Susan's Special Needs

2012-01-26T14:10:00.001-08:00

Your Cancer Survival Plan: “Life After Treatment” Programs That Help You Cope

By Britta Aragon on March 11, 2011 | 4 Comments

Once we have been declared cancer free, we may think that we’re all done. It’s over. Yay, right? In a way, it is, but only one part of the journey. I know from my own experience, from having watched my father go into remission five times, and from the stories I’ve heard from other survivors that “surviving” isn’t an ending—it’s really a new beginning. After all, cancer leaves us with a body we no longer understand. We may have scars, missing parts, swelling, unexplained aches and pains, numbness, and fatigue. Emotionally we feel like we’ve been through a war. The rush of treatment is over and suddenly all the fear, sadness, and loss bubble to the surface. “Who am I now?” and “What just happened to me?” are some of the questions I asked myself after surviving cancer at 16 years old.

Fortunately, there is help. Many cancer centers, realizing that the struggle doesn’t end once the radiation stops, are creating survival programs that help people cope with the changes they face after treatment is over. The Cancer Wellness Center at Piedmont Health Care is one of them, helping survivors cope with programs like yoga, music and art therapy, social events, and massage. Doors are open to all cancer patients and survivors, no matter where they received treatment. Georgia Cancer Specialists, a Top 10 private cancer practice in the U.S., has implemented a “Life After Treatment” program to help patients cope with post-treatment doctor’s visits, tests, and concerns like fatigue and hair loss for months to years after treatment is over.

The Winship Cancer Institute is working on a similar program to offer follow-up care. They plan to implement a volunteer program that will match newly diagnosed patients with survivors, as well as offer treatment for the various long-term side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. “It is important to understand that it takes time to recover and adjust to life after a cancer diagnosis,” Winship’s site says. “Determining what is the new normal may take some time.”

The Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska offers a survivorship program that “helps address the physical and emotional challenges the cancer survivor experiences.” The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston provides the “Perini Family Survivor’s Center” to help survivors “access post-treatment follow-up care, including counseling and monitoring of long-term side effects of treatment.” They even include a specialized survivor program for children.

The list goes on. In fact, these programs are becoming so popular that you’re likely to find one at a cancer center or hospital near you. The point is that experts around the nation, from doctors to counselors to oncologists to survivors themselves, all realize that surviving cancer is a task best tackled with help and support from others.

“Far too many distressed cancer survivors are left to suffer alone,” said Mike Hobday, head of Macmillan Cancer Support. “It’s great that people are surviving cancer, but we cannot dessert them after their initial treatment is over.”

Fortunately, more survivor programs are in the works. Whether or not you have one available to you, realize that your journey doesn’t end when treatment stops. Seek support from counselors, support groups, nutritionists, massage therapists, acupuncturists, financial counselors, or whatever you need.

“Whether you are coping with the debilitating effects of therapy or you have no external physical evidence of the disease, research validates what you already know: cancer causes change,” writes Sherri Magee and Kathy Scalzo in Picking Up the Pieces. “Once your cancer treatments have ended, you face the challenging task of picking up the pieces of your life and putting them back together again.”

http://cincovidas.com/your-cancer-survival-plan-%E2%80%9Clife-after-treatment%E2%80%9D-programs-that-help-you-cope/

2012-01-26T14:07:00.000-08:00

Study Emphasizes Sun Protection over Water Consumption for Beautiful Skin

We’ve all heard that drinking 8 glasses of water a day keeps your skin glowing and dewy. However, a recent investigation by the British Nutrition Foundation found that protecting your skin from the sun along with maintaining a healthy diet is much more important in achieving a healthy complexion and fighting the signs of aging.

While drinking water is important as part of adequate nutrition, forcing down 8 glasses a day to keep your skin hydrated may not be necessary. According to the BNF, “There currently appears to be very little scientific evidence relating to the effects of water consumption on skin hydration, and whether drinking more or less water actually has any impact on skin appearance.” Instead, eating a healthy range of fruits and vegetables that contain vitamins A, B, C, and E and wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day are better actions to prevent wrinkles and fine lines.

Unprotected sun exposure is a proven cause of skin cancer as well as wrinkles andhyperpigmentation. This is one reason that legislation in California was recently passed that banned teens under 18 from tanning salons even if they had their parents’ permission. Sun exposure breaks down the support structures in the skin speeding up the aging process and producing fine lines and sunspots.

While it’s still important to regularly drink water, Dermatology Associates of Atlantaencourages our patients to take further measures to ensure the health of their skin and postpone the signs of aging from appearing.

For more information on anti-aging, skin cancer prevention or treatment, skincare, or dermatology contact us. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter with the latest in dermatology news and updates!

http://www.dermatlanta.com/Blog/2011/12/06/study-emphasizes-sun-protection-over-water-consumption-for-beautiful-skin/

2012-01-26T14:02:00.000-08:00

The Survivor's Nest - Five Tips for Yoga At Home

Submitted by Debbie

on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 07:49

Yoga doesn't take time, it gives time. - Ganga White

About two years ago, I took my first yoga class. I had no idea what to expect, but figured a class called "Stress Management Yoga" would move slowly enough for me to keep up. I've been going to this class ever since and love it.

With the basics under my belt, I was ready to create a home yoga practice. Yoga at home is different from yoga in class. For me, 20 minutes on the mat at home can be more intense than an hour class. I tend to move more fluidly into poses, because I am more focused and not not waiting for direction. Alone with my mat, I can pay more attention to my breathing and my body.

It's easy to create a home yoga practice:

1. Find a quiet place with enough floor space to set up your mat. My "yoga room" is a small family room we built off our kitchen last year. It's serene, full of natural light and uncluttered. I designed the room as a quiet space shut off from the public space of the kitchen and it's heaven with the doors closed.

2. Store your equipment within reach. When I first started to think about doing yoga at home, my yoga mat was stored in my car. Like I said, "I thought about doing yoga at home." I didn't actually do it because I couldn't get myself to walk outside to get the mat out of the car. Now, I own two yoga mats. One is still in the car and handy for class and the other is stored in a large crock pot in the corner of the yoga room with my blocks and strap. Seeing them in the room motivates me and I like that I can grab them right away and get started. Because yoga equipment is very reasonably priced, having two mats was an easy solution to my problem. (Amazon associates links.)

3. Make a music mix that moves you. My iPod is loaded with yoga playlists that range from serene to new age. Because I control the music at home, I can play whatever I want, as loud or soft as I want. I also enjoy doing yoga in silence, because you can never do that in class and silence focuses me that much more on the mind/body connection.

4. Create sacred space. In an earlier post, I shared five tips for creating sacred space. My yoga room surrounds me with my collection of souvenir plates and children's artwork. There are four pillows on the couch, each embroidered with a single word, "Peace," "Joy," "Love" and "Light." These words remind me of the chant learned from my yoga teacher, "Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu."Loosely translated, it means, “May the entire Universe be filled with Peace and Joy, Love and Light.”

5. Show up, even if it's only for 20 minutes. As Rodney Yee says, "The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind." The distractions of life and busy schedules can keep us from our serenity, but, if we remember to devote our bodies and minds to yoga for even a few minutes, those are minutes well spent.

Do you do yoga at home? If not, do you have another hobby or exercise activity that you practice at home? Have you made room for it in your home?

123RF Stock Photos and EJ Davis Photography. Thank you EJ for taking my photo, which will be used in a book she is putting together for the Pathway's Women's Cancer Teaching Project.

http://www.wherewegonow.com/debbies-blog/survivors-nest-five-tips-yoga-home

What is a Mammogram & How Does It Detect Breast Cancer?

