Commentary: How I’m still alive to talk about surviving cancer

By Cathleen McBurney - Special to the American-Statesman
Updated: 10:40 a.m. Friday, May 26, 2017 |  Posted: 12:33 p.m. Friday, May 19, 2017

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The most astounding part of my cancer story might be that I’m still alive to tell it.

For nearly 10 years, doctors misdiagnosed my persistent jaw pain and trismus as temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMJ. Nerve damage to the side of my face was deemed a pinched nerve. Sadly, I believed the doctors and learned to live with the pain. That is, until I woke up one evening with such excruciating, stabbing pain in my face that I finally became my own advocate.

An immediate appointment with a neurologist led to an MRI and subsequent biopsy. The results came back quickly and were as severe as my physical discomfort: I had Stage IV adenoid cystic carcinoma, an extremely rare head and neck cancer that affects roughly 1,600 people in the U.S. each year.

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My Cancer Transformation

 I was 33 years old when I learned I had breast cancer. Not only did I have cancer – I had aggressive, advanced cancer. This unrelenting dis­ease is diagnosed in the later stages and is referred to as emmetastatic/em, a word with Greek origins meaning change. It’s when the tumor spreads to other parts of the body. For me, it spread to my skull, spine, pelvis, and abdomen. It even fractured my ribs.

Read Jaime's Story | Coping Magazine:

Tip of the Day: Stay Hydrated!

Stay hydrated! Carry a reusable water bottle with you throughout the day. It can save you time, money, and make choosing a healthy beverage easy! 10 Tips for Better Beverages  More beverage tips + video

Free Community Lunch at Grow D@t Youth Farm on Saturday

Join us! Free community lunch Saturday! We kicked off our summer leadership program this morning, and the young people in our leadership program will be with us working and learning on the farm four days a week in the month of June. You're invited to join us for the first community lunch of Grow Dat's summer leadership program this Saturday! Our community lunch series fosters an opportunity for Grow Dat youth to facilitate conversations with community members around our three curriculum pillars: sustainable agriculture, food justice, and community leadership. On Saturday, June 3rd, crew members will cook alongside guest chef Al Tee of Brown Girl Kitchen. The lunch will begin with a presentation by youth, followed by a group conversation while everyone shares a delicious meal together. Lunch takes place from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Tickets are FREE, and space is limited, so reserve your spot today! We hope to see you on the farm!

RESERVE A SPOT TODAY

Copyright © 2017 Grow Dat Youth Farm. All rights reserved.

Steps to Sharpening Your Job Skills

Chrissy Brennan on May 30, 2017

It’s common for people returning to work following a cancer experience to wonder about their ability to do their job at the same level as they did before — particularly if they’ve been out of the workforce for an extended period of time.

One way to counter any seeds of self-doubt is to brush up on existing skills or aim to develop some new ones. That goes for people looking to change careers as well, since it’s important to know which skills you can readily offer a potential employer and which ones you may need to acquire before throwing your hat in the ring for a job.

An article on The Job Network website serves up helpful, straightforward strategies for building strong workplace skills. We’ve highlighted three of our favorites below:

Read the full Blog Post on the Cancer and Careers Site

Coping With Cancer: Hope’s Story

Alex Hendrickson

First introduced to us as very stylish and fashionable, Hope Erlenborn Meushaw set the record straight by saying, “I definitely wouldn’t label myself as having a good eye for fashion, but I can tell if something just does not look good on me.” That’s why, shortly after her wedding, when she was diagnosed with stage 3b triple negative breast cancer at the age of 28, she was quick to acknowledge that two things would not work for her when she lost her hair due to chemo: wigs and most hats.

Hope was living in Atlanta pursuing her masters degree at Emory University when she was diagnosed. With a nursing degree and an understanding on the workings of her own body, Hope thought twice when the first radiologist she saw responded to her ultrasound by saying, “Don’t worry, it’s nothing. See you when you are 40.” And two weeks later, she thought twice again when a nurse practitioner and surgeon told her she had nothing to worry about. “I did something I didn’t expect,” Hope shares. “I broke down in tears in the surgeon’s office and begged her to take another look at the lump. I didn’t care if it was a mammogram, an ultrasound or an MRI. I just knew this mass wasn’t normal for me, and I wanted to know what it was.” After what Hope describes as a barbaric and incredibly painful (whether you have a massive tumor in your breast or not) bilateral mammogram that showed nothing, she was given another ultrasound that was followed with the recommendation of a biopsy.

