Note: The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care. For medical emergencies, dial 911!
The Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to grant wishes, including memory-making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness.
One of the Making Memories fundraisers is Brides Against Breast Cancer. It can give brides-to-be, an opportunity to find the wedding gown of their dreams (at an incredible savings) while making wishes and dreams come true. Click here if you wish to donate your gown.
The Drexelbrook Wedding and Banquet Facility is hosting Nationwide Tour of Gowns on October 10th and 11th. If you live near Drexel Hill, PA you can attend this event and browse over 40 racks of exquisite, named brand and designer wedding gowns costing from $89 to $799.
Event Details:
Drexelbrook Wedding & Banquet Facility. Drexelbrook Drive & Valley road
I found out during a routine annual mammography. Something didn't look right and I was urged to follow up with a surgeon for a biopsy. The official word came from him a week later.
What types of breast cancer treatments were recommended?
The first surgeon recommended surgery and then treatment consisting of chemo and possible radiation. We went for a second opinion, and the oncologist and surgeon both recommended chemo first, followed by surgery. While I was considered a candidate for lumpectomy, it was suggested that my risk factors would be lowered to single digits if I opted for mastectomy. We decided on mastectomy.
Cancer is named from the place it originates. This makes a difference on what type of treatments will be effective. Being diagnosed with cancer of the unknown primary (CUP) means that cancer has been found in the body but the place of origin is unknown.
If later, the place of origin is found then the type of cancer diagnosis changes from an unknown primary to the specific organ or body area that the disease first began.
Some cases of cancer of the unknown primary are unfortunately never found. Physicians will then decide on the best course of treatment based on two factors: The way the cells look under the microscope and which organs are currently involved.
Statistics and Prognosis:
The exact number of cases of this disease is not known. It may be about 2% to 5% of all cancers in the United States. It is found more often among men than among women. The average age of people with this cancer is about 60 years.
This is a very dangerous cancer. Only half of patients will live 9 to 12 months after their cancer is found. There are several reasons why this cancer is so serious. First, most of these are fast-spreading cancers. Second, because the exact type is not known, it is harder for doctors to know what treatment is best. Also, the cancer is often widespread, making it harder to cure.
In recent years, microscopic and other diagnostic techniques have improved dramatically. For this reason, doctors can now determine the primary site in about four out of five cases.
There is nothing unusual about a non-profit organization publishing a calendar. There is something very unique about this one. Life is a Carnival is a bold approach to mastectomy and reconstruction education.
This 2008 calendar features photos from FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered members who have undergone bilateral mastectomy -- with or without reconstruction. To retain the anonymity of the models, they are wearing mardi gras masks.
This project is meant to celebrate life after mastectomy, to showcase many types of reconstruction and non reconstruction options in a nonthreatening and positive light. The calendar contains information about the models surgery with references included to the chapters in the Breast Reconstruction Guidebook which explains each procedure. A secondary goal of this calendar is to raise needed funds for FORCE programs.
Jill Sklar was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a debilitating gastrointestinal condition, when she was twenty. Jill set out to investigate how others who have survived the diagnosis and treatment of a chronic life altering illness perceived themselves -- and the effect of that illness on their life.
The Five Gifts of Illness: A Reconsideration is the result of Jill's investigation. She interviewed over one hundred individuals who had suffered a wide variety of illnesses. Sklar discovered that five gifts emerged as common denominators among the survivors. Those five gifts form the heart of this book.
About 820 cases of testicular cancer are diagnosed annually in Canada and it is the number one killer for men between the ages of 20 and 30. This past weekend a fundraiser was held called Nuts4ribs in Bedford, Nova Scotia.
The fundraiser featured cook offs, music and a nationally acclaimed one-man play by Daniel Schneiderman, titled Left Nut, a humorous look at a man with testicular cancer.
Michael Kydd, diagnosed with testicular cancer three years ago, is the man behind the event. Kydd said "What I'm trying to do is make sure men understand that by ignoring the warning signs, you're not doing yourself any good".
Micheal Kydd also added "Although we're not going to cure the disease, what we are going to do is help men understand the disease and make sure they know and communicate that with their family, and then live happily ever after".
On Sunday September 16, 2007, The Colosseum Gym will be hosting the 1st Annual Lift for the Cure: Powerlifting and Bench Press Competition. All proceeds to help benefit the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. This will be an OPEN meet limited to 60 lifters. All weight classes will be honored, including a separate Law Enforcement Division (Top Cop Award). This will be a unsanctioned RAW meet (belts and wraps only). USAPL rules apply.
Guest Judge and exhibition lift by 7-time USPF National Champion and 6-time IPF World Champion, "Captain Kirk" Karwoski.
The $25 application fee/donation includes a unique event t-shirt, food and refreshments and the opportunity to help a great cause. Event categories include Squat/Bench/Deadlift OR Bench only. Weigh in time is 8 am - 9am. Lifting will start at 10 am. Limited to 60 lifters.
Spectators are welcome! The $5 spectator donation to The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults includes food and refreshments. Children under 6 are free. Shirt sales and vendors will be on the scene.
The event will be held at The Colosseum Gym located at 9195F Red Branch Road, Columbia, Maryland.
Triple-negative breast cancer means that the pathology report has shown the cancer to be estrogen receptor negative, progesterone receptor negative, and HER2 negative.
Results published in Clinical Cancer Research found that women with triple negative breast cancer have an increased risk of metastatic disease and death during the first few years after diagnoses, but not after that time period.
A study was conducted among 1,601 breast cancer patients. One hundred and eighty women (11.2%) had triple negative breast cancer.
