TUESDAY TIDINGS - 3rd Annual Lifting Hearts Christmas Party - THIS THURSDAY!!

THIS THURSDAY - DECEMBER 13, 2012...

Annual Lifting Hearts CHRISTMAS Party

Please come and enjoy the company of the survivors.  We'll be serving soups, salads, and breads, along with Christmas treats.

If you'd like to help us out, we'd appreciate it if you could bring a plate of your favorite Christmas goodies.  And, if you have time, please bring copies of the recipe for those goodies to exchange.

You are welcome to invite one guest to come with you.

The party will be held at Kara's house: 5359 W Earl Place, Highland, UT  84003 from 7:00 - 9:00pm.  It will be an open house, so come when you can, and stay as long as you can. :)

If you have any questions, please contact Kara: 801-360-4666.  Please R.S.V.P. as well, so that we will know how much food to make.

See you all there!!!!

-Lifting Hearts Board
Kara, Colette, Bethanie, RuthAnn, Beth, Kristin, and Diane

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Lifting Hearts in Utah 5K

The registration for the Lifting Hearts in Utah 5K is open!  This is early registration until Sept 30th - after that it goes up in cost.  So, please be sure you register ASAP.  Click HERE to go to our website, where you can find the registration information.

Remember:
1.  SURVIVORS walk/run FREE
2.  Your family members and friends need to register (13 years old - Adult: $25 and 12 and under - $15)

Can't wait to see all of you on October 20th!!!

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Support Meeting and Yard Sale Fundraiser

REMINDER:  Our June's support meeting is THIS THURSDAY, the 14th, at 7:00 pm.  In case you haven't heard, we are NOT meeting at the law offices where we normally meet.  This month only, we are meeting at Studio 1 Dance Center.  The owners have graciously agreed to let us use several rooms in the dance studio.  How nice is that??!!  The address is: 1484 N. State Street in Orem.

We are super excited for this meeting!  We are starting the summer with an exercise class.

We'll have two different instructors there - you can try either one:

We are learning ZUMBA!!!  The instructor's name is  Keri Ann Salsbury  I don't know about you, but I'm really happy that we are learning Zumba.  (It's kind of a dance-type exercise)  It's sounds like SO much fun.

We'll also have Linda Black teaching a YOGA class - Linda has joined us before, and she is wonderful.  This will be a much slower class.

I hope you'll be able to make it to this fun support meeting, and learn some new "moves" while you hang out with other survivors.  Dress in something comfortable, and bring a water bottle if you'd like.  We'll have some ice water there.

If exercise is not your thing... please come anyway. Our main reason for meeting is to be able to share our experiences with cancer and get support. 

YOU ARE WELCOME TO BRING FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO JOIN US IN THESE CLASSES - we'd love to fill up the rooms!


Call me with any questions:  Kara @ 801-360-4666


ONE MORE THING:  We are having a Lifting Hearts YARD SALE a week from Saturday (on the 23rd).  We DESPERATELY need your donations for this sale.  We have a great location, and we'll be able to raise quite a bit of money that day, IF we have things to sell.  It can be anything - household goods, clothes,  books, crafts, toys, etc.  If each of our members could bring 4 things to our meeting this Thursday, or to my house, we would have over 400 items to sell!  (We also need baked goods for the "Bake Sale" that will go along with the yard sale, so if you are a cook, drop off individually wrapped, baked goods on Friday to my house (5359 W. Earl Place, Highland).  Ladies... we would LOVE to continue providing this support group for survivors, but we REALLY need money to do it.  If you can't help in any other way, please make a donation.  Checks can be made out to Lifting Hearts, and can be sent to my address. Thank you for your generosity.  I'm hoping to see a TON of items for the yard sale at our support meeting this week. ;)

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Lifting Hearts 2nd Birthday Party - This Thursday Night!!!

I've been busy making gifts for our Lifting Hearts birthday party this Thursday!  Thought I'd post some CLUES so you can try to guess what you'll be getting.  Check out the pictures throughout this post.

