginger Capsules Ease Chemo Nausea

2009-05-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

In a study released May 14th by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Ginger helped tame one of the most dreaded side effects of cancer treatments - nausea from chemotherapy.

The federally funded study found people who started taking ginger capsules several days before a chemo infusion had fewer and less severe bouts of nausea afterwards than others who were given dummy capsules.

But this does not apply to ginger ale. Many sodas and cookies contain only flavoring - not real ginger.

The study tested a drug-like ginger root extract and it is not know if people could get the same benefits from ginger teas or the powdered ginger sold as a spice.

Some cancer patients cut treatment short or refuse chemo altogether because of nausea, hurting their chances of beating the disease.

Ginger capsules may offer a cheap, simple way to fight nausea.

Always talk with your doctor before taking anything.

Elizabeth Edwards on the Today Show, reactions.

2009-05-13T09:20:00.000-07:00

I was watching the Today Show and Elizabeth Edwards was on talking about her husband's affair and her decision to talk about it. Later that day I was watching another show and an interviewer was discussing her with 2 different ladies and they were saying she should not have done the interview. That it made her look weak. They talked like she should have just left her husband and been done with him.

Elizabeth Edwards and John Edwards have been through a lot together. She has supported him through his campaigns, all the way up to going for the White House. They have lost a child together and instead of falling apart they grew stronger. The Edwards have 2 more children.

Do I condone John Edwards affair with another woman. By no means do I think it was the right thing to do. The fact that Elizabeth Edwards loves her husband and forgives him is a testament to her strength. Meanwhile she has gone through Breast cancer and it is no longer in remission, she has been handed a death sentence but without a date.

Should she take her children and leave her husband? Should she try to make a good family life for them with their father so that when she is gone they will have the support they need?

If Elizabeth Edwards can decide that staying with her husband and having a family together is the right thing for herself and for her children, then who are we to criticize her. If you are not in her shoes, gone through what she is going through, then where do you get off saying anything. As far as her interview she is hoping people will understand her decisions and support them because they are the decisions she has made for herself and her family

I know everyone says that there have been many strides made in combating cancer and everyone should have hope. That is all good and well for someone who does not have cancer to say. Everyday you wonder will it come back and if it does how long will I have to live. How will my family deal with the lose? How will my children overcome the loss of their mother? Will my husband be able to give them the support they will need or will he fall apart? Will family and friends come together at this time to support each other? and so many more questions!

I do not obsess about dying but I would be lying if I did not say that sometimes it crosses my mind.

Every person with cancer has to make decisions that besides affecting themselves also affects the ones they love. Do you have chemo, what about radiation, what if they do not help, what if it comes back and more?

Well, I have had a rant today, I am sorry to seem so dark but I get frustrated with the media sometimes. Maybe it is because I have had so many doctor appointments this week. Just could be mood swing from the femara,(Ha Ha). I am going to go out and smell my roses and take a cup of tea out on the porch and relax. Hope you all have a good afternoon and god bless.

Heart Medications and Doctor Checkups, Cardiologist.

2009-05-10T09:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I made it to the Cardiologist last week and what a bummer. I had an echo cardiogram done which everyone told me was OK.

While I was getting the echo my husband was talking with the doctor and told him my coughing was worse and we really needed to do something about it. The doctor said I should have called and told him about it and he would have changed my medication. He seemed to forget that I did tell him about it my last visit.

When I went in to talk to the Doctor about getting off the Ace Inhibitors because of the cough side effect he did not want me to go completely off the medicine. He changed me to Diovan, 40mg, once a day and gave me samples to try. He said coughing was not one of the side effects of this medicine. If that is so why didn't he change me to it last time when I told him about the coughing problem.

My husband and I could not seem to get a straight answer about why I needed to stay on the ace inhibitors except that it lowers my chance of getting congestive heart disease later on. I am worried about what they are doing to me now.

The doctor said it will take 2-4 weeks for the old medication to get out of my system and to call him back in 4 week and let him know what is happening with the cough.

I was reading the patient information sheet that was with my samples and guess what the second major side effect of Diovan is: Coughing. According to the sheet the occurrence is less than with the medicine I was on so hopefully my coughing will diminish.

Sometimes it is frustrating going to number of different doctors as one will say one thing and then another will say the opposite.

As a cancer patient it is said that you have a family of doctors: your primary care (the one you go to for colds, flu, etc), your surgeon (biopsies, ultrasounds, surgeries, etc), your oncologist (blood work, chemo, etc), your cardiologist ( heart related problems), and all the other specialist they can come up with.

How is it suppose to be a family of doctors if the doctors do not tell each other what the other is doing? How are you suppose to understand and feel secure when you get conflicting advice?

Well, as you can see I am feeling a little frustrated right now and I have to stop or I will really get upset. And that would raise my blood pressure. Which might not be bad since the #1 side effect of the new medication is low blood pressure. OH WELL!

Good health and god bless to you all, and hang in there if you are going thru what I have been.

"Relay for Life" for the American Cancer Society here Tonight!

2009-05-08T10:20:00.001-07:00

Well, we have our local "Relay for Life" for the American Cancer Society here starting tonight. It will run through the evening and finish up tomorrow. I am hoping the weather will be OK even though they are predicting rain and storms. We have had so much rain I wish it would stop and let the ground dry up a little bit. As they are having the Relay for Life on a large Soccer field, I hope it is not too soaked. I will be walking for as long as I can.