Antisoma, a biotechnology company specializing in the development of novel drugs for the treatment of cancer, released a statement that the vaccine ASA404 improves anticancer responses and survival for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
ASA404 is known as a vascular disrupting agent (VDA). ASA404 is different from angiogenenesis inhibitors that disrupt the new formation of blood vessels. This vaccine disrupts established blood vessels that feed cancer cells.
The researchers concluded that ASA404 appears promising in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. A Phase III clinical trial is expected to begin in 2008. This is the last step prior to FDA review.
Art for Cure, a non-profit organization, was founded by Jennifer Carr Patrizio, Jennifer Tisch, and Bob Stockfield. The two Jennifer's are my friends and fellow young breast cancer survivors. I was contacted by Jen and Jen to participate in the calendar by having a photo of me appear in it! How exciting!
Jennifer Carr Patrizio is a five year breast cancer survivor and a two year leukemia survivor. Jennifer Tisch is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Together, with freelance photographer Bob Stockfield, they have created a beautiful calendar called Life Blooms Desk Calendar.
The Life Blooms Desk Calendar is a month-at-a-glance format, features breathtaking photography of pink flora and motivational prose on one side, and candid photography of breast cancer survivors on the back. You can purchase the calendar for $20.
This morning I attended the kickoff breakfast for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk being held October, 28th in Ocean City, New Jersey.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a noncompetitive walk to help fight breast cancer and provide hope to people facing the disease. Your participation will support the American Cancer Society's lifesaving research, prevention, early detection, and support programs for thousands of patients and their families.
I learned today that Making Strides is more than just a walk -- it is the amazing progress that is being made to defeat breast cancer. This is truly an inspiring event!
Check out Making Strides for Breast Cancer walks in your area -- here.
The Young Survival Coalition's Diversity Program aims to foster a committed, connected and diverse community for young women affected by breast cancer. The Diversity Committee brings together women of color, women who partner with women, women of various socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures and disabilities.
As a collective, this committee works to create programs and to establish partnerships to work towards ensuring that all young women affected by breast cancer, in all communities, have access to the information and support they need.
How will chemotherapy change my body? What are the survival rates for my type of cancer? How often should I get tests done?
A new cancer diagnosis can mean countless new questions.
Bring your worried mind to a informative show on the five steps you can take to deal with a new cancer diagnosis. The Young Survival Coaltion will help you think through decisions about everything from protecting your fertility to getting a second opinion and paying for treatment. You'll learn day-to-day coping techniques, become more aware of the resources available to you and feel more confident as you become a more aware and more empowered patient.
The guest experts will answers questions from the audience.
On November 30, 1998 Is the day I thought I met my fate Wheeled into surgery at 12 o clock noon I realized it would be over soon.
Out of recovery, my right breast removed My family around me, my soul was soothed The doctor said everything went great I now realize it's never too late.
To regroup my thoughts, what is special to me Not a house nor money, but my family Who rallied support there by my side Looked at me with love and pride.
I think of years wasted when I thought no one cared Years alone cause I was too scared To let love live in my body and soul It took removing my breast to make me whole.
Exercising 30 minutes a day is one of the best things you can do to help relax. It helps you to keep fit and a fit person is obviously a happy one. It also helps to pump the blood around your body and whilst you are doing exercises chemicals are being released from your brain to help the way you feel.
2. Listen to Relaxation Music
Listening to the right type of music is really important when you are trying to reduce stress and find your inner peace. Some music when listened to, whilst stressed, can in fact heighten your stress levels. One type of music, which research has shown to help reduce stress is Baroque music. This music is written so that there is only 60 beats per minute and funny enough that is what our heart rate should be. The baroque music has been found to increase the alpha waves in your left and right sides of your brain which help improve your learning ability, creativity and calmness.
Many corporate trainers are now turning to baroque music during memory training sessions to help their students improve their comprehension and their memory.
3. Meditate for 20 minutes In The Morning and Evening
Meditation is a great way to help relieve your stress. When done correctly it should release you from your mind and allow it to focus on peace. Meditation when you first start our can be a little tricky and it honestly does take some time to learn. There are many great articles on how to meditate, but you can easily start off by simply sitting in the corner, closing your eyes and listening to music like the Baroque music.
Some meditation masters will also encourage you to listen to natural sounds during meditation and even recommend the use of incense during the meditation process to help break the stress in your body.
The Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation's mission is to grant wishes, including memory-making events, for metastatic breast cancer patients, while continuing to support, educate and increase resource awareness.
How did you find out you had breast cancer?
Cancer is named from the place it originates. This makes a difference on what type of treatments will be effective. Being diagnosed with cancer of the unknown primary (CUP) means that cancer has been found in the body but the place of origin is unknown. 
There is nothing unusual about a non-profit organization publishing a calendar. There is something very unique about this one. 
Jill Sklar was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a debilitating gastrointestinal condition, when she was twenty. Jill set out to investigate how others who have survived the diagnosis and treatment of a chronic life altering illness perceived themselves -- and the effect of that illness on their life.
About 820 cases of testicular cancer are diagnosed annually in Canada and it is the number one killer for men between the ages of 20 and 30. This past weekend a fundraiser was held called 
On Sunday September 16, 2007, 
Triple-negative breast cancer means that the pathology report has shown the cancer to be estrogen receptor negative, progesterone receptor negative, and HER2 negative.
Antisoma
Art for Cure
This morning I attended the kickoff breakfast for the 
The Young Survival Coalition's 
When: Tuesday, August 21, 2007, 7 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. Pacific) 
NEVER TOO LATE 
Seven ways to reduce stress:
