Being diagnosed with cancer at any age can be a life-altering experience, but for young adults, it can be especially challenging. This age group is typically defined as those between the ages of 18 and 39, and you can’t even imagine how difficult this is. They may be transitioning into adulthood, pursuing their careers or education, and starting families. A cancer diagnosis can disrupt these plans and create a great deal of uncertainty and fear about the future.
During National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week, it's important to recognize the unique needs of this population and to provide them with the support they need. There are many organizations and resources available to young adults with cancer, including cancer support groups, counseling services, and financial assistance programs. But access these services are not always as simple as it seems!
Some of the biggest challenges facing young adults with cancer are:
• Lack of awareness and understanding from others
• Feeling isolated and alone in their experiences
• Dealing with physical changes (hair loss, weight gain, scars, etc.)
• Worrying about other health issues
• Renting the diagnosis
• Having to depend on others
• Concerns about dating, marrying, having children or dealing with young children
In our video, we had the pleasure of meeting Ithzel, one of the strongest and most beautiful young woman I have ever met. She shared her Cancer journey with us as well as her concerns and frustrations. We are committed to helping make this a better journey and fill it with love and community. By raising awareness and showing compassion, and assistance, we can help to break down these barriers and create a more supportive community.
]]>Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that affects the testicles, which are the male reproductive organs responsible for producing sperm and testosterone. It's a relatively rare form of cancer, but it's important to raise awareness about it and to encourage men to be proactive about their health.
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week takes place in April and is an opportunity to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer, as well as the importance of early detection and treatment.
The most common symptom of testicular cancer is a painless lump or swelling in one or both testicles. Other symptoms may include a dull ache or pain in the abdomen or groin, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, or changes in the size or shape of the testicles.
It's important to note that not all lumps or swelling in the testicles are cancerous, but it's important to get any unusual changes checked out by a doctor. Testicular cancer is highly treatable, especially when it's caught early.
One of the biggest challenges in raising awareness about testicular cancer is the stigma that still exists around men's health issues. Men may feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their health concerns, and may be hesitant to seek medical attention.
During Testicular Cancer Awareness Week, it's important to break down these barriers and encourage men to be proactive about their health. This can involve providing education about the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer, as well as encouraging regular self-exams and check-ups with a doctor.
It's also important to recognize that testicular cancer can affect men of all ages, but it's most commonly diagnosed in young and middle-aged men.
]]>Today, we celebrate the love and companionship that pets bring to our lives, and we acknowledge the many benefits that they provide, especially for people going through cancer treatments or in recovery.
House and service pets can be a source of comfort and support for cancer patients. Research has shown that spending time with pets can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression. For cancer patients undergoing treatment, pets can also provide a distraction from any discomfort or pain.
Service pets, such as therapy dogs or emotional support animals, are trained to provide specific types of assistance to cancer patients. They can help with mobility, provide emotional support, and even detect changes in a patient's health. Whether it's a house pet or a service animal, the love and companionship that pets provide can have a positive impact on a patient's well-being.
#LoveYourPetDay #PetTherapy #CancerSupport #ServicePets #Companionship #LanceandChooChoo #CancerSurvivor #Cancer
Chia first met Alessandro at a Chia Silver Lining Kendra Scott event for breast cancer. He was on his bike that day and told Chia about how his mom is dealing cancer. Chia and Alessandro’s mom, Araceli, have been working together ever since.
Interview with Araceli and Alessandro
Chia: Thank you for being here today. I really want to talk about your journey, so take it from here because you're the expert.
Araceli: I'm really excited about the fact that I've been your spokesperson within the Chilean team. It's been amazing journey. Just a little bit about myself. I found out that I had breast cancer at 45, and I am a single mother so it was a little difficult.
I was a guest speaker at an event, and I said then that the hardest thing for me when you find out about having cancer is that you have an expiration date.
I think we. as humans, feel that we're going to live forever. I mean, we know that’s not true, but that's how you feel.
And I feel like when you get the news, you realize that you have an expiration date. So as a single mother, many things came into my mind: did I get everything ready for them? Have they taught them everything? Have I, you know, made sure their medical is okay, made sure they know who's going to take care of them if I pass away?
I did give them all the knowledge they need as young men so when they get older, they can take that information and pull from it. That was really it was important for me.
Chia: Well, you did a good job because Alesandro was certainly on the lookout for something to make you really happy. Tell us a little bit more about how this whole thing happened because at 45 years old, you've got to now address this.
Araceli: So, Alessandro, I mean, what how do you feel like? How did you feel when you first found out? Remember when I sat down and I told you and your brother that I had cancer, what was the first thing that went through your head?
Alessandro: Well, I can definitely say that shock came to my mind, knowing that, “Yes, Mom, you are a young mother.” But what kid thinks that their mom's going to die before they even become a man or a woman or an adult. I guess that went through my mind.
Sure. I didn't cry.
I didn't really show that much emotion. But I believe you don't need to show emotion to have that feeling in your heart that this is happening.
Araceli: So what helped you through this? Did you talk to people or did you exercise? What did you do to help yourself?
Alessandro: Well, let's just say I started exercising a lot more. That's how I met this woman over here.
And it's been helping you out. I went to go get Chipotle because I was doing a lot of leg days, and I needed some food. And then I saw this organization for breast cancer.
I said, “You know what? I'm going to try it out, see what it's about.” I got all the information I could, and here you are.
Araceli: Awesome. And how do you think it's helped you like understanding this information and being a part of my journey.
You had said you were proud of me. So, explain to me, what were you proud of?
Alessandro: Let's just say you've put a lot of courage into what you've done. You've had the patience to go from struggling. You have the patience to move up to where you are now.
Araceli: That's awesome.
Chia: You’re surrounded by peers, because you're in high school, and there are others that are going through this same situation that don't talk about it like you do. What kind of advice would you give them?
Alessandro: Well, for me, I used to act like a hard ass, I always thought. I would say that talking about feelings was not for guys, not for men. And that's completely untrue.
When you let it out, it feels a lot better. What I can mostly say is, yes, talk, go talk to friends, hang out, go to the gym. But what I really, really want you to do is help the person that has the cancer, help the person that has that's going through this situation.
Chia: Compassion, I think, is one of the greatest things you learn as a family. It’s compassion for each other and for others.
And I'm going to take it a step even further, though, because I know that you have had to educate yourself as you go through this process. And you mentioned something really interesting about being healthy.
Do you want to tell us a little bit about that?
Alessandro: Well, I take health to an extreme. I'm in two sports: cross country and wrestling. And this wrestling journey has been quite a journey, even though I've only just started this week. As a wrestler, I'm going to suck at the start.
But I'm also going to give my best to everything. If you put health and nutrition into anything you do, the sky's the limit.
Chia: Absolutely. I think that's a great message that we want to also encourage. Everyone who is going through a debilitating illness must change their nutrition and their activity for the better because the impact of a diagnosis paralyzes you to the point you don’t exercise and eat right.
The more we circulate our blood and get outside, the healthier we will be. So I think that's an incredible message.
Is your family sharing in this journey together?
Araceli: Definitely. Like for myself, I think exercise is the biggest key. And people would look at me and say, “Wow, you're going through chemo, radiation, and you're still walking and you're still trying to run?”
And I did. Because the reality is, by not exercising, you can get tingling in your hands and your feet, and then you could possibly [get health issues].
I never wanted that for myself. I wanted to make sure that I continued. So, yes, exercising during chemo is difficult. I mean, there were days after chemotherapy where all I wanted to do was sleep or cry or do nothing.
But I had to really force myself to do it.
And it was interesting because I even had people say, “Wow, I don't even have cancer, and I don't even get up and work out and do as much as you do.” And I just felt like it was an internal desire to do better.
I think that has helped me through my first surgery. And the doctor even said that.
I had been exercising and was conscientious of what I was eating, making sure that what I was putting into my body was more nutritious, because I know that with preservatives and everything, you can't stay technically healthy.
Chia: Better decisions.
Araceli: Better decisions. Right. And that's kind of a lot what I did.
That's what I tell Alessandro and my other son. It's all about portion control. It's all about looking at labels. It's all about measuring and seeing what it is that I'm going to put into my body.
I always tell him that it's kind of like a bank, right? If you don't have the money, then you're not able to build that bank account.
Chia: The investment in your whole life and those around you. I always tell my girls to eat your strawberries, eat your blueberries. They go, “We know, mom. It's an antioxidant.”