2012-01-26T13:56:00.000-08:00

BREAST CANCER PREVENTION | by April Zubko | December 26th, 2011

A mammogram, also known as a digital mammography, is a low dose x-ray which captures a picture of the breast tissue. The breast is carefully positioned on a film cassette and gently compressed with a special paddle so that the maximum amount of tissue will appear in the image. This flattening also helps spread the tissue in dense parts of the breast more evenly so that a clearer picture of these areas can be obtained. It also helps doctors determine which changes are noncancerous (benign) and which are cancerous (malignant). Unlike the standard mammography, the digital mammography captures the images electronically and allows them to be viewed on a computer screen. Although the test is administered the same, the digital mammography enhances visibility by up to 300% making it more likely to see lumps and other abnormal changes that may be present in the breast tissue.

Women should begin their first mammogram at age 35 (first mammogram is a baseline x-ray). If the results of this screening are normal, then begin annual mammograms at age 40. For all women regardless of age, the Maurer Foundation recommends a monthly breast self-examination and a yearly clinical breast exam with a doctor.

There has been much confusion about whether the importance of cancer screenings have been overstated. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has even recommended that women ages 40-49 no longer needed to undergo routine mammograms. We couldn’t disagree more! It is our firm position and that of our founder breast surgeon Dr. Virginia Maurer that screenings can only give you knowledge and knowledge saves lives. (See our official statement.)

Many women ages 40-49 have had their breast cancer caught in it’s early stages as a result of a routine mammogram. Had these same women waited until age 50, their survival rate would certainly be lower as a result of their more advanced stage of breast cancer. According to a 2010 Swedish study, breast cancer mortality was reduced 29% for women ages 40-49 who received mammograms. Sandra Palmaro, CEO, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Ontario Region explains, “Since 1-in-6 women who die from breast cancer are diagnosed in their 40s, we simply cannot afford to see missed opportunities for earlier detection.”

Until there is a cure for breast cancer, early detection must play a vital role in safe-guarding lives; mammograms are a significant part of a breast cancer early detection strategy.

Screening mammograms are the routine basic mammograms that most women receive annually. Diagnostic mammograms take longer, are usually performed to receive a proper diagnosis and involve more pictures from different angles and even the magnification of suspicious areas.

Discuss your plan to get a mammogram with your doctor if you are pregnant, have breast implants, or you are positive for the breast cancer gene BRCA1 or BRCA2; special mammography recommendations may apply in these situations. Review our mammogram tips to prepare for the day. There’s also some great mammogram videos that explain the process and will help you visualize the process and the mammography machine a little better.

These are some example mammograms. The one on the left is normal. The one on the right shows an abnormality that would require further investigation.

Mammograms are only one type of breast imaging. Other types include breast MRIs and breast ultrasounds. These two types of breast imaging are usually only performed if a routine mammogram is inconclusive or if the patient has a high risk for breast cancer, due to lifestyle, genetics, or other breast cancer risk factors.

[Photos by istockphoto]

http://www.maurerfoundation.org/what-is-a-mammogram-how-does-it-detect-breast-cancer/3117

2012-01-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

When Does Survivor Status Start?

By Melanie Bone, MD, PA

The latest data available from the National Cancer Institute tells us that there are almost 12 million cancer survivors in the United States. But when do you actually become a survivor? Are you a survivor from the day you get cancer even if you don’t know you have it? Are you a survivor from the day you are diagnosed? Are you a survivor from the day you finish treatments? Five years later? Forever?

As a survivor, I can tell you that not everyone agrees on the definition. Before my own cancer, I thought that you could consider yourself a survivor if you made it five years from diagnosis. Now I realize how arbitrary and unimportant it is to assign a time frame to the definition.

My confusion about survivorship began when I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer at age 40. I had found an enlarged lymph node just before my fortieth birthday; but because my mammogram and sonogram were both normal, it was seven months before I went in for a biopsy. To say I had a lot on my plate at the time is an understatement: my four children were ages 2, 3, 4, and 5; I was working too much and too hard in my solo OB/GYN practice; I was doing my best to be a great wife to my trial lawyer husband; and I was training for marathons to stave off the heart disease that is so rampant in my family. Despite the overwhelming obligations that filled my life, I finally listened to my sixth sense and asked to have the node taken out. The diagnosis that followed was no surprise to me; somehow I knew.

I was less certain about when to call myself a survivor. While in bed suffering from chemotherapy-induced fatigue, I surfed the Internet to find cancer-related information and became interested in various advocacy and support organizations. But the membership forms stumped me; I didn’t know how to answer the question of how long I’d survived breast cancer. In my mind I wasn’t a survivor yet—I was a hanger-on in the middle of treatment.

I was confused. Did that mean I couldn’t join? A cheerful operator at one of the organizations cleared things up: anyone diagnosed with cancer is a survivor from the day they are diagnosed. What a great membership ploy! Theoretically, I could die of the disease before the end of chemotherapy and radiation and still be a member—and a very short-lived survivor.

As I considered the various definitions of survivor I encountered during this time, I came to realize that survivorship is highly individual. There are some survivors who, having just recently completed treatment, are well adjusted to their diagnosis and move forward like 10-year survivors. Conversely, there are some survivors who, at 15 years out, struggle with issues similar to patients still in the midst of initial treatment.

Still there are similarities in the stages and the challenges that survivors face. For most of us, the first five years are spent trying to avoid a recurrence while living in a state of chronic anxiety. We try to perfect our diet and exercise regimens and live “better.” We feel pressured to make the most of each day, just in case. Every ache and pain might be the cancer coming back. The scans we undergo to check for recurrence are torture.

Each of us engages in various techniques to control this anxiety and cope with the reality of the diagnosis: We work on rhythmic breathing and creative visualization; we listen to music; we distract ourselves with other activities; we engage in advocacy work. And some, like me, find that denial is the most useful approach, going on about their daily business and pushing their fears into the back of their minds, consciously and subconsciously ignoring or forgetting them.

For many of us, the coping strategies in these first years gradually give way to a fragile peace. Cancer stops being the first thing we think about in the morning

or the last thing we think about before bed. We slide back into old habits, stopping just short of settling completely back into being our old selves, always aware of the scars—emotional and physical—that remind us of the disease. The fear of a recurrence, even if dampened over the years, never completely goes away. Each person has triggers that bring cancer right back to the fore. It might be a smell or taste associated with cancer or hearing about someone else’s diagnosis. As we continue along, it becomes clear: our survivorship status will never really end.

Though we are individuals, our commonalities as survivors make us members of a club. Make no mistake; it is a club we never planned to join, but it has its benefits. Cancer survivors who meet other cancer survivors already have common ground on which to base a friendship. And many of us survivors, in time, feel that cancer was one of the best things that ever happened to us. In facing our own mortality, we are empowered to change our lives for the better. There is a reason why more than 50 percent of women treated for breast cancer get divorced: once they are diagnosed, there is no time to waste in an unhappy marriage or with superficial friends who take but don’t give back.

To this day when someone asks me how many years I have survived, I get a millisecond of anxiety inside. I was diagnosed in August 2000 and finished chemotherapy and radiation therapy in April 2001. Am I an 11-year survivor since diagnosis, or am I a 10-year survivor since the end of treatment? Or am I a six-year survivor since my five-year mark?