  I'm super excited to see everyone, and celebrate all of the good that we've been able to accomplish together the last two years.

All survivors are invited to the party - Mandalyn Academy will be there to pamper us with hand and arm massages, facials, and eyebrow touchups.  Food will include cheese and crackers, fruit, and veggies.  B-Jo will be making special cupcakes for the celebrations.  We'll have lots of give-aways, some fun samples from Mary Kay, and each survivor will go home with a gift from the board of Lifting Hearts as our way of reminding you to take time for yourself.

You all mean so much to us, and we are happy and excited to be starting a new year with this wonderful group of survivors.  Onward and upward, ladies!

Place: 3301 N. University Parkway, Provo (At the Fillmore-Spencer law firm - west side of the street).
Time: 7:00 pm
Who:  ALL survivors

Please R.S.V.P. to Kara - let us know if you'll be there, so that we have enough food for everyone!  801-360-4666 or nafari01@gmail.com

(Have you guessed yet?  They are soft, smell good, and are relaxing. :)  Guess you'll have to show up to find out! :)

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Lifting Hearts Library - Available to all Survivors

Did you know that Lifting Hearts has started a library of books dealing with cancer? We will be bringing this small library to our support meetings, and anyone is welcome to check them out.

Here are some of the titles we have right now:

Lance Armstrong's "It's Not About The Bike - My Journey Back To Life"

"What Helped Get Me Through" - Cancer survivors share wisdom and hope

"Finding the CAN in Cancer"

"Diagnosis: Cancer" - a guide to the first months of healthy survivorship

"There's Always A Rainbow" - a survivor's story

"Husbands and Heroes" - a guide to help you and thank you for all you do (on caregiving)

"100 Questions and Answers About Breast Cancer"

"Caring for the Patient with Cancer at Home" - American Cancer Society

"Happiness in a Storm"

"Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy" - a survivor's story

"Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book"

"Pain Control" - American Cancer Society

"Good For You! - Reducing Your Rick of Developing Cancer

"Eating Well Through Cancer"

"Crossing Divides"

If anyone has books that they'd like to donate to our support group, we'll be happy to put them in our library, and make them available to other survivors!

Thanks,
Kara

TUESDAY TIDINGS - New Website, Facebook, and Twitter

Hopefully, this will explain why I didn't post yesterday... I was being held hostage - by a website! After many LONG hours of pulling my hair out (what little I have... thank you Chemo), our new official website has arrived! Now, I don't claim to be anything even remotely close to a website designer, so don't expect too much. However, I will promise you one thing: it will get better! Right now, we are in the process of begging/bribing someone to take the simple website I've created and do something special with it.

Currently, though, there are several tabs with information; a cute picture of our group at the top; and some kind-of-funky colors. One of our members asked if we could post some information about helping breast cancer patients, so I've written one article, and I've also shared some "expert" opinions - from some of our members. Those two posts can be found right on the home page of the website.

So, hop on over there and enjoy your stay.

Oh, and by-the-way... we can now be found on facebook (look for Lifting Hearts, with our logo), and you can follow us on Twitter as well: @LiftingHearts.

My, aren't we just the most SOCIAL group??!!

Have a great day, ladies!

-Kara

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Adjuvant Tamoxifen May Benefit Women With Estrogen Receptor-Positive DCIS

I recently read an interesting article about a study that was done on Tamoxifen and the benefits for women with DCIS.

The results of the study were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

DCIS refers to abnormal cells in the lining of a breast duct. It is classified as Stage 0 breast cancer - the earliest possible stage. The condition usually does not produce any symptoms. DCIS now accounts for up to one-quarter of all breast cancer diagnoses in the United States.

Tamoxifen is a hormonal therapy that interferes with the effects of estrogen. It is commonly used in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive invasive breast cancer, and is also used to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk of the disease.

The role of Tamoxifen among women with DCIS was evaluated in a clinical trial known as NSABP B-24. All women in the study had DCIS that was treated with lumpectomy and radiation therapy. Half the women were given Tamoxifen and half were given a placebo. The primary results from the study (published in 1999) indicated that Tamoxifen reduced the risk of another breast cancer diagnosis.

