As a breast cancer survivor, I’m not sure whether I love October or fear it. Seeing the spectrum of pink colors everywhere can be overwhelming. It’s a constant reminder that I’m sick. And yes, I know that thousands of women and men are afflicted with this disease yearly, so the pink promotion isn’t about me being ill. But sometimes, I just get inside my head. My thoughts go to the scary places that we all want to push away. And sometimes, I just want to cry.
October: I Just Want to Cry – A Cancer Survivor’s View
28 Ways and Days of Self-Love
Back when I was a kid, I was HUGE fan of the pastel, sweet conversation heart candies. Not only did I devour the wintergreen tasting, chalky sugar in my teeth, the messages always made me smile. While those little bites packed me with too much sugar, they also filled me with self-love. Through my own research and journey within wellness, I’ve learned that positivity goes a long way. Our minds can be a big tool for resiliency and help with our own stress reduction. While it takes time to turn around habits, including learning to self-love, at Pretty Wellness we’re here to encourage you to take baby steps toward better health and happiness. While I won’t be eating any candy hearts to celebrate Valentine’s Day, I’m excited to celebrate by sharing 28 self-care and self-love ideas so we can all treat ourselves a little better.
Places to Donate to Honor Someone Battling Cancer
I’m not sure when to celebrate my cancer-aversery.
Is it the day we found the first lump (12/18/2004?)
Is it the day of my first official diagnosis (12/29/04?)
Now, that I’ve had a reoccurrence, should I commemorate the day when scan reports outlined the probability of metastatic disease (8/29/13?) Or, should it be the night of Friday the 13th (9/13/13) when my oncologist’s voice quietly gave me the official word – “It IS cancer.”
Throughout this cancer journey, I’ve stumbled upon amazing organizations that have helped my family and others navigate through this experience. So today, in honor of “International Day of Charity,” I’ve listed some of my favorite cancer charities and how you can donate. Their missions serve people in different ways. Some focus on research to find a cure, while others promote early detection to prevent it altogether.
How a Disney Princess Helped Me Discover My New Normal
I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in the Fall of 2013. The news was shocking and sobering, especially considering I knew very few people who thrived with it. Scared beyond comprehension, filled with sleepless nights and worries dancing through my head, I thought I knew what that diagnosis meant. At the same time, publicity ramped up for Disney’s “Frozen,” but I didn’t pay attention. The movie opened Thanksgiving weekend and after the holidays, the world knew it was not only a box office hit, but the key to a young girl’s heart. I didn’t realize, it would be to mine, as well.
As the world was singing “Do you Want to Build a Snowman, ” I was anxiously awaiting my first set of scans after being diagnosed. My mind was filled with wildly ranging thoughts:
Was this the calm before the storm? Would the results show tremendous growth and I would only have a few months or years left?
If so, would my child really know me? Should we tell him or not?
Will my new treatments debilitate me? Will I feel like myself? Will I be myself?
Health & Wellness News & Info Recap, 6/9
There’s still a few weeks until summer. Many of us are enjoying the seasonal mentality: free play, later bedtimes and cold, refreshing treats daily. It’s always challenging to stay healthy when busy, whether it’s a hectic work schedule or managing kids throughout the day. So, starting next week, this Health & Wellness News & Info recap will add “Healthy Summer of Fun” content for kids.
This week on the web stories include Beyoncé’s plant eating diet, Jennifer Aniston’s thoughts on natural beauty and an inspirational gesture from American Pharaoh’s jockey, Victor Espinoza.
Health & Wellness News & Info Recap 4/13
It’s been a busy April week getting ready for our stay-cation spring break. Because we have plans to run around town, play with friends and enjoy the outdoors, it’s like we are sampling our future summertime adventures. We’ll definitely hit the beach, one of my favorite summer hot-spots, albeit in jackets and sweatpants. This summer I hope to be reading and writing up these health and wellness news bites there but in my shorts and flip-flops. Enjoy this mid-April, Health & Wellness News & Info Recap including stories about orange media glasses, a documentary on toxic chemicals in our products and a moral bucket list.