The Relay for Life is a major fund raiser for the American Cancer Society. They do so much good work from providing transportation for cancer patients, housing when patients and families must go out of town for consultation or treatment. ACS provides funds for research for many different types of cancers. ACS has helped many people in our communities across this great land.

If you have a Relay for Life coming up in your area I hope you will participate and have a good time while helping so many others.

Good luck to all the participants and our Thanks go out to all the volunteers and organizations that have helped this year and all years past. Good health to all and god bless.

Visiting Cardiologist to get off Ace Inhibitors from Cancer Treatments

2009-05-04T10:05:00.001-07:00

Wednesday I go to the Cardiologist for an Echo cardiogram. I have to talk to him about getting off the Ace Inhibitors as one of the side effects is a cough. A dry hacking cough that after almost 2 years feels worse to me than the reason I started taking them. When you take Herceptin it can effect how your heart pumps blood (the strength of the pumping action). With the combination of a beta blocker and ace inhibitor my cardiologist was able to get my reading back up high enough for me to finish the full treatment (52 weeks) with Herceptin. I finished that two months ago and I really hope that when I see him Wednesday he will be able to take me off the Ace Inhibitors. I had already been taking the beta blockers due to a rise in my pulse rate when I was put on Taxol but I was only given the ace inhibitor last July. When it first started making me cough I thought it might be allergies so I went to the ENT and he gave me a prescription for Singular ($100.00 for 30 days). I tried it but did not make that much difference. My oncologist office had a new doctor start and I was transferred to him. The first time I saw him I told him about the cough and he said it was from the Ace Inhibitor. Telling me it was a common side effect. My surgeon told me the same thing last time I saw him. Well, now the coughing has gotten so bad that to me it is worse than the heart problem. I cough all day long. Anytime I have to talk for any length of time my throat wants to make me cough. You know that tiny little "I have a Hair in my Throat" cough that just won't go away. You suck on throat lozenges, take cough medicine, hot tea, anything to try to make it go away. I have sucked on so many cough drops I have gained 10 pounds in the last 6 months. And menthol drops make it worse. Well, enough complaining, I just plan to get off these and maybe I will quit coughing and will also be able to sleep. Haven't done much of that in the past 9 months because of the cough. If anyone has had this type of problem and has a solution to it please let me know, I would greatly appreciate it.
Good health to you all, Leigh

Hydration, Health Drinks, Energy Drinks and History, Who Knew!

2009-04-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

Cancer patients are told that keeping hydrated is one of the most important thing you need for your body. You are told to drink a full glass of water with your medication and when you have chemo because if you are not hydrating these chemicals can become concentrated in your blood and body and become toxic. This is all very true. (I found out the hard way when my toe nail began bleeding and fell off from Taxol toxicity.) The following is a brief history of health drinks and energy drinks that I found very interesting.

Always discuss with your doctor what drinks you can and can not have and how much you can have.

Health Drinks: A History

Ancient Chinese have long believed in the benefits of drinking natural health drinks to improve one’s health disposition. Tea has been drunk for at least 4,000 years. While coffee has been around for centuries. Both have immense benefits for health improvement.

Tea was first discovered in China in 2737 B.C. According to Chinese records, the emperor would only drink water which is boiled to make sure that it was indeed clean. During a trip, a servant boiled water and a dried leaf fell on the boiling water. It turned the water brown but was still served to the emperor. The emperor drank the concoction and found it very refreshing.

Coffee, on the other hand, can be traced as early as the 9th century. Coffee was largely cultivated in Ethiopia. Soon, the Arabs started trading it, bringing it to northern Africa where it was mass-cultivated. After being popular in Africa, it started to enter Indian and European Markets.

Europe and Asia pioneered energy drinks. In 1901, the first energy drink was released in Scotland called Im-Bru. While in Japan, their energy drinks can be traced as early as the 1960s. Although they cite that there were already some attempts in mixing different minerals with water before World War II, they released Lipovitan in early 1960s. South Korea also produced “genki drinks” which were also energy drinks.

In 1929, Lucozade Energy was used as a hospital drink in the United Kingdom. This drink was primarily for helping the speedy recovery of hospital patients. In the 1980s, this drink was commercially released as an energy drink meant to replace lost energy.

The worldwide leading energy drink, Red Bull, was created and marketed by an Austrian entrepreneur. This leading energy drink was created in Europe. It was based on a Thai drink called Krating Daeng, which is also based on Lipovitan. Red Bull entered the United States market in 1997, and currently the dominant brand. It’s approximate market share is as big as 47 percent.

For sports drinks, the first one created was for the purpose of improving the performance of athletes and sports star, was for the Florida Gators. That is why the first product, which was released during 1960s, was called Gatorade. The main purpose of this drink is to provide to lengthen the performance levels and aid hydration of athletes.

As early as 1985, the United States had started to introduce energy drinks. They had the Jolt Cola. While in 1995, PepsiCo launched the Josta. This was the first energy drink made by a leading United States beverage company.

Since then, energy drinks have started to gain fair market share and popularity. More and more companies are taking advantage of such popularity and high demand.

Most people who consume energy drinks are within the range of 13 to 35 years old. Young adult and male drinkers comprise 65 percent of the target market.

Since 2001, the increase of the energy drink market has been increasing by 50 percent every year. Since this market is relatively new, with 20 years under its belt, there is still much hype about it.

More and more people seek out energy drinks and new developments. People are trying to be heath conscious amidst all the pressure of a high and fast paced life. With the demand increasing, there are unlimited possibilities.

We are trying to discover ways in fitting all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients we can have in just one gulp. Health can be just in one drink.

