Medical ID/Lymphedema Alert Bracelet Update

Time for another personal BC-related update. The summer is flying by way too fast, yet I'm enjoying going and doing - something I haven't been really able to do the two summers previous. More on that later - possibly. :)

I'd like to bring attention to medical ID bracelets again.

About this time last year, I blogged about my first medical bracelet. It was a good friend - while it lasted. During my trip to Boerne, TX this year, it spontaneously flew off my wrist in several pieces (completely unprovoked, I might add!) and broke in a way that I could not repair. See what happened:

I have its bits and pieces & hope to have it repaired.
Still, a major bummer.

Luckily, I brought a second medical ID bracelet with me. It is more rugged and I purchased this one to take with me while participating in "sporty" things (hiking, biking, anything needing sunscreen application, and other dirty-making activities).

I think this bracelet has a smart design: adjustable and easy-to-use Velcro, durable materials that can stand up to a beating, waterproof, machine washable, and a handy-dandy inside pocket for customized and important medical information.

This bracelet from Amazon came with
2 foldable (and waterproof) ID cards.
It holds important customized medical information
about me in case I'm incapacitated and
need medical attention.

This lightweight, durable medical bracelet really saved me on my trip! Not having a medical alert bracelet makes me anxious - the peace of mind it gives me is powerful. And it is so important that medical personnel know to not poke me with needles nor take my blood pressure on my right arm! What a mess that could easily lead to...

While the above bracelet came to my rescue, I did prefer to have something a little less "sporty" for everyday use (something I can wear with normal clothes and when I dress up). That led me to start searching for a durable metal bracelet that could (hopefully) stand the test of time. I settled on the one shown below - and truly hope this one lasts for years and years. I chose to have it engraved with my specific medical information, too. (After all, what good does having a medical alert bracelet without information in/on it do if you aren't able to think clearly or speak to those trying to help you?!)

FYI and a tip for others:  When wearing a medical bracelet, I think it's a good choice to let that be the only bracelet on your arm. Some medical bracelets out there look like charm bracelets and hide the important "medical alert" well. To me, that seems to totally defeat the purpose of having it in the first place. While this is a lower-profile bracelet, it has the medical symbol on it + special instructions and it is the only thing I wear on my right arm (besides ye olde lovely lymphedema sleeve / glove / gauntlet when needed), so I think there's a greater possibility of someone noticing it if ever I'm in that situation.

It's also a great reminder to myself! On one of my follow-ups at the oncologist's office last year, I started hollering like a crazy cat lady when the blood pressure machine began pumping on my right arm - I had totally forgotten about my limitation. I freaked out the nurse tech (and myself), but she stopped the machine promptly and all was well.  That was when I knew I needed a visual reminder - for others as well as for myself - and it prompted me to get my first bracelet.

Think about it - it could save you and others from a lot of pain and agony.

BC Infographic

I'd like to share an informative infographic with you all. There will probably come a time another woman (or women) I know will be diagnosed, although I hope that I won't know many that do. It's a club that you don't want to be a part of, but boy is it uplifting to meet others that have "been there, done that" and "get" what this experience is all about.

Please pass on this information to anyone you know that could benefit from: knowing the facts, checking their breasts (male and female!!), or not feeling alone in their journey.

There's definitely a part of me that wants to know more about this disease. Like what specifically causes it? What are surefire ways of stopping its growth? When will there be a cure? So many questions...hopefully time and bonafide research will elicit answers.

source: http://www.onlinenursingprograms.com/code-pink/

'Tis the Season...

...for SUNSCREEN!

Boy, have I had [more than] my fair share of bad sunburns:

 Sunburn acquired while honeymooning.
Hawai'i, 2004

Now that most of us have emerged from our dwellings to enjoy summer sunshine, it's time to apply sunscreen. Did you know all sunscreens aren't created equally? It's true.

Waaaaay back in the early stages of my cancer treatments, I watched a documentary that spoke to me: Crazy Sexy Cancer. It's based on Kris Carr's own battle with cancer - stage IV cancer found in her liver and lungs in 2002. While I didn't/don't subscribe 100% to all of her recommendations, the documentary was jam-packed with information. I took what spoke to me and incorporated it into my own life. I now have the same approach with her email 'digest' I receive once weekly.

In early June, the focus was on sunscreens. While I knew some sunscreens contained freaky toxins, I wasn't sure quite what to do about it, who to trust, and what to spend my money on. This article helped me. In case you don't want to read the full article, here are some excerpts and tips to help point you dear blog readers in a different direction when making choices about that next bottle of sunscreen. After all, we do vote with our money!

