Features Archives - Page 13 of 18

Posted on January 21, 2015February 4, 2016 by Caryn Sullivan Posted in Cancer Chronicles, Features, Cancer Resources

Guidance for Cancer Survivors and Caregivers

Today marks 10 years since my first-ever surgery, a bilateral mastectomy. Fox CT interviewed me to celebrate this milestone and highlight how others can look to handle a similar situation (video above). Being initially diagnosed young, I learned how to navigate through diagnosis and treatment while finding a few laughs a long the way. Below are some quick links to cancer resources. Cancer survivors and their caregivers can use these ideas as a guide to help navigate the diagnosis, treatment and hopefully be comfortable with being their own patient advocate.

Celebrating 10 Years Since Cancer Surgery

Recent Diagnosis – Patient:

Everyone is different, know there is not one right way to act or feel. These suggestions worked for me in an effort to stay relatively sane while evaluating various cancer treatments.

Support – From Friends and Family:

When people mention they don’t know what to say to someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, I just tell them to know their audience. Treat a friend/family member in a similar manner, with perhaps a little bit more kindness, in an effort to make them feel some normalcy.

Be proactive with support: suggest a few ideas how you can help from this list of 50 thoughtful ideas and gestures for a friend in need.

Support – Financial, Emotional for Patients and Caregivers:

The first few weeks after being diagnosed are filled with many new obstacles, including excessive stress and potential financial burdens. There are many ways to combat these issues, including finding support organizations and using mindfulness techniques.

CancerCare – This organization provides counseling, support groups, education and financial assistance for both patients and caregivers.
Finding time for exercise and mindfulness activities is helpful: benefits of yoga, acupuncture and walking for cancer patients.

Hope and Inspiration:

Being diagnosed at 31, many of my peers had not faced this disease before. Regardless, facing cancer is life altering, and I wanted to have hope. So I found it incredibly helpful when people shared global survival stories. Here are some quick links where you can find hope, inspiration and motivation from others experiencing hardships.

Kris Carr – Author and inspirational speaker known for the Crazy Sexy Cancer brand outlines her journey toward wellness while living with a rare form of cancer.
Gotta Make Lemonade – Public figure Samantha Harris and her husband have created a platform to inspire others to overcome life’s challenges. These include cancer and injury as well as professional adversity. My story was featured here, as well.

For more relevant information about my cancer journey and supportive resources, check out our cancer resources page.

Have you been touched by cancer? Please share your story or recommendations for other patients or caregivers.

Posted on January 19, 2015February 3, 2015 by Caryn Sullivan Posted in Features, Weekly RoundUp

Health & Wellness News & Info. Recap, Week of 1/12

If you didn’t join us last week, welcome to the Health & Wellness News & Information Recap. I love to be a “student of life,” especially when it comes to health and wellness. So I will post weekly an easy to skim post where you will get the latest news, information and conversations from the wellness community.

Since Pretty Wellness covers clean eating, active living (mindfulness and fitness), clean living (non-toxic beauty and home) and cancer information, I will look for interesting articles, information and posts under these content categories in the form of my own weekly bullets and links. Here’s the news and information from the week of January 12.

Health & Wellness News & Info. Recap III

CLEAN EATING
What the World”s Healthiest Diets Have in Common: I love this article, summarizing some of the world’s healthiest diets and what they have in common, including plant-based and seasonal produce and whole grains. I’ve heard a lot about the benefits of a Mediterranean diet, but not as much about the Nordic and Okinawa ones. If you are interested in learning more about these diets, check out The 5-Factor World Diet by Harley Pasternak.

ACTIVE LIVING
Is Rebounding Good Exercise: Over the past several years, rebounding (aka jumping on a trampoline) has been promoted as a beneficial exercise for more than burning calories. This week, the New York Times reporter Gretchen Reynolds uncovers the myths about rebounding.

