On A Lighter Note But First The American College Of Physicians

I like to round up my blog posts with good news.  This piece speaks about my beef with the American College of Physicians and wraps up with a sweet moment in my life: meeting Martin Short!

It seems that when it comes to ovarian cancer, TV physicians are quick to shy away from spelling out the details of the symptom diary that helps women, and doctors, understand some of the potentially lifesaving symptoms of ovarian cancer.  The American College of Physicians has once again published a report about cancer "screenings", and it is controversial, at a minimum.

We in this community know the holy grail of screening tests has not yet been discovered but there was no reason whatsoever to end the interview "there is nothing we can do".  Dr. Azar did not leave much room for hope during the interview, and this saddens me because there IS hope.  I pray she finds a way to clarify this in more detail and show the millions of viewers that progress has been made.

Dr. Azar is more than likely an excellent personal physician, but the media message needs to include some sunlight when it comes to ovarian cancer, as with all cancers. The problem is that this was such a short TV segment. There was not enough time to talk about the complexities of ovarian cancer detection.  I do not agree with the ACP, at all, and I do not like how Dr. Azar answered the question as to what can be done.  There is absolutely no reason to avoid screening with a CA125 blood test if combined with the symptoms already proven in Dr. Goff's research on the ovarian cancer symptom card.

http://www.ocrf.org/news/ocrf-talks/dr-barbara-goff-on-the-ovarian-cancer-symptoms-study

http://www.seattlecca.org/doctor/barbara-a-goff.cfm


I have a few goals: for as long as I am alive I am going to help women learn that there is a symptom checklist available for gynecological cancers, including ovarian cancer.  Another goal is to do everything I can to get that information out to doctors. Let them know that there is a symptom card available from the CDC's Inside Knowledge Campaign that can be distributed within their office.

One day we WILL have a screening tool. Please visit the Be Brave icon link at the top of my page or click here CDC Inside Knowledge Campaign to get the materials for your PCP.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE:

On a much lighter note, I got my dream date with Martin Short a few weeks ago while attending the Gilda's Club "Surviving With Style Fashion Show".  The room was filled, packed.  He has not spoken much of the loss of his sweet wife Nancy from ovarian cancer.  This bittersweet moment combined with a fabulous fashion show greatly lifted my spirits.  I adore Martin Short, who doesn't?  Oh thank you God for I was able to see him. Meeting Martin Short is on my bucket list and now I can say I did.  Love him!  Thank you Martin Short for talking about your life, your sweet Nancy and helping us live a better life with ovarian cancer.

Martin Short and Denise Archuleta at "Gilda's Club Surviving With Style Seattle 2015"  My dream come true.  God bless Martin Short and Gilda's Club.

High Profile Cancer Screening Report

http://www.today.com/health/which-cancer-screenings-do-you-need-doctors-weigh-5-most-t21776

Gilda's Club Surviving With Style 2015

"It's Always-Something" by Gilda Radner-Twentieth-Anniversary Edition

"I Must Say" by Martin Short


Peace and Blessings,

Denise Archuleta
aka Servivorgirl

Musings of a Missionary in the Modern World: Mary, Motherhood and the Family of God

Musings of a Missionary in the Modern World: Mary, Motherhood and the Family of God: Mary

True inspiration.  Thank you Sr. Anne Marie Walsh.

Peace and Blessings to all.

WORLD OVARIAN CANCER DAY

Please take a moment to visit World Ovarian Cancer Day .  See the positive strength and unity amongst the sisters and their support on this worldwide day of awareness.

This link also takes you to a compelling video of President Obama's sister and how her family was effected by ovarian cancer.

http://ovariancancerday.org/watch-president-obamas-sisters-story/


Please share this information with family, friends and your medical community.

Peace and Blessings,
Denise
aka Servivorgirl

Cancer Safety Dot Com

In order to lay a foundation for this post I want to share why I think these painful memories are prominent in my heart and mind.  I never legally addressed wrongdoings that happened in California, and I am not taking a legal approach to resolve matters related to being fired by my doctor.  

