I Heart MDA

I Heart MDA.

After a brief hiatus from Anticancer Amy, I’m back!  My relationship with the cancer world will never end but sometimes distractions are good.  Things like summer, kids’ schedules and vacations.  I sat down several times in the past 4 months to write on Anticancer Amy, but was always interrupted (mostly by young humans). 

The cancer world has been knocking on my brain and tugging on my heart like crazy.  A friend was diagnosed with a breast cancer recurrence, two neighbors were diagnosed with breast cancer, Pearland Chickfila asked for Isabella’s giant pink ribbon for October, another neighbor friend lost her life to brain cancer, the kids had a pink lemonade stand, my brother in law accepted a job with the MD Anderson Head and Neck Cancer Clinic, I heard a new friend share her story on inflammatory breast cancer, we biked Tour de Pink, I’m on the board of directors for a new local organization called Positively Pink,  Waltz Warriors met our ticket quota to bring the movie Decoding Annie Parker to Houston, I attended a reception for a friend who was a finalist in patient care at MD Anderson and spent a weekend at the MD Anderson Survivorship Conference, the kids had more pink lemonade stands and finally, I went to an event on Living the Anticancer Life.  Whew!  10 years ago, I would have passed out if I knew what my 2014 world would look like.  Yes, God had a slightly different plan. 

At the MD Anderson Survivorship Conference there is a table with a rainbow of lanyards.  You choose a lanyard for your nametag based on how many years you have been a cancer survivor.  This is my second year to be blue (5-9 years).  It’s a blessing and all but, oh how I have my eyes set on red!  Caregivers wear white lanyards, the color for angels.  Some people wear several lanyards- those are the folks who have had more than one cancer diagnosis. 

As always, the conference is filled with data, stories, recommendations, scientific evidence and most importantly HOPE.  I heart MD Anderson, not just because I am a patient there, but because of the profound knowledge they are spreading to the planet!  This institution is hyper-specific.  MDA docs are writing the textbooks, publishing 10 papers per day!  The marrying of academia, biotech, government, clinical and biopharmocology is extraordinary.   In 2014, the US incidence of cancer will be 1.6 million, in 2035 it will jump to 2.4 million.  Cancer is now the #1 cause of death in the world, surpassing heart disease. 

A highlight of some things I learned or was reminded of at the Survivorship Conference:

1.       50-70% of cancer can be prevented by LIFESTYLE.  This is not debatable, there is measurable data out there. 

2.       Major drivers of cancer include viruses (think HPV), age, habits (think smoking & tanning beds!), genetics and environmental factors.

3.       MDA harvests 50 placentas per day to be used for stem cell transplants, the largest clinic in the world.

4.       There are over 1,000 current clinical trials at MDA, also used as standard of care.

5.       There IS scientific evidence that attitude, stress, exercise and nutrition matter in regards to cancer.  As one oncologist put it “The best way to thank MD Anderson is to do your part for cancer prevention and be healthy.”

6.       MDA is working to prevent ovarian cancer in first degree relatives by testing for BRCA.  Mind you, these services are FREE if not covered by your insurance company.

7.       MDA is also working in several areas to create vaccines for cancer- this is huge!  Dr. Amy Heimberger, a brain surgeon and immunologist, is working on a vaccine for brain cancer.  Can you imagine?

8.       Buzz words I heard:

·         Targeted Therapy

·         Immunotherapy

·         The Angelina Effect/ Surgical Prevention

·         Sequencing Genes

·         Molecular Understanding

·         Antibodies

9.       Dr. Lorenzo Cohen with the Integrative Health Clinic sends a daily email highlighting scientific findings reported in the news relevant to integrative medicine, cancer, health and wellness.  To subscribe to Lorenzo’s Health Corner email KMTaniguchi@mdanderson.org.  This clinic is doing some great things for those touched by cancer.  How does Tibetan meditation sound?

Every year I leave this conference with a newfound spirit of wellness.  It’s mental, it’s physical and it’s definitely spiritual.  Thank you Lord for this opportunity!