CLEAN LIVING – NONTOXIC LIFE
BPA-Free in the news: Last week, I mentioned that Congress and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently reconfirmed its position that people are not being harmed by bisphenol A (BPA). Many activists still refute this position, and there are even criticisms that BPA-free water bottles may be just as unhealthy as the BPA ones.

CANCER /INSPIRATION
From Surviving Cancer Twice to Writing Tips & Tales for a Clean Lifestyle: If you haven’t checked it out already, this week my story was highlighted on GottaMakeLemonade, a platform to inspire others to overcome life’s challenges. If you have a story, big or small, where you turned life’s lemons into lemonade, you can submit your story here.

Please feel free to comment below or add your own favorite story or blog post of the week. Think of this as a destination to grab a coffee, tea or any drink, read through information on wellness and join in the conversation.

Images courtesy of marin and Ambro at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted on January 14, 2015January 14, 2015 by Caryn Sullivan Posted in As Seen On, Features, Clean Living, Non-Toxic Home, YouTube, Wellness Wednesday

DIY Non-Toxic “Green” Counter & Glass Cleaner Product, Pretty Wellness TV, Episode 12

When I first went “green” with household products, I researched a few days on the internet and then spent several hours at Whole Foods. I enjoyed sharing my adventures learning about the importance of using more natural ingredients with far less chemicals. However, I wish I would have stumbled upon this super quick and easy DIY non-toxic counter and glass cleaner product earlier. It takes a minute to make, uses only two ingredients and works on counters, glass and even produce.

Enjoy our new one-minute “How To” videos. This week, we demonstrate how easy it is to make a vinegar and water cleaning solution.

Let us know if you would make your own cleansers knowing it’s cheaper and easier than buying the pricey brands?

Posted on January 12, 2015December 15, 2022 by Caryn Sullivan Posted in Cancer Chronicles, Features, Cancer Resources, Cancer

6 Cancer Books for Someone Touched with A Diagnosis

As the hours set in after my initial cancer diagnosis, I went from feeling disbelief to craving information. I wanted to know more. So rather than jump on the internet, since I was warned to stay away, my husband and I drove to the nearest Barnes & Noble bookstore. I purchased a few “you have cancer” books and quickly learned that any piece of literature, story, infographic or even a sound bite could bring me to tears if I wasn’t ready. Since unfortunately others have been and will be touched by cancer, below is a short list of cancer books that provided me information without scary statistics and overwhelming tales. These cancer books delivered inspiration to move forward and take care of myself, while I let my medical and support team take care of me.

Posted on January 11, 2015February 3, 2015 by Caryn Sullivan Posted in Features, Weekly RoundUp

Health & Wellness News & Info. Recap, Volume 1

When I was working for The Walt Disney Company, we spoke a lot about being a “student of the business.” I truly believe that I was well-informed and better prepared when I read the trade publications regularly and knew what was going on in the industry. A few wise individuals put together weekly bullets, highlighting business achievements and news in the cable world. Since I know many of you are too busy to read about what’s trending or interesting in the health and wellness world, I will do it for you.

Pretty Wellness covers clean eating, active living (mindfulness and fitness) clean living (non-toxic beauty and home) and cancer information, so I will look for interesting articles, information and posts under these content categories in the form of my own weekly bullets and links. Here’s the news and information from the past week.

HEALTH & WELLNESS NEWS & INFO. RECAP, WEEK OF JANUARY 5

IN THE NEWS
New Year’s Resolutions: I like this slightly different approach, creating a Vision Plan for what you are looking to achieve this year, not so much a new year’s resolution.

Eat an Avocado a day: Researchers advocate eating an avocado a day to lower cholesterol. Watch out – this isn’t meant to add onto your diet, rather as a substitute for something filling.

CLEAN EATING
Meal planning: One of my favorite sites, Mamavation.com, advocates for a clean lifestyle and has useful resources. This post earlier this week is a meal plan with organic ideas that are also low-cost.