Although I was diagnosed with DCIS, I haven't had to take Tamoxifen because my cancer was estrogen negative. I often hear women talk about Tamoxifen, and it's side effects. It's sounds like, from the study above, that it can reduce the risk of another breast cancer diagnosis. But, I'm wondering how hard the side effects are to deal with. Anyone out there who is taking Tamoxifen, and would like to share information about side effects?

TUESDAY TIDINGS - March's Support Mtg... Breast Cancer Awareness Night

Hi there! It's time for our monthly support meeting announcement...

March's support meeting will be next Thursday - March 8th. It's a GIRLS NIGHT OUT...

Bring your daughters, sisters, mothers, friends, and neighbors - any women are invited. We'll be having a Breast Cancer Awareness night. We'll be learning about the causes of breast cancer, early detection, and things we can do to lower our risk of getting cancer, or having a recurrence.

Please come, and enjoy the night with us. Bring all of the women you care about.

RSVP to let us know if you are coming, and how many you'll be bringing with you...

Kara: 801-360-4666 / nafari01@gmail.com
Colette: 801-376-7377 / cjharris77@yahoo.com
Bethanie: 801-227-4620 / newbyclan@gmail.com

See you Thursday night!

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Support Meeting THIS THURSDAY

Beautiful Survivors -

This week is the 2nd one of the month, and you know what that means... our support meeting will be held on Thursday night!

This month - the month of LOVE - we'll have lots going on at our meeting. Here is the agenda...

1. Speaker: Mossi White (one of our members). Mossi will speak to us about having "Gratitude for the Potholes in our Lives". If you haven't met Mossi yet, you'll just love her - she is a wonderful person.

2. Service project: we will be stuffing heart-shaped Lymphedema pillows for those who have Lymphedema, and have had surgery and need something soft to sleep with. Anyone who needs one is welcome to take one home. The rest will be for the women in our group (present and future members) who are in need. This is pretty simple, ladies... turn inside out, stuff, and stitch closed (or we can use a sewing machine to close them). *We've said from the beginning of this support group, that service helps in the healing process, so please come and help. You'll feel great when we are through. ;) Here's what they will look like...

3. We'll be handing out the Lifting Hearts Challenge - a list of ideas to pick from. One for each day in February. These are ideas to help you in different ways. Examples include: Mend a quarrel, Take a treat to a neighbor, Take some time for yourself, eat chocolate. We've sent this challenge to each member of Lifting Hearts, so everyone should have a copy, but if you are new, or didn't get one, we'll have copies there. And we'll talk about it.

I hope to see each one of you at our support meeting. These meetings are a great opportunity for you to come and talk with other survivors, ask questions and get answers, and have some time out just for you. Only another survivor can know exactly how you feel - and we have almost 100 survivors in our group now.

I hope to see all of you there. This is one of the highlights in my month. :)

-Kara
President, Lifting Hearts

TUESDAY TIDINGS - THIS THURSDAY... our next Support Meeting!

I'm so excited today to announce our next support meeting! It will be held this Thursday - January 12th, at 7:00 pm. We will have a guest speaker: Janet Paxman, R.N., who is also a personal health coach. The subject: Optimal Health Can Be Yours!!!

Janet will be discussing a safe, effective weight-loss plan, and she'll also be giving us information about myths regarding soy and breast cancer. Here is some information from her flier about the weigh loss plan...

"If you could choose to feel better, have more energy, and be healthy... would you?" This weigh loss program is Johns Hopskins recommended, safe, and effective.

-Typical weight loss of up to 2-5 pounds per week (results will vary)
-NO diet pills, NO shots, NO supplements required
-NO contracts, NO startup fee, NO maintenance fees
-FREE Health Coach provides ongoing support and education

Many who follow this program have reduced or eliminated medications. *Weight loss has been proven to help with issues surrounding:

Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Sleep Apnea
Acid Reflux
Fatigue/Lack of Energy
Joint Pain/Inflammation

Janet's website is: www.powerloserjan.com. If you have time, check out some of the success stories. One woman, named Gwen, is a breast cancer survivor. She wanted to take control of her weight because diet is a leading cause of cancer. She lost 48 pounds and looks and feels great.

