Posts Tagged ‘cancer’
I had the pleasure and privilege to work with several wonderful women on this year’s KaleidoscopeDE Cancer Conference which was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Newark, DE.
The KaleidoscopeDE Cancer Conference was the brain child of Nicolle Surratte founder of NspiredD.com. Nicolle is also a five year cancer thriver who has been working tirelessly with many other cancer organizations in and out of the state of Delaware and she has even appeared on nationally televised commercials for the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. The purpose of the KaleidoscopeDE Cancer Conference was to Empower Survivors – Mind, Body and Spirit.
Raising funds for the Cancer Conference was a monumental task, we sold tickets, solicited donations from local businesses, held a Flapjack Fundraiser at Applebee’s and on Friday night hosted a “Cocktails and Comedy” Show. The show featured comediennes who are all cancer survivors and you can read more about this great show on my blog by clicking here.
Grateful to the many volunteers who came out early Saturday morning to assist us with the set-up, check-ins, vendors arrangements and moderators.
Everything including the presentations made this a very successful conference and for that we are all very thankful.
Workshop presenters included:
Liz Brown, PCC, CACP, CWC, owner of Be Well Life Coaching in Centreville, DE – www.bewelllifecoaching.com
Wendy Fulford, Certified Natural Health Professional – www.holisticeagleeye.com
Liz Abel, Licensed integrative functional nutritionist – www.freeandabel.com
Amy Marshall, Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach – www.creatinghealthyroots.com
Anastacia Monguelluzzo, LMT – Licensed Massage Therapist in Delaware
Dr. Susan Silberstein, PhD – Founder and Educational Director or www.BeatCancer.org
Sue Palmer, LMT, Licensed Massage Therapist
The 2016 KaleidoscopeDE Cancer Conference began at 8:00 am with registration, vendor exhibits and light breakfast snacks. The welcoming greeting and schedule of the day was presented by Sherani then Nicolle welcomed everyone before the the first Empowerment Session which began promptly (not quite) at 9:50 am.
Empowerment Session 2 started at 11:00 am and with the layout of the rooms at the Embassy Suites everyone was able to get from one session to the other with ease.
There was a wonderful lunch buffet before the final Empowerment Session at 1:20 p.m. The last session ended at 2:20 and the closing included Raffle Drawings, Door Prizes and Giveaways which ranged from an Invicta and Apple Watch, to a 3-day 2 night stay at a resort in Virginia.
Each attendee received a very nice Tote Bag donated by Tanger Outlet and it contained a lot of informational sheets and other goodies. Among the many vendors on hand were Alternative Therapy, BeatCancer.org, BeautyCounter, Black Nurses Association of Northern Delaware, Delaware Chiropractic at Louviers, Health Care Solutions Delaware Valley, Life Changing Hands Massage, MedExpress and Pamper Perfect Mobile Spa, iasoTea, Fusions Taster’s Choice and authors Viviane Philmon and Dr. Nat’e Guyton.
It was a wonderful day and I am looking forward to working with Nicolle again next year on the 2017 KaleidoscopeDE Cancer Conference.
We have all been touched by cancer and together we are working for a cancer free world.
Will you be participating in any Cancer Awareness walks or activities this month?
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Hello friends,
most of you know that hubby was diagnosed with small intestinal cancer for which he had surgery on March 31st. His last two appointments have shown no signs of it, but he will still need to have blood tests taken every few months.
He actually started having digestive problems at the age of 45, hence the annual colonoscopies before the cancer was detected. However, even now with the removal of it he still experiences bowel problems.
Varies laxatives, both prescribed and over the counter fill our medicine cabinet but nothing seems to work all the time. He eats plenty of fruits and veggies, very little to no red meat and is back to exercising, however, the problems still exists.
Now that I’ve the opportunity to order Green Tree Life Sciences “The Amazing Miracle Cleanse” from Amazon.com, I’m hoping it might actually be the miracle cleanse that works. This all natural detox and colon cleanse dietary supplement is supposed to provide results in 12-24 hours to those suffering from constipation, gas and bloating.
The Amazing Miracle Cleanse can be taken as needed or as a 15-day cleanse detoxification when taking 2 capsules a day for 2 weeks. I’ll check with hubby to see if he wants to give it a try, who knows, this just might be just what his colon needs. If he does and it works, I’ll come back to this post with the results.