Maybe soon we will be living in the Real Sci-Fi world where all your vitamins and nutrients are in a pill or water. The question is are we ready to give up the taste of steak, lobster, squash, baked potato with sour cream, chives and bacon bits, or chocolate cake. No, I don't think so! Eat Healthy, Drink Healthy

There are still Kind and Generous People out there, even in these Hard Times.

2009-04-28T09:25:00.000-07:00

Today I received a donation from a wonderful person in Dallas, TX. I wish to thank her for her generosity and to express my feelings of gratitude.

The past almost 2 years have sometimes been a struggle to keep going. The kindness and generosity of wonderful people like this person and the great friends and family I have are what have kept me going.

Due to the loopholes in my state's Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer bill I am not covered. I was diagnosed at a doctor's office and was sent directly to the hospital for a mammogram and then to the surgeons. I did not even know about the program as I had only lived here for 9 months and I had no insurance.

I want to Thank everyone that has helped, from a donation of cash to donation of items to sell on eBay. From food brought over for us to transportation to the doctors. Every little thing that you have done is a "Big Thing" to me and my family. God Bless to you all and Thank You Again. Leigh

Cancer Patients - Swine Flu - Take Precautions - Stay Safe

2009-04-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

There has been much news yesterday and today about the SWINE FLU coming up from Mexico.

As a Cancer Patient you must be more diligent than most when you hear about this type of breakout.

Take extra precaution when out in public. If you see someone is coughing or sneezing try to stay as far away from them as possible and cover your mouth and nose. This will help keep you from breathing in anything they may be coughing or sneezing out.

I know that if your blood white count is low you should not be out in a crowd but sometimes you just have to be there. (doctor's offices, testing facilities, etc.) WEAR A MASK!!! My doctor told me that I did not need to wear my mask at her office even if my white count was low. Even people with cancer do get colds and the flu. Should you take a chance. I say NO! When I was taking chemo my white counts dropped down to 500. I wore my mask anytime I left my house or when company was coming over.

Little children can be some of the most contagious because they are exposed to other kids at daycare and school. When your grandchild comes up to give you a hug, do you push him away. I don't think so. If you have explained to him that you have to wear the mask to get better he will understand and my grandson told me it was the most important thing I could do. GET WELL! (I love that little guy) I even let him draw funny pictures on some of mine to make it easier for him.

Even the most well meaning neighbor or friend can have a sniffle. Protect yourself.

The Swine Flu has already caused many deaths in Mexico and there are many cases being reported in the US and the World.

Sanitize, Wash Hands, keep from touching eyes and mouth, and cover your mouth with a tissue if you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue away.

Protect Yourself and the best of health to you all.

for more information go here

A Must Read on Alternative Cancer Treatments!

2009-04-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

STOP! You must read this information before you decide about your cancer treatment. Over 350 non-toxic natural and alternative treatments that have helped thousands of people beat their cancer. Over 2,000 testimonials! Success rates for surgery, chemo and radiation revealed! Free information on financial and other help available. Download this set of 4 e-Books and Reports NOW. It could save your life.

Click on any of the books to get more information on these 4 e-Books. I found the information great and will be using it in the future to stay cancer free.

AL Rep. Lea Fite's Cancer Bill goes to Gov. Riley

2009-04-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

Representative Lea Fite (D-Jacksonville) has gotten his bill to improve cancer treatment for the women of Alabama passed by the State Senate this week and the bill will go to Governor Riley to be signed into law.

The purpose of the bill is to increase treatment coverage of Breast and Cervical Cancer for women who qualify for Medicaid. Under the current law, Medicaid only covers treatment if women are diagnosed at a federally funded clinic. The bill would expand coverage for women who are diagnosed at other health care providers.

"As a husband of a breast cancer survivor, I know how terrible it is for families who have to go through this. We had good insurance, and I don't know how women go through it with no insurance." said Fite.

Thank you Representative Fite for offering HOPE to the Women of Alabama.

History of Relay for Life - American Cancer Society event

2009-04-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was telling you about the Relay for Life event coming up in May that helps the American Cancer Society with all they do for cancer patients and their families, research, and information.

I was wondering how the Relay for Life got started and thought I would let you know what I found out. Enjoy the story.

History of Relay For Life

One person can make a difference. Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, which began in Tacoma, Washington, as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.

In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed—running marathons.

In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised $27,000 to fight cancer.

That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course.

While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought about how others could take part. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Months later he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.

In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event on the track at the colorful, historical Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.

I hope you found the story inspirational and get started with your own team this year.

for more information go here.

Relay for Life helps the American Cancer Society

2009-04-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

How to Participate
Relay brings people together from all walks of life with the common goal of eliminating cancer. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay. Join us today!

Become a Team Captain
Fighting cancer is a team effort. The strength of people coming together for a common cause is greater than the strength of one.

Donor/Sponsor
Relay For Life is a great way for corporations to demonstrate their commitment to fighting cancer in the community.

Survivorship Activies
Please join us as our honorary guest in the Survivors Lap, which begins Relay for Life. Your strength and courage help the community see that cancer survivorship is real--that we are making progress in the battle against cancer.

Volunteer
Relay for Life is a community gathering, where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. We need your help before, during, and after Relay.

