Preparing for Survivorship

When treatment ends and survivorship begins, how do those with cancer make the transition? In this post, one survivor shares her findings.

BY Bonnie Annis

PUBLISHED April 26, 2019

Bonnie Annis is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2014 with stage 2b invasive ductal carcinoma with metastasis to the lymph nodes. She is an avid photographer, freelance writer/blogger, wife, mother and grandmother.

In a few months, I’ll celebrate 5 years since being diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. As a breast cancer survivor, I am amazed at the possibility of reaching this milestone while remaining cancer-free. When I initially received a diagnosis of cancer, I wrongly assumed I’d been handed a death sentence. Being cancer naïve, I assumed my life would be cut short by the disease but I am happy to say, it hasn’t been. I am still living. I am a survivor! I was diagnosed at the age of 56. Today, I am 61.

It seems the number of cancer survivors is growing. Perhaps it’s due to the advances we’ve seen in modern medicine, or perhaps it’s due to earlier detection. Whatever the case, the bottom line is that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean imminent death.

According to the American Cancer Society, “There are more than 15.5 million cancer survivors alive in the US today, and that number will grow to more than 20 million by 2026. This includes everyone who’s ever had cancer, from the time of diagnosis for the rest of their life.” Those statistics are staggering.

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How to keep foods fresh for longer

April 27, 2019 By Jessica Caines 

“Tomatoes have no place in the fridge,” “Eggs and milk stay in the fridge door,” ” Yogurt and sour cream are supposed to go in the highest cabinet,” and “lemons in bananas should stay in the vegetable crisper”. This is advice you have already heard from your friends and family when they look in your fridge. But is there any truth in this?

How should we store our groceries, anyway?

Lesson number one: temperature education. Based on the physics of heat distribution, it should be coldest in the lowest cabinet because the cold air condenses and sinks. The coldest area is the shelf above the bottom vegetable crisper. This area is about 37 degrees. That means this area is perfect for fresh meat and fish products. The best way to store these products is in air-tight containers.

The middle shelf is about 41 degrees, which is perfect to store sour cream, yogurt, heavy cream, and other milk products. Avoid keeping the milk products in the fridge door, as temperature fluctuations can cause the milk to go bad faster.

In the top shelf, store products that are already cooked or do not need to be cooked at all. These are, for example, leftovers, pickled products, marmalades or jams, and desserts. The temperature at the top shelf is about the same as the fridge door, 46 to 51 degrees.

In the side door, you should store, from top to bottom: eggs and butter, sauces and spreads, and beverages.

The vegetable crisper is for vegetables, of course, as the perfect temperature in the crisper (46-51 degrees) keeps the vegetables crisp. 

All tropical fruits like pineapples, mangos, lemons, oranges, and bananas should stay outside the fridge. Bananas specifically lose their aroma and discolor in the fridge (in addition to making the rest of your fridge smell like bananas)! Potatoes, zucchini, and tomatoes also should not go in the fridge. The cool temperatures make them lose their aroma. 

Depending on the season, you should adjust your refrigerator temperature 2-7 degrees. A bit cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Overall, you should just buy the food you need, buy local and try to stick to a grocery list to avoid impulsive buys and food waste.

Originally posted at http://greenlightneworleans.org/blog/how-to-keep-foods-fresh-for-longer/   NOTE: This webpage has lots of great information. Check it out!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Mind. Body. Cancer.

Mind. Body. Cancer.

How Mind-Body Therapies Can Help You Heal

by Sharen Lock, MS, C-IAYT, E-RYT; Tammy Bernard, MEd, C-IAYT, E-RYT; and Lora Thompson, PhD

Not only has the popularity of mind-body techniques such as yoga and meditation exploded in recent years, but also a growing body of research suggests that cancer survivors who practice these techniques may have improved sleep, more energy, and less anxiety. Thus, many hospitals and medical centers throughout the country now offer yoga and meditation programs as part of an integrative approach to cancer care. So, if you’ve been thinking about trying a mind-body therapy to help you recover from cancer, there’s never been a better time than now. 

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Holiday Reflections and PTSD

How to manage PTSD over the holidays and making the transition from Cancer Fighter to Cancer Survivor.

BY Shira Zwebner

PUBLISHED April 25, 2019

A native New Yorker, Shira Kallus Zwebner is a communications consultant and writer living with her husband and three children in Jerusalem, Israel. Diagnosed in 2017 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, she's fighting her cancer battle and blogging about the journey at hipstermomblog.com

Passover last year was beyond difficult, with my sixth R-CHOP treatment for stage IVA non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on the eve of the seven-day holiday. I spent the Seder, traditionally a festive event where family and friends gather together in their holiday finest, alone in a bedroom in tears. Instead of my best holiday dress, I wore pajamas and a wool cap over my sweaty, bald head. My cheeks were flushed and swollen from the six prednisone pills taken hours earlier, my body alternating between hot flashes and bone-chilling cold. We were sad and exhausted, entering the spring season with my cancer battle still waging and the constant fear that I wouldn't emerge victorious.

During the week, we spent a morning at the hospital for my weekly PICC line cleaning and blood draw. My hematologist-oncologist had taken the holiday off and left instructions with the doctor on call. She reviewed my blood counts, told me when to start the Neupogen injections to get my white blood cells up and wished me a good holiday. Later, the nurse gently peeled off the sticker holding the tubes against my skin and disinfected the area, chatting easily about her own Passover Seder and her fun travel plans for the remainder of the week. I stayed quiet and listened, knowing that my own children would be spending the holiday without me. I looked over at my husband with sadness. It was his 44^th birthday and my illness had taken its toll. He just couldn't keep up the positivity that day.

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Check Out "Music Under the Oaks" on April 30th

Bring your lawn chairs and join us for a special concert series to celebrate the Audubon Park Conservancy presented by Bellwether Technology. Food and drink will be available to purchase. Contributions to the Conservancy directly support the annual care and improvements of Audubon Park, including ongoing needs such as lawn care, seasonal flower planting, and the protection of historic live oak trees.

WHEN
Sunday, March 31 - Loyola Jazz Ensemble
Sunday, April 7 - LPO String Quartet
Sunday, April 14 - New Orleans Concert Band, 5:00 PM- 6:30 PM
Tuesday, April 30 - LPO String Quartet, 5:30 PM- 7:00 PM

WHERE
Newman Bandstand at Audubon Park

DONATIONS
Every gift to the Audubon Park Conservancy at any level is greatly appreciated!

Tip of the Day: Meal Planning and shopping for one?

TIP OF THE DAY

Meal planning and shopping for one? Freeze large packages of meat, poultry, or fish into single serving portions for easy use in future meals. Meal planning for one Freezing and food safety

Tip of the Day: Pack a Snack

TIP OF THE DAY

Pack a snack. Keep a handful of unsalted nuts or dried fruit in your bag or car. It’s a simple way to have healthy snacks on hand when hunger strikes. Tips for snacks Recipe ideas