I know I've mentioned it before, but I really adore this woman, my BFF.
Go to this website
http://www.tv26.net/AAFC/AAFC.htm
Click on the St. Baldrick's link and watch the whole video. It's not high-tech and the people are clearly not all professionals, but the heart and love oozing from it is incredible. Pure, pure goodness I tell ya. If you are not moved by these people, you are one tough cookie. Mmmmmm. .. . cookie.
The event in that tiny rural town has so far raised over $8,000.00! Can you believe it!?!? We are that much closer to finding cures for childhood (and other) cancer. Bless these wonderful volunteers and especially my Goddess friend of scalp fuzz.
More about the event and donations here:
http://www.stbaldricks.org/events/mypage/eventid/4276/eventyear/2011
And if you have a dollar or two . . . I know it will be well spent by conributing to the cause.
(PS - no I am not in the videos. I am very stealty with my camera avoidance.)
Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cancer. Show all posts
16 March 2011
04 March 2011
Fat is NOT Cancer
I like metaphors as much as the next person. Providing, that is, it's an accurate metaphor. But "fat is cancer" is one that doesn't fall into that category. People who use it are trying to push emotional buttons and stir up controversy. I get it. Apparently, it works to motivate some people.
Obesity is a serious disease. There is no doubt about it. But it isn't a disease of the body, it's a disease of the mind. The added bulge is merely a symptom of underlying emotional trauma. It's been shown over and over again that there is no physical treatment for obesity that will work consistently until the underlying mental disorder(s) are resolved. It's not that diets don't work - it's that they don't work all by themselves. No pill is going to cure your obesity. Antidepressants and appetite suppressants might help you lose some weight, but if you can't get your mind into a healthy place, that weight is going to come back again and again. And again. Cancer, on the other hand, is a biological mutation of cells that causes the body to attack itself and destroy organs such as skin, breast, lungs, et cetera. There are many many underlying causes for cancer - most are environmental (ie the chemicals we use on our bodies or that we are subjected to through our air, food, and water). However, even if you live the cleanest life possible, you may end up with cancer. It's a terrible, horrible disease that often strikes without warning or known cause.
Most doctors will treat cancer aggressively, as they should! There are specialists abounding in the field and they will give you the treatment to eradicate your cancer as best they can. For the most part, you can trust them to find a way to prolong your life. If your doctor, however, diagnoses you with obesity - they will most likely expect you to treat yourself. They will suggest and nag, tell you it's very simple, and see you in 6 months or a year to go over it again. If you are making progress with your weight, they will reward you with an "attagirl" and go about their day. If you are struggling they will suggest quick-fix surgeries and diets, almost never counselling unless you are severely severely obese, say 500 lbs. They will tell you what you already know - you need to exercise more and eat less. Perhaps they'll make sure you are taking your anti-depressants. They want us to take it seriously, and yet there is rarely a real treatment plan or referral. If nagging worked, our spouses and parents would've been able to cure us. Medical professionals could do more.
Obesity = disease. The obese individual IS the only person who can cure it but it is nearly impossible to do so without a system of moral support and information. Do our doctors really want us to attain healthy weights? If so, they need to have some serious plans of action for us. They need to refer us to dietitian's and psychologists, trainers, and others before surgeons. They need to see us more often than yearly if they expect to see and maintain any type of progress.
Also, I believe that if you think fat is cancer, you're doing a great disservice to cancer patients who suffer through difficult treatments on a daily basis. My husband is a cancer survivor and is now obese right along with me. We all know that obesity increases the chance of cancer recurrence, heart disease, and a multitude of other diseases and disorders. We know that burning more calories than we take in is the answer. However, if people are unable to deal with the emotional upheaval that is causing them to over eat and under-move, knowledge isn't necessarily power. This doesn't mean that a person is weak or stupid or lazy. This means they need support, both moral and medical. And scare tactics? They rarely work to do anything other than encourage people to dig their heels into the ground and resist.
OK, I'm all kinda all over the board on this post. I could go on and on, but I grow weary and the doorbell just rang.