Sign up and Participate in the Relay for Life!! No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay. Join us today!

go here for more information

Check up today, Mammogram time

2009-04-08T17:26:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note to say my Mammogram came out clear today. Had it taken yesterday and got the results today. Just some information for anyone who has been put on Ace Inhibitors for their heart. If you have a dry cough check with your doctor. Ace Inhibitors are known to cause dry coughs. After going to the Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor and him just changing my allergy medicine ( to one that cost $100.00 per month supply) and saying we will just have to try a few different ones till one works, I found out that it is very common for the Ace Inhibitors to cause the cough. So if you have this problem check this out. Information only. I hope to get off the Ace Inhibitors soon so maybe the cough will go away, please. Well, this was just a quick note so I will be back soon. If you have had similar problems please let me know how you solved them. Leigh

Finished with Chemotherapy, Ya!!

2009-02-28T14:38:00.000-08:00

This week has been a great week for me. I have finished the 52 week regimen of Herceptin.
My chemo nurse, Leisa, said I am only the second person she has administered Herceptin to that has been able to get the full 52 week regimen. I had to take a 3 month break from July to September because it caused my infarction rate to drop below 50 (the second time I had to stop) but based on the fact that all the research I have read stated finishing the full 52 weeks gave you the highest percentage in results of effectiveness I felt it was worth continuing until I got the full 52 weeks. The damage to the heart should only be temperary and the heart infarction rate should continue to increase back up to normal. My sister, husband and I went out to dinner to celebrate. Now all I have left if the anti-hormone therapy, Femara, for 4 more years. I have a good feeling that I will not have a reaccurance of the breast cancer. There were times I really did not know if all the treatments would really make that much difference but I do believe they will. All I can say at this point is "It is over". I will be listing the other organizations that I started listing and please check back for them. I just had to let everyone know the good news. Health, Wealth, and Love to all

2009-02-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

The following is a list of ORGANIZATIONS for information about Breast Cancer
This is just a partial list, from the book "100 Questions and Answers about Breast Cancer", and I will list more in the coming days:

American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
1-800-ACS-2345

American Society of Clinical Oncology
www.asco.org
703-299-0150

Avon Breast Cancer Foundation
www.avoncrusade.com

Breastcancer.org
www.breastcancer.org
an online nonprofit organization

American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
www.medicalacupuncture.org
323-937-5514

Breast Cancer Resource Committee
www.bcresource.org
202-261-3518

Breast Cancer Society of Canada
www.bcsc.ca
800-567-8767

Will list more tomorrow and Good Health to all.

Leigh

Some Cancer Websites for Breast Cancer Information

2009-02-11T13:31:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone, Today I am going to list some web sites with General Cancer Information.

This list is from the back of the book I told you about yesterday and I am sure there are many more today as the internet gets larger and larger everyday. This is for information only and may be of some help in finding information for yourself or a loved one. Good Health to all.

411 Cancer.com

About.com (search on "cancer")

BCDG.org

Breast Cancer Answers/University of Wisconsin Comprehensive

Cancer Center, www.medsch.wisc.edu/bca/bca.html

CancerLinks.org

CancerSource.com

CancerWiseTM/MD Anderson Cancer Center, http://www.cancer-wise.org/

National Cancer Institute's Cancer Net Service, cancernet.nci.nih.gov/index.html

TheBreastClinic.com

WCN.org

www.medsch.wisc.edu/bca/link.html

YWCA.org/html/B4d1.asp

if you know of more let us know.

Tomorrow I will list some of the organizations listed in the book.

Please check back.

100 Q & A about Breat Cancer

2009-02-10T08:20:00.000-08:00

Hi, Sometimes the best made plans fall apart, I had planned the post every week starting in November when I did my last post but the Holidays, Chemo, Doctor visits, more test and so on and so on I haven't. Sorry. I am doing pretty good right now. Started back on the Herceptin to get in my 52 treatments and so far my heart infarction rate has stayed high enough to continue. Right now I have 2 treatments left.
I have been trying to sell items on eBay to help with the Doctor payments. Friends have given me item to sell and some have but I have some great items listed and will be listing some more this week. Go to my eBay store, Decor Glass and Home at www.ebay.com and see if there is something you may find to purchase and help me pay the doctors.
I came across a book that I have found answers a lot of questions about breast cancer. I am not sure where I got it but your oncologist may be able to get it as my copy is compliments of AstraZeneca. It goes into a lot of information about what causes breast cancer, how will breast cancer treatment affect intimacy and sexuality, what are the options available for treatment, and how do I get my life back to normal. It is by Zora K. Brown and Harold P Freeman, MD.
It is published by Jones and Bartlett (info@jbpub.com or www.jbpub.com ). I would check with my doctors or the local library. I am going to start listing some of the resources that are in the back of the book so please check back. Good Health to you all and Hang in There. Leigh

Updates on Cancer Treatments!

2008-11-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody, Sorry I have not made any postings. I thought I had but discovered I had only written them in the word processor but never got them to the blog. BAD, BAD Girl.

Well, it has been a while since I have blogged. Much has happened and I will try to catch everyone up as quick as possible. I will list these post in cronilogical order and try to get everyone caught up within a couple of days.

This is the "Post" I wrote in Jan 2008.

I last wrote in October and I was on the Taxol at that point. I was on Taxol until December 6th (my last treatment) and I thought I actually had done pretty good getting through with it. Unfortunately I got Taxol Toxcitity and during the month of December and January I have
had three toenails on each foot turn red and one started bleeding from under the nail. I have had continual edima in my left foot and had to go in early for a Mugga Scan , the end of December instead of the middle of Jan. I also had to have a Doppler Veinese done on my left leg at that time. My doctor was worried about a blood clot in my left leg and heart problems from the Herceptin that I am still taking on a weekly basis. Both test came out negative and I am now wearing support hose trying to get the swelling down in my left foot. On the nice side, my husband and I had a great holiday visiting with family and friends.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2007-10-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and believe me when I say most women have no idea just how aware they need to be. I found a lump in my right breast the end of May, 2007.
Read the following article about some new Survey results just out!!

