Read All About It!

Hello Everyone,

I realize my last post was before our fundraiser on May 5, yikes!  There is much to share with you.  First off, our Cinco de Mayo fundraiser was a huge success!  We plated over 270 dinners, rolling over 800 enchiladas, fresh salsa galore and too many pounds of rice and beans to count- all made by family and friends with endless love.  Thank you everyone who participated.  We brought in over $2,100, making a nice dent in the $5,000 that we need to raise for the Waltz Warrior Ribbon.

Speaking of ribbons….  My dear Isabella and Hailey have been busy with their fundraising efforts for their ribbon, Butterfly Kisses.  They participated in Friendswood’s Art in the Park where they passed out educational materials on breast cancer awareness and took donations.  They learned how to look people in the eyes with confidence and speak on breast cancer and their ribbon.  I was so proud of them and in the end they raised $178.  A photo below shows how their ribbon is coming along.  Save the date for their next fundraiser on June 17^th at Pearland Chickfila.  They will be having a pink lemonade stand!

If you have not been able to participate in any of our fundraisers, but would like to donate towards our collaborative goal of $10,000, there are several ways to give.  You can mail a check to me payable to The Rose or pay online through the Waltz Warrior PayPal account http://www.goicd.com/waltzwarrior.htm

If you are a movie buff, hopefully you have seen Forks and Knives.  This documentary which I have been talking about for some time opened this month.  In Houston, it will show through May 25^th at the Edwards Cinema Greenway Plaza.   A group of us will be seeing it tomorrow (Monday) at 11:45, join us if you can!

On to laughter.  Last week I attended an educational luncheon hosted by Pink Ribbons Project.  The guest speaker was a chaplain from MD Anderson who is certified in laughter yoga.  He discussed the benefits of laughter on health.  Bottom line, belly laughing is good for your hormones, blood, lungs and immunity.  I admit that I felt awkward looking at strangers in the eye laughing at, to and with them.  But in the end, I was belly laughing alongside with a great group of women.  Ho, Ho, Ha, Ha, Ha!

Lastly, I saw a new oncologist at MD Anderson last week.  If you remember, my dear oncologist Dr. Rivera is moving his practice to Phoenix as part of the MDA system.  I have gone round and round in my head on whether to fly to Phoenix twice a year or find someone in Houston.  If you are a patient with a chronic issue of any kind, you know how precious a good doctor is!  They become part of your family.  Long story short, I connected with the doctor I saw and plan to see her again.  She made the first round!  Despite my approval of the doc, I was shocked at my physical response to the mass of cancer patients at MDA.  Coming from Methodist, I was used to seeing what I thought of as healthy looking patients.  Well, MDA is a different tune.  Yes, there is an abundance of hope in the air and it is organized as The Container Store.  But the cancer, Oh the cancer, it was too much.  I became dizzy, thought I was going to faint.  I was flooded with those stomach butterflies that I had before.  I took some deep breaths (lots of them) and reminded myself over and over again that I was well!  Had a pep talk with Me and end the end Anticancer Amy was okay.  Oh, the day in the life of a cancer patient... 

Laugh and Be Well,

    

Fight or Flight

The Waltz Warriors (my team name for anything related to breast cancer awareness) is once again raising money!  We have several things going on and I realize it has been a bit confusing.  So, here is the breakdown: 

1.    The Waltz Warriors are cooking for Cinco de Mayo to raise money for the Pink Ribbon Parade, http://www.pinkribbonparade.org/.  You are guaranteed a great mexican meal for lunch or dinner while working alongside with us to fight breast cancer!   Get your order in today- the last day to order will be Tuesday. 

2.    If you cannot participate in our Cinco de Mayo fundraiser but would like to make a monetary donation, you can mail me cash or a check payable to The Rose.  We also have a paypal account that is found on the donate button of our flyer.

http://www.goicd.com/waltzwarrior.htm

3.    Thirdly, my 9 year old daughter Isabella and her friend Hailey are raising $5,000 for their own ribbon called Butterfly Kisses.  Their art teacher Ms. Betsy along with Isabella and Hailey are designing and creating Butterfly Kisses.  They are very excited and have started their fundraising efforts- woo hoo!  It has been so sweet watching these young hearts learn about mission and giving back.  Their reason for choosing the theme around butterflies is to symbolize the change (metamorphosis if you will) that breast cancer patients go through.  I told them that my wings have certainly begun to fly and it feels great!  So proud of them.