Yeah. And I say, that is the lesson I want them to learn. So, if you're making better decisions.
As an aside, tell us about the rap that you have on you.
Araceli: This is organic cotton, which is again very important because what we wear absorbs into our skin.
That's what I love about Chia’s Silver Lining: You have done your research and looked at how products benefit people.
And I think it's really important that if you do have cancer to really look at what you're wearing, what you're eating, what you're smelling, what you're putting into your body, and your environment.
Chia: Well, thank you both for your time and words of love and compassion. I am blessed to have you both.
Thank you for everything.
]]>Communicate: The first step to maintaining intimacy during cancer treatment is to communicate with your partner. Let them know how you're feeling, what you're comfortable with, and what you're not. Talk about your fears and concerns, and make sure you both understand each other's needs.
Be creative: Cancer treatment can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally, so it's important to get creative with your intimacy. Try new things and explore new ways to show your love for each other.
Take your time: It's important to take your time and not rush into anything. Cancer treatment can be stressful, and it's important to give yourself and your partner time to relax and enjoy each other's company.
Get support: Sometimes, it can be helpful to talk to someone outside of your relationship about your concerns and fears. Consider seeking out a counselor or support group to help you navigate this difficult time.
Use humor: Laughter can be the best medicine, and it can also help you maintain intimacy with your partner. Find ways to inject humor into your relationship and keep things light and fun.
Don't give up: Cancer treatment can be a long and difficult journey, but it doesn't have to mean the end of your love life. With patience, communication, and a little creativity, you can keep the love alive during treatment and beyond.
Maintaining intimacy during cancer treatment can be a challenge, but it's important to remember that physical intimacy can actually provide a lot of benefits.
]]>Going through cancer treatments can be an incredibly challenging and stressful experience, but having a strong, supportive relationship with your partner can make all the difference. Here are some tips for how to maintain a healthy partnership while going through cancer treatments:
1. Communication is key: Be open and honest with your partner about your feelings, needs, and concerns. Listen to their thoughts and feelings, too. By communicating regularly and effectively, you can help to build a strong foundation of trust and understanding in your relationship.
2. Set aside quality time: Spending quality time together is an important aspect of any relationship, but it can be even more crucial when you're going through cancer treatments. Whether it's a date night, a movie marathon, or just chatting over coffee, make time to be together and have fun.
3. Lean on each other: During cancer treatments, it can be tempting to try to be strong and do everything yourself, but it's important to remember that you don't have to go through this alone. Lean on your partner for support and let them help you with tasks, whether it's running errands or simply providing a shoulder to cry on.
4. Seek help when needed: Going through cancer treatments can be overwhelming, and it's okay to ask for help. Whether it's from friends, family, or a counselor, don't hesitate to reach out for support when you need it. Your partner can be a great source of help and comfort during this time.
5. Focus on the positive: Despite the challenges that come with cancer treatments, it's important to focus on the positive and find joy in the everyday moments. Make time for things that make you both happy, whether it's a favorite hobby or just enjoying a beautiful sunset together.
Maintaining a healthy relationship while going through cancer treatments takes effort and commitment, but it's well worth it. By communicating openly, spending quality time together, and focusing on the positive, you and your partner can build a strong, supportive partnership that will help you both through this difficult time.
-Chia's Silver Lining
]]>Every year, on February 4th, the world comes together to observe World Cancer Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about cancer and its impact on individuals, families, and communities around the world. The theme for this year's World Cancer Day is "I Am and I Will," which encourages people to take personal responsibility for their health and well-being, and to make a commitment to reducing the risk of cancer.
Cancer is a global health crisis, affecting millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and is responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. The incidence of cancer is expected to rise in the coming years, making it more important than ever to raise awareness about the disease and to promote action to prevent and control it.
There are many ways to get involved in World Cancer Day. You can participate in local events, such as walks, runs, or other community activities, to raise awareness about cancer and to raise funds for research and treatment. You can also share information about cancer and its impact on social media using the hashtag #WorldCancerDay.
In addition to raising awareness, World Cancer Day is also an opportunity to focus on the importance of early detection and treatment of cancer. Early detection can greatly increase the chances of survival and can help to prevent the spread of the disease. This is why it is so important to get regular check-ups and screenings, and to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms that may be related to cancer.
Another important aspect of World Cancer Day is promoting action to reduce the risk of cancer. This includes making healthy lifestyle choices, such as eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. It also includes getting vaccinated against certain cancers, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B, which can significantly reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
In conclusion, World Cancer Day is a day to raise awareness about cancer and its impact on individuals, families, and communities around the world. It is also a day to promote action to prevent and control cancer, and to encourage individuals to take personal responsibility for their health and well-being. Let us all come together on this day to make a difference in the fight against cancer.
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The gallbladder and bile duct are two important parts of our digestive system that play a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of fats. However, sometimes, these organs can develop cancer, which can be a life-threatening condition. Let's take a closer look at gallbladder and bile duct cancer, what causes it, and what you can do to detect and treat it.
What is Gallbladder Cancer?
Gallbladder cancer is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the gallbladder, a small organ located in the upper right part of the abdomen. The gallbladder stores bile, a fluid produced by the liver that helps in the digestion of fats. This type of cancer is usually discovered when a person undergoes a procedure for gallstones or other digestive issues.
What is Bile Duct Cancer?
Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the bile ducts, which are tubes that carry bile from the liver to the small intestine. This type of cancer can occur in different parts of the bile duct system and can cause blockages, leading to jaundice and other symptoms.
Symptoms of Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer
The symptoms of gallbladder and bile duct cancer can vary depending on the location and stage of the cancer. However, some common symptoms include:
Diagnosis of Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer
Diagnosis of gallbladder and bile duct cancer often involves a combination of tests and procedures, such as:
Treatment of Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer
Treatment options for gallbladder and bile duct cancer depend on the stage and location of the cancer, as well as the person's overall health. Some common treatments include:
In conclusion, gallbladder and bile duct cancer are rare types of cancer that can cause serious health problems. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, it's important to see a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment. Early detection and treatment can lead to better outcomes and a better quality of life. And remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular check-ups with your doctor can help reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Mouth sores can be one potential side effect from chemo therapy. I met a friend who was about six weeks ahead of me in his treatment for Non-Hodgkin's' Lymphoma and was a major help to me with his suggestions for cancer insights.
On my first visit to his home, he took me into his kitchen and showed me his jar filled half-and-half with baking soda and salt next to his sink. He said, "Rinse with a teaspoon of this and warm water several times a day, after you eat and before you go to bed to avoid mouth sores from chemo or radiation."
Of course, before starting treatment, I spoke to my oncologist, and she told me and confirmed that oral health is vital to healing. She said that mucositis (or swelling and irritation in the mouth possibly caused by cancer therapies) can cause pain and infections. Mouth sores can make it difficult to eat, drink and swallow. She also advised me to get a gentle toothbrush, like a Sonicare, to further reduce inflammation in the mouth. Regular brushing can be to harsh on these delicate tissues.
Medline describes proper oral care in their description of mucositis.
The organization Cancer Care is a wonderful resource for mucositis and describes the symptoms of a sore mouth as follows:
A sore mouth caused by radiation and chemo-therapy can be very difficult to deal with, especially when you're dealing with the cancer itself.
When going through treatment, use your journal to write down any symptoms you may be having. Do this daily so you know the changes in your body and can pinpoint the timelines of changes to your doctor.
Be on the lookout for mouth sores and note when you start to notice changes in your tongue, gums and cheeks. Call your doctor if you develop a fever or you are unable to eat or drink and describe your timeline of symptoms. Your doctor may need to prescribe antibiotics to handle an infection in your mouth.
Usually, mouth sores appear a few days after your treatment starts, and they’ll disappear two or three weeks after your chemo ends. But everyone is different, so the range will vary per person.
Often, mouth sores from cancer treatment are the worst around a week after chemo. After that, you can expect symptoms to resolve on their own.
If you do get mouth pain, suck on a sugar-free Popsicle or some ice chips for relief. There are other rinses available as well, so talk with your dentist. You don't want mouthwash with alcohol because this can further irritate your mouth.
I found avoiding spicy food and staying hydrated was also helpful. Honestly, only bland, healthy food tasted good while I was on my R-CHOP regimen anyway.