What IS coming to the surface again is my heartache as to how that impacted my family, especially my mom. They had to absorb my anger and pain of knowing in my heart that this viscious act delayed my cancer diagnosis.  So I beg you to please forgive me.  Mother's Day is coming up and her passing is too fresh.  Her struggles and pain are right in front of me.  She is in good care now with God, I just have to repeat that over and over right now.  This is why I pray all the time.  I need God to help me.

...................................................................

I think it is important for everyone to know that there are resources to help us know we are or aren't receiving quailty medical care. The Cancer Safety Council https://www.cancersafety.com is a Seattle based organization that presents itself as a patient resource to help those who may need another professional eye to view their medical care.

This is not an endorsement but I felt like this type of resource should be known to those of us in the cancer community.  It is your life....

My gynonc is fully trusted by me.  My faith in her is essential to my healing and to how my treatments are keeping my tumors in control.  I have believed this since the first day I met my gynonc in Seattle. I had already undergone optimal debulking in California but life circumstances required me to uproot and move to Seattle for my chemotherapy.  My mom, sister and her family were in Seattle.

I have full trust in God, in Jesus, but cannot say I have always trusted doctors.  Sad huh.  A freak thing happened with me in California where a nurse lied to a doctor,  claiming I had done something I hadn't.  My doctor in California dropped me.  He didn't just drop me from the clinic but elected to drop me from the entire provider network. Eight months later I had aggressive stage IIIC ovarian cancer.

God is giving me strength to mention this so that I can help you. This event from my past was absolutely traumatizing.  Left abandoned, as a woman with undiagnosed medical issues and severe rheumatoid arthritis, that doctor's actions were extreme and cruel. As patients, especially because insurance companies do not allow us the full freedom of choice, are at the mercy of the doctor and their office management.

The best example of how poorly that clinic in Calfornia was run is this: all labs, and I mean ALL labs were required to be scheduled. So if I left a medical appointment and needed a lab I would have to call and schedule it, go back to work, drive 20 minutes, then at some point in the future need another 40 minutes travel time plus lab time, to get the draw done.  I missed a lot of work and this was before cancer.  I could go on for days.  The point here is that doctors need good office managers and if the doctor does not see that policy is interfering with care, that is a red flag.

The anger from that trauma is gone and I believe in my heart that God keeps me here to raise my voice about that experience so that you, the reader, always stays aware of your surroundings. I haven't eluded to that experience in quite a long time.  

If the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, pay attention.  Be politely persistent in getting your much deserved good care.  But if that doesn't happen I hope you can run for the hills!  

Below is an empowering article written by patient advocate Trisha Torrey for About.com.  Please follow her column because she seems so truly balanced to me.  Unless you have actually been thrown under the bus by a doctor, it is probably hard to imagine these things really do happen.   She can help stear you in the right direction if you or a loved one have concerns about a healthcare provider.

http://patients.about.com/od/doctorsandproviders/fl/Among-Doctors-There-are-Way-Too-Many-Bad-Apples.htm

My heart is with those of you who are struggling to get good quality care.  May each and all of you find strength.

Peace and blessings

Denise a.k.a. 

Servivorgirl

Put That Jug To Good Use

If you know anything about my little blog you know I don't always talk about ovarian cancer, which to me is healthy.  Here is an important message that I pray finds its way into your home.

If you are like me, you cringe when you see water running out of the tap for any reason other than immediate use.  Things like rinsing dishes, getting the perfect tap water temperature, filling a cold water bottle and even cleaning the sink seem to waste so much water.  When I was a little child I remember that sink faucets had separate piping for hot and cold, so the hot was "hot" already.  We need our plumbing systems to find that happy space again somehow.

In the interim, I want every kitchen to have a spare water jug to capture clean water.

This is where the clean pre-usage water is captured while we wait for the water to get either hotter or colder.  If you have kids, let them decorate them.  I fill my gallon container to the rim each day, easy.