I'm excited to hear all about this plan - if there is something that can help me feel better, gain more energy, sleep better, etc., then I'm all ears! I hope you'll join us on Thursday night - can't wait to see you all there! Spencer Fillmore Law Offices... 3301 N. University Avenue, Provo, UT

A PACKED POST - A Whole Week in One Day!

If you are like me, you have been taking it easy this past week. It's been nice having the kids home from school, seeing my college-age son more, Skyping with my missionary son in Mexico, enjoying the extra time with my husband, etc. It seems like the week in between Christmas and New Years is a family time. Because of that, I've been quiet here on the blog. I thought I'd just let you all enjoy the time with your families.

Here is a super quick update for the whole week:

MODAY MOTIVATION: "Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past." ~Henry Ward Beecher

TUESDAY TIDINGS: I'll be posting the new 6 month calendar next Tuesday, so don't forget to visit and check it out. We've got great things in store for Lifting Hearts members!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Here are some pictures from our Christmas party...




THURSDAY THOUGHTS: Just two more days in 2011! If this has been a hard year for you, look forward to 2012 - things will be better! If it's been a great year for you, look forward to 2012 - things will be even better! "Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." ~Benjamin Franklin

FRIDAY FARE: Try these yummy hot drink recipes for your New Year's Eve party...

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 1 quart milk
• 2 three-inch cinnamon sticks
• 10 ounces Ibarra, or other Mexican chocolate, finely chopped
• Whipped cream, for serving
• Pinch of ground cinnamon, for serving

Directions

1. Place milk and cinnamon sticks in a heavy medium saucepan. Bring just to a boil, reduce heat, and add chocolate. Let the mixture stand until chocolate melts, about 3 minutes. Whisk until combined.
2. Serve Mexican hot chocolate immediately, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a pinch of ground cinnamon.

Warm Vanilla Cider

Ingredients

• 6 cups fresh apple cider
• 2 tablespoons packed dark-brown sugar
• 2 whole nutmeg seeds
• 1 vanilla bean (split and scraped)
• 6 ounces (3/4 cup) bourbon, if desired
• Whipped cream
• Honeyed walnuts
  

Directions

1. Combine apple cider, dark-brown sugar, nutmeg seeds, and vanilla bean in a medium saucepan. Gently simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and add bourbon if desired. Remove and discard solids. Divide among 6 mugs or heatproof glasses, and top each with a dollop of whipped cream and a few honeyed walnuts.

SATURDAY STRENGTH: It's New Years Eve, and time to think about those resolutions! Yikes! One of the resolutions on most people's lists has something to do with getting in better shape. This year, be easy on yourself, and make just one goal - that way, you'll be more likely to stick to it. Here are a few ideas...

1. Drink 8 glasses of water every day. Increase the amount gradually.

2. Take a brisk walk every day. Walking is a great exercise!

3. Eat smaller amounts. Try using a smaller plate, and filling at least half of it with fresh veggies.

4. Do strength training 3 times each week.

5. Don't drink soda in 2012 (I've done this one for the last 2 years! I feel so much better!)

There are lots of different things you can do to look and feel better this coming year. Pick one, and go for it!

Have a great celebration tonight, and I'll see you in the New Year!

-Kara

"Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Ice Chests?

QUESTION: Does anyone who has implants feel like they have an ice chest? Seriously... I'm wondering if I'm the only one. It seems like my chest always feels super cold to the touch. And if I go outside in the cold - well, it takes forever to warm up. I guess there's two reasons - no insulation (no fat on my chest), and then the silicone gets cold, and there is no way to warm it up.

I know... weird question. But, with winter here, my chest is always cold - good thing I'm having so many hot flashes! Anyway... just thought I'd ask.