Obesity is a serious disease. There is no doubt about it. But it isn't a disease of the body, it's a disease of the mind. The added bulge is merely a symptom of underlying emotional trauma. It's been shown over and over again that there is no physical treatment for obesity that will work consistently until the underlying mental disorder(s) are resolved. It's not that diets don't work - it's that they don't work all by themselves. No pill is going to cure your obesity. Antidepressants and appetite suppressants might help you lose some weight, but if you can't get your mind into a healthy place, that weight is going to come back again and again. And again. Cancer, on the other hand, is a biological mutation of cells that causes the body to attack itself and destroy organs such as skin, breast, lungs, et cetera. There are many many underlying causes for cancer - most are environmental (ie the chemicals we use on our bodies or that we are subjected to through our air, food, and water). However, even if you live the cleanest life possible, you may end up with cancer. It's a terrible, horrible disease that often strikes without warning or known cause.
Most doctors will treat cancer aggressively, as they should! There are specialists abounding in the field and they will give you the treatment to eradicate your cancer as best they can. For the most part, you can trust them to find a way to prolong your life. If your doctor, however, diagnoses you with obesity - they will most likely expect you to treat yourself. They will suggest and nag, tell you it's very simple, and see you in 6 months or a year to go over it again. If you are making progress with your weight, they will reward you with an "attagirl" and go about their day. If you are struggling they will suggest quick-fix surgeries and diets, almost never counselling unless you are severely severely obese, say 500 lbs. They will tell you what you already know - you need to exercise more and eat less. Perhaps they'll make sure you are taking your anti-depressants. They want us to take it seriously, and yet there is rarely a real treatment plan or referral. If nagging worked, our spouses and parents would've been able to cure us. Medical professionals could do more.
Obesity = disease. The obese individual IS the only person who can cure it but it is nearly impossible to do so without a system of moral support and information. Do our doctors really want us to attain healthy weights? If so, they need to have some serious plans of action for us. They need to refer us to dietitian's and psychologists, trainers, and others before surgeons. They need to see us more often than yearly if they expect to see and maintain any type of progress.
Also, I believe that if you think fat is cancer, you're doing a great disservice to cancer patients who suffer through difficult treatments on a daily basis. My husband is a cancer survivor and is now obese right along with me. We all know that obesity increases the chance of cancer recurrence, heart disease, and a multitude of other diseases and disorders. We know that burning more calories than we take in is the answer. However, if people are unable to deal with the emotional upheaval that is causing them to over eat and under-move, knowledge isn't necessarily power. This doesn't mean that a person is weak or stupid or lazy. This means they need support, both moral and medical. And scare tactics? They rarely work to do anything other than encourage people to dig their heels into the ground and resist.
OK, I'm all kinda all over the board on this post. I could go on and on, but I grow weary and the doorbell just rang.
20 October 2010
So far today
So far today I have already had my usual 300 calorie breakfast, weighed in on the Wii Fit which continues it's downward trend on the weight chart, and jogged the "lap" trail on Basic Run.
FLYlady is not a high priority this week. I've been reading the emails but after being sick last week, I really want to work on exercise and regaining the stamina that I lost there. In the meantime, I'm picking up and trying to make the house a LITTLE nicer every day, but I'm not going full throttle. The kitchen shows already. Still, I gotta keep my health as my #1 priority. I'm closing in on hubby's weight now and he's talked a little about going to a weight loss clinic, but I'm not sure yet how serious he is.
One of my friends who helped motivate me to start on this healthy living lifestyle has recently considered getting a lapband. She went to the introductory meeting last week. She is a cancer survivor and is shying away from any additional surgery, though. She has so much going on in her life with a new job, new marriage, blended family, too-small house, and new state of residence. I'm really missing her and the kids. I wonder what they will end up doing. I worry.
And so I'm rambling. . . .Time to call BFF and then off to the shower. I have lots of errands that need to be done, including purchasing packing tape and mailing some things. Will I get them accomplished today? Let's not count on it. No promises.