At Chia's Silver Lining, we are working to provide comfort, compassion, and community to those going through cancer or other serious illnesses. If you are a patient, caregiver, or friend, Chia's Silver Lining can bridge the gap in medical care to help you focus on the other types of healing.
]]>Stay Tuned!
#CancerRibbons
#CancerSurvivor
#CancerWarrior
#CancerAwareness
#CancerSupport
#CancerFighters
#CancerStrong
#CancerHope
#CancerJourney
#CancerCourage
I am a totally bald woman, and I have literally tried everything - chemo caps, bamboo sleep caps - and nothing would stay on my head at night. Without hair, most caps just slide off.
I would wake up in the middle of the night freezing, searching for my hat. Frustrated, I have spent a year, designing a modern sleep hat for baldies that would stay on all night long!
A sleep cap (also known as a night hat or bonnet) are hats that are supposed to help keep your head nice and cozy so you can sleep comfortably at night but do they actually keep us cozy? As you may know, when you lose your hair, your head gets cold very quickly.
The Dream Cap by Encelia is a modern chemo cap with a built-in sleep mask that is cozy, chic & stays put! I absolutely love sleep masks, so I thought, "why not make a really amazing sleep mask the focus instead of the hat."
Our sleep mask is lightweight and light blocking. You can sleep well anywhere - chemo treatments, hospital stays, and at-home for recovery. Our strong elastic back perfectly hugs the back of the head, keeping it firmly in place all night long.
It also comes in two sizes for a snug fit: medium (designed to fit smaller heads) and large (designed to fit medium to larger heads).
Our fabric is buttery soft, featuring two collections:
To help make wearing this sleep hat extra special, Encelia includes a fabric pen with every hat so you or your loved ones can write love notes inside the lining. My vision was that every night you would take in and put on all that love!
Unlike all the other chemo caps on the market, my mission with The Dream Cap was to create something that you actually loved wearing.
My hope is that it will make wearing a hat at night a bit more enjoyable.
Comes from the heart,
Allison
Founder of Encelia Hair
The second time I was diagnosed with cancer was a bit different, my girls freaked out about the thought of me losing my hair. So, forget vanity, hair loss is also a fear for those around you.
Having a passion for fashion, I immediately said to myself, this journey can be as beautiful as I want it to be! As I began researching the creation of the Bibi line, I realized that others can benefit from these ultra soft and fashionably designed caps and ponchos.
The Bibi headware and poncho products are super soft, have a great heating and cooling effect, all weather temperature regulating, breathable, gentle, great elasticity, and a flattering ruche design.
Our caps are designed for women who undergo hair loss due to chemotherapy, alopecia, menopause, covid hair loss, or other medically related hair loss. They are specifically to be worn by women who have little to no hair or just for pure comfort and fashion. They are also available in a children’s style and size.
The Bibi four-way ponchos are created to help keep you warm during chemotherapy treatment, travel, hospital and doctor visits. They are also used as post mastectomy surgery wear. I found that the poncho design made for a fashionable cover up for all of my post surgery drains. They can be worn with one arm out, both arms covered, as a scarf, or any way at all.
The Bibi Collection also offers matching hat and poncho sets that make for great meaningful gifts.
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Visionarias is a magazine based in Mexico and written in Spanish. You can read the complete interview in Spanish here >>
**** For English, please read the following ****
Six years ago, a routine check-up before her 40th birthday became the diagnosis that would change the destiny of Chia Wollschlager, a woman from El Paso, Texas, who transformed her breast cancer into a life project.
Chia tells Visionarias her story, her path to recover her health and how she became, without looking for it, an educator about the disease. According to the latest data recorded by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020, cancer took the lives of over 685,000 women worldwide.
Weeks before her 40th birthday, Chia went to her gynecologist for a routine checkup and mammogram, which she said took all day to do.
Hearing the results, however, was fast. A nurse called her the next day that she had cancer and would need to start treatment immediately.
After the call, she was confused. Cancer wasn't in their family. It wasn't in her circle of friends. And it wasn't something she studied for in college. She had no information. However, she did have her sister, who immediately went to her side to support her.
“We didn’t know anything; I realized that it’s a completely different education. It’s my body. It’s my life. I want to live, but what do I need to do. We didn’t have a clue,” she recalls.
“The first thing you think is ‘I’m going to die,’ that’s the first thing… but I’m barely 40 years old, and what about my daughters,” she questioned.
At first, Chia doubted that she had cancer because she never presented any symptoms. However, she accepts that it was because of that mammogram that she learned she had cancer and learned just in time.
After the diagnosis, sorting out her ideas and beginning to educate herself, Chia decided to sell her company. Although fearful of what was coming in her life and fearful for her daughters, she promised herself that she would not allow other people not go blindly into a cancer diagnosis.
“I have resources, but it wasn’t enough,” she said.
That led her to think about how a person who did not have anything to deal with the disease would cope, so she leaned on the people she met at the hospital and started to work.
“I don’t want anyone to feel what I felt along the way, that panic of not knowing; it paralyzes you not knowing where to start,” she says.
That’s when Chia’s Silver Lining was born. CSL is a nonprofit that supports and encourages people going through challenging health situations.
Through her website, chiasilverlining.com, this survivor dedicated herself to giving courses to people newly diagnosed with cancer, regardless of whether they are men, women or children, as well as to their families or close friends, who at this point do not know how to help the patient, what to do or what role to play in this new and unknown stage.
Thus, Chia also promotes Cancer+Careers, a virtual support program that offers sessions to address urgent questions and problems related not only to the disease but also to work, diet, exercise, mental health and daily life after a positive diagnosis.
For six months, patients must apply themselves to the program. “All I ask is that you give me that time to make that change in your life,” Wollschlager asks.
But the help of Chia and her team is not limited to digital consulting; she also decided to start a business in products for the sick, whose profits are used to support others or simply benefit the community.
In the online store, chiasilverlining.com, you can find any number of products created, designed and tested that will help patients going through cancer, as well as for the people who are dedicated to caring for them.
The items come in various price points to suit all tastes. They can be purchased individually or in a basket version containing several items properly chosen to fulfill a specific function. There is everything from creams and oils to even clothes that Chia herself designed.
“Sometimes when people are going through cancer, we don’t know how to help them…each product has a reason,” she adds.
After that diagnosis six years ago, Chia complied fully with her treatment, underwent a partial mastectomy, had 15 radiations and was treated with Tamoxifen, which allowed her to survive and remain in remission for five years.
After the end of that period, the pandemic arrived and then seclusion at a time when she wanted to put her life into Chia's Silver Lining.
Just as the pandemic ebbed, this brave woman went again to have her mammogram, which showed that the cancer reappeared in the same breast and the same stage as the first one (Stage I).
So four months ago, Chia returned to the battlefield to fight this new round of cancer, but this time as a "Double Warrior". She is stronger and more educated than the first time. We are sure that she will defeat this adversary again.
]]>But not all bamboo is created equal. Bamboo fabrics are sold under different names which can be confusing. The most common ones you’ll see are labeled rayon, viscose or 100% bamboo.
So, what do all these labels mean? How are they different from each other and which one is the best for you?
It all comes down to how they are made!
Here’s a handy guide to help you choose the best bamboo the next time you shop online.
Bamboo cellulose is broken down by a solvent to produce a pulpy viscous substance which is then spun into fibers to create bamboo rayon.
The fabric resembles cotton and linen but has the texture and feel of silk. It has all the wonderful properties we associate with bamboo including thermal regulation, high absorbency, hypoallergenic, and antimicrobial.
Bamboo rayon and viscose are often used interchangeably but they are not identical. While bamboo rayon is made from cellulose, bamboo viscose is made from pulp. They’re both manufactured in a similar process but involve different solvents.
Bamboo viscose feels a lot like cotton, but it looks a lot like silk and drapes beautifully. It’s also breathable, anti-static, hypoallergenic and bacteria resisting.
If the labels reads 100% bamboo, that means the product is made from 100% bamboo rayon or viscose and is not blended with other materials such as cotton or microfiber.
Lyocell is also the plant-based fiber, the same as rayon or viscose. Yet, the process of manufacturing is slightly different. The modern methods of Lyocell making requires less energy and the chemicals for its production have lower toxicity and are recycled in a closed-loop process. which breaks down the bamboo pulp. Using this technique, almost 99% of the solvent and water consumed are recovered and reused during the next stock of the manufacturing process thus reducing water consumption drastically. Leftover waste is minimal and harmless to the environment.