Breast Cancer 'knowledge' often includes more myth than fact:
by Judy Peres Chicago Tribune

On the eve of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a new survey suggests raising awareness of the disease is a misplaced priority.

The vast majority of women already consider themselves quite knowledgeable about the disease, which is expected to kill 40,000 women in the U.S. this year. But their "knowledge" often includes more myth than fact, the survey found.

"We're surrounded by pink ribbons and other messages about raising awareness," said Fran Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, which commissioned the survey. "But these popular efforts lull the public into a false sense that adequate progress is being made.

One "stunning' example, she said, is that people still believe heredity is the cause of the majority of breast cancer cases, although in reality only 5 percent to 10 percent of breast cancer is caused by genetic mutations that can be inherited.

The survey, which is being released today, the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also found that 7 out of 10 women believe eating enough fruits and vegetables can help prevent breast cancer. In reality, there's no good evidence that is true.

Other Finding:

The majority of all women (and nearly two-thirds of those ages 18 to 24) believe breast cancer can be prevented. In reality, there are only a few things women can do to reduce (but not eliminate) the risk of developing the disease, such as not drinking alcohol and not taking hormones. The biggest risk factors are being female and getting older.

Nearly all women believe early detection of breast cancer is important for saving lives, and 4 out of 10 think self-exam is the best way to find the disease early -- the same proportion that think mammograms are the best way. But large clinical trials have shown that self-exams do not prevent death from breast cancer although they do lead to anxiety and unnecessary biopsies.

Even mammography screening, which has been shown to reduce the risk of dying of breast cancer, is less effective than most women think, Visco said. Mammograms can be inaccurate and come with unadvertised costs, including the risk of being diagnosed and treated for a tumor that would never have caused problems.

The National Breast Cancer Coalition's immediate priority, Visco said, is to make certain the public and political candidates are informed.

Because public policy is essentially a political issue, she said, the coalition has launched the Breast Cancer Caucus (www.breastcancercaucus.org), asking all presidential candidates to outline their plans for universal health care and their specific approaches to breast cancer research, prevention and care.

The coalition's agenda includes guaranteed access to quality health care for everyone, increased government funding for breast cancer research and enactment by Congress of the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act.

The End of "Red Devil" Cancer Chemo

2007-09-10T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, I have made it through my last "Big Red Devil" chemo treatment.

Sort of anyway. My white count has gone down to 300, which is the lowest I have had so far and my red counts have also gone very low. My doc was out of town so I saw her associate. I was given antibiotics to take and we passed on a shot for my red count since I had such a bad reaction to the last one (given in the hospital). I developed a rash, first little itchy splotches then lots of red bumps, on my arms, legs, chest, stomach and then my back. I was putting Calydryl lotion on all of it because it itched so bad I could not sleep. This went on for a week. I do not want to go through that again if we can avoid it. Because my counts have gone down so low I have no energy, shortness of breath if I move around very much, coughing, and my pulse goes up just going into the kitchen to fix a meal or to water the plants on my screened porch. I sometimes wonder just how much damage the chemo has done to my heart. I guess I will try to find out when I see my doctor next week.

The next chemo is Taxol. Taxol is suppose to be hard on the heart also and I wonder about the cumulative effect both will have on my heart. My Red and White Blood counts will be affected also. I thought I was pretty healthy in general, could loss a little weight and tone up some but had not had any major problems before finding the breast cancer. All the test (EKG, Mugga Scan, CT Scan, Stress Test, etc.) have not shown a problem but how much can the heart take. Sometimes it feels like it is going to beat out of my chest. I am not use to sitting and doing nothing. Just sitting here doing this blog entry I can feel my heart beating hard. My chemo nurse said that Taxol is a chemo drug that many people have allergic reactions to and they recommend giving the first treatment in the hospital so if there is a reaction you will get immediate attention. Sometimes I wonder if I will make it through all this, and sometimes I wonder if my husband will make it through.
He has been wonderful and has been doing his best to make me take care of myself. He is my hero!!! I would be lost without him.
I will let you know what happens next week. Keep checking back and let me know if you have any info that my readers would find helpful.

Fighting Breast Cancer, Chemo Treatments

2007-08-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, another month is almost over and I have been somewhat“under the weather”. The reactions I have been having to my Chemo treatments have been getting worse with each treatment. The Adriamycin (Big Mean Red) and Cytoxan have made my body reject my body. I have had 3 treatments so far with only 1 left. I hope I can make it through that last one.

My 2nd treatment caused blisters, mouth sores, dizziness, and my hair finally fell out the day before my 3rd treatment. I had a strange reaction to either the Chemo or the Neulasta. My neck/jaw swelled out like a grapefruit. It did not swell inside my throat, only on the outside. It felt as if my jaw joint locked up and right below my ear became terribly swollen. It started only on the right side. The swelling started going down after I took an antihistamine. After sleeping on the right side that night the swelling went to the left side but was not as pronounced. It was 2 days before the swelling completely went down. If anyone else has ever felt this please let me know because my oncologist has never heard of anything like it before. Since that time I have had less severe reactions like it about 4 times. Sometime my jaws just ache but I get no swelling.