Here is an interesting article on silicone vs. saline implants - check it out. (the majority of women who had silicone implants were happier with them than those with saline - silicone seems to feel more real and look better.) New York Times Health article

I also love this website - NATRELLE - it discusses reconstruction, and the many options there are.

TUESDAY TIDINGS - The Rest of the 2011 Calendar for Lifting Hearts Meetings

Some announcements about our calendar for the rest of this year:

Our November support meeting is on Thursday, November 10th at 7:00 pm. We'll be meeting in our regular place - the law offices of Spencer Fillmore... 3301 N. University Avenue in Provo. The theme for this month is: Intimacy During and After Cancer Treatments. We'll have Dr. Susan Steffan there to answer any questions you have. If you'd like your questions to be anonymous, please email them to Colette: colette.liftinghearts@gmail.com or to me (Kara): nafari01@gmail.com as soon as possible. Originally, we had on our calendar that this meeting would be for spouses as well, but we've decided that it will be just for survivors. We feel like the meeting will be more comfortable, and everyone will feel like they can ask the questions they need answered without feeling embarrassed. We'll be inviting a few other breast cancer support groups as well.


Our December meeting is on Thursday, Dec. 8th. It will be an Open House Christmas Party at my house - the same place as last year's party. The address is 5359 W. Earl Place, Highland, UT 84003. My phone number is 801-360-4666, if you have questions, or get lost. ;-) The party will be held from 7:00-9:00 pm.

We'll have a treat exchange again. If any of you would like to bring treats to share, please provide copies of the recipe as well. We'll also have a book exchange again. Bring a book - wrapped - and if you bring one, you can take one home! You don't have to participate in either of these exchanges if you'd rather not. If you'd like to help with the food, please call me. Also, we'd like to do give-aways again this year, so if you have anything you'd like to donate - goods or services - to our give aways, please let me know as soon as possible. One more thing... spouses are invited, if you'd like to bring them! Or, just come and hang out with the girls.

As always, everyone who is a breast cancer survivor is invited. Please check our calendar on the blog for any changes.

Have a GREAT week!

-Kara

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Article: The New Front in Breast Cancer - After Treatment Ends

My husband shared the following article with me today. It's from the Wall Street Journal. I thought it was very informative...

The New Front in Breast Cancer: After Treatment Ends

The article talks about the the long-term affects of chemo, radiation, mastectomy, and hormone treatments that breast cancer survivors face.

A breast cancer survivor, Carie Capossela, says: "The second-hardest phase—after the initial diagnosis—is the minute your treatment ends." I agree with Carie. I know that as I sat in that final appointment with my oncologist, I was dismayed to hear him say that the only thing he would be doing to follow up on my cancer was checkups, where blood tests are run, and a physical is performed. These check ups would be every 3 months for the first year, every 6 months for the second year, and then yearly for the rest of my life. No other tests would run, unless I showed symptoms or signs that worried my oncologist. This just didn't seem good enough!

The article also mentions that there is little data about the long term problems that survivors have - heart problems, nerve damage, osteoporosis and secondary cancers. There was a survey done that showed that... "Nearly 90% of respondents said they had at least one physical, psychological or social problem that was moderate to severe. Mentioned most frequently were fatigue, sexual dysfunction and sleep issues. What's more, 24% of those surveyed reported being depressed—about twice the national rate."

The article went on to talk about a fascinating idea - a "survivorship care plan". This plan would "summarize what past tests and treatments [survivors] had, what side effects to expect, what lifestyle changes to make and where to obtain follow-up care. When asked, 96% of survivors said they would want one."

There is much more to this article. I hope you'll take the time to click on the link above and read it. It really resonated with me.

At the end of the article, it says, "Many breast-cancer survivors say they find some peace of mind in reaching out to help other breast-cancer patients." I love this quote by survivor Janelle Hail: ""When I was first diagnosed, I felt like I'd been shot. I had a big black hole in me. When I started thinking about how I could help other women with breast cancer, that's when that hole started healing up."