Read Hope's Story

Why Follow-Up Care Is ESSENTIAL For Breast Cancer Survivors

BY ANGELA BANKER

For breast cancer survivors, seeing your doctor for follow-up care is important. Whether it is every three, six, or twelve months, your doctor’s visit will help maintain your health in more ways than just one.

WHY IS FOLLOW-UP CARE IMPORTANT?

After breast cancer treatment(s), visiting your doctor for follow-up care is important to maintain good health. Your doctor is able to utilize these appointments to identify changes in your health. They are able to manage any side effects you are dealing with after treatment. They can watch for signs that the cancer has come back or screen for other types of cancer. Often included in these follow-up appointments are physical examinations and other medical tests to monitor your recovery.

WHAT SHOULD PATIENTS TELL THEIR DOCTOR DURING THIS APPOINTMENT?

It is crucial to communicate with your doctor about any health concerns. During each visit, talk to your doctor about:

• Any symptoms you think may be a sign that cancer has returned
• If you are experiencing any pain
• Medications, herbs, and vitamins you may be on
• Physical changes, such as fatigue, memory changes, weight loss or gain, and difficulty with bowel movements
• Your emotional well-being, such as experiencing depression or anxiety
• Any changes to your family medical history.

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Healthy Summer Grilling Tips -- Go Red For Women

.Summertime means grilling time—time with family and friends and time to enjoy delicious foods.  There are all kinds of tasty foods to grill up, plus those sides, desserts and drinks that round out the meal.  The American Heart Association and Go Red want you to keep these important tips in mind to help you grill “fat-sensibly” through the summer season.

Meat, Poultry and Fish Grilling Tips

Grill fish more often.

• Go for grilled fish more often. The healthiest types include salmon, trout and herring, which are high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Use lean cuts of meat and remove the fat.

• Buy chicken breasts—and remember to remove the skin before eating—instead of the fattier dark meat (legs and thighs).  Or try grilling up chicken or turkey burgers using breast meat, and add diced onions for another layer of flavor.
• What cut of meat to buy?  Choose “loin” and “round” cuts of red meat and pork.  And buy “choice” or “select” grades of beef instead of “prime.”  While these have the least amount of fat, don’t forget to trim the fat when you get home.

Learn More -- Go Red For Women

Olivia Newton-John, 68, Is Battling Breast Cancer That Has Spread Into Her Back

BY MELODY CHIU•@CHIUMELO

POSTED ON MAY 30, 2017 AT 2:25PM EDT

Olivia Newton-John is putting her U.S. and Canadian tour on hold after discovering she has cancer, the singer announced on Facebook Tuesday afternoon.

Doctors have diagnosed the star, 68, with breast cancer that has metastasized to the sacrum, according to the statement. The star initially postponed the first half of her concert tour two weeks ago because of severe back pain from what she thought was sciatica; however, further tests discovered it was actually cancer that spread.

“She plans to be touring in August. They’re all very positive,” a source close to the Grammy winner told PEOPLE on Tuesday about Newton-John and her family.

Read the full article

"Yes, you may....."