ACTIVE LIVING
8-Minute Meditation: I’ve struggled with making meditation (outside of yoga) a part of my life. I like this concept, meditating at your desk before work starts, because it isn’t first thing in the morning taking only 8 minutes to breathe, setting intentions, aka mini goals, and following them.

CLEAN LIVING – NONTOXIC LIFE
BPA in the news: Congress and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently reconfirmed its position that people are not being harmed by bisphenol A (BPA), however, many activist groups cite the opposite.

CANCER /INSPIRATION
RIP Stuart Scott: A tribute and a new cancer research fund created in his name by ESPN and The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Posted on December 30, 2014January 9, 2015 by Caryn Sullivan Posted in Features, Cancer Resources, Cancer, Cancer Chronicles

What if I Didn’t Have Cancer?

Ten years ago yesterday, I was first told that I had invasive ductal carcinoma, aka cancer. As I look back, I wonder what would my life be like if I didn’t have cancer.

Where would I be? Would I’ve been a stay-at-home mom with four kids? Or possibly a business woman traveling cross-country while my husband stayed home and managed family life?

Do I even begin to play that game, dreaming about what could’ve been before cancer changed my plans? How do I know that even without cancer, life could have been better? Maybe something more daunting would’ve appeared, and I surely don’t want to think about that.

So, when I’m down or feeling a little sorry for myself, I try to think of what I’ve gained from my cancer experience or (insert horrible situation here.) I’m not suggesting we all rewrite a modern version of “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music. I just think finding positivity clears the mind of the stress and angst of a tragic life event.

These are a Few of My Favorite Things – After Cancer Came to Town

Unique Relationships

You hear it all the time, cancer brings about a special bond. Those who understand the frightful conversations dealing with a life-threatening diagnosis can provide relevant advice or tough love. I’m grateful for these cancer friends, otherwise known as my angels, who have taught me about cancer, strength and grace. Some guided me tremendously during the early moments. Others have grown with me beyond cancer and continue to be a shining force in my life. In fact, I’ve played both roles, as well, mentoring, motivating and educating those about the “big C.” Treatments debated and tears often shed, but many times we commiserated about the silly stuff.

It’s also worth noting, that other relationships intensify because cancer brings them to a life-altering other level. My husband and I dealt with frightening decisions in a short amount of time. This taught us how to not only communicate but also work well together under such duress.

Authentic Confidence

I often stressed over the wrong things in childhood. I took every self-help magazine quiz to improve my teenage self-esteem. While I was a confident kid, I had my moments, which trickled through my early 20’s. Beating cancer and thriving with it at 31 catapulted me into a different mental state. With every intense work project, fearful presentation or uncomfortable life situation, I drew upon my cancer survivor skills and thrived. Take that, cancer … you made me better.

Adapting to Change and Evolving with It

It’s one thing to adapt to change, but completely different to evolve with it. Being thrown this curve ball at age 31, when I was just asserting my adulthood taught me how to play ball successfully. If one strategy works for years, it doesn’t mean it will in the future. So when my cancer life began, my old life had to be adapted. It wasn’t (and still isn’t) easy, but I’ve learned to grieve any loss and move forward.

New Boobs and Bod

Ok, so here’s the silly, yet surreal part. While I would never wish the surgeries, IV cocktails, shots and scans on anyone, my body looks better. I had bigger boobs, but I never loved them. My post bilateral mastectomy ones fit well in clothes and I don’t even have to wear a bra. Even more exciting, the past year eating clean, sleeping more and practicing yoga has tightened my body and improved my energy level tremendously. I wish I would have embraced a clean lifestyle way back when, instead of counting calories for all those years.

Timing Means Everything

My husband and I wanted to be pregnant within the year after we were married. Our plan had to be altered because I was diagnosed just three months after our wedding. I would have never wanted to wait four years to have a baby. But, thankfully, I did. Kyle is our everything. Since every second/minute/year carries different possible outcomes, had we not waited four years, our baby would not be our precious, silly, thoughtful, caring and creative, Kyle.

Have you or someone you love experienced any life altering moments that redefined your life?