Have you ever tried a cleanse? If not, but are interested, use the code TOMOSON5 to receive a $10 discount on your order of The Amazing Miracle Cleanse.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
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Hello Friends and Happy Thankful Thursday!
This week started off great, on Monday hubby received the best news since his cancer diagnosis and surgery – NO CHEMO!!! I am thankful that he doesn’t have to go through that procedure although he will need to be monitored and tested every 3-4 months. I am also thankful to all of you for your thoughts and prayers during this time!
I am thankful to have had another DIY article published in the Parade Magazine, the first one was the “Storm Survival Kit“. If you haven’t had a chance to read it click here and I would appreciate it if you made a comment on their website as well.
I am also thankful for winning a Giveaway sponsored by Me and My Mini Me, a JunoPower External Battery and this little guy is awesome! A few weeks ago I attended an event after work and about an hour into the program the battery on my Samsung G4 mobile phone died!
Don’t you feel disconnected from the rest of the world when that happens? I wish I had had the JunoPower at the time because it would have charged my phone in less than an hour allowing me to post more pics on my Instagram page (aah the life of a blogger)!
The Juno Power Battery has two USB ports so that it can charge two devices at the same time, and it can be either an Apple or Android product.
The best thing about the Juno Power is that it holds a charge so you don’t need to keep it plugged in when not in use, and if you forget to turn it off it will go into a sleep mode and power down. It comes with a USB cord which you can plug into a charger/outlet for recharging and the LCD screen shows the percentage of battery life remaining.
The Juno Power Hue Battery comes in an assortment of metallic colors, I chose pink (I wonder why), and it will stay in my purse away from my son Malik the electronics guru!
Okay, it’s your turn, what are you thankful for this week?
Stay Blessed – No Stress in 2014!
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For far too many years, we have had several relatives affected by cancer, mostly breast but lung and colon cancer has also reared their ugly heads. We watched them go through treatment, recovery, get worse, become survivors or die. Cancer don’t care who you are, where you live, or even how you live.
Lung cancer has taken the lives of smokers as well as non-smokers and breast cancer invades the bodies of men as well as women and for far too long.
We have watched the deterioration of some and dealt with the sudden death of others. We have grieved as a family and attended the funerals and memorial services. Cancer don’t care about any of this.
My mother-in-law battled colon cancer, she put up a good fight, in and out of Hospice Care for over a year until her small frame, weighing less than 100 lbs could no longer take it…she died on Saturday August 31, 2013.
“You have cancer” is a phrase that no one ever wants to hear, especially a healthy, active, non smoking, non drinking man who is entering his next phase of life. Retirement papers signed after 32 years with the State of Delaware…now onward to that 2nd half of life and getting a start on the “honey-do” list.
Cancer Don’t Care!
Colonoscopy began at the age of 45, he ate little to no red meat, exercised daily, had a happy life with a happy wife and kids in slow suburban Middletown, DE.
Cancer Don’t Care!
Years of pain and an irritable bowel, yet, no detection of cancer, until one specialist working in God’s favor does an endoscopy and there is was hidden in the small intestines.
Cancer Don’t Care!
Diagnosed on the 21st…surgery on the 26th with no signs it has spread, and guess who’s home today!
God is Good and
I AM THANKFUL!!!!!!!!!
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Hello Friends and Happy Thankful Thursday
I am writing this post Saturday night a few days before hubby’s surgery, and deep in my heart I know that he will do well and all the cancer will be removed. #InJesusName and for that I will forever be THANKFUL.
(UPDATE – CANCEROUS TUMOR WAS REMOVED WEDNESDAY MORNING AND THERE IS NO SIGN THAT IT SPREAD!!!!!)
I am also thankful for being chosen as a Featured OWNer for the Oprah Winfrey Network, you can read the entire feature here and I would appreciate a comment as well.
I love most of the shows on the OWN Network and The Haves and Have Not is currently my favorite, I even wrote a post about it when it first debuted, remember this (click here).
This week as always, I am thankful for my family, friends and faith. I am also truly thankful for all of you and for your well wishes and prayers! Being a blogger with followers and friends such as yourselves is truly something to be thankful for.