To take the pressure off, I answer differently depending on my mood. Sometimes I say that I was diagnosed in 2000. Other times I give a number just to make them happy. Recognizing that many people have asked the question just to ask, not really caring what answer I give, I don’t worry too much. On occasion I smile demurely and say that I’ve lost count or don’t even remember. After all, does it really matter? I’m still here.

http://awomanshealth.com/when-does-survivor-status-start/

2012-01-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

Cognitive Problems of Breast-Cancer Survivors--What Are the Real Causes?

By Lillie Shockney, R.N., M.A.S.
Jan 20, 2012

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Health Experts Main

Breast Cancer Chronicles

by Lillie Shockney, R.N., M.A.S.

Why breast-cancer survivors?

Why are breast-cancer survivors the only ones who seem to be are wrestling with these cognitive problems after cancer treatment? I believe the answer might be related to three things that all come together in this particular patient population. My theories:

During breast cancer treatment, estrogen levels are pushed down to zero. This could certainly contribute to fuzzy thinking.
The specific drugs we use for treating breast cancer are not given to other groups of cancer patients; it's possible that these meds might be behind the cognitive troubles.
Of individuals with breast cancer, 99 percent are women; perhaps women, when in crisis, have a higher incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than men do.

What might behind brain freeze?

An interesting research study conducted at the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida, and published in the December 12 online edition ofCancer, finds that chemotherapy might not be the guilty party here.

What might be? Believe it or not, these scientists say that getting hit with a diagnosis of cancer might be enough to muddle a person's mind in this way. Yep, this new analysis has determined that breast-cancer survivors can experience problems with certain mental functions several years after treatment--whether they had chemo and radiation, or just radiation with no chemo.

Both test groups affected the same

This study compared breast-cancer survivors who had had surgery and chemo with survivors who had had surgery, chemo, and radiation. A third group of participants had no breast-cancer history at all. All the study participants completed neuropsychological assessments 6 months after completion of their treatment and again 36 months later. The results showed that both groups of breast-cancer survivors had problems with cognitive functioning.

Another interesting finding of the researchers: Hormonal therapy had neither a positive nor a negative influence on the results.

A closer look at PTSD?

Such a study will, I hope, open the door to more research looking at whether PTSD is perhaps a contributing factor to the long-term, psychological side effects experienced by these women. After all, those of us who have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer did go to war--and back--against our cancers.

Watch for additional research studies to pop up now that this one has been published. All food for thought.

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/breastcancer/cognitive-problems-breast-cancer-survivors-what-are-real-causes

Essential Sun Safety Information for Skiers and Snowboarders

2012-01-21T07:43:00.000-08:00

Winter sports enthusiasts are at increased risk for overexposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The combination of higher altitude and UV rays reflected by the snow puts skiers and snowboarders at an increased risk of sun damage, and ultimately skin cancer. More than 90 percent of all skin cancers are associated with sun exposure.

"It's easy to associate winter with frostbite and windburn, but most people are unaware that UV rays can be every bit as damaging on the slopes as on the beach," said Perry Robins, MD, President, The Skin Cancer Foundation. "With the winter sports season ahead of us, it's more important than ever to take proper precautions on the slopes."

Higher altitude means increased risk of sun-induced skin damage, since UV radiation exposure increases 8 to 10 percent with every 1,000 feet above sea level. At an altitude of 9,000 to 10,000 feet, UV radiation may be 45 to 50 percent more intense than at sea level. In addition, snow reflects up to 80 percent of the UV light from the sun, meaning that you are often hit by the same rays twice. This only increases the risk for damage.

Both snow and strong wind can wear away sunscreen and reduce its effectiveness, so you have to take extra precautions. To protect your skin from the bitter cold, heavy winds and winter sun, follow these important sun protection tips:

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or higher and some combination of these ingredients: avobenzone, ecamsule, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide whenever you spend extended time outdoors. Apply 30 minutes before hitting the slopes. Be aware that the sun's reflection off the snow is strong even on cloudy days. (Up to 80 percent of the sun's rays can penetrate clouds.)
Apply sunscreen liberally and evenly to all exposed skin - most skiers and snowboarders do not use enough. You should apply at least a teaspoon to the face.
Use a moisturizing sunscreen with ingredients like lanolin or glycerin. Winter conditions can be particularly harsh on the skin.
Be sure to cover often-missed spots: the lips, ears, around the eyes, and on the neck, the underside of chin, scalp and hands.
Reapply every two hours, and immediately after heavy sweating.
Always wear a lip balm with an SPF 15 or higher - lips are very sensitive.
Carry a travel-sized sunscreen and lip balm with you on the slopes. Reapply on the chairlift, especially after a long, snow-blown run.

Cover your head - it will protect your scalp and help keep you warm.
Wear items like ski masks, which will leave very little skin exposed to the wind and sun.
Sunglasses or goggles that offer 99 percent or greater UV protection and have wraparound or large frames will protect your eyes, eyelids and the sensitive skin around your eyes, which are common sites for skin cancers and sun-induced aging. The sun's glare can make you squint, so it's important to wear sunglasses or goggles to clearly see the terrain. Plus, it will increase your enjoyment and may even improve your performance while skiing!

If possible, ski early in the morning and later on in the day, before 10 AM and after 4 PM. This decreases the amount of time spent outdoors in the most intense sunlight and helps you avoid long lines.
If you are on the slopes for most of the day, take a few breaks indoors to reapply sunscreen.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Enjoy the winter season, but be sure to take care of your skin to avoid the damage the cold season can cause.

http://www.skincancer.org/healthy-lifestyle/outdoor-activities/essential-sun-safety-information-for-skiers-and-snowboarders

2012-01-21T07:34:00.001-08:00

anuary 20, 2012

How to Join the Healthcare Conversation with Twitter

By: Jason Boies

Comments (7)
Tags: #hcsm, #hcsmca, #hcsmeu,#HITsm, healthcare, social media engagement
Posted in: Social Media Engagement

The social web is awash with health-related conversations every day. The sheer volume of online healthcare discussion can be tough to keep track of for any seasoned social media veteran, much less for a newcomer to the space. And on no platform is the conversation moving faster and more furious than Twitter.

Many healthcare communicators have taken to their Twitter feeds to share interesting healthcare articles, make connections in their field on opposite sides of the world (or their country) and engage in real time discussions.

Here are four great healthcare hashtags:

#hcsm

What it means: Healthcare Communications & Social Media

Who it’s moderated by: Dana Lewis (@Danamlewis), hosted by @HealthSocMed

When it takes place: Sunday nights at 9pm EST

What they discuss: The new FDA draft guidance, what participants are hoping to learn more about in 2012, whether or not providers ask their patients about their online activities and what participants wished they’d known when they began their social media for healthcare use. Start searching the #hcsm stream here.

#hcsmca

What it means: Healthcare Social Media Canada

Who it’s moderated by: Founder Colleen Young (@Colleen_Young) with guest moderators as well

When it takes place: Wednesday afternoons at 1pm EST

What they discuss: How to best to leverage social media for healthcare advocacy, strategies for better health communications in 2012 and encouraging more openness with regards to personal health data. Start searching the #hcsmca stream here.

#hcsmeu

What it means: Healthcare Social Media Europe

Who it’s moderated by: Co-Founders Andrew Spong (@AndrewSpong) & Silja Chouquet (@Whydotpharma)

When it takes place: Friday at 12pm UK time

What they discuss: The regulation of mobile applications, how to leverage Twitter for improving patient safety, how Pharma can innovate to stay competitive in 2012 using social media and 2011’s best examples of social media engagement in the industry.

