Friday, May 28, 2010

Carrot, egg or coffee bean?

I decided to leave my last post up for a few days to give readers an opportunity to post comments to Lavonne. Lavonne got through her surgery and is now doing the 'hurry up and wait' game. We all know how excruciating that is. Please go back to yesterday's post - read and post a comment.
I got a great email the other day. It asked if you are a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean? I have tried to find the original author but too many are claiming responsibility, the most common author is anonymous. Here is the story.
"A young woman goes to her mother and tells her about her life and how things are so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on the heat until the water came to a boil. In the first, she placed a carrot, in the second she placed an egg, and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrot out and placed it in a bowl. She then pulled the egg out and placed it in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrot. She did and noted that it was soft. She then asked her to take the egg and break
it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she took in the rich aroma and flavour.

The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, Mom?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity -- boilin g water -- but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had chan ged the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but
with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after an illness, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, do I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean changes the water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor of your life. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you changed by your surroundings or do you bring life, flavor, to them?"

This message really spoke to me. I know I am coffee - but with a shot of Sambuca on the side. Don't they drop a coffee bean in a Sambuca shot and then light it on fire? Now there is adversity for you.

I luv ya Lavonne - thinking about you every moment.



Monday, May 24, 2010

A world wide embrace for a special friend

Throughout our lives people come and go. They say that everyone who touches your life does so for a reason. Perhaps in that moment they need your strength or you need their theirs. I know there is a poem about it - I think it has something to do with the seasons - but I cannot remember it.

In any case, today's entry is for Lavonne. She is a very special woman who I met at the Young and the Breastless conference about six years ago. We kept coming across each other during various events. Every time we connected I knew she was someone I wanted in my life.

Even though Lavonne is very busy as a single mother (and now Grandmother) and career gal she still makes time to be very involved in breast cancer causes. She is our anchor runner on the Seek the Peak fundraising relay, has been a run captain in Kelowna for the Run for the Cure, is on an assortment of advisory committees and has just joined the World Conference on Breast Cancer as an ambassador for British Columbia.

Lavonne was going to be celebrating her 10 years cancer free this year. Unfortunately, she found a lump in the opposite breast. She is having it removed tomorrow. I have no doubt she will come through with flying colours because she is a fighter and thinks she found it really early.

I am asking that everyone who reads this blog post a comment on this entry to Lavonne - to send her your support and good wishes. Send the link to other women - let's create a world wide embrace.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Advocate for your health

There are some doctors who just cannot seem to believe that a healthy woman under the age of 45 can get breast cancer. I am running into far too many younger women who tell the same story, "They said I was too young to have breast cancer. They said it is probably nothing at all. They said let's keep an eye on it".

Younger women do get breast cancer and it is often more aggressive. Younger women are also more likely to have a re-occurrence.

You need to advocate for your own health. No one knows your body better than you. If you notice a change and think something is wrong with your breast(s), push until it is looked at and you have confirmation that it is 'nothing'. Note the key word "CHANGE". We all have lumps, bumps and shape things going on - it is when there is a change that you need to have it looked at.

Many young women have no idea what to look for to know if something is wrong. Every women is as different as are the symptoms. In some cases there are no overt clues at all. Here are some of the symptoms to look out for (could be one or a combination of the symptoms):
  • the nipple inverts
  • there is a painful hot spot
  • there is a protrusion, puckering or dimpling of the skin
  • pain in the breast
  • nipple discharge (and you are not breast feeding)
  • blood from the nipple
  • skin colour or texture changes
  • contour of the breast changes or there is notable change in size of one breast (smaller or larger) or
  • there is a lump you can feel that is just not right.
In my case, I had a lump that felt like a candy coated peanut and was the size of a shelled almond. When I think back I realize that the offending breast also was different in size, it was smaller and did not have the same round shape of the healthy breast. I had a doctor who knew that this disease did not pick favourites and any age was vulnerable. Not everyone has my good fortune.

I was reminded of this today and of the importance for advocating for your health. I learned that a gal I met in Toronto, a few years back, lost her life to breast cancer yesterday. Tracy was diagnosed with breast cancer just before her 40th birthday, but only after extensively advocating for testing and then treatment. She went for initial treatment on her 40th birthday. At 44 she learned it had metastasized in her hip. She turned 47 nine days ago.

Here is my broken record speech - please do your breast self exams - if you do not know how, go to your doctor and ask them to teach you. There is also an excellent site that gives a detailed review of what to look for and how to do a breast self exam - visit www.breastselfexam.ca


Friday, May 21, 2010

Can Survival be World News?

Yesterday the cancer statistics were released in Canada, showing BC with the lowest diagnosis rate in the country. I was interviewed by the Province newspaper and was shocked to see my picture on the front page of yesterday’s paper.

I was elated that cancer survival could make front page news. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could make it front page news around the world?