Lyocell is also sometimes called as ‘the third generation cellulose fabric’
Bamboo Lyocell is made with pure organic bamboo pulp; it is crushed, washed, and spun into yarns. Lyocell from bamboo is silky, smooth, and very soft, yet it isn’t silk.
Bamboo Lyocell has the same natural feel and required properties, as bamboo rayon and bamboo viscose. However, it is more uniform, thus improving its absorbing properties.
Bamboo rayon and viscose fabrics are so similar in terms of how they wear, feel and perform that their differences are almost negligible.
Make sure to check your labels to ensure that you’re purchasing high quality bamboo in order to enjoy all the great benefits.
BambooYou products are made from 95% organically grown bamboo fiber and 5% spandex. They feel buttery smooth and are gentle to the most sensitive skin.
They’ve been certified under the Oeko-tex standard 100 certification which guarantees that they’re free from more than 100 substances known to be harmful to human health.
Feel free to browse our amazing catalogue to get high quality ethically-produced bamboo apparel for women, men and babies as well as home textiles!
Fabric | Production | Properties and features |
---|---|---|
Bamboo Rayon | ● Made of bamboo cellulose ● Chemical processes involved ● Not so eco-friendly |
● Silky to the touch ● Resembles cotton and linen ● Thermal regulating ● Hypoallergenic ● Highly absorbent ● Antimicrobial |
Bamboo Viscose | ● Made of bamboo viscose ● Chemical processes involved ● Not so eco-friendly |
● Silky to the touch ● Looks like cotton ● Drapes well ● Cheap ● Hypoallergenic ● Highly absorbent ● Antimicrobial |
Bamboo Lyocell | ● Made of bamboo pulp ● Less chemicals and water are used ● Eco-friendly |
● Silky to the touch ● Lightweight ● Non-creasing ● Hypoallergenic ● Highly absorbent ● Cooling ● Antimicrobial |
Every Kendra Scott jewelry stone sparkled even more from that day forward!!!
Kendra’s dear friend Holley Rothell Kitchen, who was passionate about breast cancer research and education, lost her battle to metastatic breast cancer in January 2016.
Kendra Scott continues her legacy by taking action, fundraising for critical research, supporting families of those affected by cancer, and encouraging those undergoing treatment.
Supporting organizations that improve lives, advance knowledge, and unlock opportunity is a commitment Kendra Scott holds dear.
Since 2016, Kendra Scott has invested over $295,000 for breast cancer research and support and gifted 25,000 pieces of jewelry to women undergoing treatment through the Buy One, Gift One program. Kendra Scott also funded a $250,000 research grant through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, continuing the world’s most promising research in finding new treatments for metastatic breast cancer.
Kendra Scott supports Health & Wellness, Education & Entrepreneurship, and Empowerment causes at local, state and national levels.
Kendra Scott carefully chooses partners by seeking out the most effective organizations doing results-driven work, and support their efforts through grants, volunteering, and events.
]]>October 8, 2022, 12 noon -2 pm
Chia’s Silver Lining and Kendra Scott will have a special event at 6801 N. Mesa St.
20% of your purchase will go back to Chia’s Silver Lining 501 Non Profit in order to support, educate and help a cancer patient or survivor.
Please join us and help us show love and support!!!
If you can’t make it to the store... you can still give back online with promo code “GIVEBACK-CSCZA” at checkout till Sunday, October 9th.
Chia
www.ChiaSilverLining.com
HORMONES INFLUENCE BREAST CANCER THEY DON'T CAUSE IT.
If you’ve watched any of the NFL games lately, then you know from the pink shoes, pink socks and pink ribbons that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Some people are tired of all the pink. I’m not. For me, it’s a reminder to be diligent in choosing a healthy lifestyle, and an opportunity to continue my ongoing discovery on how to do that. So, during this month of Pink, I’ll share with you some of the things that I’ve learned about how to reduce our risk of breast cancer.
Yes, there’s a link between hormones and breast cancer. High amounts of estrogen in the blood may increase a woman’s breast cancer risk*1. The hormone estrogen is created naturally in a woman’s body and is essential to the development of the female reproductive system. From our first menstrual period until menopause, estrogen stimulates normal breast cells. It has many non-reproductive functions as well. For example, it helps lower cholesterol, regulate mood, and keep our bones and heart strong. Most estrogen is produced in the ovaries, but smaller amounts are produced in the liver, the adrenal glands, and the breasts. After menopause, estrogen is produced mainly in fat tissue. According to the National Cancer, elevated estrogen levels are a risk factor for breast cancer.*2
Many of the cells throughout our body – both healthy cells and potentially cancerous ones – contain hormone receptors. These receptors stimulate cell growth when they come in contact with certain hormones. For instance, as estrogen circulates through our bloodstream, it attaches to the estrogen receptors in cancerous cells, causing the cancerous cells to divide and accumulate in our body. In the absence of estrogen, these same cells would stop growing and eventually die. That’s why we need to limit our exposure to hormones. The amount of time our body is exposed to these hormones may increase our risk of breast cancer, as the increased hormones can help cancer cells grow. Circumstances that raise our estrogen levels may include:
Early menstruation – before age 12.
Taking oral contraceptives in the past 10 years.
Giving birth to your first child after 35, or not having children at all; because pregnancy suppresses estrogen levels.
Not breastfeeding, since breastfeeding, like pregnancy, suppresses estrogen levels.
Late menopause – after age 55.
Taking hormone replacement therapy in menopause.
Being overweight, especially after menopause. The body makes some of its estrogen in fat tissue, so higher weight means more fat tissue and higher estrogen levels. In fact, some studies suggest that being overweight in menopause can increase your risk by 30-60%.
Environmental or artificial estrogens – synthetic substances that behave like the hormone estrogen when they’re absorbed by your body. You may be exposed to these environmental estrogens in some plastics, certain skin creams, some cleaning products, pesticides and weed killers. It’s not yet clear what role these artificial estrogens play in the development of breast cancer, but there is evidence that it is a negative effect.
Consider how your non-medical choices can also enhance your overall health—and your personal risk of breast cancer. Every time you eat, drink, or use products, you have an opportunity to make healthy changes in your life.
It’s best to avoid exposing your body to extra hormones, such as estrogen, which are contained in medications such as birth control pills and menopausal hormone replacement therapy. Consider non-hormonal solutions, such as an intrauterine device (IUD) for contraception, lubrication for vaginal dryness, and meditation and acupuncture for hot flashes. If you feel that you require hormonal medication to improve or maintain your quality of life, talk to your doctor. You can limit your risk by taking the lowest dose for the shortest time possible.
It’s best to buy products that are made without toxic chemicals. What goes on us can go in us. Ingredients including hormone extracts can be absorbed into the body. Avoid parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petrochemicals and artificial dyes. Some of these chemicals have been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer. Instead of a moisturizer with ingredients you can’t pronounce, choose products that have natural ingredients, such as coconut oil or shea butter and botanical extracts. For information on safer ingredients and product options, visit http://www.naturalinspirations.com/ingredient-philosophy/
Change is a journey. You have to start somewhere. Whether it’s making the choice to avoid unnecessary hormones or rethinking your personal care product choices, roll up your sleeves and get busy. Some changes may be easy to make. Some may feel out of reach. You can only do the best you can—and you should feel good about your efforts. Whatever first step you take is one in the right direction. One step leads to two steps and then more. Small changes can make a big difference!
Practice generosity. Instilling generosity as a way of life can impact the world in a huge way. And as a side effect, you’ll be happier, too.
Appreciate where you are in life. When you are thankful for your circumstances, you are stronger because you’re not a victim.
Practice mindfulness. Learn to be present and mindful of the moment. While planning ahead is good, don’t let that detract from being present and centered.
Create a gratitude jar that you put one note into every week. Expressing thankfulness on a weekly basis will help you be aware of how lucky you are in addition to give you something at the end of the year to look back on. I’m doing this now and it’s really fun!
Practice gratitude. The more you express how grateful you are, the happier you’ll be. You’ll also attract more positive things into your life.
Be a mentor. This is a rewarding way to give back to the younger generations whether it’s through career mentoring, school mentoring or life mentoring. Take your pick!
Volunteer and give your time. Giving your time (your most precious resource) is the most profound way to give back.
Commit to donating a specific percent of your income every year. This is the best way I know how to practice consistent financial generosity.
Say thank you.