This is important because we should not drink hot water from the tap, it comes from the tank which may be rusty on the inside.  So allow your jug to capture this water and re-purpose it in your garden or even on your lawn.  Use a larger bin to hold this water outside.  You can use this fresh water to put in pots for boiling eggs or other forms of cooking.

Please take a look at my charming clunky video and share! Share! Share!

PS.  I saw my gynonc yesterday and the plan is avastin forever, basically.  Every three weeks. Thanks Be to God for this wonderful medical care.  Now I just need a fatigue blaster.

Peace and Blessings,

Denise  aka Servivorgirl

My Nightmares Trap Me

My sleeping habits and dreams continue to trap me, or are they a window to hope?  I wonder about this each day as I struggle to awaken from my dreams.  This morning I could hear my sweet cat Marilyn meowing in the ever so distant background as I struggled to go shopping for food.

I would walk off of the elevator and towards a chrome plated reception desk.  The smoke in the room softened all of the details, but clearly I was needed for an event.  I would register at the front desk, receive my card key and sluggishly open the door to my room.

Inside my room was the home of my grandmother Archuleta.  She was ill, and awaiting death.  My job in the family was to go buy food for everyone as they pray with grandma before and as she passes on to the heavens.   I saw people that I had met only once as a small child.

When I arrived at the market there was a sea of people crowding the fresh fish and meats.  The fresh meat market rested alongside a beautiful white sandy beach. The water looked so refreshing, I wanted badly to walk along the shore.

I was ordered to purchase fresh shrimp and chicken. The meat market containers display cases contained an overabundant number of orange nets, they were everywhere. The checkout lines, outlined with those mobile strap stands that you see in airports, were like a maze.  I got lost in the line.

By the time I made my way to the cash register the chicken meat had gone bad and had to be thrown away.  Once again I had to go back and get more chicken.  I got lost once again and the meat spoiled once again.  The third trip was different.  I reselected shrimp and took some other form of meat to the register.  I cannot remember what it was.

By the time I returned to grandma's house there were more guests and still not enough meat.  I was sent back to the market again. Feeling so exhausted, grieving for my grandma, fearing embarrassment because I could not remember the names of most of the relatives in the room.  I did not return again until the next day.

I cuddled up next to my grandmother, said I was sorry and started to cry.  This dream also had me staying in the same hotel,  needing to return to my mom, my mom who I miss so much.  I could not escape this darn hotel.  I was mandated to attend a seminar by some guy selling some "thing".  He was mean to me, berated me for not knowing information in his seminar.  Horrible feeling.

Oh what a nightmare.  I tried to escape.  My friend from high school was there too, and she was distraught for she was also trapped in the banquet room.  My mom needed me and I could not get to her.

I could hear my cat this morning calling for me, awakening me ever so slightly, but not enough.  I felt like a brick of iron on a magnetic mattress.   This is how all my nightmares are right now.  Instead of waking in a frightful state I stay trapped in them, waking up in sweats at the conclusion of the dream.

I woke up today up at 2pm.

This reminds me of a series of dreams I have had about mom.  They have happened all in the last 60 days, in a series of three, with distinct messages for me from God I believe.

The first dream mom and I were on the phone.  She was sitting in her car parked in the driveway. The sun must have been setting because I can see her there, squinting from the glare.  When she was alive she would sometimes sit in the car to get warm as she was constantly cold.

She dropped the phone and it fell under the seat somewhere and I could hear her crying and panicking because she could not find her phone.  I was telling her loudly, hoping she could hear me, that she would be OK.  I told her not to worry and that I was there.  I said not to cry, it will be alright. The dream stayed in that moment.  I found my body frantically fluttering around in the car, as if I were a little butterfly, trying to console her.  I must have gotten a phone call in the afternoon that finally woke me up from this nightmare.

The next dream mom was calling me from an elevator.  I could hear the vessel's movement, continuous, going in just one direction.  I feel like, because in my dream I was able to see her standing in the elevator, and the numbers were going up.  She was on her way to some specific place, a real destination.