Now it’s your turn, what are you thankful for this week?
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“I was a senior in High School when my father was diagnosed with cancer”
Most of us has read or at least heard this statement, or you may have even said it yourself, I just never thought my youngest son would be uttering these words…
Yes, my husband of 23 years was recently diagnosed with Colon Cancer, actually, the cancer is located in his small intestine. Small intestinal cancer is an uncommon cancer that comprises about 1% to 2% of all gastrointestinal cancers. As you read this post, he and I are meeting with the physician who will be performing the surgery.
Ironically March is Colon Cancer Awareness month and although it is recommended you start having a colonoscopy at the age of 50, I ask that you consider beginning it earlier, especially if you have any symptoms. My husband never smoked, drank or ate “bad” foods, he stayed active and continues to workout on a regular basis but cancer doesn’t care!
He started having colonoscopies at the age of 45 and although he had many of the symptoms it was only recently diagnosed with a endoscopy. I trust and believe that the surgery will remove all of those cancerous polyps and ask that you pray for him and our family. I will keep you posted as more information is gathered.
Stay Blessed – No Stress in 2014!
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Hello Friends and Happy Monday
I hope you all had a great weekend, the last one before the official start of the Holiday Season, even though the Christmas commercials, parades and decorations are already in full effect. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, Winter does not officially begin until December 21st, but the temperatures definitely stated otherwise…it was freezing cold yesterday!
On Saturday I drove down to Dover to meet up with my cousins from Jersey, we met at DelState for the DSU -vs- Morgan State football game.
Unbeknownst to me, I had a 2nd cousin who is on the Morgan State Football team, Marcolm Banks is a freshman and a Fullback for the Morgan State Bears.
His mother, my cousin Michelle and I were very close growing up but had a falling out in 1990. It was a stupid arguement, she got upset with me because I didn’t want kids at our Wedding reception and at the time she had a young daughter. We stopped talking and 4 years after she gave birth to her second child, Marcolm, she died from cancer. We never made up nor did I ever apologize and to this day I still regret that…
Family is all that really matters and during this joyful time of the year it’s especially important to share the love and have good times. I’m asking if you have an estranged family member or friend, please let it go and make up now because life is too short!
As a DelState Alum – Class of ’83, it was the first time that I had sat on the opposing team’s side in the stadium, it was definitely a different view from the stands.
Fam in the stands!
Although DelState lost the game it was fun and the fans, family, and students enjoyed themselves despite the cold wintry winds!
I told my cousin if DelState lost, I would wear his Morgan State cap in front of a Hornet’s backdrop.
I love my cousins, thanks for inviting me to the game!
Have a wonderful day – Smooches!
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“Good morning, please take off everything from the top, then put on this gown with the opening in the front”
Yes, that’s the phrase I hear from the friendly technician when it’s time for my annual mammogram and on Monday at 7:30 am I had my 12th.
“Have you noticed any changes to your breasts?”
“No”
“Have you felt any lumps or experienced soreness in your breasts?”
“No”
“Do you have on any deodorant?”
“No”
“Okay, are you ready?”
“Yes”
“let’s start with the right side first….left arm down…grip here…move up a little closer…you’ll feel a little pressure…okay hold it…now relax.”
Next it’s from a different angle, then repeated on the left side.
This is the only conversation we have while having my breasts moved, lifted, adjusted then flattened between two plates to be imaged.
For all my years of having mammograms, I can honestly say, it’s never really hurt, uncomfortable, yes, but not overly painful. I have always scheduled my exam during Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a big reminder to have it done – no excuses or memory lapses.
Sadly, far too many women refuse to have a mammogram because of the preconceived notion that there will be unbearable pain involved, trust me, the pain of not going can be far worse.
I have lost an aunt and cousin to Breast Cancer and have several other cousins who are Breast Cancer survivors, so I know it’s better to be checked and uncomfortable for 15 minutes than not at all.
Have I ever been called back after a mammogram?
Yes, and it was nerve-wracking to say the least, but nothing was found. It was just the density of the breast, the angle of the image or noticeable calcification on the x-ray, which is why you are asked not to wear deodorant before the exam. Most deodorants/antiperspirants contain aluminum which is very similar to microcalcifiactions, which is an early indication of breast cancer.