Allison Ombres developed Alopecia Universalis (AU) during her second pregnancy. Suddenly, she needed wigs, but ended up having to make her own to make it right for women with illness. Chia Wollschlager, founder of Chia's Silver Lining, met with Allison to discuss how her wigs could help cancer patients who still want to be active .
]]>Allison Ombres developed Alopecia Universalis (AU) during her second pregnancy. Suddenly, she needed wigs, but the wigs she found on the market were poorly made and mass-produced. That lack of quality inspired her to design stylish, comfortable products for the "modern baldie".
Chia Wollschlager, founder of Chia's Silver Lining, met with Allison to discuss how her wigs could help cancer patients who still want to be active .
Allison talked about how she created her company, Encelia Hair, how she found an ethically sourced supply of human hair for her wigs and some of the impacts she'd made on the lives of women with cancer.
Please see below for the full video or an edited transcript.
Chia: I have to tell you this story. I'm Chia, and a couple of weeks ago, I get a call and this lovely person calls me out of the blue with a product that we cannot live without. And that's the story of Alison from Ecelia Hair. I'm so excited to hear your story. So, tell me a little bit about how this product came about because I believe that out of adversity comes a solution. And you're like like the model, literally the model of this product.
Alison: The name of my company is Encelia Hair, and I have complete and total hair loss. I developed hair loss in the eighth month of my second pregnancy with my son.
It was obviously life altering, just like cancer can be for so many of us. And I struggled with a lot of things, but I saw myself like a lot of my clients, just letting go and stop doing things that they loved to do, like working out, going to the gym, doing yoga, dancing.
I had one client that stopped doing softball because she was worried about her wig coming off when she took her helmet off. Another client didn't want to go camping anymore.
And so I just got frustrated with not having a solution. For women with hair loss, there isn't really anything very comfortable for us to wear to be active in. And, so I designed a an active line of wigs, like a workout wig, which I'm wearing right now. It's so comfortable, you can sleep in it.
Most wigs? You don't even want to wear them for an hour. Other wigs, like mine, it's a zip and go hat system.
Wait. I'm super excited about this wig, so I have to show it off. To me, the wig you're wearing really brings you back to life. So start with this one because you look gorgeous.
This is the workout wig. It's made by women in India who were previously getting cancer from making tobacco products. It's fair trade certified. The hair is Indian temple hair. So, it's what I call ethically sourced hair.
I didn't even know that that existed in India. And I love that you like to talk about your ethics and morals and and how you've made the decision to make this product in India. I think that's really important to understand that these women in India are also helping other women worldwide. It's full circle.
It's real hair, human hair given by women willingly in the US who tincture their hair or give their hair up after going through a religious process. It's 100% hand tied. There's a pull cord, so you can adjust the tightness of the wig.
It's double lined with a really soft mesh, and it's seamless. So just think of seamless bras.
The whole base is double lined, so there's no inversion that occurs. What do I mean by that? If you've ever had a haircut and your stylist doesn't wipe the hair away, then it's itchy. That's what inversion feels like in a wig. It's just those little hairs that poke through that really make it itchy.
This keeps it nice and soft and comfortable? I think that's really important.
And it also just takes a lot of the hard bits about a wig. Like the hardest part about wearing a wig is the front. A lot of women spend so much time thinking with the lace fronts like, does it look real? And this is just so easy to throw it on and you don't have to worry about any of that stuff.
I would never know in a million year that you are sitting here with me wearing a wig. And I love that it looks so young and fresh.
I think that's important. Did doctors ever ask you what your lifestyle was like before you chose certain surgeries or options? Nobody asked me. Yeah, but I did yoga every day, and I did workouts every day, and to think that all of that might be coming to an end was scary. But yeah, you've given everybody hope for continuing their lifestyle.
Tell us about this one (Pointing to a wig on display.)
Awesome. So this is cycle hat, a zip-and-go hat system. All this is patent pending and all that jazz. But you can wear under a helmet. I can put it on for you if you want, but basically there's one hairpiece that zips in here, so it can zip into the three hats that come with it. It's made in Italy and you can wear a helmet on top.
So you don't have to give up your activities. That's that's what I love. You don't have to you have to give up your your even your style. And now with COVID mostly over, people are more out and about. And so cycling has grown. So it gives you an option for cycling. So then it brings us to the next activewear.
Yes. So then this is what I call the surf wig. It's a floatable water hat so you can wear it in the water or you can just wear it during the day. It's really, really breathable. The hottest part of the wig is the top. And so by not having a top, it's super breathable.
With all these pieces, there's a strap here so it can strap down and you can secure it.
Secure, yes. Boating activities or because we're in sunny California right now, right behind us is the beach. And so this is very pertinent.
Yes. four months ago, I went surfing for the first time. But it's a pretty easy system. You just pull it over the hat in the back here and then you can adjust it. I like my piece to be super tight, but you can bond it on. You can use wig tape and all that stuff if you want.
And since it's secure, you don't have to worry about the hat flying off.
I love how it has the adjustment in the back, so you can just loosen it. It looks beautiful. Tell me about the hair a little bit.
For this model, it's not human hair. This is called a euro fiber hair. It's a synthetic. It's similar to European hair. It has a special coating on it so it doesn't fade in the sun and doesn't tangle as much, whereas most synthetics are very tangling.
It just looks so natural.
Yeah. And then, if you wet this wig, it looks wet. Most synthetics actually repel water. Right? This looks like real hair. It gets wet, which was important for water.
Yeah, a water wig. But because of that, what's the pro and con between the price tag? I'm just curious how does that work?
The human hair workout wig starts at $1,100 and goes up to $1,800. So human hair is quite expensive. And then the base of this is 100% hand tied. So we can wear this any way we want. We could do French braids, top knots, braids, all that stuff, whereas this piece (the wet wig) is closed lifted so it's very comfortable. But we can't we can wear ponies and stuff like that, but it's weft it so it's more durable.
The old double lined material isn't going to come back in.
It's really, really more durable. And the price point on this is about $300.
As opposed to $1,100 or $2,000. This is really important.
Could you tell the camping story because I think that really hits home.
Yeah. So I ran a consulting business for two and a half years before I started developing products, and I have a client who was in college. Her parents purchased about a $4,000 wig for her. And anyway, she stopped camping because she was worried about the wig. She didn't want to ruin the wig. And she just really felt the burden that such an expensive wig comes with.
There's a lot of things that have happened to me throughout my journey where I would just think "things are so wrong." And to me, not going out and camping and living her life is not okay. And so, I in my mind, I believe that was a failed product.
If it was doing what it should have done, it should give them the opportunity to continue their lifestyle because when we are diagnosed with something, the last thing we want to do is stop living. I think we want to just live even harder and better.
You want to live your best life. But what happens to so many women is that they become so consumed with their hair loss or their cancer and (their misery).
Throughout the days when I designed this, I wanted a moment free. Like, I just wanted to work out the way I used to and not think about my hair loss or my wig. Yeah. For an hour. Yes.
Another story that hits home -- and I think it's important to address it -- is sex. Yeah. With or without a wig. What do you think? As we grow up, we're still young and we want to feel feminine and beautiful. And I think that's important because when I got cancer, I realized a lot of that was stripped from me, and I wanted to bring that back to women. The beauty, the inner beauty, the outer beauty and becoming beautiful after something so hard. So tell me about that.
Exactly. It's it's one thing to be intimate in normal life, but you strip away the other elements and it makes it even harder. I ran across a really well known blog or podcast called the "Women's Hair Loss Project", and the author wrote a post about having your intimate wig on or wig off. And I mean, my response immediately was wig on. I feel more in my element in hair. And if I'm going to be intimate, I like the feeling of being feminine, and it just feels like me. And I don't think there's any shame in that at all.
But the majority of the response from the women on the comments were "wig off" because it's not comfortable. I'm itchy, and they didn't feel like they could relax and be themselves with their wig off because their wigs are too damn expensive. My husband's not worth it. Yeah.
And it just, like, was one of these defining moments where I was like, "that is terrible". These women are not saying they don't want it. They are saying they can't have it, and they don't deserve it. And there's a lot of things that have happened to you and have happened to me where you just walk away and say, "I have to do this."
Yes, this is just not right. And maybe I can suffer through it. But they're suffering through it as well. And let's try to.
So, make a difference.
Well, you said something really important, too, that in our day we already, as women, have a lot on our plates. I mean, we work, we have families. There's just so much in life that the last thing we want to be is consumed with the burden of how am I going to wear an uncomfortable wig.