FLYlady is not a high priority this week. I've been reading the emails but after being sick last week, I really want to work on exercise and regaining the stamina that I lost there. In the meantime, I'm picking up and trying to make the house a LITTLE nicer every day, but I'm not going full throttle. The kitchen shows already. Still, I gotta keep my health as my #1 priority. I'm closing in on hubby's weight now and he's talked a little about going to a weight loss clinic, but I'm not sure yet how serious he is.
One of my friends who helped motivate me to start on this healthy living lifestyle has recently considered getting a lapband. She went to the introductory meeting last week. She is a cancer survivor and is shying away from any additional surgery, though. She has so much going on in her life with a new job, new marriage, blended family, too-small house, and new state of residence. I'm really missing her and the kids. I wonder what they will end up doing. I worry.
And so I'm rambling. . . .Time to call BFF and then off to the shower. I have lots of errands that need to be done, including purchasing packing tape and mailing some things. Will I get them accomplished today? Let's not count on it. No promises.
18 October 2010
Pink Washing (a bit of a rant - not weight related)
Let me begin by saying husband is a cancer survivor. Because of his illness and treatment, we were told we'd never have children (um, wrong-o!). He had non-hodgkins lymphoma, intensive chemo and radiation, and three major surgeries. He came pretty close to dying more than once. My aunt died of cancer just last year, BFF is very active in raising money for childhood cancer research, one of my sweeteset church friends is currently fighting breast cancer, and we give to and support cancer research every chance we get. I am NOT against taxes, NOR am I against government-funded cancer research.
What I am against is PINK WASHING.
Earlier today, Becky Johns - a fellow weight loss blogger - posted about some of the known cancer-causing agents such as hormones and pesticides used in traditional farming. I support her assertion that many of the causes and cures for cancer are already known and available naturally. But this does not deny that cancer research and treatment saves lives - many many lives every day.
There are KNOWN causes of cancer that are freely marketed in this country that are killing people and displaying pink ribbons while they do it. This is an insult to all people, especially cancer survivors. Chemicals such as pthalates, formaldahyde, and parabens are used in underarm deodorant (for example), seep into the lymphatic system and into the breasts caushing cancer. This is what the research proves, but the FDA continues to allow these products to be sold, wearing the pink ribbon on their packages as they do it. Why? Because the companies who sell them and the lobbyists they hire are more powerful than the people who die from cancer each year. Even BABY LOTION contains these poisons. And don't even get me started on nail polish! Do you know why the ladies at the nail salon wear face masks? It's NOT to protect you or themselves from germs. It's because the level of cancer in that profession was off the CHARTS due to the carcinogens in nail polish. And people put this crap on our little girls! And lipstick, oh my good grief, the stuff in lipstick! Wait . . . Okay, I could go on forever, or you could check out "No More Dirty Looks" in my side bar. Read the book Not Just a Pretty Face by Stacy Malkan. While you're at it, check out the Environmental Working Group's Website. Choose your favorite beauty product and put it in the database at Skin Deep. Put in something like Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion, SPF 55 and see that it is listed as "HIGH HAZARD". You will find that the chemicals in the formula have been known to contribute to developmental delays, reproductive issues, allergies, immunotoxicities, neurotoxins, endocrine distruption, irritation of skin/eyes/lungs, and changes on the cellular level, to name a few! I chose Aveeno because it market itself as "natural alternative" and is so so scary. But, hey - let's check out Estee Lauder - they are giving bigtime millions to the pink ribbon campaign. Anybody like Tommy Girl Cologne? Well, it'll kill ya! It's a level 8 environmental hazard (10 being the highest). It has all the pretties as the Aveeno sunblock, PLUS it causes cancer. But, hey - that's ok right, cuz they're looking to cure it with their donations. As long as we don't make them stop causing it with their ingredients.
And the best part? No, the most ironic part - is that these SAME companies make different (and less profitable) formulas to sell to consumers in Europe because - why? - because those chemicals are BANNED in Europe!
