Stepping Stones For Survival

Anthracycline, the most commonly used chemotherapy drug for breast cancer patients in the UK, is only effective in about one-fourth of the 46,000 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK.

A new test developed at the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London would help the other three-fourths of breast cancer patients avoid needless chemotherapy with the stress and side effects that accompany it.

The test may also predict whether ovarian cancer patients will respond to chemotherapy and could be adapted for other forms of the disease.

Usually breast cancer patients find out after a three-month course of treatment they are not benefiting from Anthracycline.

With the new test, they can find out in 24 hours and move on to more effective treatment options.

I hope the new 24-hour test to determine the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment with Anthracycline will soon be standard procedure all over the world and will also be able to determine the effectiveness of other types of chemotherapy.

On August 19, 2010, freshmen moved in on campus at Virginia Tech. The Virginia Tech football team members and their head coach, Frank Beamer, not only helped the freshmen move in. They also sold pink wrist bands to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.

They sold almost 600 wrist bands in one day. The pink wrist bands are also on sale for $1.00 each at the University Bookstore on campus, the Volume Two Bookstore at University Mall and at the Hokie Stadium Shops in Lane Stadium.

This wonderful football team has designated their October 9 game as Breast Cancer Awareness Day when they host Central Michigan at Lane Stadium.

If you plan to go to the game, buy a wrist band and know that all the money raised will go directly to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Go Hokies.

How exciting that scientists are working on a breath test for early detection of breast, bowel, lung and prostrate cancers.

Until I read about the study, I never imagined that scientists were working on a new portable device, “an electronic nose,” with sensors that can detect chemicals from the above four types of cancer. It can distinguish between healthy and malignant breath.

A team at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel did the research. The team worked with only 177 volunteers of both healthy participants and patients with different cancers.

Much more research and larger studies need to be done. It will probably be several years before the breath test is available for use. I hope I’m around to see it happen. I would love to have a doctor hold that device to my nose and say, “Yvonne, congratulations. You have healthy breath.”

Cec Murphey has a talent for being down-to-earth and transparent. He has lived up to his reputation in this gift book.

Cec has made the book of Ecclesiastes come alive with examples from his life and through his humble prayers.

In a gentle way, he helps the readers understand that for everything there is a season whether it be a time to tear down and a time to build up, or a time to embrace and a time to turn away.

I highly recommend this book for those going through some of life’s changes, such as divorce, death of a loved one, a life-threatening illness, a job change, a move to another city or aging.

Nancy J. Locke provided exquisite photographs that add to the hope and comfort of each chapter

Pastors, parents, chaplains, Bible teachers, counselors, doctors and nurses will find this gift book a wonderful addition to their library and a book they can share with others.

People often ask me how I hung onto hope in the midst of cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. They also ask how they can hang onto hope in the midst of cancer. I tell them about the things that worked for me.

A CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

Those in a cancer support group are in all stages of recovery. Those who have been in remission ten, fifteen or twenty years provide encouragement and support. Because of them, we newcomers don’t feel alone or misunderstood in the midst of cancer.

FAITH

When we face a life-threatening disease, God can become our strength, our comforter, and our dearest friend if we let him. We can memorize Scriptures that bring us hope and cling to them. Church friends and activities can remain or become a part of our lives.

FRIENDS

After surgery and during cancer treatment, some of us can’t socialize as much as before. However, we can talk with friends on the phone, enjoy short visits, and go to lunch or dinner with them.

JOURNALING

We can journal our thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or rejection. We can write to heal on paper or at the computer.

LAUGHTER

“A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). Daily doses of this good medicine include watching comedies, reading joke books and asking family and friends to send us humorous cards.

MUSIC

Music calms the heart and soul. I like classical music, especially violin and piano and therefore, listened to it. Praise & worship music can be especially soothing and uplifting. It helps us keep a proper perspective and focus on God.

PROPER REST AND NUTRITION

We can sleep eight hours at night and feel better in the daytime. If we need a nap, we take it without guilt and shame. A balanced diet of protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, and grains helps more than we can imagine. Some of us do better without fried foods, shell fish, and pork, and so we avoid them.

 If anyone has any other suggestions for hanging onto hope in the midst of cancer, please feel free to comment.