My 3rd treatment was going fairly well until the 8th day after Chemo. I was standing in my kitchen (not doing anything strenuous) when I felt like someone stabbed me in the chest, kicked me in the back and pain ran up the right side of my neck. I have never experienced anything like that before and I will be honest and say it scared the heck out of both my husband and myself. Since it was after office hours, we went to the Emergency Room. If you are a Chemo patient and go to the ER, wear a mask and protect yourself as best you can because, as much as they may try, the ER staff can not protect you from being exposed to other sick people in the emergency room. After a EKG and blood test we were told that I had not had a heart attack. But they wanted to do a CT Scan to rule out a Pulmonary or Cardiac Embolism (blood clot). Now that really scared us. I had the CT Scan and thankfully it came out negative. At this point I was told I would be admitted for the evening so that they could do a stress test the next morning. (talk about being stressed). I have a mediport. I was told it was for the Chemo treatments and also that it would make for easier access drawing blood if I went in the hospital. Well, I might think it would be easier for them but in the future I might want them to take the blood out of my arm as every time they took it from the port they had to take 1 tube of waste to clear before taking the tubes they needed for the test and then another tube of waste after the blood for the test (which I did not really understand why they had to take one after they drew the blood). So after having had blood drawn 6 different times in a 12 hour period, I turned out to be anemic(low red count). Can't understand why! My oncologist ordered a shot to help bring up my red blood count and ordered more blood work. My white counts were just starting to come up, from 500 on Monday, 1100 Tuesday, to 2000 on Wendsday.

After I had my Stress Test on Wendsday morning , 8am, my admitting Dr. said I would be able to go home after the Cardiologist read it and the test was negative. So I waited and waited, with nurses telling me they had seen the Cardiologist in the hospital but sometime he does not read all his test until later in the day. So I waited and waited. Nurses telling me the test was in his box. So I waited and waited. If it was so important that I stay in the hospital over night to have this test, why had it not been read. Now I have no insurance and if this test was not an emergency, could it have been done on an outpatient basis. All day we have been asking about going home as I was told I would be and did not want to keep accumulating charges for just sitting and waiting. At 10:00pm the nurses said they guessed it would be the next day before the stress test would be read. Well, I guess it was not an emergency!! At this point, talk about getting STRESSED!!!, that was me. I was MAD!!! Finally at midnight a nurse came on duty that could tell something needed to be done to get me released. She got the Stress test read, it was negative and I was allowed to go home. They never did find out what caused the pain and symptoms I went to the ER for.
I slept for 6 hours straight and felt so much better when I woke up. Since then I have had hot flashes, rashes, my jaw hurting, and aches all over. Tomorrow I go to the oncologist to have my blood counts run and hopefully they will be high enough so that I can have my last “Big Mean Red” Chemo treatment on Wendsday and stay on schedule. I want to be done with “Big Mean Red".

The Chemo nurse, Lisa, has been great and informs me that the next set of chemo treatments, 12 weekly treatments of Toxal, will not be as hard on my system as these first 4 treatments. It can affect my blood counts, heart, and my hair won't start growing back until I finish but this means I may get a little of my hair back by Christmas.
I have to keep looking to the positive when I can find it.
Please let me know if you have ever had or heard of a reaction like the swelling in the jaws or the chest/back/neck pain and feel free to comment.

Cancer Chemo Side Effects, Doctor Bills

2007-08-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody, a new entry to my Cancer Blog has been overdue. Sorry, I have been a little under the weather. My white blood counts came up to above 4,000 on Fri. July 27th which allowed me to stay on schedule with my Chemotherapy treatments. I went in on July 30th for another “Big Mean Red” treatment. It took a little longer to get my treatment this time, around 3 hours. I seem to be having more side effects this time. Some nausea (not a lot due to the 5 medications to prevent it), dizziness, heart palpitations, higher blood pressures, and my hair is coming out. Today, as we speak little pieces of hair are just floating off my head. My hair is about 2-3 inches long so it is easy to see. I did not think it would make much difference but I wish it would hurry and come out so I did not have to watch it come out little by little. I am worried about my white blood count dropping since I am already so tired. I go back on Monday to have my CBC check.

Now, my gripe of the week. Doctor bills, Doctor bills, Doctor bills. I do not understand how the doctors, hospitals, assorted doctors of who know what service, pharmaceutical companies expect a private pay person to come anywhere close to being able to cover some of the ridicules charges that get added to bills. $20.35 for a bottle of Chloresptic throat spray when on the bottle the price is listed as $2.85 with insurance and $1.84 without insurance. I arranged payment for the anesthesiologist for my surgery and now I get a bill for a CRNA Anesthesia Service that I knew nothing about. If he is a Nurse Assistant then why is he charging the same as the Doctor. How do you dispute these charges? You sign anything they want you to, because your life is at stake and in their hands. You are at their mercy or lack of mercy. Sometimes it feels so helpless and frustrating.

I hope you will check back as I update this blog with reports on My treatments, My prognosis, My feelings, Information I have learned (that hopefully can help others as well as myself), and anything else that comes "Popping" into my mind.

Any comments, information, or thoughts are welcomed.

P.S. Because we are some of the millions of Americans who could not get Health Insurance, we are asking anyone who may desire to do so to donate towards our ever increasing medical costs. Go to http://www.fyitoday.com/cancer/donate.html

"LITTLE MEAN RED DEVIL" CHEMO

2007-07-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody.

Well, I promised to tell you about the “Little Mean Red Devil”chemotherapy. But first a couple things that happened the week before I started Chemo.