New post on NOU “Yes, you MAY”……..be active this summer. You have our permission! by NOU Magazine As the month of May comes to a close, we thought it MAY be a good time to remind everyone of a few of the perks of staying active even during the long and sometimes lazy days of summer.  Those things that we all really know, but just need to be reminded of from time to time! Staying active helps us: Have more energy to keep up with our children, grandchildren, spouses, and furry friends; Burn more calories at rest, which means that summer ice cream cone puts less of a dent in our calorie limit; Lose weight and fit in those summer shorts that we wore last year; Obtain a better body composition (more lean body mass and less fat) and look good in that special outfit for cousin Sally’s summer wedding; Reduce stress, which we all have and could use less of as we ease into this much-awaited season; Have more flexibility and range of motion which can reduce injuries, and also make it easier for us to do those summer activities we like or need to do like participating in our favorite summer sport of activity, keeping the summer shrubs trimmed, cleaning the deck or patio, taking on a new home improvement project; and Become a role model for our children, family, friends, and neighbors. If you aren’t sure where to start, talk with your healthcare provider, a local YMCA or fitness center, or start by doing some research online.  There are some excellent great online resources to get you started such as  the  President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition    or the American College of Sports Medicine.  It doesn’t matter if you walk, bike, swim, or do some other activity, just keep moving and stay active for better health. You have our permission – “Yes, you may!” - just be sure and check with your healthcare provider first! Here's to an active, healthy, and happy summer.                                                                                                           Image from Pinterest.com Sources: President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/index.html . Accessed 5/30/2017. American College of Sports Medicine.   http://www.acsm.org/.  Accessed 5/30/2017. NOU Magazine | May 30, 2017 at 3:36 pm | Tags: benefits of being active, healthy lifestyle, physical activity, staying active | URL: http://wp.me/p7szYo-Ts Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from NOU. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://www.noumagazine.org/yes-you-may-be-active-this-summer-you-have-our-permission/

Tip of the Day: Craving Takeout

Craving takeout? Make small, healthy changes to your next takeout meal.  Try adding in more veggies or choosing steamed rice, rather than fried. Healthier takeout tips Make your own with this Fizzle Sizzle Stir Fry recipe

What's The Beef? - Cancer Today

Get the facts about meat consumption and cancer risk.By Brenda Conaway

Given the October 2015 report from the World Health Organization (WHO) about the cancer hazards of eating red and processed meats, what’s a meat eater to do? Just how serious is the cancer risk from these foods?

“The evidence about red meat and processed meat and cancer has been around a long time,” says Mariana C.Stern, a cancer epidemiologist at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and a member of the working group responsible for the report. On behalf of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO's cancer agency, the expert panel concluded that there was sufficient evidence that processed meat—which includes cold cuts, sausages and hot dogs—causes colorectal cancer in people. The working group also concluded that red meat—including beef, lamb, veal, goat and pork—probably causes colorectal cancer. 

Read More- Cancer Today

Talking Bladder Cancer with Marilu - Marilu Henner and Husband, Michael Brown, Open Up about His Bladder Cancer, Her Role as Caregiver, and How to Talk Frankly about the Disease

Best known for her role as Elaine Nardo in the 1970s sitcom Taxi, five-time Golden Globe nominee Marilu Henner has an extensive resume. In addition to television, she's starred on Broadway and in film, is aNew York Times bestselling author, has hosted her own radio show, and has even competed on reality TV. Most recently, she paired up with professional ballroom dancer Derek Hough to compete on the 23rd season of Dancing with the Stars.

Read the Full Post | Coping Magazine

Every Time I Look In The Mirror I See The Flaws Cancer Created

BY ANGELA BANKER

Every morning after my shower I stare at myself in the mirror.  Usually, it’s for a brief second – sometimes it’s longer.  The longer I gaze, the more critical I become.  I notice the flaws. 2.

With each passing year, the flaws grow.  I see the dimples on my back side.  I notice the extra skin I can grab around my center due to the weight gain from my medicine.  Even though my husband says I have never looked better, there is a difference.