To begin with, look for these 'red flags' when reading sunscreen ingredients:
• What: Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate or “retinol”).
Why: Linked to increased cancer cell growth.

• What: Oxybenzone.
Why: Hormone disrupter—experts caution against using it on children.

• What: Powder or spray mineral-based sunscreens (usually on ingredient label as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide).
Why: These ingredients are typically safe in lotion form, but can cause internal damage if inhaled.


Have you heard of the Environmental Working Group (EWG)?

EWG is an American environmental organization that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of toxic chemicals, agricultural subsidies, public lands, and corporate accountability.

Stephanie, a BC friend of mine, introduced me to this organization sometime this May/June. Since then, I've used their databases to look up products we had at home that I thought were safe (many weren't!) as well as ones I've considered buying - this organization's work has helped me make more informed and clear decisions when purchasing cosmetics, sunscreens, produce...the list goes on.

To help you on your quest, here are some of EWG’s top-rated sun care products in the sunscreen category - for adults and kids:

• Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Sunscreen, Green Tea, SPF 30+
• Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Sport Stick Sunscreen, SPF 30+
• Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30
• Green Screen D Organic Sunscreen, Original, SPF 35
• Kiss My Face Natural Mineral Sunscreen with Hydresia, SPF 40
• Releve’ Organic Skincare by Emerald Essentials Sun-Lite Sunscreen, SPF 20
• Seventh Generation Wee Generation Baby Sunscreen, SPF 30

"There's an app for that!"

Yes, it's true. There are two apps available for the iphone (one for the iPad) created by the EWG. They are working on others. 

The Dirty Dozen: a list of foods with the highest pesticide residue (also complimented by the 'Clean 15' - a list of foods with the lowest pesticide residue).

EWG Sunscreen Buyer's Guide: Isn't it self-explanatory? I think so.

Now that I'm armed with strong and broad UV protection with few safety concerns, it's time to get out and enjoy some more of that Colorado sunshine!

Mantra: calm the mind

First, note whether you are feeling calm or angry, content or agitated, without desire or filled with desire.

May I accept that things do not always go as I would imagine.

...become aware of your state of mind...

May I accept that things do not always go as I would imagine.

May I accept that my hard time will certainly pass.

May I find a practice that helps me to know.

May I find the stillness. 

May I find the quiet.

May I find the resolve.

May I find the peace that helps dispel the suffering.

Young Samson Loses His Hair

A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog post called Solidarity - to see if anyone else would shave their heads (donating their hair or not) to show solidarity with me and my hair loss 'adventure' soon after I began chemo treatments. Much to my surprise, there were quite a few of you that did just that and sent in pictures of your buzzed or otherwise-cut hair! The show of support from near and far warmed my heart and helped me feel a little less isolated with the beginning of my cancer journey. Thank you for that.

Joshua also wanted to be part of the crew that cut their hair, but he knew it wasn't long enough to donate - that, and I urged him to keep it long (so one of us could have some friggin' hair) and so he could eventually donate it to a great cause. And he did. About 3-4 years in the making, it grew quite long:

Oh boy! Look at all that hair!

He tried - unsuccessfully - several times last fall and winter to donate. It was still just a bit too short. This spring, he was getting antsy to cut it off.

So last weekend as he was getting out of the shower I said "How about we cut it off today?" And this was his expressive reply:----->

I took it as a "yes."   :)

And so the de-hairing Joshua project began.


But wait! First check out this short video of what we'd been contending with for some time. His long hair required more regular clean-up in our bathroom shower and floor. Eew! I'm sure we could have made several wigs with the drain catch hair by now:

Lookin' good.

As he said in the video, he was a "hairy mo' fo'!"

I felt privileged that he let me cut his hair. Just two years prior, he was the one that tenderly cut several ponytails of hair off my head and then gave me a buzz cut. I was up for the challenge and did a decent job, methinks.

Spousal bias makes me believe he looks great any way he has his head or facial hair. And it's true! As much as I knew I'd miss the long locks, it's like I had hubby v2.0 at first - how exciting! :)

Bye-bye, hair.
Hello, handsome!

Contrary to what happened when Samson lost his hair, Joshua seems to have gained new strength in embracing this drastic change. We all get attached to how we look, and it's both frightening and exhilarating when big change occurs. Whether the change originates from yourself or an external force, it's still something your mind adjusts to in some fashion.


We promptly filled out a hair donation form from the Locks of Love web site and sent his hair on its way to help out a child with long-term medical hair loss (stemming from any type of diagnosis). It filled our hearts to do something that we know will help another individual.

Getting packed up and ready to mail.

Joshua's new look.