How am I going to make this work? How do you wear your mask? How do you wear your glasses? And you find that it just it bogs you down with the simplest things in life.
And so this product (picking up another type of wig) makes everything simpler. This one's beautiful, too. Tell me about this one. Of course, I love it.
It matches the beanie wig. There are a lot of beanie wigs out there on the market, but a lot of them are just really bulky and uncomfortable. The hats that come with them are really itchy too.
But I love the concept too of how they are interchangeable. You can select your lifestyle with a couple of styles so you're not limiting yourself and then you zip it in.
Yeah, zip it in. If you wanted four different colors, you could buy four colors and three hats and change it up. This one's a little bit floppy, so it's a little harder to get on.
Everybody has their own preference for being someone.
This is really easy and it keeps your head warm.
Create a vision board for motivation and inspiration. Having your visions and goals in front of you is a great way to stay on track with where you’re headed in life. It helps to keep you motivated day-to-day.
Stay organized. Keep as much as you can organized; including your home (every room and closet), your office, and anywhere else you spend time. An organized space will help you clear your mind.
Plan your weeks and weekends ahead of time. Use a calendar (digital or manual) and keep it in the “month view”. This will give you an overarching view of the month so you can plan your week and upcoming weeks ahead of time. We like printed calendars for our personal schedule and online calendars for our work schedule. There is no wrong way to do it.
Keep a to-do list. Alongside your calendar, keep a list of actions you want to complete. Check or cross off each item as you complete it and add to it as you have more things to get done. Knowing what your priorities are will help you accomplish your goals without getting distracted.
Purge anything you haven’t used or worn in over a year. Go through every item in your closet that you haven’t worn in over a year and yourself if you love that item. If you don’t love it, get rid of it. 👚Try donating to ThredUp - that’s our favorite.
Do your most important task first every day. Make a list of things you want to get done for the day. Start with the most important tasks. This will help you feel accomplished right away and help to set you up for a day of success.
Commit to one cleaning or organizational task per day. Small tasks compounded over time lead to great results. This will keep your house nice, clean and tidy!
Read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. This book can change the way you organize forever.
Make time for fun if you’re an overachiever. Fun is absolutely necessary to your health and happiness. For the type-A, the overachiever, put fun in your schedule. You’ll enjoy life more. And people will enjoy you more.
Cut back on fun if you’re an underachiever. The opposite is true if you tend to spend all your free time having fun. If you are disorganized, haven’t cleaned in a while, or have no idea what your goals are – cut back on the fun (don’t get rid of it completely though) and spend time thinking and working on personal development.
Pursue a hobby that you love – just for fun. This will give you ownership of something you do just for you. Try some new ones while you’re at it 😜
Find creative ways to have fun without spending loads of money. Getting creative with your fun on the cheap will push you outside your comfort zone and into new experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have.
Laugh, be silly, and find your inner child. Play (anything for the joy of doing) has the power to significantly improve everything from your brain power to mental and physical health to relationships to your ability to be creative. Remember those days when we’d call our friends to see if they wanted to come over and play? Yeah, just like that.
Get outside and play. The outdoors allows you to explore and take adventures in a way you can’t get otherwise.
Laugh as much as possible. Laughter is good for the soul. Laughter gives you a jolt of happiness instantly. If you can increase how much you laugh, you can increase your overall happiness.
Chia's Silver Lining worked with Barnett Harley Davidson to raise money during Breast Cancer Awareness month at the Lucha vs Cancer event at Barnett Harley Davidson.
Chia had the special opportunity to meet Mark Barnett in his beautiful showroom to learn a little more about his personal connection to cancer and his passion to support charitable organizations and the El Paso community.
Sherman Barnett and Christy took over the El Paso branch of Harley Davidson in 1977. They took the branch to a whole new level by being the first Harley Davidson story to open a "designer store". In 1996, Barnett Harley Davidson opened their current facility which, at the time, was the largest Harley Davidson in the world and were among the highest volume dealerships in the United States. Mark Barnett, Sherman's son, has worked in the dealership since graduating college and now runs the operation. His siblings, Curt and Kim, are also heavily involved in both the El Paso and Las Cruses branches. The dealership hosts multiple events throughout the year and supports many El Paso charitable organizations.
Causes that fund breast cancer research has long been among Barnett Harley Davidson's philanthropic contributions. During Chia's interview with Mark, she had the opportunity to find out why supporting cancer organizations is so close to Mark's heart. Mark shared that after several trips to a "Doc in the Box" and an astute nurse, he was diagnosed with AML leukemia.
"Your world, very quickly, gets turned upside-down", said Mark.
He then spent nine months at MD Anderson away from home, family, friends and work which compounded the anxiety and uncertainty that accompanies a cancer diagnosis. Cancer does not discriminate. It affects rich, poor, young, old, male, female and all races. Thankfully, Mark's cancer was caught early and he remains cured 17 years later. However, Mark says that he lives a little more carefully now. He makes sure to get his check up twice a year and stresses the importance of early detection.
Through Mark's cancer journey and his love of the highly entertaining Lucha wrestling, the Lucha vs Cancer event was born. Chia's Silver Lining's non-profit was the recipient of the proceeds from the October 2021 event.
Mark feels it is very important to have an organization like Chia's Silver Lining to support cancer patients when their world gets turned upside-down. Through the generous support of Barnett Harley Davidson and other community sponsors, Chia continues our non profit mission of education, comfort, compassion and community support and outreach.
Through community support and compassion, there is always a silver lining.
Thank you Mark Barnett and Barnett Harley Davidson for recognizing and supporting the efforts of Chia's SL. We are looking forward to the Lucha vs Cancer event kicking cancer's butt!
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Find a way to express gratitude daily. Tell someone why you appreciate them. Write down what you’re thankful for each day before bed. Get it out of your system, it will make you feel more fulfilled.
Stop trying to be a perfectionist. It gets in the way of your happiness, your success, your everyday life (and it annoys other people)!
Get comfortable saying “no”. Say “no” to what you don’t want to do, so you can have room for what you do want to do. You’ll be happier in the long run.
Talk with a therapist. If you have past issues to work on, take care of them now. If you have current issues to work on, take care of those now too.
Forgive regularly. When you forgive, you set yourself free from resentment and pain. It’s not about the other person. It’s about you. Don’t forget to forgive yourself too.
See the world with a glass half full mentality. You can learn to train yourself how to be happier and have a positive attitude. Others will enjoy your company more too.
Listen to podcasts during your commute. One great way to learn while you’re wasting time is during your commute.
Evaluate your experiences. You don’t learn from your experiences. You learn from evaluating your experiences. So, evaluate yours to change and learn from them.
Start a blog about something you love. Blogging is a great way to focus on personal development. Too scary? Start with writing down thoughts. Write short blogs. Eventually you’ll get better at it, and you’ll enjoy it too.
Stay motivated. Enough said. Try new things
Implement supportive habits. It’s not enough to rely on motivation. You need to implement habits into your life. Learn how to implement better habits into your life.
Limit your TV to less than 30 minutes / day on average. TV is such a time suck and it’s completely passive.
Start meditating. Meditation can be one of the most useful ways to relieve stress and find inner-contentment. It also helps with anxiety. Feeling stressed? Try a meditation app to get started. We like the one called Pause.
Get out of your comfort zone. Personal development means growing as a person. And the only way you’ll grow is from new experiences, which often require you to get out of your comfort zone. The more you get use to this, the easier it becomes.
Have faith in something bigger than you. Believing in God or another higher power can make your life more meaningful. Decide what you believe in and commit to that.
Know what you want from your life. If you don’t know what you want, you’ll wander somewhere you may not like. To avoid this, set visions in each life category (more on visions here) so you know where you’re headed.
Set goals. Goals will help you create a roadmap of how to get where you want to go.
Create a mission statement for your life (or one area of your life). Using a mission statement can help you focus on your number one priority. This helps make decision-making easier.
Have a go-to activity to get you out of a funk. Whatever works for you – do that. Whether it’s going for a run, taking a nap, painting, etc. Find an activity you do that helps you clear your mind. 🎨
At the end of the year reflect on the prior year by going through your calendar. Something I learned from 15 Invaluable Laws Of Growth by John Maxwell and have been doing for years. It helps you prioritize your time and money by looking at what you did the year before.