 Copyright © by Yvonne Ortega July 30, 2010

Here is your chance to submit the name of a cancer patient for my Cancer Patient of the Year Contest. Tell me why you nominated the person and convince me that your person is the one to win the title on my blog. I will select the top three and then allow my readers to vote once for the candidate of their choice. This contest is in honor of cancer patients who are alive. At another time, I will do something similar in memory of those cancer patients who have passed away.

A Must for Caregivers

As a former pastor and volunteer hospital chaplain, Cecil Murphey had been around many cancer patients. As an author, he helped one woman write her cancer-survival story. However, when his wife got breast cancer, it was different. It became personal. He struggled to find a book that would help him as a caregiver. He found statistics, technical and medical information, and autobiographies of cancer survivors. Now that he is on the other side of his wife’s diagnosis and she is a ten-year cancer survivor, Cec Murphey has written the book, When Someone You Love Has Cancer: Comfort and Encouragement for Caregivers and Loved Ones. The chapters are short with beautiful illustrations by Michal Sparks that provide an atmosphere of peace and comfort. Each chapter ends in a brief prayer. Cec writes from his heart in a down-to-earth practical way. The appendix is entitled Practical Things You Can Do to Help Those Diagnosed with Cancer. The tips are divided into three sections: Before You Offer Help, What You Can Do Now, and Long-Term Caregiving. Cec does a wonderful job of encouraging family and friends of cancer patients. As a nine-year cancer survivor, I wish this book had been around when I went through cancer. It would have helped my parents, the rest of my family, and my friends. Not only should caregivers have this book, but also ministers, hospital and prison chaplains, hospice personnel, counselors, and medical oncology libraries.

Young at Heart

I had a great time when I spoke for the Young at Heart Breast Cancer Support Group on Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Joyce Harris, Ann Stansell, and Jo Weathers started that group in January 2010 for those in the Taylors area of Greenville, SC. These three women are a great team, and I enjoyed speaking to the group and meeting all the participants. Unfortunately several slipped out the door before I remembered to take the group picture. I guess I’ll have to speak there again and get a picture of the whole group.

 Copyright © April 15, 2010 by Yvonne Ortega

• Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide.
• About 473,000 cases of cervical cancer occur worldwide yearly.
• About 253,500 women worldwide die each year from cervical cancer.

1. For women age 21 or older, have an annual pap test (smear) which detects abnormal cells that can lead to cervical cancer.
2. For women age 30 or older, have the pap test and the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) test together annually. The HPV test detects the virus that causes cervical cancer.
3. Ask your doctor for the HPV vaccination for two of the types of HPV which is available for girls 11-12 years old and for girls and young women up to age 26.
4. Even with the HPV vaccination, women still need to go for annual screening.
5. Take the pledge to prevent cervical cancer sponsored by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation at http://www.cervicalcancercampagin.org/
6. Sign up for a free annual reminder for your pap test and HPV test at the above Web site.
7. At www.thepearlofwisdom.us/ purchase the “Pearl of Wisdom” pin, the symbol of cervical cancer prevention.
8. At the site mentioned in #7, choose a free “Pearl of Wisdom” banner for your Web site, blog, Facebook, or MySpace page to raise cervical cancer awareness.
9. If you have cervical cancer or HPV, call The National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) at 1-800-685-5531 and ask about the phone/e-mail pals program which will match you with a woman going through the same thing you are.
10. If you have questions or concerns about cervical cancer, HPV, or the HPV vaccination, submit them to “Ask a Doc at the same Web site already cited.

Copyright © January 2010 by Yvonne Ortega

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the USA. It reminds me I’m closer to the nine-year mark of being a breast cancer survivor. Excitement builds as I see ads for pink fiberglass insulation and browse in stores at the counters covered with pink blenders, blow dryers, stationery, candles, socks, scarves, hats, pillows, cosmetic bags, and cell phones among other things. My son called me “BC, Before Christ,” because I never owned a cell phone. This year to celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I purchased a pink cell phone.

You don’t need to buy a pink cell phone to celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, if you are a woman over 40 years of age or if breast cancer runs in your family, please go for a mammogram. If you have any doubts or concerns, also get an ultra sound, and don’t forget the importance of monthly self-exams.

Check local hospitals and cancer support groups in your area for special events during the month of October. A local hospital in my area sponsors an annual girls’ night out and offers free health screenings, wellness exhibits, speakers, refreshments, door prizes, and much more.

Don’t forget to wear a pink ribbon this month.

Copyright© by Yvonne Ortega October 11, 2009