Be Well,

The Road to the Perfect Post Mastectomy Bra

Rated M for mature audiences :)

It is hard enough to find the perfect bra for someone with normal breasts.  Walk into any lingerie department and you find a slew of cups, widths, coverage, padding, wires, minimizers and colors.  Then, look at the price tag and you will understand that this is serious business.  Normal breasts?  Maybe I should say natural breasts.  I have seemed to have forgotten what that feels or looks like.  For those of us who have had remodeling of the breasts (a little addition here or there, an update, or in my case a demolition), finding the right bra can be very, very difficult.  

I was diagnosed with breast cancer mid-March of 2008.  A month later I was waking up from surgery being told that the single mastectomy I had just endured had revealed positive lymph nodes.  Hence, I was not a candidate for immediate reconstruction and I would have to live with one breast till the end of my treatment.  Cry, scream, fear, disfigured, anger, shock.  One breast?  I couldn’t imagine me, a 30-something year old mom trying to figure out how to cope without one of my breast girls.    

Chemo started May 13, 2008- my sister’s birthday.  My college roommates Shannon & Katie drove in from Dallas to be with me and my family for that first round.  Talk about angels.  Brett was with me at the hospital and my friends were taking care of the circus at home- because we all know that life does not stop for cancer.  The day after chemo, we were off to the prosthesis store.  It had been a month since my mastectomy and my skin was healing “nicely” so the docs said.  Up until that point I was wearing bandages, comfy sports bras and big t-shirts.  Now, I was ready for a prosthesis and a bra.

Shannon, Katie and I found ourselves at a lovely boutique that sold everything breast cancer and more.  The owner was there and she calmly helped me get fitted for a prosthesis and a new bra.  I was in denial.  From one side I looked like an adolescent boy with my torso concave.  My ribs protruded and my skin was not nice, it was tight and wrinkled.  Cry, scream, cry.  I mean really, who says “Gotta go get my breast prosthesis today”.  Oh Lord, what a humbling experience.  After hours of shopping at the breast store (because I needed that lace cami and the arm sleeve in case of lymphedema and the pink note cards and the feel good book and the empowering pink t-shirt and the burn cream for radiation) we had become best pals with the owner.  My new bra had pockets to insert what looked like a squishy swim toy.  Many of you probably have no idea what a breast prosthesis even looks like.  Well, here is a pic of a typical breast prosthesis.  And, yes mine was heavy-

I got used to the prosthetic bras and swim suits.  But, never fully comfortable.  It took searching and searching to find a mastectomy swimsuit that fit skinny ‘ole me.  Everywhere I went I was told the smallest size was an 8.  There were no cute binkinis or tankinis.  It was depressing!  Finally, I found more fashionable swimsuits in small sizes at www.landsend.com .   If I was more of the entrepreneur-type, I would have created a line of mastectomy swimsuits for young mothers with children.  Stylish suits that looked just like the ones the others mommas were wearing.  In fact, I still think there is a need- hint, hint for any of you out there. 

Fast forward a year later.

Reconstruction was planned and staged.  I had so many surgeries I simply lost count.  I had to be careful with bras and most of the time wore a post-surgical tank top from Amoena that I loved.  It even had pouches for drains that could be velcroed on the tank.  (Now that was a genius invention!) 

 
      
Soon I was into Champion sports bras from Target- I slept in them too.  They were good at keeping bandages in tack and hiding tape, etc. 

Once I graduated from Target bras, I was off to Nordstrom.  There I found the sweetest ladies trained in measuring breasts.  At the time my doctor only wanted me to wear wireless bras and I was able to find several from Wacoal that were decent.  For years I wore mostly Wacoal, up until last week.

Fast forward to present day.