I had what they call Chemo training at my ocologist offfice. Chris (the chemo nurse) answered all my questions and gave me many tips to help make the treatment go easier. One was to go ahead and cut my hair (see photo above) as it will be coming out in clumps probably about the 10th day and it might make is less traumatic if I cut it now. We made it a positive event by cutting it really short, Military style. I have never had my hair this short before and Lordy, what a difference!!

I went back into surgery and had a dual mediport installed under the skin of my left shoulder/chest area. I feel every day that a new part has been added or taken away from my body. Sometimes it feels like it is just too much!! The pain was worse than I expected and I have had problems sleeping. Right side, Mastectomy, Left side, Port. OUCH!!! and I can't sleep on my back. I have little pillows everywhere trying to help. Well, to my chemotherapy treatment!

" Little Mean Red Devil"
It comes in these great big huge horse syringes (I got 2), and if I was a horse and saw them coming at me I'd run. However, I could not run from my first chemo treatment. It was a week ago yesterday, and the young lady who gave me the treatment first started off to giving me three different nausea medications to help me take the chemo easier. This was on top of the 3 nausea medications I had to purchase before starting my chemo. The nausea medications can actually make you a little nauseous in themselves. I sit in a recliner, IV hooked up to my Mediport as Lisa orders my chemo medications. The Chemo medications come up and she says it's called the "Little Red Devil", because it's a really nasty. She gives me a couple of information sheets on the drugs I will be receiving. The name of the drug is “ADRAMYCIN” and it kills cancer cells, which is what you want it to do but, it also kills good cells, one of the side effects. Some of the side effects are: decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection, decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, sores in mouth or on lips, irregular heartbeat, heart damage, and darkening of the nail beds and skin creases of hands. I was also given the chemo drug Cycloposphamide last Monday and some of the side effects are: thinned or brittle hair, darkened or thickened skin, acne (now I never had an acne problem as a teenager and I really do not want one now), mouth blistering and fatigue, cough, congestion, fever,dizziness, chills, shortness of breath, sore throat, swelling of feet and ankles, nausea and vomiting, and rash. Sounds like lots of fun doesn't it. One of the nausea medications also gave me terrible hot flashes on my face, it felt like my face was on fire.

While undergoing chemo, your Blood Counts will be checked often. Low Blood Counts are VERY serious! White blood cells, red blood cells, you platelets and your doctor will be checking all of it now. You will be very susceptible to infections, especially 7 to 10 days after the drug is given. Yesterday was my seventh day. The average white blood cell count is between 4,500 to 10,500. They don't even consider giving chemotherapy if you're below 3,000. Well, my white blood count was 600. With the White Count of 600 you are very, very susceptible to any type of infection. Which would put me in the hospital!!

It's really upsetting when you walk out of the doctor's office and the nurse gives you a prescription to take to the hospital saying at you are a chemotherapy patient. It's almost as if they're expecting you to go to the hospital. Any type of infection, any type of fever, (anything over 100.4 is considered a serious fever when you're on chemotherapy), a sore throat, a scratch mark , a bug bite, anything at all can become a major problem. You have to keep your strength up, but you're tired. You're exhausted. I cough, just from a fan blowing across my face, and coughing irritates my throat, making it sore. I have to check my temperature four to five times a day just to make sure that I'm not getting an infection. The fear of getting sicker is almost paralyzing. They give you a little face mask to wear if you go out because if someone coughs on you, you could end up in the hospital. You aren't suppose to go out in the yard (bugs, scratches, etc). Your body is holding you prisoner. Forget fast food, you won't want to take a chance. I have gotten a horrible taste that does not want to go away. Skittles candy helps. You should not touch fruit or vegetables, have someone else clean and peel them for you.

Sometimes it seems the precautions the nurses and doctors give you seem so absurd. You are not helpless. You can sometimes actually can feel pretty good. But then I turn and look into my husband's eyes and see how helpless he feels, I have to realize that if I do something stupid, I am not hurting just me, He and I are in this together and I have to do my part and not take stupid chances.

Well, my head is tingling (which the nurse says is the hair folicals being disturbed by the chemo) and I am not suppose to rub or scratch it. So I think I will take a shower and just let the water beat down on it. I will write again soon.

If your mastectomy area gets tight, I suggest the ACS booklet : Exercises After Breast Surgery. These exercises have helped me a great deal with the tightness/pain from the surgery. Be sure to check with your Doctor before starting any exercises.

Under the Knife!!

2007-07-17T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, Sorry it has taken so long for my next entry but I have been really busy.

To continue bringing you up to date, on June 14th I had a Mastectomy of my right breast. As a person that had been fairly healthy all her life and never had any type of major surgery before, the experience was daunting. I went into the same day surgery area at 8:00 am, got into my little gown (actually I am thankful that they had a big gown, as I am almost 6' tall and not a little girl), and waited. The nurses were wonderful as my husband and I were pretty nervous and scared about the whole thing. I was sent down to surgery about 10:00am and back to recovery by 11:45am. I was given morphine in the recovery room to help with the severe pain and it knocked me out for a while.

We had to wait for a room since the hospital was very crowded that day, and I got to my room about 5:00pm. I was surprised that it was not more painful (after that episode down in the recovery room), but I was not going to do a lot of moving to see how far I could push it! I really am not into pain! My poor husband slept on a little pull out chair bed in my room that night and I think he woke up in more pain than I did. I went home on the 15th at around 4pm. I was very pleased with the care I had gotten. I was surprised that I got to go home so soon because originally, I was told it would be a two to three day stay. However, I was glad to get home. My husband took wonderful care of me. I would be lost without him.