Basically we have to raise $10,000!  I know we can do it; we have such a strong following of folks just as tired of breast cancer as we are.  I’ve already said this, but just recently another friend in my Sunday school class was diagnosed with breast cancer.  That makes 4 of us in 4 years!  And yes we are all young with young children.  I have met several other young moms in my neighborhood also going through the metamorphosis of breast cancer.  And I can’t forget about all the sweet ladies I meet for Pink Paint on Wednesdays.  And, the friends of friends that I have met and on and on.  Breast cancer is all around me but my fight or flight response is always fight!   

Be well and support Pink Ribbon Parade,

Forks Over Knives

Hi Everyone,
Tune in tomorrow (Wednesday) to Dr. Oz.  He is going to have the superheroes of the upcoming movie Forks Over Knives on his show.  It should be great!  For those of you in Houston, I will let you know when tickets go on sale for the movie.  It opens May 13 at Edwards Greenway Palace.
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/wednesday-dr-oz-show

Be Well,

Anticancer Schools

Hi Everyone,

The elementary school my children attend had an event this week called PTA in the Park.  It was a gathering at a park near the school of families and school personnel with a theme “Get Out and Move”.  The focus was on exercise, nutrition, bike safety and of course fellowship with your neighbors.  The event was a huge success, although reminded me that we have a lot of work to do in our schools to promote healthy living. 

Green Plate Kids provided dinner for this event.  Let me take a moment to give a shout out to Lisa Pounds and her crew for being so gracious and excited about feeding our families a healthy dinner.  This is what Lisa says about GPK on her website http://www.greenplatekids.com/ .  The goal of Green Plate Kids is to provide all the research and nutrition you need, into every single menu item so that you can easily choose healthy meals for your child leaving more time to relax and enjoy your family. We also want to provide tips to help you create healthy eating habits for your children. I have assembled a talented team made up of a registered dietitian and trained chef, who is also a mother of two, along with a very talented and experienced Executive Chef. Our goal is to deliver a healthy balance of the “greenest”, most nutritious, and best tasting food for you and your children. 

I first met Lisa and her team when GPK came to our home for a cooking class for my daughter’s 9^th birthday.  We have been big supporters since.  And for all of you that live in Pearland, Lisa will start delivery to Pearland on May 1! 

I really wasn’t hired to say all these nice things about GPK, I am just a passionate mom and cancer survivor who wants to feed our families better (not perfect, just better).  And what not a better place to see this than a school event.  Folks, we are up against cancer, diabetes, allergies, heart disease, and on and on showing up at much younger ages.  Not to mention the parents and professionals who aren’t on board yet.  While I was checking in families at PTA in the Park a mom came to the table and grumbled about our menu saying out loud “Ooh, all-natural, hormone-free ground chicken breast combined with veggies and whole grain.  My kids are not going to eat this!”  “And, zucchini in cookies?”  She went on and on while the PTA president and I looked at each other in disbelief that this mom was complaining about feeding her kids healthy.  The kicker is when the mom said “Oh, it’s shaped like a nugget, that’s better.”  Really?  So if it’s in the shape of a nugget that makes it real food!?  Folks, we have a problem.  I finally had to tell this mom, “See, this is what we are up against.”  We laughed (awkwardly) and convinced her to purchase the zucchini-chocolate chip cookies.  I later found out that she holds a very high position in a school.  Yes, it’s true. 

On to movement....  Did you know that children love to exercise?  The coaches had all the kids stretching and on hoola hoops.  We also had a great DJ who captured the attention of the kids and had them moving and shaking like animals!  At one point he even had them sitting in a yoga pose meditating while announcements were being made.  I was certain he was going to lead them in a down dog or warrior series.  Loved it!

I am so proud of our school and how we are supporting this movement.  Go Stallions!

There is so much information on the internet about schools and healthy change.  Here are a few sites that I found on nutrition:

Time for Lunch campaign

http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/campaign/time_for_lunch/

F.D.A. Panel to Consider Warnings for Artificial Food Colorings

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/30/health/policy/30fda.html?ex=1317182400&en=3407422af9412b70&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=HL-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M195-ROS-0411-HDR&WT.mc_ev=click

2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines: What they mean for families, kids, and schools.  Written for KIWI magazine

http://www.myhealthyschool.com/usda/

Whole Foods Great American Salad Bar Project

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/backtoschool/index.php?utm_source=Responsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=08_25_10_Specials

Seven Simple Strategies for Packing an A+ Lunch

http://www.organicvalley.coop/community/beyond-the-plate/simple-lunch-strategies/

Be Well,

Breast Implants

Hi Everyone,

I just read an interesting article on the relationship between breast implants and cancer, specifially anaplastic large cell lymphoma or ALCL.  This study, published by the journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, concluded that there is evidence to suggest a relationship between implants and ALCL, but it cannot prove that implants cause the disease.