After months of telling myself I needed to go for a bra check-up, I finally made a stop into Nordstrom at the Houston Galleria.  I was looking in the Wacoal section and asked a woman for help.  Kim Ayrom was her name and she was an angel, I swear I could hear her wings flapping.  She handed me her card which read Certified Fit Specialist, Prosthesis Specialist.  Oh Kim, where were you 5 years ago?  Kim took me to the back of the dressing rooms where there is a room with certificates hanging on the wall with important titles all related to bra fitting.  She was so kind, professional and not alarmed by any of my crazy scars.  She had me fitted into some great bras and a swimsuit.  And guess what, I had been wearing the wrong size.  Yes, I needed wider coverage for my implants.  I know you are thinking TMI, but this is a great resource, cancer or not.  This gal was heaven sent.  She kept apologizing for me not knowing about the Nordstrom Breast Prosthesis Program.  http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/breast-prosthesis-program?origin=leftnav  Nordstrom has a program that helps women through all stages of breast cancer surgery.  Most insurances reimburse for the products, which is a huge bonus!  Last week I made a vow to spread the word about Nordstrom’s Breast Program.  So here it is!  Whether you have had a lumpectomy, mastectomy or cosmetic implants, it is worth a visit for a bra check-up at Nordstrom.  It is free of charge and there is no pressure to purchase from Nordstrom.  You can just go in to get measured and then go elsewhere to purchase if you choose.  Kim Ayrom’s number is 832-201-2700 x1240. 

This week I received an email from Nordstrom informing me of the Half-Yearly Sale for Women and Kids.  And lo and behold, one of the bras I purchased is on sale.  I will be grabbing a couple of more because this is a great price!

Natori
'Mod' Low Cut Underwire Push-Up Bra
Was: $58.00 Now: $38.86 33% OFF Free Shipping

• item #923779

You might be curious now about breast surgeries and what it all looks like.  Last year, Pink Ribbons Project had the honor of bringing The Scar Project exhibition to Houston (www.thescarproject.org) .  This project is a series of raw photos of young breast cancer survivors.  It is difficult to find the right words to describe how I felt at this event.  Sad, empowered, angry, proud, sad, cry.  I’m not sure.  But, what I am sure of is that the photos I saw of men and women touched by breast cancer was a crystal clear definition of breast cancer awareness. 

The road to finding the perfect post mastectomy bra has been bumpy, newly paved, graveled and yeah, fu-nee!  Sometimes I just have to laugh.  If any of you would like a friend to go for a bra-check, I am always available.  Our Nordstrom has a yummy café next to the lingerie department where we can have lunch after meeting with Kim!

Be Well,

6 years!

Thank you everyone for the sweet birthday wishes, it is good to be 42.  The past year has been filled with a range of emotions.  I attended 3 funerals in 2013, all related to cancer.  Each celebration of life was intimate and beautiful, but at the same time devastating.  Cancer continues to be a part of my daily life, but isn’t that true for so many of you too?  I have many friends who have or have had cancer.   I read about cancer daily whether from my initiating a search or something coming across my desktop.  I see cancer in my scars that I have to look at every day.  And yes, some would just see a warrior or a badge of courage, but I can’t help but wish my scars were gone.  It is a burden I carry because at the same time I feel guilty that I’m complaining about scars.  I’m really looking forward to the perfect body in heaven.  But Lord not yet, I’m truly thankful for another birthday.

In March I celebrated 6 years as a cancer survivor.  My 12 year old daughter and I were on a ski lift together when I remembered it was 6 years!  We were surrounded by God’s landscape of beauty and it was a perfect time to share with Isabella how thankful I was and am for the 6 years.  Let me clarify, I’m thankful for life not cancer.   My 6 year check up with my wonderful oncologist Sharon Giordano http://www2.mdanderson.org/app/peoplefinder/person.cfm?id=3D5DD9DACF1D was uneventful.  For the first time, I had no anxiety-filled questions or concerns.  Whew!  I never thought I would get to this point, it is refreshing.  I will have to stay on Tamoxifen for 5 more years as the new studies are showing significant benefits on 10 years v. 5.  Onward with the hot flashes and other ‘not fun’ gynecological side effects……………  Oh Lord, I’ll take it!