Journal regularly. Journaling is a way to express your thoughts in writing. It will bring you clarity in various ways. A side effect of journaling is documenting life events, too (which is almost never a bad thing).
Read at least one book a month. Reading will help you grow and develop. This month, our obsessions are Jodi Picoult and Lisa Scottoline.
Wake up early. You can seriously benefit from starting an everyday morning routine. Push your alarm clock time back one minute every day until you’re waking up early enough to do your planned morning routine. ⏰
Create a morning routine that you do before work. If you prioritize going what’s important to you (personally) before you start work, the day won’t escape you and you’ll actually do these things (and hopefully get them done too).
Keep notes in a digital folder. Notes of everything you want to remember for the future. Podcasts, reminders, grocery lists, movies to see. It’ll help remind you to do these things later on.
Unplug from technology. People are looking down at their phones so much that they often miss what’s happening in the world around them. Keep your head up. We live in a beautiful place.
Identify and quit a bad habit. We all have that one thing that we want to do less of.
Do work that fulfills you. This will make every day fly by. Not that you want it to fly by … but you won’t be bored. You’ll be happier and more content with your life. Don’t give up until you find your (career) happy place. And don’t forget, culture has a big part to play.
Quit your job if you hate it. Life is too short to spend it doing something you dislike.
Find ways to work from home. There are so many ways you can make money from home. If you can with your full time job, that’s great. Dog sitting? Driving services? Sell personal art on Etsy? You decide.
Get a mentor. A mentor is a coach of sorts. Having someone you trust who is helping you figure out what you want to be doing with your life can pay off big time.
Dress for the job you want. It pays to be well dressed for the job you want. Co-workers will see you in that role. This advice is super worth it if you actually do it. It’s too easy to get comfortable and “let yourself go.”
Remember that like-ability totally matters at work. There are studies that show like-ability is one of the most significant factors in getting hired and even promoted. Again, make sure the culture is right for you.
Take constructive feedback in a positive way. This can help you grow and become even better at your job. Constructive feedback is never personal, so don’t take it personally.
Give praise to people you work with. Doing this publicly will make people feel appreciated, and they’ll like you more for it, too. Again, validation is key.
Develop leadership skills. Learning how to be a good leader will prepare you for your career and for life. Meet with your manager on how to create goals to become a better leader. There is no goal too big or too small.
Read books, take classes, watch tutorials! Keep working on that career development. Enhance your skills by reading, watching or experiencing things related to career development. This will help you excel faster because you will grow faster. Use sources like Lynda, Skillshare, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning … there’s enough resources out there for everyone.
Check your bank accounts daily. This habit will keep you informed on the reality of your financial situation. It will keep you aware of what you’re spending each day. It’s a simple action that can pay off in the long run.
Spend less than you make. This rule is super simple, but so hard to follow. If you live by this rule, you have a shot at building a stable (and even dreamy) financial future. Learn how to set a budget and then how to follow it.
Save a 3-6 month emergency fund. Because emergencies happen to everyone and having cash will lessen the stress. Layoffs happen. Emergencies happen. Life happens.
Get out of debt. Debt holds you back from doing a lot. It requires you to be a “slave to the lender” as they say. Get out and stay out.
Pay off your credit cards in full every month. If you don’t, you’ll be paying interest that compounds over time. Spend only what you can pay off.
Make more money. If you have an income problem (meaning you don’t make enough money to reach your financial goals), then find ways to make more money.
Pay yourself first. You’re always going to find ways to spend your money, even with pay increases. To make sure you’re saving, auto-deposit money into a savings account immediately when you’re paid. Increase the amount when you get a pay raise. Weekly transfers are a good choice.
Put more financial margin in your budget. Find ways to cut spending and make more money so you have more money left at the end of the month as a buffer. All those subscription boxes you have? Get rid of ones that aren’t fulfilling your life. Social media sites and streaming services? Cancel the ones you use the least.
Spend money on experiences. Research shows spending on experiences results in living a happier, healthier life. You will remember the experiences you had, not the stuff you bought.
Save for retirement. If you want to retire one day, you need to plan for it. The earlier you start, the more you benefit.
Interview with Juliet Mitchell with Author of the book "Cancer? We've Got This!". Juliet is an expert on organic living, health and wellness, and public speaking. Besides being a cancer survivor, she leads corporate health retreats and seminars. She is often featured on radio and TV.
Chia: Welcome. Thank you for being here today. I'm Chia with Chia Silver Lining, and I'm really excited to be here today to introduce you to Juliette Mitchell. I have been waiting for a long time to finally meet Juliette. I read about you, ironically, here in California, and in several magazines that featured your story. So when I read it, I got really excited. I had to find you because I think we've been put together in this misadventure of cancer.
Juliet: Yes, for sure.
So, first, tell us a little bit about your journey, and then how this all came about.
Okay. So I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer back in 2013, and of course, anyone that gets a diagnosis like that, I was 44. And just like, you know, like what? Like I thought the doctor was like picking the wrong person when he called me, like, you know, I was a fitness girl, right? You know.
You said you were a runner.
I was a runner. I didn't really drink alcohol very much. I didn't eat really that great, but I didn't eat horribly either. So anyway, when you get such a horrible diagnosis like that, your whole world just goes into a complete spin. And mine did.
And you had a little girl?
I have a little girl.
And that adds a little bit of panic as well.
Yeah, totally. Because you're like -- and anyone knows that has kids or grandkids -- to think of the thought of, you know, not beating this and what is going to be left for your loved ones. Or, even the journey through it. How is your loved ones going to weather the storm as you try to fight this battle?
God, I just need to know if I'm going to live or die from this cancer. And I'm not getting up from here until you talk to me or until I hear something.
So I was telling her the night before my surgery, because when you have ovarian cancer, you have to have a hysterectomy. And so for my surgery, I took a run on the golf course and I laid down on the golf course and I looked up at the sky.
I do believe in God. Some might not believe in God. But for me, you know, I do believe in a higher being, higher power -- God -- and I laid down on the golf course after the run and I said, "God, I just need to know if I'm going to live or die from this cancer. And I'm not getting up from here until you talk to me or until I hear something."
So it wasn't like the clouds parted or anything like that, but I laid there for 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, and all of a sudden, I got this really quiet voice inside that said, "You're not going to die right here, right now, from this cancer. That's not going to happen." And then I actually got up and went running.
But the reason I tell you that part of the story is because I really believe that not only is it a physical fight, but it's an emotional and mental and spiritual fight, too. So I think that at that moment, I had already laid the groundwork for myself emotionally, mentally and spiritually, that I knew that I was going to get through this. I knew that I was going to beat this.
I'm not saying that I didn't have doubts when I was deathly sick after having chemo and thinking, you know, how can I? I don't know how if I could take another treatment. I definitely had those thoughts that go through my mind.
Like what if what if that was just my imagination, you know? But then I would refocus myself back to, "No, I'm not going to go there." It's normal to have those thoughts, but I'm going to pull my mind back from those thoughts, and I'm going to focus on that.
God told me that I'm going to get through this.
Because there's a lot of anxiety.
Oh, my gosh. I was having panic attacks.
It is. It's compounded with the anxiety. So, yes, we talked about your mind and the strength of your mind. As you go through this, I think it's important to find education and hope. I think those are two components that can help us survive.
Yeah. And I think to also not to beat yourself up.
If you're watching this video, and you are in a bad state of mind and think, "Oh, I'm not going to make it because I'm such a worrywart." I was worried. That's why I needed to go to to seek some spiritual guidance and to get my mind and my emotions right because I knew that that it was off kilter.
So the next day, I had my surgery, and it was clear cell carcinoma. Usually anything that's clear cell carcinoma in the cancer world is a death sentence and is super aggressive.
My oncologist told me that if I would have come to him five weeks later, he would have given me a death sentence. So literally, I was at stage one when I saw him, but if I would have come in five weeks (later, I would be stage four). So I really knew at that moment that God had a deeper plan for my life, that this wasn't by just chance.
You know, the doctor saw one other person in my situation in 30 years, so I felt like I was getting a second chance at life. So, I went into this like an Erin Brockovich mode. I wanted to know everything I could about the C-word, you know. And if I did play a part, what part did I play in all of this? Because I really wanted to beat this. I really wanted to see my daughter get married.
And and your curiosity piqued, though I do see that you all of a sudden had this burning desire to know more.