Amen! We here at Lifting Hearts have always maintained that service - helping other survivors - is one of the keys to being able to heal. Speaking of helping, please join us at our survivor support meeting this Thursday night (7:00 pm, 3301 N. University Avenue, Provo) and help us make rice warmers. We are getting these ready as part of our "Heart to Heart" program. We'll be providing the doctors' offices in our local area with these bags to give to their breast cancer patients. We'd love to have your help. Come spend the evening with us!

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Events for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

A few announcements:

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there are several great things going on. We will be participating in most of these activities. If you'd like to join us, please contact me at: kara.liftinghearts(at)gmail.com

1. This Saturday - the 8th of October - is the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Liberty Park. Our team is called "Hope Chests" and Bethanie Newby is the captain. In order to sign up to participate, go to www.cancer.org/stridesonline. Search for the event using your zip code, and then click on the name of your local event. Click the "Sign Up" button, and choose "Join A Team". Search for the name of our team. You can donate money if you'd like to, but it isn't necessary. We are making t-shirts for the event with our Lifting Hearts name on them. If you'd like to purchase one, they are $10. We've ordered extra, so we'll have them there that morning. You'll need to pay for one that morning if you want to wear it then. The t-shirts are black with pink writing. We have 5 extra shirts in medium, large, and x-large.

2. Ginger Johnson, from Happy Chemo, has generously invited survivors in the area to join with her in her 5 year celebration. We will be meeting on October 25th to attend the play "My Fair Lady" at the Hale Center Theater. This is a FREE performance for survivors. Here is the registration information. We will be car-pooling to the theater in West Valley City. If you plan on attending and want to car pool, please email me. Here is the registration information from Ginger...

I'd like to personally invite you to attend the 2nd Annual Happy Chemo! Survivor Celebration!

This October 31st marks my 5 Year Survivor Mark and so we are hosting an exclusive Breast Cancer celebration just for the girls!!!

REGISTER TODAY to attend a FREE performance of My Fair Lady at the Hale Center Theater on
TUESDAY OCTOBER 25TH. Plan on arriving at 6:45pm for a pre-show Survivor Social!

You are able to reserve one (1) ticket for the event and seating is limited so I encourage you to register ASAP! I'm announcing the Survivor Celebration tomorrow morning on ABC4 so register soon to reserve your ticket before they are gone!

A BIG THANK YOU to this years sponsors: Intermountain Plastic Surgery Center and the Utah Cancer Control Program!

Email Ginger Johnson with any questions or call (801) 388-1699

THANKS!

3. Our next support group meeting is Thursday, October 13th. We will be meeting at the law offices (our usual place) at 7:00 pm, and will be doing a service project. We will also have a few other things available to do that night. Please join us!!!

4. Dillards at South Towne Mall is having a Fit for the Cure Event. It will be help on Thursday, October 13th. When you get fit by one of there certified bra fitters, they'll donate $2.00 in your name to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Another $2.00 will be donated with your Wacoal or Be Tempt'd bra purchase. If you'd like to make an appointment, call 801-553-8800, ext. 5200, and ask to speak to one of their certified bra fitters.

I'm sure there will be more events in October, and I'll do my best to keep you a"breast" of those events!

-Kara

MONDAY MENTIONABLES and TUESDAY TIDINGS - Supporting Each Other

I hope you all had a great long weekend, and a fun Labor Day. Today's post is kind of a combination for yesterday and today. This week, at our support meeting, we will be announcing our NEW NAME and NEW LOGO for the support group. Most of you can see that we've changed names, since the name of our blog is different, but this is our official little "kick-off" for the "new" group.

A little background here... 15 months ago, Colette, Bethanie, and I, along with Dr. Jon Bishop and his staff, created a breast cancer support group called Sister Survivors. We've had a great year of monthly support meetings, activities, and service projects. We also launched, as part of our group, a one-on-one mentoring program, called Bosom Buddies. Over the last year, our numbers have grown to over 75 survivors, and we've tried to provide a support group that can help those survivors to get through their treatments, and move beyond that - to find health, and joy in our lives again. It's been a wonderful thing for the 3 of us to be involved with other survivors in our quest to help and give back after our own cancer journeys.