She was looking up at the red digital display, of the numbers changing, increasing one by one.  She told me of the moment when the elevator went dark but said she was not afraid.  She even laughed, that sort of nervous laugh that demonstrates a hint of excitement and joy.  She told me not to worry.  I just listened on the other end of the line. The elevator kept going up and up and up and mom kept giggling. I can still remember the echo.

The next dream shows an outside garden party  There are 4 or 5 long tables, about 30 feet in length.  Each table is covered with elegant white linens, bouquets of flowers, candles and china.  The silver settings and crystal glassware shimmer in the twilight sky under the glass light bulb canopy.  I believe the drinking glasses were rimmed with gold.

Sitting on each side of the table are men wearing bright white robes adorned with silk sashes.  They are talking amongst themselves as they await the feast to come.  The air is crisp, fresh and it feels like a celebration is about to start.

Smack dab in the middle of all these men sits my mom, comfortable and gleeful in a chair.  She is neatly dressed, not sure in what, but she looks beautiful.  As if I am watching from a branch on a tree, she looks up at me as smiles with great joy.  She just beams, is radiant and happy.

She just does not stop looking at me and never stops smiling.  I feel like she is safe.  I did not want this moment to stop.  I wanted it to last forever, to see her loving face and feel that sense of serenity.  I reach out my arm to touch her but I cannot, she is too far away. Holding her hand is all I want to do.  Eventually I awaken from this dream. I still see her in the garden, I still see her smiling.  My heart still hurts, but not as much as before.

This most recent dream of mom told me that she is in heaven, for certain.  God now has her, God cares for her.  She will never suffer ever again.

I love you mom and may you be the angel who comes for me one day.

Peace and Blessings to you all!

Love
Denise

My mom enjoying time with me in the springtime.

The Rosary That Heals Me and the Chaplet Of The Divine Mercy

Some of you may recall that in the days following my radical hysterectomy I draped my rosaries across my abdomen and scars.  I used all that I could find, sleeping with them and praying for relief from my pain and fear of dying. My family was very respectful of this and for that I am so very grateful.

Today is Good Friday, the most solemn day of the year. We witness the death of Jesus and remain with Him during his suffering and death. It marks the beginning of what is called a Novena, nine days of prayer, of praying The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.

In case you are in need of prayer, healing or simply curious about this most blessed chaplet, here is a link to this prayer in song. Opening prayer precedes this most beautiful song of prayer.

This rosary belonged to my great grandmother, mother of my grandma, Candelaria.  When grandma passed away it was in the care of my aunt Sadie.  Before my aunt passed away, she gave it to me. This rosary is connected to my heart and soul and will remain in our family forever.

Peace and blessings to you on this most blessed day and may the healing spirit of Christ be with you now.

Love,

Serviorgirl

PBS Will Present "Cancer: The Emperor Of All Maladies"

http://www.standup2cancer.org/emperor_of_all_maladies#utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

I am looking forward to watching this latest amazing series about cancer to be shown on PBS and produced by Ken Burns.

Peace and Blessings

Angelina Jolie Shares Her Second Surgery With The New York Times

Angelina Jolie has stepped forward for a second time sharing her experience with doing everything she can to prevent cancer.  This time she journals of her heartfelt decision to try and prevent ovarian cancer.  Please select this link from the New York Times and share it with those you love.

Her words speak reality, uncertainty and hope.

I am one of thousands of grateful women who thank her for raising awareness of ovarian cancer and how we can strive to prevent it. 

God Bless Angelina.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/24/opinion/angelina-jolie-pitt-diary-of-a-surgery.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&bicmst=1409232722000&bicmet=1419773522000


FOR BRCA EDUCATION AND SUPPORT:
http://www.penncancer.org/basser/
www.facingourrisk.org

Here are more links from news media about Angelina Jolie's decision:

KLG and Hoda on the Today Show
http://m.today.com/klgandhoda/klg-angelinas-decision-surgery-personal-brave-2D80565927

Time,com
http://time.com/3756167/angelina-jolie-ovaries-removed-cancer/

NBC News
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/angelina-jolie-has-ovaries-removed-stop-cancer-begins-menopause-n329031

Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/24/angelina-jolie-ovaries-surgery_n_6928748.html

BBC News
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32030154

CNN
http://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2015/03/24/mxp-sot-angelina-jolie-ovaries-removed-questions.hln


Peace and Blessings

Servivorgirl

I Didn't Know I Loved Gorillas So Much

Tonight something entirely unexpected happened after watching a "60 Minutes" segment, I knelt down on my knees sobbing.  It wasn't just one of those short hard cries that somehow finds a way to end with a giggle or sigh of relief.  No, this was one of those deeply sorrowful tearful, painful, agonizing moments when no solace could be found, except through God.

My cat doesn't know what to do during these rare moments because I cry out loud and can't breathe. It reminded me of the kind of crying that comes when someone you love dies.  I got shocked when I saw my red bleary eyed face in the mirror as I went to grab a tissue. Marilyn was probably hiding under the bed, poor kitty.

How did this evolve, you way wonder.  It was just a normal evening. I had turned on the television and found an episode already streaming on "60 Minutes" about a man who wants to save all the animals in captivity. Wonderful.  His name is Damian Aspinall.  Mind you, the segment had already begun playing and the images I saw were amazing.  I had missed the introductions. 

This man is frolicking with apes and playing with tigers.  Wow. I hear about his mission to end all zoos, including his, and I think "Fabulous"! Truly it is a Godly gift that any human can play with gorillas and live to tell about it.  This man is very special, I am thinking.

We see him teaching gorillas to live in the jungle after being in captivity.  Then this man takes them to a private island where these Godly creatures live freely and are safe. Upon his return, the gorillas are happy to see him, one especially.  The one gorilla loved this man so much he literally would not let him go. I am grinning from ear to ear, my heart is warm and fuzzy. 

Then we see this man has started, but not finished a bridge.  This bridge is the bridge to the real wild. It would allow the gorillas to leave this safe island haven of freedom in Africa. We are told that if they cross this bridge the gorillas will no longer be safe, they might die.  

I do not have the answers but I do know what isn't right.  Those gorillas loved him!  They trusted him and he let them walk the plank.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/zoo-gorilla-family-freed-to-wild-60-minutes/

Dear Damian Aspinall,

Please no longer release the animals that love you, that trust you, into the wild.  Allow them to remain living with joy on your family estate in Africa and pledge your resources to stop animal cruelty and poaching.

Your ideal of closing all zoos is admirable. I pray you have learned that your beloved Gorillas need you to keep them safe on your island sanctuary.  You were given an exceptional gift from God that allows large wild animals to trust and love you.  Please honor that love and trust.

Love, 

Servivorgirl

Cancer.net Mobile APP

How are you today?

I was doing some research on organizing tips, such as for medical records, and I found this great APP from Cancer.Net!  Where was this when I was in front line chemo?  HA

I highly recommend that you take a look at this, whether you are a caregiver or a patient.

It is a repository of sorts for tracking symptoms and side effects of treatments, medications, notes and issues related to your condition and a resource with links to important resources within the Cancer.Net website.

I remember back in 2010 that it was a nightmare keeping logs, lists of meds, notes for doctors and finding resources. It was a job in the most literal sense to manage having cancer.  This APP could have saved me and my family a lot of extra stress, time and effort.

http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/managing-your-care/mobile-applications

I am creating my symptoms tracker. This tool has common symptoms pre-loaded for selection and you can customize symptoms as well. I believe I will need to set reminders to go through them at the same time each evening and rate them, until this becomes a habit.  I have promised some people that I will report how this APP helps me.

I am a little excited about this because having these details readily available to your oncology nurse and doctor could greatly improve your overall treatment experience.  Especially at times when we are really tired and suffering, putting the symptoms into words can be difficult.   I hope you find this helpful.