I want to give back and am praying for God to show me how Waltz Warriors can best support breast cancer survivors this year.  Locally, I continue to serve on the board of Pink Ribbons Project www.pinkribbons.org.  I love this group of passionate men and women and appreciate what we are doing in the Houston community.  Speaking of Houston, I am enjoying the cool, spring weather and what a perfect time to eat outdoors.  Houston has some wonderful places to eat an anticancer meal alfresco.  To name a few- Local Foods (now with 2 locations), Adair Kitchen, Ruggles Green, Harvest Organic Grill, Radical Eats, Corner Table and Sparrow.  There are many more, which makes me proud to be in Houston.  This spring, Fox Restaurant Concepts www.foxrc.com will bring True Food Kitchen to the Galleria area.  I am thrilled!  This is a must eat restaurant and makes me feel like Houston is becoming one with the earth like those Colorado and Arizona folks. 

Finally, I want to give a shout out to Ali Miller, RD, LD, CDE www.naturallynourished.com.  I first heard Ali speak at a Food as Medicine event at Sparrow.  She immediately had my full attention with her discussion on cancer prevention.  Soon after, I made an appointment to see her.  Ali is a dietitian with both conventional and unconventional training- she marries the two perfectly.   She told me “we are going to put out the fire and rebuild the house.”  Aaaaaaah, someone who speaks my language.  I look forward to this newfound knowledge of detoxification.  Currently, I am awaiting results from a blood test that will identify pro-inflammatory foods in my body.  I know (I think I know) some of what this blood test will tell me.  However, hopefully these results will solidify many of my theories on types of food, inflammation and cancer/ disease prevention for my body.   And what am I going to do with that information?  I am going to start putting out the fire and rebuilding my house J.  To be continued.. 

The Shift

Last week, the World Health Organization reported that new cancer cases will skyrocket globally in the next 20 years.  Cancer deaths are predicted to rise from 8.2 million to 13 million a year!  Currently the most common cancers globally are lung, breast and colon.  Tobacco is to blame for 33% of cancer in the U.S. and poor nutrition, obesity and physical inactivity account for 28%.  This report is heavy, burdensome and depressing.  Clearly, what we are doing is simply not enough.  Yes, cancer advances have been incredible and miraculous in some cases.  But somehow the human race is balancing these advances with lifestyle choices that support more cancer. 

My belief is that God’s will is good, he wants us to live and be healthy.  He has given us tools and blessed us beyond measure with ways to fight cancer.  Why are good people diagnosed with stage 4 cancer?  Why are some of the most faithful faced with months to live?  Why are innocent children admitted to cancer centers every minute?  These questions blur my mind, give me a headache, make me sad.  Years into my cancer survivorship, it hit me that God wanted to use my circumstance for the GOOD.  Use me Lord!  I have prayed for (almost) 6 years! 

Where then lies the shift?

Even if you have not been touched with cancer, although really, everyone has.  It is up to us to make the shift towards longevity.  I’m not talking perfection, just baby shifts.  Baby shifts, hmm.  There are many things we can do to support good health and fight cancer.  I’m not saying A+B= cancer, it is not that simple.  So much in our environment effects our genes and can turn that one gene on that promotes tumor growth.  If we make small shifts in a variety of areas in our environment, I believe we will make a difference in our health.  What do these shifts look like?

Maybe you smoke 1 pack a day instead of 2
Maybe you join a yoga studio and attend 4 days a week
Maybe you schedule a weekly longevity coffee with friends
Maybe you get involved with your house of worship more
Maybe you start reading food labels and try to decrease consumption of processed foods
Maybe you start buying organic
Maybe you never miss a medical checkup
Maybe you start juicing
Maybe you eat less meat
Maybe you join a tennis league
Maybe you change your beauty products to phthalate/paraben free
Maybe you just say NO to fast food
Maybe you join an advocacy group that supports cancer research
This list can go on forever…
 
Anticancer advocacy is growing!  Not a day goes by that I don’t see something related to fighting cancer.  One blog that I recently started following is Food Babe- http://foodbabe.com/ .  Talk about passion and GO for clean food.  This gal is a shifter!  As you enter 2014, I am praying for good shifts.  It’s a daily task for me, one that has to be intentional. 
So, onward to fighting cancer my friends and Be Well,