For me, the association should be enough to warrant a discussion with your plastic surgeon!  Be your own advocate.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110419121355.htm
Be Safe and Be Well,

Stress Busters

Hi Everyone,

I have been following the story of a young couple, Nathan and Elisa Bond.  Nathan is 38 and Elisa is 36, they have a toddler named Sadie.  On Valentine’s Day of this year Nathan was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer.  Nine days later, Elisa was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, having already spread to her liver, pelvic bones and spine.  Ugh!!  They are both in the midst of chemotherapy- feeling bad, hair falling out, fevers, fatigued, loss of appetite, on and on.  Despite this difficult test of strength, faith and determination, they are amazingly full of hope and a zest to live.  They have each other and their precious daughter.  They are surrounded by an incredible support system of loved ones all of the country.  In a story that ran this week in the New York Times, Nathan discussed his love for Elisa saying that he wouldn’t want to have cancer with anyone else but her!  They feel blessed at the outpouring of love.  Did I mention that neither one of them have any cancer history in their family!  Wow, folks this is troubling.  I have thought about this couple daily since I first saw their story last week on the Today Show.   A website has been set up to support the couple financially http://friendsofnathanandelisa.blogspot.com/ .  You can also follow them on Facebook or on their family blog.  Pray for them.

Stress.  I can only imagine the stressors the Bond family is dealing with, both good and bad.  Since my diagnosis of breast cancer 3 years ago, I have read books and articles on stress and what it does to the body.  Bottom line, stress = a negative effect on the mind, body and soul.  Stress weakens the immune system; it can increase blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar levels.  Stress interferes with sleep and digestion.  It causes us to be cranky and sad.  Our bodies do try to protect us from stress by releasing stress hormones, like adrenaline and cortisol.  And, small amounts of stress have been reported to be beneficial.  It’s the chronic levels of stress that increase the risk of many illnesses.  How do you tell a cancer patient not to be stressed?!  For me, I felt like a yo-yo.  I was anxious, sick to my stomach, not sleeping, on my knees praying.  Then I would see a physician or go to church and feel some calm only to face the night “I’m going to keep you awake with worry demons”.   The balance of stress and being able to turn everything over to a higher power is humbling.  It’s intentional, it’s necessary.  I’m reminded of this when I hear the song You Never Let Go by Matt Redman.  I love, love this song as it gives me freedom from whatever I’m worrying about.  The lyrics tell us- Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, your perfect love is casting out fear.  And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life, I won’t turn back I know you are near.  And I will fear no evil for my God is with me, and if my God is with me, whom then shall I fear?

We all have stress, too much stress.  Fortunately, there are many unconventional practices being studied on their effect on stress.  Things like yoga, meditation, exercise, socialization, laughter, tai chi and prayer.  My latest stress buster is juicing.  My friend and I try to take turns juicing every week.  It’s fun, refreshing and psychologically does something to my brain- for the better!  When I juice, I know I am getting a ton of antioxidants all at once and that feels incredible!

The following article does a good job of explaining stress on the brain.      

http://www2.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/2011/02/teaching-our-brain-flexibility-meditation-to-manage-stress.html

If you know a cancer patient (and who doesn’t!) pamper them with some stress-free perks- a massage, meet for tea, go to church together, take a walk together, make them an anti-cancer dinner, run their errands, attend a painting class together, just love on them!

Be Well and support Waltz Warriors and the Pink Ribbon Parade!

http://www.goicd.com/waltzwarrior.htm

Forks Over Knives

Hi Everyone,
Take a look at this trailer for a documentary that is coming out in May.  Forks Over Knives takes an in-depth look at the western diet and disease.  Not just cancer, but heart disease, diabetes, auto-immune disorders, and on and on.  It's going to be a Must See!
http://www.forksoverknives.com/

The Houston showing will be May 13 at Edwards Greenway Palace 24 (Regal), 3839 Weslayan, Houston, TX 77027. 

Be Well and donate to Pink Ribbon Parade!
http://www.goicd.com/waltzwarrior.htm