I had my first Mammogram at the age of 40, however, it is now suggested that women, especially African American women begin at the age of 35. If you have any questions or need additional information, please check out www.cancer.org.
Early detection is key, however, when women are not vigilant in doing monthly self breast exams or having an annual mammogram the survival rates decrease. Triple Negative Breast Cancer is now the most dangerous form of breast cancer and is prevalent among African American women. Treatment for it can kill or even cause another form of cancer to appear, Robin Roberts is a survivor of Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
Do Breast Self Exams Monthly – The Best Protection is Early Detection!
P&G has a new Downloadable Phone app that aids in early cancer detection, so try it out today.
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Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday!
Remember last month when I started my birthday at the Glasgow Medical Center taking tests, well the results are in and although not all of them were abnormal, one was a bit disconcerting. I am Vitamin D deficient.
Me…the dunking of Oreos into a big glass of milk…me….the Kahlua mixed with milk drinking…me….the daily eating of cottage cheese in salads…me…the tomato and cheese sandwich eater…me…the yogurt spooning, sun worshiping me is Vitamin D deficient – REALLY, how does that happen?
AGE
Vitamin D deficiency is more common in women, people of color, obese people, senior citizens and breast-fed infants. For 52 years I have been in good health, other than the normal bumps and bruises and a few minor cuts as a child I have been the picture of health. Only two hospitalizations, the first was 21 years ago when I had to have a Cesarean Section giving birth to #1 son, and the second was four years ago for Urethral Diverticula,
So how does one go from that to this…simple
AGE
Now don’t get me wrong, I know there are millions of people with ailments, diseases and disabilities far worse than being Vitamin D deficient, so I’m not crying, “woe is me”. I’m just passing along a little information that I’ve learned since my diagnosis, because more than half of the US population could also be Vitamin D deficient.
Vitamin D is really a hormone rather than an actual vitamin and it is needed for calcium absorption required for bone growth and density. 90% of our Vitamin D comes from directly from the sun, but darker complexions do not absorb as much due to the melanin in our skin.
Body fat interferes with how Vitamin D is formed as well as age, after 50 we are less able to produce Vitamin D. Vitamin D stimulates muscle growth which is important especially for older women who are more susceptible to bone softening osteoporosis. Low Vitamin D levels have also been associated with the increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and cancer.
Symptoms may be subtle but they include:
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- leg cramps
- muscle pain or weakness/cramping
- sleep interruption or insomnia
- poor concentration or memory
- headaches
- bladder or bowel issues (urgency/frequency or constipation/diarrhea)
The best way to determine if you have a Vitamin D deficiency or to determine the best dosage you need for your body, your blood levels must be tested. Levels may be lower in the winter and higher in the summer, but this chart shows the categories of those levels.
There are several online sites including www.webmd.com where you can get additional information but for me, the bottom line is that I need to increase my Vitamin D intake, including taking a supplement of at least 2000 mg; eat more foods fortified with Vitamin D such as milk, butter, yogurt, orange juice, and oily fish and of course hang out in the sun more and you know me…I love hanging poolside…so a trip to The Bahamas may be just what the doctor orders!
Have a fantabulous day – Smooches!
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A few weeks ago it was reported and obviously rebuked by nail technicians that Gel Manicures pose a health risk, that the process of using UV Rays to set the gel can cause skin cancer. But what about Shellac Manicures, do they pose the same risks because the setting method is the same? There are many pros and cons for each including this one, (here), but you have to judge for yourself.
I’ve had both and personally prefer The Shellac for several reasons, the process is quicker; the length under the UV light is shorter and last but not least, it’s cheaper!
Yesterday during my lunch break I went to Nail Paradise in the Frazer Shopping Center, where I received a Shellac manicure by Lisa, a very pleasant nail technician. There were so many pretty bright colors from which to chose but I selected this Midnight Blue, what do you think?
Have you had a Shellac or Gel Manicure – if so, which do you prefer?
Lisa, the Nail Technician, was very pleasant and I enjoyed my “quick pamper”.
Nail Paradise, 490 Lancaster Pike, Frazer Shopping Center, Frazer, PA 610-647-4181
Have a fantabulous weekend – Smooches!
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