I would like to thank the young lady for the American Cancer Society "Reach to Recovery" program, Kay Camp, that came by to see me at the hospital. She was very helpful in answering all my husband's and my questions, bringing booklets that gave me further information on what would be going on from here. I found the information gave me answers and also questions to ask my doctors. I understand that all the "Reach for Recovery" women have been through breast cancer surgery so they know first hand what you are experiencing and you are free to ask them anything. Kay was wonderful.

On June 23rd I went back to the surgeon's office to have my surgery checked. He took out the drain. My comments on the drain are:
1. Be sure you are careful not to pull on the line. It is sutured into your skin and will hurt if you pull on it, OUCH!!!
2. The "Reach to Recovery" pack has a little sack that ties around your neck for hanging the drain at a comfortable height so you do not have to pin it to your clothes. This works pretty well but can make you neck tired.
3. Be sure to hang it low enough that you get good drainage. I was getting 75-100 cc for the first 4 days then it started tapering off to just 50 cc.
Dr. Smith took the drain out on this visit. When he pulled the tube that extended under the skin out it hurt quite a bit.(again OUCH!!!!!!!) He also took out about 2/3 of the staples. I think I was more scared of this than having the drain out because I could just imagine a big staple remover like I use in my office pinching the staples out. Fortunately, except for a little pinch on some of the staples all went well. I went home with 22 staples still in and a bandage over the tube hole.

The "Good News" that came from this office visit is the lymph nodes that were tested by pathology came back clear. They took out two lymph nodes at surgery (I forgot to mention the blue radioactive dye they shoot into your breast about an hour before surgery so they can find the sentinel nodes with a geiger counter. This also makes you pee green for a couple of days) and did a frozen test to let the surgeon know if all the nodes had to be taken out. Mine did not. This means I will be less likely to have Lymphedema (numbness in the arm, swelling, dry skin, fluid backup, problems with fingernails and more due to the circulation of the lymph fluids through the arm) problems in the future.

I AM determined to be upbeat about what we are going through. I WILL NOT let this beat me. I will fight it tooth and nail. I had an appointment with my Chemotherapy Doctor and will go into that in my next entry.

I want to thank my sister, Dedie, for coming to the hospital to sit with my husband, visit with me, and for coming to the house and visiting so he could take a nap and run errands. We have had a great time playing cards (canasta) and backgammon. We really appreciate her help during this time and always.

Please keep your well wishes coming and your prayers as they are greatly appreciated.

If you think you may have a lump and you are not sure what to do-GO TO YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. Do not hesitate even a week as it often takes some time to get into the doctors office. If they give you a hard time about seeing you, Tell them it is an EMERGENCY, that you think you have found a lump and you need it checked now!! If you still can not get in to see the doctor within a reasonable time then it is time to find a new doctor!!!!

That's it for now! Next time I'll go into my experience with the “horrors” of the “red devil” and the rest of Chemotherapy.

I hope you will check back as I update this blog with reports on My treatments, My prognosis, My feelings, Information I have learned (that hopefully can help others as well as myself), and anything else that comes "Popping" into my mind.

Any comments, information, or thoughts are welcomed.

P.S. Because we are some of the millions of Americans who could not get Health Insurance, we are asking anyone who may desire to do so to donate towards our ever increasing medical costs. Go to http://www.fyitoday.com/cancer/donate.html

Ambushed by Breast Cancer !

2007-07-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

by Leigh Ellis

The thought that I might get Breast Cancer was not something I thought would ever happen. None of the women in my family had ever had breast cancer and I felt I was fairly healthy. I am a little overweight and should exercise more. I take my vitamins and do my breast checks ( if not every month at least every couple months).

I was working in the yard around the end of April and trimming some holly bushes when a bee flew down my shirt and bra. I thought I had been stung. I have terrible reactions to bee stings so I went inside and took an antihistamine. The right breast started itching and swelled up a little. I put some benadryle gel on the spot. Over the next couple of days the swelling started going down but I had a little lump there. I sometime react to bee stings and bug bites this way so I did not think too much about it. But it did not go away. It did not hurt but it did itch occasionally.

Around the middle of May I had to find a doctor in the area in order to get a new prescription for thyroid medicine. (I may not have mentioned we were new to the area and did not have regular doctors yet). The doctor I saw asked if I would like a referral for a GYN. I said not yet, Thank you. When I got home it made me wonder about the lump in my breast and I told my husband about it. He suggested that maybe I should have it checked. I thought about it for a couple of days and we decided to go back to the doctors office to see what they thought.

Well, to say the least, May 23rd was the start of a new battle ahead that would turn our lives upside down. The doctor immediately arranged for a mammogram and for me to see a Surgeon for a Biopsy. The surgeon did a 3 Needle Biopsy on May 30th. We got the results of the biopsy on June 6th. I had Breast Cancer !

I am trying to bring you up to date with the effect this has had on my body, mind, spirit, and psyche. Also the effect this has had on my husband, family, friends, neighbors and everyone around me. Cancer is insidious and the very word is scary as Hell! It grows and affects every part of your life. We have fought it twice with my husband's Mother and Father and lost both times. This has thrown us for a loop to say the least!

I hope you will check back as I update this blog with reports on My treatments, My prognosis, My feelings, Information I have learned (that hopefully can help others as well as myself), and anything else that comes "Popping" into my mind.

Any comments, information, or thoughts are welcomed.

P.S. Because we are some of the millions of Americans who could not get Health Insurance, we are asking anyone who may desire to do so to donate towards our ever increasing medical costs. Go to http://www.fyitoday.com/cancer/donate.html