Earlier this year, Dr. Bishop and his new office staff decided to split from our group, and form another group here in Utah Valley. The reason for the split is simply our differing ideas of what a survivor needs to "move on", and get her life back in order. There is no right or wrong answer to that, but as survivors ourselves, Colette, Bethanie, and I felt like we had a unique perspective and would be able to really connect on a very important level with each survivor. Our doctors and other medical personnel who help us through our cancer journeys play a VERY important and vital role in our lives for the short time that we are going through treatments. However, at some point, we as survivors, must step away from that team and take back control of our lives, and move forward. Moving forward can be a challenge, though. It isn't easy to get past the tests, treatments, surgeries, and check-ups. But, it is necessary. We can't rely on those things forever. Cancer is a traumatizing event in our lives, and we know from experience that being able to talk to other survivors is key to our recovery. So, it seems that a support group for cancer survivors, run by survivors, is best. We do stay in contact with doctors - oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and plastic surgeons - so that we can provide the best support and information to our members.

So, after having run Sister Survivors for so long, we found ourselves without a name or identity, but still supporting over 75 women with monthly meetings and one-on-one mentoring. We've continued to run "the support group" since the split in February. We had a very difficult time coming up with a new name - we went through literally hundreds of suggestions. Over and over. Nothing clicked. And then, one day I was listening to the song Bethanie wrote last year for the big kick off of Sister Survivors support group. As I listened to that beautiful song again, the words had a big impact on me, and a few of those words stood out. When I mentioned those words to the other members of our board, they all got excited - we had finally found our new identity!

I thought today, I would post the words of Bethanie's song here, and give you a chance to read through it. This song has special meaning to all members of Sister Survivors - now Lifting Hearts breast cancer support group. Enjoy! (these words and the song are copyrighted, and all rights reserved. Please do not re-post, or share, anywhere else without asking our permission. Thank you.)

WISDOM'S SISTER

In the twilight of the evening,
On a dark and starry night
Walked a woman with a candle,
Spreading dancing trails of light
Her hand stretched out to succor
All those touched by cancer's call
When the words that shatter senses
Make kinswomen of us all

Wisdom's sister, take my hand,
Give me grace to understand
Wisdom's sister, walk beside me when I falter,
On a path I never planned

With the dawn, the light spreads outward,
Granting warmth and light to earth
Lifting hearts and hands together,
Giving place for a rebirth
Share the walk and share the wisdom,
Of a road both long and real
A simple gift, a sweet renewal,
Comes with trusting we can heal

Wisdom's sister, take my hand,
Give me grace to understand
Wisdom's sister, walk beside me when I falter,
On a path I never planned
Sister, help me understand
Wisdom's sister, take my hand.

As you can see, the words of Bethanie's song really support our ideas of helping other survivors. Anyone who is a member of this support group - or any support group - is automatically put in the position of succoring other survivors. (The light spreads outward, granting warmth and light). What a gift!

Please join us for our monthly support meeting - this Thursday night, Sept 8th, at 7:00 pm, at our regular meeting place - the law offices of Fillmore Spencer attorneys. 3301 No. University Ave. (Jamestown area), Provo. If you have any questions, please call me @ (801)360-4666.

Have a great day!

-Kara

TUESDAY TIDINGS - A Basic Cancer Information Website...

I found a website today that has some very good basic information on Breast Cancer.
This website is Michigan State University's Breast Cancer Information.


Some of the topics covered are:

General: Cancer Facts, Ductal In Situ, Invasive

Diagnosis: Mammogram, Biopsy, Axillary Node Dissection

Treatment: Lumpectomy, Radiation Therapy, Mastectomy, Chemotherapy, Hormone, Bone Marrow Transplant

Recovery: Physical Recovery, Family Adjustment, Emotional Recovery, Long-term Follow-up

Each of these areas are discussed in depth, but the explanations are easy to understand, and very basic. I like that they also include personal experiences from breast cancer patients.