#HITsm

What it means: Healthcare IT Social Media

Who it’s moderated by: Chad Johnson (@HealthStandards)

When it takes place: Friday mornings at Noon EST

What they discuss: Attending conferences virtually by way of social media platforms, which emerging technologies they’d be most interested in learning more about, the connection between consumer health apps and Personal Health Records (PHR) and how best to increase physician adoption of Electronic Medical Records (EMR).

While we’ve focused on the actual weekly chats attached to these hashtags, many tweeters use them to share articles of interest and even pose questions outside of regular chat times. Make certain what you’re sharing is interesting to the hashtag’s target audience to ensure these wonderful resources aren’t overrun with non-relevant links and discussions. These hashtags along with so many others are terrific ways to make lasting online connections in your field. Get tweetin’!

What hashtags are you using in your Twitter healthcare discussions? Got a favorite weekly/monthly chat not mentioned above? Please share them in the comments section!

Jason Boies is a member of the Radian6 Community Engagement Team. His focus is on the worlds of healthcare & pharmaceuticals. Get a prescription for health & pharma themed tweets by following him on Twitter at @JasonBoies. Read other blog posts from Jason here.

http://www.radian6.com/blog/2012/01/how-to-join-the-healthcare-conversation-with-twitter/

2012-01-17T07:50:00.001-08:00

Part 1: Marlene's Breast Cancer Story

Pancaking: Getting squished once a year isn’t fun, but is a necessary evil. And, it seems that it's mandatory requirement that all mammography technicians must ice hands before touching patients.

Comment

I have all of my medical tests run in the same month each year. What should have been a routine mammogram turned out to be a bit more of an adventure.

I am well endowed. I am not happy about it, but I got’ em. Sandy Williams refers to mammograms as being pancaked. Having a mammogram is like taking rolling pin and trying to flatten a 16-pound bowling ball into a 12-inch by 14-inch standard-size cookie sheet. When I come in, the technician gets out the BIG cookie sheets, ices those suckers up, and attempts to mush me flat.

I have been going to Eastside Diagnostic Centerin Snellville for years. I only know Jewel because she has done my pancaking for several years. She runs the Iron Maiden. Jewel truly tires to make what could be embarrassing and uncomfortable situation quick and easy. She also has cold hands.

You stand there as this complete stranger starts pulling and pushing you into a very unnatural position. And then she starts to lower the press. “You are going to feel a little pressure.” And lowers the press. “You are doing great, just a little more pressure.” And lowers the press. “Just one more turn.” By this time, you think “If you don’t get this done, I am going to reach over with my free hand and snatch you bald-headed.” This hurts. It really hurts.

And then Jewel says, “Hold your breath while I take the picture. Hold your breath, Hold, Hold. I got news for you, lady. After the third turn on this Iron Maiden I couldn’t catch my breath. I got no air in me to hold. Just shut up and take the picture. And then she repeats it on the other side.

The Call

Well, I got THE CALL from Dr. Peter Mann’s office, Gwinnett Gynecology. “Dr. Mann received the results of your recent mammogram and would like for you to have it repeated , blah, blah, blah, will magnify, blah, blah, blah, calcium deposits, blah, blah.” You know you only hear “repeat the test“ and your brain atrophies and your breasts start to throb.

As I said I do all of my annual testing in the same month. So after I got “The Call” I saw my general physician. He asked when I had last had my mammogram, and I told him the date and that I was scheduled for another to magnify an “area of concern.” Don’t you just love it? “An area of concern” when they mean “You got a spot that looks really scary so we want to pinch the devil out of you again to be sure that we can see that sucker.”

My GP made a huge mistake. I am sure he was trying to alleviate any concerns and fears on my part. “Oh, it’s nothing. People have calcium deposits and stuff that is just nothing.” What he should have said is “I know you are concerned. You have every right to be nervous, but most of these call backs are calcium deposits or thickened, benign tissue.” I want reassurance! I want to be told my feelings are valid! I want chocolate and to be told that I should eat all I want while I go through this scary thing!!!!

I am not a person who over reacts. I don’t panic. I can put a butterfly dressing on a wound that would make any EMT weep for the sheer beauty of it. I have been given devastating news. I have had to deliver life-changing, gut wrenching news. I have held people as they have gotten the most horrible information. So don’t pooh-pooh and don’t diminish me with “Oh, it isn’t a big deal.” I have a tissue-issue here. And it is my body, not yours.

More Testing

So I went back to have another fun-filled day of breast compression. Nurse Margie was the technician, and she was delightful. As she wedged me into the Iron Maiden, Margie, like Jewel, made an uncomfortable situation as pleasant as possible. She, too, has cold hands. She explained what had been identified as a suspicious place and showed me the first set of films and the second, more magnifying set.

I waited until the doctor could read the films. Margie and Dr. Biafore sat down with me and told me that I would need a breast biopsy. It was comforting to know something before I left the center. No waiting days to hear something. The film revealed what could be calcifications, but could be something else. Tissue samples would be needed.

Now, I am thinking I have to be held captive again in the Iron Maiden and have Dr. Biafore uses a drill press and bit for a tissue sample. All I could think of was Dr. GP. The Iron Maiden. And his left testicle. “You will feel a little pressure.”

To be continued…..

About this column: Marlene Buchanan, a retired educator and long-time Snellville-area resident, brings Patch readers community news and happenings in the Snellville area. This column usually appears twice a month on Tuesdays.http://snellville.patch.com/articles/part-1-marlene-s-breast-cancer-story

One in Eight Hits Home

2012-01-17T06:42:00.000-08:00

One in Eight Hits Home

Denise Landy and Michelle Raffety are both very visible members of the Amoena U.S. team – and both incredibly good at their jobs. Never was the phrase “one in eight women” more meaningful to our company than fall 2010, when they were almost simultaneously diagnosed. We are incredibly lucky to have breast care resources right at our fingertips, and we mobilized together with their friends and families to see these two women through their surgeries and treatments.

Now, Amoena Life asks them to share what it’s been like to work for one of the world’s largest breast care companies when you, yourself become one of the women Amoena serves.

AL: Tell us your breast cancer details: Your age at diagnosis, your specific cancer, your treatment plan, and where you are in that plan.

DL: I was 45 years old, and diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer in my left breast. The lump was discovered during a yearly mammogram. A subsequent MRI revealed suspicious areas in the breast and it was recommended that I have a single mastectomy. Given my young age and the aggressive nature of my cancer, my oncologist recommended an intensive 5-month chemo treatment (infusions every 2 weeks initially and then weekly), and 8 additional months of a less invasive infusion (Herceptin) every three weeks. Though I won’t finish treatment until December, I believe I’ve made it through. My hair started coming back in April, my energy has recently come back, and I feel (and look) like a new woman.

MR: I initially felt pain in my breast in 2008, but a mammogram then came back clear. I went to my doctor again in 2010, due to continued pain in my breast. I expected to find nothing wrong; I thought the pain was from my active lifestyle. Of course the results of that visit revealed different – at age 37, I had two tumors on the right, both hormone-based cancer, and after surgery (bilateral mastectomy) we learned there was also lymph node involvement so I would need chemo. I’ve completed that, but have recently been told that I also need five weeks of radiation, and just started last week. On the bright side, I was declared cancer-free at my last appointment.

AL: What are your primary job functions at Amoena?

DL: Prior to my diagnosis, I was both the Northeast Regional Manager which typically involves quite a bit of travel, and National Accounts Manager. Once diagnosed, it was determined that my time should be spent developing our National Accounts and distribution, which has enabled me to stay closer to home.

MR: I am the Amoena warehouse manager. I am responsible for all the inbound and outbound shipments for Amoena U.S.

AL: After the initial shock of being diagnosed, how did you feel about the fact that you work for Amoena?

