Women: Don't Put off that Colonoscopy!

Today is International Women's Day & National Colorectal Cancer Screening Day!



Hi Ladies, I am 52 years old, with no history of Colon Cancer in my family. I am proud to say I have had my first colonoscopy. Thankfully, no polyps were found. When I am due for another screening, I will certainly do so. Women should get a colonoscopy when they turn 50 or younger if at higher risk for Colon Cancer. Ask your doctor about what's best for you!

The Colossal Colon

Do you live in Northwest Washington State? Don't miss this great event!
Walk through the "Colossal Colon," meet Colon Cancer survivor Anita Mitchell, talk with doctors, pick up some literature. Skagit Valley Hospital lobby, 1415 E. Kincaid,
Mount Vernon, WA. March 15th,1-5 p.m. Free.The Colossal Colon is really cool! It's 10 feet tall and 30 feet long. It demonstrates what a healthy colon looks like and how polyps can grow into cancer. Educational for the whole family.

The Blue Star

Colon Cancer has a symbol... The Blue Star!

Add a Blue Star to your Twitter & Facebook photos this month! It's easy and helps draw attention to our cause.

Click here to learn about the Blue Star Twibbon

The Cancer Fighting Grocery Cart

Google Image- Original Source Unknown

Put these cancer-fighting foods in your grocery cart :

• Dark Chocolate. Check the package and purchase chocolate that contains 70% cocoa or more.
• Green & Black Tea  
• Fish. Mackerel, sardines and salmon are high in Omega 3s.
• Beans
• Whole Grains
• Vegetables. Aruguala, kale, lettuce and spinach are good choices. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, mushrooms and sweet potatoes, too.
• Fruit. Tomatoes, apples and berries are known to have cancer fighting properties. Avocados, grapefruit, papayas, oranges, lemons and figs are also good choices.
• Nuts and Flaxseed
• Soy products  
• Spices. Add recipes that call for rosemary, garlic and tumeric to your menu.
• Red Wine

Sources:  Care 2   and  Live Strong

Recipes

Stronger

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.~ II Corinthians 12:10





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Two Important Messages about Colon Cancer

Remember to Dress in Blue tomorrow- March 2, 2012!

5 Easy Ways to Raise Colon Cancer Awareness

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. There are lots of ways that you can help educate people about the disease. Here's 5 ideas to get you started:

1) Sign a petition to light the White House up in blue lights. Please hurry! 
2) Dress in Blue on Friday, March 2nd and let people know why!
    Find great resources at the Colon Cancer Alliance.
3) Tweet a colon cancer fact or link each day.
4) Share an informational video on Facebook.
5)  Start a conversation about colonoscopies. Speaking of which, have you had one? I have!

A Throw-back to the '60s

Source

 Remember this image/expression from the 1960s? Well, it seems to apply to Ron these days. The road's been long, but he just keeps on trucking!
 His doctors have been in collaboration; the plan is to stay with the current regiment. No radiation for now, just Chemo. There is a drug pending FDA approval that Ron is a candidate for; clinical trials also remain a possability.
At his appointment today, Ron was told that his labs look good. His 'numbers' have been rather steady- no big jumps; there's been a slight increase in the main tumors in his lungs but overall a very slow progression of disease. Ron's side effects have been minor compared to previous regiments he has been on. He has insomnia, fatigue, a few mouth sores, headache, neuropathy (mainly in his fingers; probably permanent), a little nausea and chemo brain. In general, these side effects are well-managed.  We are both dealing with depression but we will keep on truckin'!

Speaking of the 1960s,Ron loves the Beatles. So, I just have to share this:

10 Ways to Help Families with Cancer

1) Pray. Ask them if you can put their name on a prayer list at church.
2) Listen, without giving advice or passing judgement.
3) Respect and maintain confidentiality.
4) Send a note of encouragement.
5) Include a gift card for groceries or gas.
6) Coordinate the provision of meals and/or transportation.
7) Provide respite. Offer to stay with the sick person, so the caregiver can get out, or babysit the kids so the couple can have time alone.
8) Help with chores- cleaning, mowing or basic household repairs.
9) Offer to help pay for medical expenses or organize a fundraiser.
10) Remember the family when others have not.
When a diagnosis is first made there tends to be a lot of support. Then it can drop off dramatically. The needs are still there and your help will be much appreciated!