If you have any questions, or are confused or concerned about any part of your cancer diagnosis or treatment, this seems to be a good source of information. It was written in 1999, so some of the information might need to be updated. Of course, the best source of information is your own doctor - please make sure to ask him/her any questions you have during your cancer journey.

-Kara

TUESDAY TIDINGS - Advantages of Immediate Breast Reconstruction

I read an interesting article that I thought I'd pass along. The article is found at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website.

The article showed results from a study on Immediate Breast Reconstruction. It's important to note here, that the reconstructions were mainly done using tissues from the abdominal area (TRAM flaps). Here are a few quotes from the article:

"The outcomes of immediate breast reconstruction were analyzed, focusing on complication rates, timing of other cancer treatments and cosmetic results. The goal was to determine whether the proven benefits of immediate reconstruction were justified in terms of the risks and possible adverse effects."

The article listed several advantages for immediate reconstruction over delayed reconstruction:

1. Improved cosmetic outcomes
2. Shorter recovery time
3. Decreased costs
4. An important coping mechanism associated with improved quality of life
5. A reduced risk of depression.

"The results suggest that immediate reconstruction is safe and well tolerated by patients, and does not lead to an increased risk of complications. Delays in further treatment appear comparable to those of women undergoing mastectomy alone. The study also suggests that a "vast majority" of women experience no or only minor complications related to radiation therapy."

If you'd like to read the entire article, click HERE.

TUESDAY TIDINGS - The Importance of Healthy Eating and Exercise

While I was at the breast cancer retreat this last weekend, the other survivors and I were able to sit down and talk to a doctor for about an hour and a half, and get a bunch of our questions answered. One of the things the doctor told us is that the most important thing for a survivor to do is get healthy and stay healthy by exercising and eating right.

This reminded me of a quote I read recently from singer Sheryl Crow, a breast cancer survivor: "Anyone who's diagnosed with anything will agree that such news is not only a showstopper, but also an opportunity to recreate the way you live and how you look at life."

Sheryl recently co-wrote a cookbook focusing on tasty and nutritious food, titled "If It Makes You Healthy".

In the forward of this cookbook, Sheryl talks about the fact that before her cancer diagnosis, she had always been healthy and fit, but hadn't been a healthy eater. She has re-invented the way she eats, and talks about being on what she calls the "Eskimo Diet" - salmon, brown rice, and colorful vegetables - the more colorful, the better.

A few of the helpful hints in the book: use spices that have cancer-fighting properties, such as cinnamon and cumin; meet with a nutritionist; learn the benefits of nutrients like Omega-3 and lycopene; it's ok to be a little indulgent once in a while - eat dessert! Just make it a healthy dessert.

There are so many other great things in this cookbook. It's full of good, healthy recipes. I can't wait to try some of them.

(If you are interested in reading the article about Sheryl Crow in Prevention Magazine, it's called "Sheryl Crow's Change of Heart", and can be found in the May 2011 issue. Click HERE to go to Prevention's website and read the article.)

We also talked to the doctor about exercise. I can't remember exactly what she said (thank you, chemo brain), but I do know that even just walking 3-4 times a week can make a big difference. You don't have to be an exercise nut to gain benefits.

There were a lot of things I learned during the retreat that will change my life for the better. The suggestion to eat healthy food and exercise are some of the most important!

TUESDAY TIPS - Tissue Expanders During Reconstruction

Today, I'd like to direct you to Brenda Coffee's blog about tissue expanders during reconstruction. It's a great discussion on what to expect if you are thinking about having implants after a mastectomy. I went through this, and although I didn't stash things in my bra like Brenda did (hilarious), I did experience everything else she talks about. It was an interesting journey, and one that I'm happy is over...

http://www.breastcancersisterhood.com/_blog/Brenda%27s_Blog

If you have any questions that are not addressed by Brenda's blog, email me at nafari01@yahoo.com or just comment here, and I'll get back to you.

-Kara