Peace and blessings

Servivorgirl

Women With Cancer Retreat at OLCC

Women with Cancer:  Spiritual Exercises and Prayer Retreat

Dear Child of God, 

May the peace of Christ reign in your heart.  This is an invitation to attend a Women with Cancer: Spiritual Exercises Silent Retreat this fall at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center.  We hope that 22 women from across the United States will make this retreat to grow in faith and love of God and to experience His  Healing Grace.  We encourage you to consider joining us for this year’s retreat Thursday September 17 through Sunday September 20 of 2015.

Our Lady of Corpus Christi offers you a place of peace, of silence and of prayer.  Our Lady’s Retreat House is equipped with 22 private rooms with private bathrooms. While on retreat, you may want to spend time with the Lord in our quiet and intimate chapel in Our Lady’s Retreat House or take a short walk to our Perpetual Adoration Chapel, “the Blue Dome”, where our Lord is exposed in the Blessed Sacrament 24 hours a day.  Our Lady of Corpus Christi has 60 acres of grounds to explore, and a peaceful meditation garden to immerse yourself in God’s Creation; to rest, reflect and pray.

Except for participating in Mass, talks and other events, at Our Lady of Corpus Christi you experience the beauty of silence.  There is plenty of free time to rest, relax and listen to the Voice of God speaking to your heart, through silence. There are no TV’s, telephones, or any other type of media to distract us from our Creator.  You are asked to set aside all your thoughts related to your job, your family, and anything else that would prevent you from opening yourself up to Jesus. 

Mass is offered each day, and priests are available for confession and spiritual direction throughout the retreat.  The talks presented throughout the weekend will be based in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, but will have an emphasis on healing for women with cancer.  The retreat will be led by Sr. Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT, a religious sister of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. Sr. Anne Marie is a breast and women’s cancer survivor three times over and has experienced first hand a woman's struggle with cancer, and the Healing Grace of God.  Three excellent, home cooked meals are served each day and ample snacks provided for time in between.  

The Women with Cancer: Spiritual Exercises Silent Retreat can be a powerful, life changing experience.  When we open ourselves up to God’s grace, His generosity will astound us.  He longs to pour his love, peace and joy into our souls! This retreat is an opportunity to relax and renew your mind, body and soul, and go deeper in your relationship with God.  

Please consider this letter as a personal invitation and contact one of our Retreat Captain concerning attendance at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Center.  Space is limited to 22 women.  If you would like to reserve a room please contact one of our Retreat Captains, who is listed below.  You may register by filling out the Retreat Registration Form via our retreat website:

To register, please select from the dropdown menu and you will se the link for women with cancer at http://www.deepprayer.org

May God bless you and your family abundantly.  

In Jesus through His mother,

Denise Archuleta

Our Lady of Corpus Christi Retreat Captain

servivorgirl@gmail.com

Are Products Labeled "BPA-Free" Safer? " By Brenda Goodman, MA Published by Web MD

Hello Everyone,

I read an interesting article today, and I hope you read it too.

Caustic Plastics: I think that I am going to rid my entire apartment of the plastic I can see.  

The dilemna here is our food is stored in plastics, it's everywhere.  Our busy lifestyles make it difficult to make food from scratch.  You go to buy shoes, bags, furniture, gadgets, electronic devices, toys, cars etc. and they are loaded with plastics.   This is especially dangerous for growing kids and teens I believe.

When I was a child we didn't have a lot of toys and we played outside.  Our time was spent on the grass, om a bike, in a tree, on the sidewalk, or on the floor.  Our toys were jump ropes, jax, cards, playing house or store and using blankets to make tents.  Hopscotch, tag, hide and seek, looking for 4 leaf clovers, turning clouds into horses and magic animals in the sky.  Hula hoops and the "The Game of Life" were a few of my favorites.

Oh and of course Lincoln Logs..........  We used our imagination.  Wow we had so much freedom as children back then.  I wish children had the same freedom today.

When mom cooked we really had not too many leftovers to store.  I remember a lot of corning ware and real glassware in the house.  Sigh, times have changed.

Please read and share the article with your friends and family.  Peace and Blessings to you.