DL: I found it ironic that I had joined Amoena just three years earlier; that I, in fact, would become one of the women we serve to help. My family worried that I would be burdened by having to deal with breast cancer 24/7, both personally and professionally, but I never felt like that. Now I just have a much better appreciation for how important our products are to women. I am proud to be part of this.

MR: Prior to working for Amoena I was oblivious to the need for our products. After working for Amoena (I’ve been here 14 years), I had naturally given some thought to “What if it were me? What if I got breast cancer?” When confronted with the actual decision, there was no wavering about the mastectomy; the only thing I could think of was being here for my son who was only 8 years old at the time. I felt like working at Amoena gave me an advantage because I had so many people and resources to guide me in the right direction.

AL: How did your work inform your decisions about having reconstruction or not?

DL: I have been extremely fortunate to have an outstanding medical team at Dana Farber in Boston, and that has made my decisions easier. I was able to spend the time/effort to research my options. I felt reconstruction was the best option for my lifestyle, and it certainly helped that I knew the range of quality products available to women – with or without reconstruction.

MR: My experience at Amoena was a helpful factor in electing to have a bilateral mastectomy, even though I only had cancer in the right breast. I felt that at my age reconstruction would be a better fit for me long-term, but I always knew that I had Amoena breast forms “in my back pocket.”

AL: Are you using/have you used Amoena products?

DL: Definitely. I fell in love with our post-surgical camisole (2105) immediately. The hospital dressed me in something else, but luckily I was immediately able to change into Amoena’s cami! Now in the middle of the reconstruction process, I’m using our PurFit adjustable form. It’s exactly what the market needed – I’m delighted that we developed this product. My go-to bra has been our front-closure Frances; it’s easy and comfortable and remains my weekend bra.

MR: I have had the best products for every stage. I have been wearing the 2105 camisole since my surgery ten months ago. This was a saving grace when I had the drainage tubes – I don’t think anything can prepare you for that experience (!), but the cami and our lanyard-style drain holder sure made it more manageable.

AL: What would you say to readers about Amoena, with your unique perspective?

DL: Amoena offers innovative, quality products that contribute directly to your quality of life in the days, months and years following breast cancer… but I believe what sets us apart from the rest is our people. You will never meet a warmer, more generous group – we are all very passionate about what we do.

MR: I would highly recommend using all of the Amoena resources, online or in any of our literature, to help with questions or concerns you have. We have very dedicated and knowledgeable people. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your options, like breast forms – and speak up to your doctors.

----------

Check out a few more photos of Denise and Michelle in our Slideshow.

Exclusively online: AL: How will this year’s holiday season feel different from last year’s, for you? Is your perspective shifted a bit with time and some distance from initial diagnosis?

MR: To be honest, I don’t even remember the Holidays last year due to being diagnosed just before the Holiday season and having surgery just nine days before Christmas. I had shut down emotionally. This year I think I appreciate all the little things much more. I am just happy to be here with my family and loved ones, and look forward to seeing everyone enjoying the season. I used to really enjoy trying to surprise everyone with what I had picked out as gifts, and now I think it's more important to just enjoy the company of loved ones and life experiences. I feel like when I want to do something, or my son wants to do something, it’s more of an attitude of, "Why not? Let’s try it," because you never know what tomorrow holds -- there are no guarantees. So with that said, I wish everyone a wonderful Holiday season and ask you to hug all your loved ones and let them know how you much you care about them.

http://www.amoena.com/us/TippsAndService/AmoenaLife/One+in+Eight+Hits+Home.htm

2012-01-16T13:09:00.000-08:00

Society Opens Nipple Sparing Mastectomy Registry

The American Society of Breast Surgeons is pleased to announce its Nipple Sparing Mastectomy Registry (NSMR) is now open for data collection. The NSMR is designed to facilitate compiling information on metrics utilized, techniques utilized, aesthetic outcomes, as well as oncologic outcomes of the Nipple Sparing Mastectomy. The registry aims to provide a large prospective collection of data points specifically gathered to provide evidence based medicine on outcome measures and metrics utilized for the nipple sparing mastectomy.

This non-randomized, multicenter, prospective NSMR is based within the Mastery of Breast Surgery Program of the ASBrS. The NSMR will be open to members of the ASBrS, enrolled in the Mastery of Breast Surgery Program, who are facile at performing NSM\'s, up to date on appropriate patient selection and routinely offer nipple-sparing mastectomies within their armamentarium of breast surgery options. For more information on the registry contact the Society office at 410-992-5470 or email masterybreastsurgery@breastsurgeons.org.

https://www.breastsurgeons.org/news/article.php?id=90

2012-01-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

16 Jan 2012 ⋅ by admin ⋅ in Breast Cancer, Cancer, Medical News ⋅ 0 Comments ⋅ Tags: Breast Cancer, Exercise, Lymphedema

Research Shows That Exercise Reduces Swelling and Improves Quality of Life for Lymphedema Patients, Contrary to Prior Assumptions

Lymphedema, a chronic swelling common among breast cancer survivors, usually results from cancer treatment where lymph nodes were removed or treated with radiation. Traditionally, clinicians have thought that exercise prompted the development of lymphedema. But new research suggests that the benefits of exercise outweigh the risks for breast cancer survivors.

In a study conducted at the Kosin University College of Medicine in South Korea, patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema were assigned to either an active resistance exercise group or a non-active resistance exercise group for four days a week for eight weeks. Researchers observed the group that engaged in physical activity and active resistance did not endure additional swelling. In fact, this group experienced reduced arm swelling and an overall improved quality of life.

Other studies suggest that exercise, decongestive therapy (unique massage movements and compression bandaging) and physical therapy are all viable options for treating lymphedema. When it comes to exercise, close supervision and careful monitoring are essential for breast cancer survivors to ensure that they reap the most benefits from their physical activity.

Medify, which has over 1,240 research abstracts on lymphedema alone, is on a mission to provide patients and their loved ones access to the best information online about their medical condition.

Click Here to Learn more about Breast Cancer.

Sources:

https://www.medify.com/blog/exercise-beneficial-for-lymphedema/

Clinics offer beauty tricks to help cancer patients

2012-01-16T12:31:00.000-08:00

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Makeup blankets a table like a beauty banquet, and a dozen women on a lunch date devour it with delight.

SANFORD MYERS, GANNETT
Cancer patient Debbie Hunt applies her makeup at her in White Bluff, Tenn. home on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. Feeling better is what beauty is all about, Hunt says.

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SANFORD MYERS, GANNETT

Cancer patient Debbie Hunt applies her makeup at her in White Bluff, Tenn. home on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. Feeling better is what beauty is all about, Hunt says.

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The ladies pucker their lips, applying lively shades of lipstick like Sugarberry and Amber Suede. They smile and peer into hand-held mirrors to examine their newly tinted faces. They chat about moisturizer, mascara and manicures.

They seem happy, healthy.

But a closer look reveals a bald head under a cute hat, a well-fitted wig. Reflections show weight loss, dry skin, rashes and complexion changes. Nausea, fatigue and, for some, hair loss, are now-familiar effects of their disease, and many of the women gathered at the Vanderbilt Breast Center here for this midday makeup soiree feel a shadow of their former selves.

"When you have in the back of your mind, 'I'm dying,' it sometimes takes a lot to wake up every day, get dressed, pretty up your face, and be normal," says 56-year-old Deborah Holland, who in April was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer that starts inside the bone marrow.

Beauty seems superfluous when dealing with disease, but looking good, medical experts and patients say, can be a crucial psychological boost. Simply applying blush or slipping on a sharp-looking shirt can provide a sense of normality.

