This week is the week we acknowledge the people who have had breast cancer. The International Conventions was held in Victoria, B. C. in Canada. My friend was one of the delegates from Canada. Each week in Canada about 18, 000 people are diagnosed with this disease.
AT THE CONFERENCE, (from the times Colonist June 9, 2002):
’Frustration with doctors and the lack of co-ordination, communication and compassion in the treatment of breast cancer spilled out in an open forum Saturday of the World Conference on Breast Cancer in Victoria.
One by one, women from countries around the world spoke of the need to have more information about the disease and a clear explanation of alternatives from the time patients are first diagnosed.
Some B.C. delegates criticized their doctors for having the information but not giving it to patients.
The same point was made earlier in the week about problems in the developing countries of Senegal and Ghana.’
This truly was a Conference of’frustration’!
WHAT CAN YOU DO:
I have a mammogram every year and you should as well. I am not only talking to Women here because Men can get cancer in their breasts as well.
I know the mammograms hurt if they are not administered by a Technologist who treats you like a’number’. I report one and she was fired the next day. If a Technologists is not
gentle with you then report them immediately.
Mammograms can only tell you that you have cancer once the tumor has developed. That is sad because by then the cancer has advanced to the point where you have three choices.
My Grandmother on my Father’s side died of this disease. That is why I never took birth control pills to help stop my’hot flashes’ during my change of life.
THE CHOICES:
1) Have your breast and the lymph nodes under the armpit near that breast removed.
2) Only take the tumors that have cancer in them taken out.
3) Do nothing and die.
THE TREATMENTS:
1) Chemotherapy or Radiation. This helps to try and’burn’ the cancer away. It often takes away the good cells as well as the bad. Many people loose their hair and wear a wig or a hat to cover their baldness.
2) Having a complete hysterectomy including your ovaries. This is done because breast cancer lives off estrogen.
3) Have your other breast removed so you won’t feel’off balanced’.
4) Have reconstruction of a new breast performed. This is a radical operation.
5) There is a new high frequency ultrasound that can’see the cancer’ before it develops and if more hospitals had these machines the rate would be cut down.
WHAT HELPS MAKE A CANCER SURVIVOR FEEL BETTER:
1) Do not pity them and don’t offer any help unless you are have had cancer your self.
2) There are new soft hand-made breasts out now. They come in every color. MM is an American Lady or Color and she has a few that match her skin perfectly.
3) Buy the’Original Sleeping Bean Body pillow from the web site: https://beanproducts.com. so they can get a good nights sleep.
4) Donate to the Breast Cancer Society. If you do not have one near you their web site is:
https://feminist.org/other/bc/bchome.html
There is a lot of information at this site that you might like to read.
MY THOUGHTS:
Please wear a pink ribbon to show you are a supporter to find a cure for breast cancer research.
©LL2002
I WILL CLOSE WITH A MESSAGE THAT WAS SENT TO ME:
’In honor of Breast Cancer Month and those who have suffered you have been tagged by an Angel.Angel Tag
I’ll just take it as a hint if I don’t get this back. How many people actually have 5 true friends? Hardly anyone I know! But some of us have all right friends and good friends!
Which means! You are a great friend! If this was sent to you it means you are a good friend! In honor of Women’s History Month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER By ERMA BOMBECK
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the GOOD’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up! on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I wasn’t there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was! The only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, ’Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.’
There would have been more’I love you’s’ and more’I’m sorry’s’ but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . live it . and never give it back.
Pass this on this message to five people that you want watched over. If you don’t know five women to pass this on to, one will do just fine.
Thank You’