I am so unendingly grateful to and proud of doctors, researchers, and people who can beat cancer. I would never say don't do research for the cure, because a cure is our second-best chance. But eliminating the causes would really be optimal, wouldn't it?
Stepping down off of the soapbox now.
What I am against is PINK WASHING.
Earlier today, Becky Johns - a fellow weight loss blogger - posted about some of the known cancer-causing agents such as hormones and pesticides used in traditional farming. I support her assertion that many of the causes and cures for cancer are already known and available naturally. But this does not deny that cancer research and treatment saves lives - many many lives every day.
There are KNOWN causes of cancer that are freely marketed in this country that are killing people and displaying pink ribbons while they do it. This is an insult to all people, especially cancer survivors. Chemicals such as pthalates, formaldahyde, and parabens are used in underarm deodorant (for example), seep into the lymphatic system and into the breasts caushing cancer. This is what the research proves, but the FDA continues to allow these products to be sold, wearing the pink ribbon on their packages as they do it. Why? Because the companies who sell them and the lobbyists they hire are more powerful than the people who die from cancer each year. Even BABY LOTION contains these poisons. And don't even get me started on nail polish! Do you know why the ladies at the nail salon wear face masks? It's NOT to protect you or themselves from germs. It's because the level of cancer in that profession was off the CHARTS due to the carcinogens in nail polish. And people put this crap on our little girls! And lipstick, oh my good grief, the stuff in lipstick! Wait . . . Okay, I could go on forever, or you could check out "No More Dirty Looks" in my side bar. Read the book Not Just a Pretty Face by Stacy Malkan. While you're at it, check out the Environmental Working Group's Website. Choose your favorite beauty product and put it in the database at Skin Deep. Put in something like Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion, SPF 55 and see that it is listed as "HIGH HAZARD". You will find that the chemicals in the formula have been known to contribute to developmental delays, reproductive issues, allergies, immunotoxicities, neurotoxins, endocrine distruption, irritation of skin/eyes/lungs, and changes on the cellular level, to name a few! I chose Aveeno because it market itself as "natural alternative" and is so so scary. But, hey - let's check out Estee Lauder - they are giving bigtime millions to the pink ribbon campaign. Anybody like Tommy Girl Cologne? Well, it'll kill ya! It's a level 8 environmental hazard (10 being the highest). It has all the pretties as the Aveeno sunblock, PLUS it causes cancer. But, hey - that's ok right, cuz they're looking to cure it with their donations. As long as we don't make them stop causing it with their ingredients.
And the best part? No, the most ironic part - is that these SAME companies make different (and less profitable) formulas to sell to consumers in Europe because - why? - because those chemicals are BANNED in Europe!
I am so unendingly grateful to and proud of doctors, researchers, and people who can beat cancer. I would never say don't do research for the cure, because a cure is our second-best chance. But eliminating the causes would really be optimal, wouldn't it?
Stepping down off of the soapbox now.
01 October 2010
I'm wearing yellow tomorrow!
Have you heard about Livestrong? Tomorrow is national Livestrong today. Livestrong is a program raises awareness, increases outreach, and facilitates coordination of services to assist patients through all of their cancer transitions. Tomorrow, on October 2, Livestrong asks everybody to wear yellow to show support of it's goals. You may have heard of their amazing leader - 7 time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.
My husband is a cancer survivor. He battled with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and won. I am so proud of his strength and determination. People are exposed to cancer causing elements every day of their life from baby lotion to deodorant and shampoo. It is rare to find ANYBODY whose life hasn't been touched by cancer these days.
Join me in wearing yellow tomorrow to support Livestrong and 28 Million cancer survivors. Raising awareness and showing support costs nothing. :)
My husband is a cancer survivor. He battled with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and won. I am so proud of his strength and determination. People are exposed to cancer causing elements every day of their life from baby lotion to deodorant and shampoo. It is rare to find ANYBODY whose life hasn't been touched by cancer these days.
Join me in wearing yellow tomorrow to support Livestrong and 28 Million cancer survivors. Raising awareness and showing support costs nothing. :)
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