"Look Good … Feel Better" seminars, which take place across the country sponsored by the Personal Care Products Council Foundation in cooperation with the American Cancer Society, teach participants how to apply makeup to give the impression of eyelashes and how to draw eyebrows. They offer tips on ways to deal with skin issues and demonstrate how to devise head coverings using practical and inexpensive items. And more than that, they illustrate the importance of caring for yourself — inside and out.

"I truly believe a positive attitude works as much as medicine," says Debbie Hunt, who has lived with Stage 4 cancer for the past three years. "I think for all women, the better you look, the better you feel."

Remnants of normality

Stripping the bandages from her breastless body terrified Teri Johnson-Hiett after her mastectomy. Bruises covered her upper torso, drains sprouted from her sides, and her chest caved.

"The first time you see yourself, it's a scary sight," she says. "You are sunken in; you don't even look like a man. It feels like you have lost a human quality, especially being female."

Years earlier, Johnson-Hiett watched her mom battle cancer. Even as her mother's body attacked itself inside, Johnson-Hiett saw how important outside appearance was to her. There was no doubt her mom would lose her hair, eyebrows, eyelashes. When they shaved her mom's head, she cried.

"It's so funny because you are diagnosed with cancer, and yet you are so focused on the fact that you are going to lose your hair, and how are you going to go through the world looking like that?" Johnson-Hiett says. "Just like your breasts, it's a part of you. Women identify themselves from across the room by their hair: 'It looks great, where did you get it done?' "

Like many women, Johnson-Hiett's mom felt as if her bald head labeled her a cancer victim. The moment she found the right wig, her confidence was renewed.

"She was deteriorating inside," Johnson-Hiett says. "She was losing weight, she had burns on her skin, burns on her esophagus. She couldn't swallow. And yet, the idea of having something that made her feel normal put such pep in her step. It was a gift."

When Johnson-Hiett's own breast cancer diagnosis came less than a year after her mother died of the disease, she also struggled. A mastectomy meant removing a part of who she was. At first, it was devastating. She was a 29-year-old, recently single mother of two, trying to date again.

"For the first couple of days, I wouldn't look at myself," she says. "I was terrified to."

Now, as a physician practice manager for Tennessee Breast Specialists, Johnson-Hiett sees women every day who question how cancer, lymphoma or another devastating disease is going to affect how others see them and how they see themselves. Johnson-Hiett offers the understanding and insight, and she reinforces the idea that normality should be a priority.

"You can't stay in pajamas all day if that's not who you were before," she says. "You have to find the similarity to who you were, even if it is putting on mascara and lipstick and looking in the mirror at yourself."

A dose of confidence

For Holland, that was a struggle.

The day she sat in the doctor's office reading a recent Vanderbilt newsletter, she felt nothing like herself.

"With a condition like this, sometimes there is depression that goes along with it," she says. "I was feeling kind of low."

Then she read about the hospital's "Look Good … Feel Better" lunches and signed up.

There, she found a room full of women who shared her experiences. Some were newly diagnosed; others were multi-year battlers. There were young and old women with lung cancer, breast cancer and leukemia.

Around a table covered in cosmetics, they shared stories of fear, loss of control, fatigue and self-doubt. Women who ran households, worked in business and taught children each expressed how disease had robbed them of their confidence.

"All of a sudden I don't feel good about myself," said Patricia Nichol, who was a schoolteacher for 35 years before her cancer diagnosis. "And I don't like that."

Others nodded. In a week or two, cancer can confiscate everything that women believe defines them, but, cosmetologist Nancy Wenberg says, the transformation doesn't have to be paralyzing.

She discussed drawing in eyebrows and demonstrated how to create a cute head wrap out of an old T-shirt. She emphasized the dangers of bacteria, particularly with eye makeup and manicures, for those with an already-compromised immune system. She shared tips on effective moisturizers to combat the scaling skin induced by drug therapy.

Most important, she showed the women how to look beyond the cancer patient.

"Every woman's cancer is a little bit different, and their perception is different and treatment is different," says Dr. Laura Lawson, breast surgeon at Baptist Hospital here. "But as is true for this, as well as everything you go through in life, your outlook has an impact on how you handle things."

Seeing is believing

And feeling better is what beauty is all about, Hunt says.

With her cutely trimmed, dirty-blond wig and flashy, manicured fingertips, Hunt has embraced good looks. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in June 2008 and is undergoing her third round of chemotherapy.

Her cancer isn't curable. It will be treated as a chronic disease for the rest of her life, so she has chosen to adopt a daily routine that is as ordinary as possible — and it has a few new perks.

"I can get dressed quicker than my husband now," she says with a laugh. "It is kind of exciting thinking I don't have to do my hair every day."

But it's also more than that.

When you have makeup on, and a wig, and you are dressed up, you feel stronger and more confident, she says. "You seem to feel a lot more alive."

---

On the Web:

— For more information on any of the clinics, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit Look Good … Feel Better, at lookgoodfeelbetter.org

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/your-look/story/2012-01-16/Clinics-offer-beauty-tricks-to-help-cancer-patients/52599126/1

2012-01-14T10:32:00.000-08:00

Surfing the Web for the data of breast cancer

Posted on 01/13/2012 by admin

There are new weapons in the fight against breast cancer. Know them. Sign up for the WebMD Breast Cancer newsletter and stay informed.They have found these quality criteria – often recommended as a way for consumers to filter out incorrect information – have always been effective. “Just because an author is identified does not mean [...]

Also share information with your health care provider, said Fleisher. “No two cases are the same,” he said.

For the best online information about breast cancer or other health problems, and other Bernstam Tip: Consider the source. “Use the same common sense applies in the offline world,” says Bernstam. Start with the government or other well-known and respected. In the case of breast cancer, which includes the American Cancer Society and Medline Plus service offered by the National Library of Medicine, said.

Search “smart,” said Zeng-Treitler. “Use more professional medical terms -” congestive heart failure value “versus” heart problems, “he said.” In this way tend to lead to a more professional content. ”

Information on the website is mostly reliable, with only one of 20 sites with incorrect information, according to new research. But the researchers found more complementary sites 15 times more likely to contain false or misleading information.

The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and published online today in the March 15 issue of the journal Cancer.

The results of this study do not surprise another expert. “This is consistent with previous findings,” said Zeng Qing-Treitler, PhD, assistant professor of radiology at Harvard University researcher and information on the health of consumers.

But another expert, Linda Fleisher, MPH, who oversees the evaluation of Web pages for use on a patient at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, was a bit ‘surprised that the quality criteria chosen by the researchers have not always correlated with accuracy. Tips for browsing the Internet

“If I had to guess, I believe that the information inside would be more accurate than other [health],” said Elmer V. Bernstam, MD, study author and associate professor of information science, health and internal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Bernstam studied the accuracy of health information online for about eight years.

Many quality criteria, the team resumed Bernstam 15 criteria to evaluate the pages. Among them: the authorship identified? T you know when information has been updated or changed? It is identified medical credentials? Affiliation of the authors is indicated? Criteria for evaluating web pages more .

Then, two reviewers evaluated the information. An examiner uses 15 quality criteria used to evaluate traditional web pages, such as viewing the author, the date the page was created, and when the information that has changed.

When the researchers have identified the sites of complementary and alternative medicine, have been found over 15 times more likely to have false or misleading information.