If you want to check out the Province’s story here is the link

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

News from India

Rama Picasa, from Prashanti, India, attended the 5th World Conference on Breast Cancer in Winnipeg. She has contacted the WCBCF to thank them for their support and for the opportunity to connect with people all over the Globe.

Rama has utilized the contacts she met at the conference to give her guidance and information which she has used to work within her community to build capacity, educate, create awareness and to advocate for the breast cancer cause through clinical and social interventions, counselling, workshops and more.

The activities in Prashanti are an amazing example of the power of the international community. While the success is not a direct result of the WCBC - sponsorship - Rama recognizes the importance of her WCBC contacts.

Take a look at Rama’s
photo album

Monday, May 17, 2010

Birthdays

It is my husband's birthday today.

I thought it would be interesting to tie his age (50ish) to what we need to think about health wise. More importantly how to be more 'Breastsmart'.

The stats are a little overwhelming to say the least. What I have learned is that the peak of bell curve graph of diagnosis for breast cancer is in the 50 to 60 range.

All the stats are also telling me that survival rates in developed nations are better than they have ever been - due to early detection.

I know I have said it before - I'll say it again. Check your breasts. Do breast self exams. Get a clinical exam from your doc. Get a mammogram.

Make it a birthday present to yourself.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

I Can't Move

I actually needed a straw for my glass of wine today.

OH MY! EVERYTHING hurts. I never want to wash a car again.

I love my daughter - I hope she appreciated my pain.

ARG!!!!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Big Car Wash

Today was the big car wash for my daughter's grade 7 fundraiser.

The weather was perfect. Cars were lining up at 9:10 (we opened at 9:30).

I have never worked so hard in my life. I washed cars from 9:15 to 2:45.

I can barley lift my arm to drink this well earned glass of wine.
I will sleep very well tonight. ARG!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Smokies on the BBQ

It is hard to believe it already the middle of May. The weather is getting warmer and summer is fast approaching.

My daughter and her friend were out on the deck eating watermelon. Juice dripping. Seeds flying. Lots of giggles.

Now they have the hose spraying away the juice before it gets too sticky and attracts the ants. By the screams I am hearing I am guessing the girls are getting soaked in the process.

I can smell the smokies on the BBQ. I better tend to them before they get soaked by the hose too.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Transcending the Breast Cancer Experience: A Global Partnership

You may (or may not) know the theme for the 2011 World Conference on Breast Cancer is:
Transcending the Breast Cancer Experience: A Global Partnership.

So what does that mean?

In a crude nutshell - we collectively work together using our shared experience to rise above and triumph over the obstacles associated with Breast Cancer.

The obstacles are far bigger than the disease itself. They are socioeconomic, cultural, political and obstacles based on myth and ignorance.

Check out the website and learn more: www.wcbcf.ca

We are on Facebook too: click here to visit and become a fan.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Mom's day

Tomorrow is Mom's day. My daughter, her friend and I will up at the crack, to head off to a field hockey game. They are umpires (first job - very cool).

After the game we are going to be joined by 'friend's' Mom and sister and we 'girls' are having lunch.

It will be nice to grab a sandwich, a java and a few rays on the beach. Going to live in the moment.

Try it. It is great.

Happy Mother's day

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

I ate

Hola.

Teníamos una maravillosa noche (translation: We had a wonderful night)

Yes - we went. I ate. I ate some more. I have decided that I want to be Mexican.

I ate four Tostadas. Delicioso.

Mi hija todavía baila en la escuela (translation: My daughter is still dancing at the school).

I really hope I did not actually say "my daughter is a boot" or "My school is dancing on my daughter"!

I think I better start refining my Spanish.

Noche buena.


Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Culture

Tomorrow is 'Culture Day' at my daughter's school. This is an opportunity for the school to gather and to share each of our cultural heritages with each other. We have been asked to wear our tradition dress and to bring a food dish from our country of origin.

This poses a very interesting dilemma for us because frankly - where do you begin. We are Canadian, so my daughter, with her parents collective lineage, is a little of everything (including First Nations).


We decided to look at which nation represen
ts the highest percentage of our blood lines. Although not certain we agreed it is probably British (which given the family is from the North of England they are likely descended from Vikings).

So now here is the challenge: do we dress up as Cockney flower girls, British Bankers in bowlers, Yorkshire sheep farmers or Royalty?


Food is easy, because my Yorkshire Grandma made dinner every Sunday when I was child: well done roast beef, over cooked vegetables, sitting in a pool of greasy gravy, with Yorkshire puddings.


Hmmmmm - maybe we should stay home?

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Making cupcakes on a rainy day

Having a slow day here today. My daughter had a field hockey game. As we were leaving it started to rain - hard.

We decided to have a creative cupcake day. She and a friend made cupcakes with multiple colours of icing. These things are wild. The kitchen was a disaster - sprinkles everywhere.

A fun way to bring sunshine inside.