Our Refuge from the Storm

Imgage: Heartlight

It is a very stormy time of year on Whidbey Island. Last night the wind blew so hard the house shook and the roof creaked. We did not get any sleep. This morning it is still blowing (thankfully, we have power).  My friend who lives on the mainland, in the fertile Skagit Valley, tells me she can always tell when a storm is coming because seagulls and other birds move inland. Large flocks can be seen flying overhead.

Well, last night, some little guys- sparrows, I suppose, took shelter in one of our bushes. This morning at daybreak, in 50+ mph wind, they started to sing. They did just what God designed them to do. This makes me wonder, as my family and I are in the midst of our own storm... will we continue to seek shelter in the Lord, or will we flee? 

I want to be like those sparrows. I want to sing!!!

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Caregiver Blues

Feeling blue, Caregiver? I am, too. Some studies I've read suggest up to 50% of caregivers suffer from depression. As caregiver, we carry such a burden. My friend Rob calls us the "unsung heroes" for all that we do day in and day out.

"Giving care can mean helping with daily needs. These include going to doctor visits, making meals, and picking up medicines. It can also mean helping your loved one cope with feelings. Like when he or she feels sad or angry. Sometimes having someone to talk to is what your loved one needs most. While giving care, it's normal to put your own needs and feelings aside. But putting your needs aside for a long time is not good for your health. You need to take care of yourself, too. If you don't, you may not be able to care for others. This is why you need to take good care of you."
~ National Cancer Institute

So just how do we take care of ourselves?  The Mayo Clinic suggests the following:

• Determine your commitments. It's important to assess what we can and can not do. There are many things in our lives we can't control.  We need to take charge of those we can.
• Reach out for help. Let's not wait until we are overwhelmed, or sick ourselves, to get the help our families need.
• Focus on the positive. As a caregiver, we are making a difference in the life of our loved ones. one. What we do is important!
• Remember other relationships. We need to spend time with friends and other loved ones. We need to let them know how much they mean to us. 
• Take time out for yourself.  We need to give ourselves permission to have fun; participate in activities that bring us joy. In doing so, we can manage the stress better.

I confess, I have not been good at any of these things. I have always thought of myself as a very strong and capable person, with a big heart to share. On this blog, and in other forums, I tend to project a positive image. But the truth is, six and a half years of this is wearing me down. So, I was not surpised when the doctor diagnosed me with depression recently.

Symptoms of Depression (source: NIMH)

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• Overeating, or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.

If you have some of these symptoms, please see your doctor. There are a variety of treatment options available, including medication and psychotherapy. If you are new to caregiving, I hope that you will not become a statistic. Take care of yourself, and avoid the blues!

Links:
Listen to Stories of Hope and Support (I was a guest speaker-January 2012)
Read my related Post: Help for the Caregiver
Other resources:
Tips for Cancer Caregivers

American Cancer Society Coping Checklist

Depression Screening Tool

Renewing our Strength

Goggle Image, original source unknown

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
~ Isaiah 40:31

The other morning, as I stood waiting for the bus, I heard an eagle cry. I looked up and saw four bald eagles circling directly overhead. What an awesome sight!  The scripture from Isaiah 40:31 immediately came to mind.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
This cancer battle has been a long one. I don't even want to reflect on everything our family has been through, especially my beloved. But I do know that our faith has sustained us.
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
 Bald eagles can have a wing span up to eight feet in length. They can soar at altitudes up to 10,000 feet. When we put our hope and trust in the Lord, we can soar high above the problems of this life- even advanced cancer.
they shall run, and not be weary;
When we feel tired, we need  turn to the Lord. He gives us the strength and energy we need to persevere.
and they shall walk, and not faint.
Have you ever received news that made your heart skip a beat or made your legs crumble beneath you? We have. Some times the test results are good, sometimes not so good. But the Lord catches us before we fall. He helps us to not only trudge along, but to soar!  

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