Bernstam refuses to give the names of websites, even those with inaccuracies. “The web is evolving,” he said. “The fact [sites] are true today does not mean that tomorrow they are true.” Verify the accuracy of the Internet

The researchers found 41 false or misleading statements of 18 of the 343 sites – about 5%. “It’s not too bad,” says Bernstam.

http://www.salonatstevenson.net/?p=135

2012-01-14T09:13:00.000-08:00

What do I do with all this anger? (3 posts)

← Group Forum Group Forum Directory

rick said 3 hours, 4 minutes ago:
Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.
Mark Twain
I met one very very angry cancer caregiver last month. After his wife’s diagnosis, and each test indicating things were worse than anticipated resulting in many changes in treatment plans, he just couldn’t take it anymore …and blew. All this misdirected anger landed everywhere, especially on those he needed most: his medical care team and his coworkers.
So what is that like? Being so angry at cancer that it takes over all rationality and the anger explodes like a firework singeing everything nearby. Has anyone learned how to safely express that anger? Anyone have any experiences where the anger was completely counterproductive? Please share your thoughts on how you managed that anger.
#
val said 1 hour, 22 minutes ago:
I can appreciate something like this happening when faced with more and more problems. It can be a grueling experience, once that makes the beast come out very easily. You keep asking more and more questions, keep on becoming more and more scared, you watch everything the cancer patient does, walk, talk, eat, sleep. It becomes an obsession, just because you want things to be BETTER. But, in the long run, the anger just gets in the way. It eats at you and becomes another problem to deal with. I remember, during my treatments, I would talk with my husband and seek consolation and a very definite statement from him in medical terms, mind you, with my diagnosis, even though Dr. Boulay and all his coworkers were so positive. One time, I remember, he got mad at me (I did ask over and over), and just blurted out something in anger because he was tired of hearing of it. I’ll be serious, it didn’t help me, it only made me think more of what I had and whether or not it was going to go away. That only happened once though – everyday from my diagnosis to Dr. Boulay telling me I was in remission, was encouragement, which is what you need. Love and encouragement. I went to Mass one Sunday and the gospel and sermon centered on words the Lord said “Do not be afraid”.
Those words I must have heard all my life, but that day I really heard them. Turn to God, give up your trials and tribulations to Him. Some of you may think I’m a religious nut, but it works. Right now in our lives we are dealing not only with my diagnosis, but with the diagnosis of my 35 year old son who in March was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After the initial shock set in, it was so difficult for me. This is my son. No one wants anything bad to happen to their children. Belive me I asked questions, compared my life to others I know, but for what. This was happening to us, here and now, and we had to face it and just provide all the love and healing power and encouragement to him, who just had a second mri, which actually looks better than the previous one. THAT’S GOOD NEWS. Stress levels are at an all time high, but anger – no, can’t do that. We, as patients, need all the help we can get, whether it be physical, emotional, spiritual. Anger only destroys rapport. My anger probably is now in the form of shingles, which I was diagnosed with this week. Wow, really never realized how they hurt. I imagine all my stress and anger is bottled up and now in the form of shingles. Is that good or bad????? I have a loving husband, two wonderful children, a great son-in-law and daughter-in-law, and a little girl (2 months old) (my son’s miracle child), and my baby boy (16 months old) who make my world a wonderful place to live in. How can I get angry when my Kevin comes in this house and runs into my arms like he hasn’t seen me in a year!!!!! Or when our little Emma smiles that smile with those beautiful little lips, or when my son and daughter keep telling me – Love you, Ma, or when my husband just puts his arm around me, or when I come and see you Dr. Boulay with that smile and all your coworker who care so much. Can’t be angry

http://journeythroughcancer.com/groups/survivors/forum/topic/what-do-i-do-with-all-this-anger/

Being Sarah ... Use Link for complete blog

2012-01-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

2012: Friday walks 2

Posted: January 14, 2012 | Author: Ronnie Hughes | Filed under: Breast cancer, Guest posts, Natural world | Tags:Being Sarah, life, environment, walking |Leave a comment »

Upstream in the Dee Estuary, looking across the marshlands to Wales

Ronnie’s second report on our Friday ritual, out walking.

This week we tried a new walk. By the Dee Estuary, like last week, but this time several miles further away from the sea, up by the silted up swamplands around Neston. And so, unusually for us, we took a map and a guidebook. We do this the first time on any walk, just to get generally familiar, get a sense of the place, in fact. But on our way round, we notice the points where, next time we will leave the recommended paths and begin to improvise, as we of course prefer.

Nevertheless, this was a magnificent walk, on a glorious, crisp, blue day. At first along ancient lanes and footpaths that have never made it into roads, across farm fields, and gradually down to what used to be the shore. But the River Dee began seriously silting up in the thirteenth century, and the shore of the river is now two miles away from where it used to be. Over towards the Welsh side of the estuary.

So this part of the shoreline is a story of hundreds of years of building new quays in new ports, further and further downstream from the original port of Chester, trying forlornly to cope with the silting up of their river. They used to mine for coal here too, in leaking, dangerous coal shafts stretching out for miles under the river. Some shafts so tiny only children could fit down them. And we had our lunch on what’s left of the sandstone quay, from where the poor quality coal they scratched a bare living from, would be exported across to Ireland.

Before turning away from the Estuary, we also found what’s left of the ‘New Quay’. Built in 1550, but never successful, and falling into ruins from 100 years later. We love walking through history, travelling through time, finding the stories.

And we loved this new walk. So new it hasn’t even got an arty, poetic name yet. But it did get an immediate, spontaneous nine out of ten from both of us (yes, we ‘score’ walks). So we’ll definitely be back.

The map tells the story of the ports that used to be

Out across farm fields on a crisp blue day

It's too early, but the crocuses don't know that

Looks like a wall stretching out into the marsh. But it's a quay where coal was loaded on to ships. And it's where we had our lunch

Built in 1550, what's left of the 'New Quay' - called the "Old Quay' since 1650

Back towards where we started through another story, the Wirral Way, a disused railway line

Tree roots growing down through the railway embankment cutting

Evening descends on a swampy, mysterious place

Until next time...

All photos by Sarah. Except of course for the one she’s in!

2012-01-12T08:23:00.000-08:00

It's Back To Work You Go

Working your way back into the world of 9 to 5

It’s the day you’ve been waiting for... well, you may have been waiting for Publisher’s Clearing House to knock, but if that hasn’t happened, you are ready to go back to work. It’s an affirmation that your life is returning to some sense of normalcy. You’ve paid your dues, done your surgery or chemo or radiation, or some combination thereof, and it’s time to re-enter the workforce.

Some of you will have been able to take ample time off to weather the onslaught of treatments and even do a bit of healing, both emotionally and physically. Others may not have that luxury and can only take the necessary time off to get through the worst parts of treatment. Regardless of which scenario speaks to your situation, going back to work will have rewards and challenges and no matter how you approach this new normal, it’s safe to say your life has changed in a myriad of ways.

For most of us, work reminds us that we have a life that is separate from our diagnosis. You may be a valued employee, or a great boss, or a co-worker everyone knows they can depend upon. As much as most of us groan when the alarm clock buzzes bright and early, going to work provides both a sense of purpose and a setting where it’s possible to forget about cancer for several hours each day.

Testing the waters. So, are you ready to take the plunge? Depending upon how much time you’ve been away from your normal work schedule, this may be as easy as remembering how to ride a bike or as complicated as trying to ride a bike with flippers and a blindfold on. What can you do to prepare?