Article posted in:

Are Products Labeled 'BPA-Free' Safer? By Brenda Goodman, MA Reviewed by Arefa Cassoobhoy, MD,MPH

Feb. 3, 2015 -- Are goods labeled “BPA-free” healthier? Maybe not. Two new studies found that some chemicals replacing BPA in plastics, food packaging, and other products might also disrupt hormones, changing how the brain works and affecting fertility..................

"Recent studies have suggested that bisphenol-S, which is sometimes used in plastics labeled “BPA-free,” might have some of the same effects in the body as bisphenol-A. What's the concern?"

"Vandenberg: The concern is that these chemicals might mimic the actions of the hormone estrogen, disrupting development of the male and female reproductive tracts, the mammary gland, and the brain, among other things."

READ COMPLETE ARTICLE BY LINKING TO: 

https://www.webmdhealth.com/nl/nlv.aspx?id=81B702FBE5249552&s=32507&mrdid=0a0b09cd-2cb9-e411-aaf7-e83935c0f4a9

Retreat Update and Giving

Hello Everyone,

First off I have very good news about our upcoming healing retreat. Our scheduled dates are from September 17, 2015 through September 20, 2015.  It gives me a nice burst of energy to write this post.

I have spoken with Sr. Laudem several times and I should have formal registration forms soon.  

I will broadcast the complete information, including registration links, as soon as I receive them.  

Please see the post "An Oasis of Hope and Love: The OLCC Retreat Center" dated 01-29-15 for more information about this special event.  

I have a CT scan coming up tomorrow afternoon.  There is a new pain on my right side. Since this could be due to any number of issues my goal is to maintain a balanced in attitude.  

A balanced attitude is a reasonable expectation, I think.  It says "I will allow myself to experience the range of appropriate emotions while I gather my thoughts, pray on it and then do something".  I feel like a professional CT scanee...ha.  I feel strong because I have faith.

I am drifting over to the subject of balance because the season of Lent is here.  For those who observe this season, it is the time to draw nearer to God by prayer, fasting, pennance and almsgiving.

Almsgiving provides each of us, healthy and unhealthy alike, ways unify with our family of neighbors.  As we renew our faith in God, we renew our spirit while helping others.  This gives us balance and can be very rejuvinating.

If you are healthy try to find some time to help a local charity or a neighbor in need.  If you are not well you can give by praying or making a small donation to charity. Maybe you have items that are in good condition and with a little help, they can be donated. 

Give to the homeless, if nothing else, a big smile.  Give them some cheer.  Try not to judge why they are in the condition presented. They need hope and our smiles, our reach, our hand releases them from alienation.

It feels good to give.  

Peace and Blessings,

Servivorgirl

Lord help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me today that You and I together can't handle. Amen.

N.E.D. The Movie Event Review

I hope you were able to attend the screening of N.E.D. The Movie yesterday, World Cancer Day.  This heartfelt documentary tells the story of gynecology oncology surgeons, and musicians, who dedicate themselves to educating people about gynecological cancers.  They love their patients and love performing their music, using their venue to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.

As a woman who was told that I was too young to have ovarian cancer, when I actually did have it, I fully appreciated the significance and importance of this movie and their mission.  I think these humble surgeons are amazing people, selfless in their cause.

Dr. Barbara Goff, of UWMC and SCCA in Seattle Washington, spoke after the screening.  She was kind, informative and encouraging.  She spoke of advances in treatment protocols and told us the history of how a small donation led her team to the compilation of important research that supports the symptom checklist that we use today.

Dr. Goff stated that the most important take-away from this event was that the parents of boys and girls need to understand the importance of the HPV vaccination.  The reduction of future cancers is staggering when the vaccine is given.

I thank God every day for my time on earth and pray that more and more people see this documentary. The conversation about cancer is never easy and that is especially true when it comes to women's cancers.  The truth is that all women need to know the basic symptoms of these cancers.

Here is the link to N.E.D. The Movie's storywall:

http://www.nedthemovie.com/story-wall/

Peace and Blessings
Servivorgirl

P.S.   I am in the process of scheduling our special retreat at The OLCC Retreat Center.