Read Angela's Story

Invitation from BeatCancer.org

What triggered my cancer? Why did it happen now? What is my body trying to tell me? Did my stress level affect my diagnosis? What can I do to heal and ensure it won’t come back? The Cancer – Friend, Foe or Messenger course will help you explore and find answers to these tough but important questions.  It will also help empower you to take a proactive approach to healing and will give younewfound confidence that you are doing everything you can to get and stay well! If you did not get a chance to participate in the free screening of the course in May we have good news! Due to the overwhelmingly positive response from the people who participated in the course, Jackie Roberge, the course creator, has decided to offer a FREE REPLAY weekend June 2nd. – 4th. starting at 8pm ET on Friday evening. Please use this link to sign up for the FREE replay weekend. If you were already signed up for the free screening you can simply log into your course account (on Thinkific) starting Friday June 2nd. at 8pm ET,5pm PT.  My guest interview is during Module 5 when Jackie addresses cancer and the power of your emotions. I will be talking about cancer personality traits as well as traits I have observed in the thousands of cancer thrivers that I have helped over the years. I will also be addressing the controversial question of ‘can stress can cause cancer?’.    I encourage you to set some time aside to really do the exercises in the course. Just listening will be helpful but if you want to discover meaningful answers and have a breakthrough in your healing, it takes some time for deep reflection.  It also takes courage to turn inward and truly listen to your intuition or your inner knowing but when you do, the answers are invaluable!  During the course, Jackie’s holistic and compassionate approach will help you feel guided and supported through this process of finding the answers you need to not only achieve your health goals but also uplift your life! Enjoy this powerful, thought provoking and inspiring course! Blessings, Susan Silberstein, PhD Founder, Educational Director

To Your Health Negotiating cancer: Tips from one who’s done it

By Stefanie Joho May 28

At the age of 24, after two surgeries and two aggressive rounds of chemotherapy failed to cure me, my oncologist sent me home to die. When I was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2013, I'd never even heard the word immunotherapy. I didn't know that my doctors wouldn't have all the answers. I thought clinical trials were last-ditch efforts rather than treatments that save countless lives. I didn't know that a treatment geared to fighting my specific type of cancer and the genetic components of my tumor would go on to potentially offer tens of thousands of patients a revolutionary new path to surviving cancer in 2017.

Because I’m one of the very few lucky ones who looked into the abyss and made it out on the other side, I feel it is my duty to speak up and share all that I have learned in what is now a new era in cancer care. Because a disease that should have killed me instead launched my career in patient advocacy.

Read the full post

Rolling Up Her Sleeves - Cancer Today

Princess Dina Mired of Jordan will be the first Arab president of the Union for International Cancer Control.By Sue Rochman

When Dina Mired married Prince Mired bin Raad of Jordan in 1992, she became a princess. Five years later, in November 1997, their son, Rakan, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) a few days before his second birthday. That’s when Mired gained a new title: cancer caregiver.

Read the full post - Cancer Today

Tip of the Day: Keep Food Safe

Keep food safe. Keep food safe to eat by avoiding cross-contamination!  Wash kitchen tools used for preparing meats before using them for other foods. Food Safety 10 Tips: Be Food Safe

Healthy for Good - From the American Heart Association

Trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser To ensure proper delivery of future American Heart Association emails, Add us to your safe senders list Spice up your dinner game with some new healthy recipes instead of reaching for the delivery menu again. Watch a video tutorial of one of these easy recipes, or check out our recipe center for more great ideas. DO THIS: Pick a new recipe to try tonight. Post your culinary triumph and tag us! @AHAlivehealthy Indian Creamy Tomato Chicken Yogurt adds creaminess and Indian spices provide the oomph. The slow cooker makes it oh-so-tender. Get this and other healthy recipes. Zucchini, Tomato and Chickpea Ragout This hearty, vegetarian main dish stew served with couscous is simple and delicious. Get this and other healthy recipes. Vietnamese Shrimp Lettuce Wraps The avocado and mango in these fresh, colorful wraps also can be grilled to up the wow factor. Get this and other healthy recipes. Southwestern Beef Sliders Tasty mini-burgers with roasted Poblano pepper, avocado and Cotija cheese will bring your family and friends to the table. Get this and other healthy recipes. What's in your ideal cookbook? Time is running out to give us your feedback on our line of 20+ cookbooks... so we can give you what you need to cook Healthy For Good™. Take the survey now. National Supporter Fresh-Avocados - Love One Today® Donate | Forward this Message | Subscribe to this newsletter To be removed from this email/newsletter list, please use the link below and follow the instructions. Remove my address from only this email/newsletter list Remove my address from all association mailings You will be removed from the email/newsletter list within 24 hours. Privacy Policy | Ethics Policy | Conflict of Interest Policy To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: American Heart Association Attn: Email Subscriptions Group 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231