Do you feel physically and psychologically ready? If you are still feeling pretty puny in either capacity, it might be a good idea to get some counseling from a therapist or social worker, or see if there is a support group in your area that is dedicated to helping people transition back into the workplace.
Are you ready to get back to work? If so, do you think you can work a full day or would part-time be a better option? Will your workplace allow you to have a flexible schedule? Are you still undergoing any treatments or are you done? Do you feel stronger early in the day or later? Ask yourself these questions because they will also factor into your decision.
How are your skills? Are there any areas that could use some brushing up? If you feel you might need a bit of refreshing, or simply want to wow them with a new skillset, this is a great time to add extra knowledge. One fantastic online source is Lynda.com. It offers a wide variety of online courses you can take at your own speed at a very reasonable price.
If there are industry events and/or seminars taking place that you can attend, go for it. Part of re-entering the workforce at full-force has to do with confidence. Anything you can do to regain your feeling of well-being in the workplace is a good thing.

You didn't plan to get sick, but you can make a plan to get better!

Getting sick pulls the rug out from under us. Plans and goals often take a backseat to the hurdles faced by simply working to save your life. When you’ve done what you can to get better and know you are ready to head back to work, you have the opportunity once again to make a plan. You’ve learned you can’t control some things, but this is one area where you do have just a bit, so use it.

What schedule can you live with? Be realistic. Talk candidly to your employer about your desire to come back to work and your need to do it sensibly. You will want to be sensitive to your employer’s needs as well, but the time to talk about these issues is before you are back in your office.

Has your surgery or treatment necessitated the need for any changes in your work station? Do you need more back support? More breaks? Less lifting? What will help you to be comfortable as well as productive? Again, this is the time to set these sorts of changes in motion. Employers must reasonably accommodate an employee in areas that include:

Providing or modifying equipment or devices;
Restructuring a job;
Offering part-time or modified work schedules;
Reassigning an employee to a vacant position;
Adjusting or modifying tests, training materials, or policies;
Providing readers and/or interpreters;
Making the workplace readily accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.

Many survivors have the sense they want to do something bigger, loftier, more meaningful, more altruistic than what they were doing pre-breast cancer. Some succeed. Most go back to their former lives and work situations. There is nothing wrong with this. Do you want to start a non-profit or breast cancer-related business? Go for it! Just remember that sometimes you simply have to focus on the work you have, even if that means performing tedious tasks, or a job that doesn’t feel like it makes a difference. Any job helps to make you feel that you’ve transitioned from being a patient to being an employee – and that’s an important first step. The rest will come in time if that is your heart’s desire!

What will you share with your coworkers? Perhaps everyone at work already knows the entire story, but that’s unlikely. Although cancer is talked about much more openly in today’s world, you may have held your cards close to your vest in terms of divulging information about your diagnosis and prognosis. Much depends upon your work environment, but in many cases for women employed in highly competitive, fast-paced endeavors, sharing intimate details may not be the best tactic.

You shouldn’t feel pressured to share or explain details. You alone are the arbiter of what feels comfortable. Just remember that you work with humans beings (or one can hope), who are by nature curious. Not only curious, but many seem to think if no one is filling them in, that means things are dire. A great remedy for this is to smile and say you are fine when people ask. You will notice that many inquire with a tone that sounds like they are expecting bad news. Surprise them! You certainly don’t have to be jolly, especially if you weren’t before taking a leave, but you can be upbeat.

The best rule of thumb is to be yourself. If you are naturally outgoing, you’ve probably already told a lot of people what’s up. If you are on the quiet side, it’s likely this is the approach you have taken. There is no right or wrong way to jump back in, you just want to be sure you are paying attention to your comfort level.

You may notice that some co-workers react differently to you when you go back to work. Let’s just cut to the chase. Some people simply aren’t comfortable thinking about their own mortality. So, when someone they know gets cancer it scares them. It’s that simple. They don’t want to react differently, but they can’t help themselves. Seeing you reminds them that anyone can get sick.

Other co-workers may react in less than positive ways because they had to take on extra responsibilities in your absence. And believe it or not, a few folks will be a bit upset because of the time you’ve had off. If you are lucky, these are people you won’t have to have much contact with, but most offices have their share.

It’s common for people to have lots of questions about your cancer and what treatment you received. You may feel comfortable sharing this with one or two close friends at work, but sharing the same details over and over is not only exhausting, it keeps you stuck in where you’ve been, not where you are hoping to go. You can feel free to tell people to go to the American Cancer Society’s website to find information.

If you have topics that are too sensitive to discuss, you need to feel empowered enough not to. If someone is questioning your treatment and it annoys you, that’s okay. Just tell them you’d rather not discuss it. If well-meaning people make comments about their religious beliefs that don’t jive with your personal views, again, it’s okay to change the subject. These types of conversations are apt to occur, so thinking ahead of time about a response that is comfortable for you that will end the conversation on a good note, is a great way to be proactive rather than reactive. It can be something as simple as “You know, I’ve pretty much talked about nothing but cancer for the past six months, I’m sure there must be something more interesting we can discuss – like who’s bringing cupcakes to work tomorrow!” (Or George Clooney, or world peace – you get the idea.)

Fair treatment needs to be part of the treatment

It is illegal to use your history of cancer against you in the workplace. Sadly, this does occur and it can often be hard to pinpoint or prove. What are some signs that you may have a problem? One indicator would be something like having a less qualified co-worker receive a promotion for which you are clearly qualified. Even something as seemingly innocuous as disparaging comments can be a big red flag. Are tasks you can perform competently being given to someone else? Are you being given assignments or tasks that don’t challenge your abilities?

If you feel you are being discriminated against in your work setting you need to follow some very clear guidelines:

Report the incident. Before beginning legal action discuss the situation with your employer and the human resources department. It is always best to try to resolve a problem without having to take legal action.
If your employer does not remedy the situation, seek the advice of a legal expert to identify whether the incident can be classified as an act of discrimination.
See if your local support group or doctor has resources available. If someone else in your community has faced a similar situation they can be a good sounding board for you.
Perhaps most important, be sure to keep a detailed, descriptive record of all instances where you feel discrimination has occurred. You will want to include dates, times, locations, people involved and actions taken.

The law requires your complaint be sent to a local EEOC office within 180 days of the incident. The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 states that each time a person is affected by a discriminatory pay decision or action, including when the decision or action begins and each time the person is paid, counts as an act of discrimination.

Hopefully you will not face these sorts of issues, but if the playing field has changed, it’s a good idea for you to know your rights.

Thinking about moving on?

Unless you’ve been living on Mars (and sometimes chemo can make you feel that way) you probably know that the job market is in bad shape at the moment. But heck, you’ve faced breast cancer and are here to tell the tale – so if you feel the desire to find a new job (or if you you’ve lost your job, or your company went out of business, or has downsized) – a little thing like a double dip recession shouldn’t get in your way. Just ask yourself:

Which of my skills and interests from my previous jobs will transfer over to a new position or field?

Am I going to need additional education or training? And if so, can I afford to go to school to gain those new skills, especially if it prevents me from earning a paycheck? Do I qualify for any programs where I could obtain the training?

Are companies hiring people in my position or in my new chosen field?

Am I willing to take a lower-level position, if it is necessary?

Can I handle what may be a stressful career change right now, after having just dealt with the physical and emotional effects of cancer?

If you do your homework, your chances of finding work are much improved.

Regardless of whether you are going back to your previous job, looking for a new career, finding a way to save the world, or simply starting to think about the process, keep this in mind: What you bring to the table in terms of endurance, grace and wisdom is light years ahead of where it was before your diagnosis.

Exclusively online: Hear what Denise Steuber, RN, CMF has to say about returning to work.

http://www.amoena.com/us/TippsAndService/AmoenaLife/back+to+work.htm