Yeah, because it just didn't add up. I had no family history. I was fairly healthy. I didn't have any diseases or autoimmune disorders prior to (the diagnosis). Nothing. I did develop an autoimmune disease later, but I didn't have anything at the time, so I was just really complexed, you know.
Talk about that for a little bit. I think that's interesting that you said the statistic for genetic testing for cancer is, what, 5 to 10%? Yes. And so it leaves us with a lot more questions than as we go through our lives. And you have to wonder then what is out in the environment. What is going on?
Right.
And that's the journey you took.
Yeah. I just wanted to know everything I could on the C word. So as I started to study and read every medical journal and every book, I just started to see a common theme throughout these books. I basically knew there was something that had to be going on in my environment. And then I realized that I was living on a golf course.
The guy next to me said his pool was turning green because of the runoff of the chemicals from the lawn.
Now don't everybody freak out who lives on a golf course at this moment.
But it's a great story.
Yeah. I lived on a golf course, and I found out that there was, you know, several women on my street at the same time having the same cancer that I did. And the guy next to me said his pool was turning green because of the runoff of the chemicals from the lawn. And we lived in an area of the golf course where we were getting sprayed double time, you know. And when I called the golf course to find out what chemicals they were using, the superintendent of the course was out with cancer. So I was really like, "this is like crazy" because we're all not eating the same thing, but we're all in the same environment and breathing and ingesting the same thing.
I knew at that point that it was the golf course. So, I sold my home, and I later came across an article that said If you lived within 2000 feet from a golf course, your chance of cancer goes by 30%. Wow. So I didn't even live 2000 feet. I lived right on it. And but I also knew from my from my studies, and from what I learned that it wasn't just one thing. It wasn't like every person that was on the golf course got cancer.
See a full report on toxic fairways at https://perfectearthproject.org/health-effects/golf.
There was some other stuff that I may have been doing. And I came across a common thread that your liver plays a huge part (in you getting cancer) because it's the filtering house of your body. And if the liver is strong, it can filter out toxins that don't get stored in your cells.
I was going through a divorce, so it was the stress (that was the second reason I got cancer). I believe that it's the multitude of things that give you cancer.
Like Suzanne Somers says, "It's a tipping scale on any given day." If there's too much of a bad thing, then it tips you, and it starts to mutate that cell. Well, for me, it was the stress of the divorce. It was living on the golf course. It was ingesting the chemicals.
I wasn't sleeping good at night, so obviously my immune system was probably a little compromised and all that. But I was taking Tylenol PM to go to sleep and taking it for a long time. (Tylenol PM can cause liver issues if taken over a long period of time.) I just didn't know.
That it was going to affect you.
Well, I just I didn't know. I never really took a lot of Tylenol, so I just didn't know that, even though it's like it says right there on the bottle. So my my liver was was hugely compromised. In fact, after my first chemo, they always check your blood because they want to see what your white cell count is, and my doctor said you can't get your next treatment because your liver can't handle the chemo. He then said, "You really need to stop drinking."
Oh, my gosh.
Oh, my goodness, what is he talking about? Like, I don't even hardly drink. Maybe one drink of wine.
So I'm like, "this guy's crazy."
But he made me to start thinking what is damaging my liver? Then I came across a list of medicines that damage your liver, and the first or second one on the list was Tylenol. And I was like, "Oh."
I instantly gave up those Tylenol PMs and my liver enzymes came back.
Everything you're putting in you matters.
Yes!
I did in my research and found the Gerson Theory of Therapy was one of the most known holistic approaches to healing and curing cancer in the world. So I got their books, and I just studied. It's basically being a vegan, which my oncologist even told me. It's like if you go vegan, you cut your risk of reoccurrence by like 40%. So I was like, "Oh, done. No more meat, right?"
It might not be for everybody, but it was a choice.
Did you actually try that?
Oh, I'm totally vegan. I've been vegan for ten years now.
It's extreme discipline.
Yeah. Well, you know, do you want to live or do you want to die?
Absolutely. That's a good point.
Illness or diabetes.
Yeah. This can be very healing for many people.
Right. Well, I am a pure girl in a toxic world. That's on my blog and Instagram. But a lot of people that follow me don't know I have cancer. I would say probably half my audience has cancer. A majority of them are women that have had breast cancer and who want to try to live a cleaner life, you know.
Many people I know struggle with diabetes. I come from a very Latin border area. And so we do have a huge following too in diabetes, which goes right back down to nutrition at the end of the day. It's a huge battle in our region.
But here's the wild thing. The Spanish/Mexican has a lot of things in their diet that are really anti-cancer. That's awesome. They have a lot of avocados. They have a lot of tomatoes. They have a lot of onions. They have a lot of garlic. They have a huge detox for the liver and the body, which is cilantro.
I do think some of those things definitely affect cancer, so I chose to take on the Gerson therapy. So that's what I do. I do juicing. Just finished it. Carrot and apple and ginger, and I do three of those a day and then I do celery, celery juice and then I do a green Gerson anti-cancer juice, which is like a ton of these greens. And then I have a cleaning lady here that can't use any chemicals, not even a little.
What about your makeup. Could you touch on it a little bit.
Yeah, I was first just like, "oh my gosh, what am I going to do?"
I'm just like, "I'll never look beautiful after cancer ever again. Forget the Brazilian blowouts. Forget all of this. No Botox, no fillers, no. Oh, my gosh no. When you go through cancer and you lose your hair, you already feel bad. I should say I felt so un beautiful at the time, you know? But, I knew that I'm beautiful, but the loss of a woman's hair is such a huge, huge thing for her.
And you just don't feel good. I think it's important for us to take care of ourselves, even even when we're not feeling good because it does. I think it's is a little healing.
Totally. Yeah. 100%. When I first put on those wigs, I was like, "yes, good God, you know, I feel good again." So I started studying ingredients, reading labels. And then I came across a fabulous website called EWG. It stands for Environmental Working Group.
Now, ladies, this is like your golden key and men too. But basically, they work for us, the consumers. They only work for donations. It's a group of scientists. They don't work for any big corporation. They basically study ingredients in personal care products and in household products.
So hair products, makeup, nail polish, anything, all that stuff. So they rate them from ten being extremely toxic and high cancer causing and a high autoimmune reaction to zero, which is no cancer causing ingredients, no autoimmune reaction. They even go so far as studying hormones, which is really very important when you have a female cancer such as breast or cervical or ovarian cancer.
On the site, you can see if a product is going to affect any type of hormone or if there's a synthetic hormone in there. So that just became like literally my Bible. I would go to the grocery store, and I would pull out my app. "What is this product?" You know.
You want to live 90% of your life, whether it's what you eat, whether it's what you think, even what you put on your body: It has to be clean.
Great for me.
Right? And this was back in the day ten years ago when "clean beauty" wasn't a part of the world that it is now. Clean beauty is now so much more accessible and easy to get products. I always make sure that what I find has to be cancer free. So all the products that I buy, you know, and we talked about beauty counter, beauty counter. I love BeautyCounter.
I love their mission. I think they fight for the consumer to be able to have a cleaner product.
Yeah. I would say that 90% of their products are cancer free. They also do educational classes, which is good. I call it the 90/10 rule.
Okay. I like that. Tell us about the 90 day.
So the 90/10 rule is that you want to live 90% of your life, whether it's what you eat, whether it's what you think, even what you put on your body: It has to be clean. And then you're going to have 10% of it being toxic.
So but you've eliminated 90%, right?
And so my 10% is my hair dye. I get my hair dye and a little Botox, but I have used my own fat for filler.
Oh, my gosh. Yeah. So those are great options.
Great options because it's your own natural body fat from your body. If you follow me on my blog, I'm really big on nail care, everything that's cancer free and stuff like that.
I love it. That is so important. As soon as I came out of my cancer, when I could kind of breathe a little and see life again, that was huge for me. As I said, all the things that I wish I would have known or could have known or somebody would have taught me is what we try to put in to a silver lining. Our boutique: it's a wellness boutique that has one person there just to vet every product that we put in it. So every product has a mission to teach everybody to make better decisions. Our boutique really focuses on exactly what you're saying: being able to make more educated decisions.
I have had a very hard talk with my daughter because she goes to her dad's and then her dad buys her toxic makeup. I'm like, "You really shouldn't be using that." I can only do what I can do when she's here. We don't have complete control.
I'm just big on that because after cancer, my skin was grey, and I wanted to find a self tanner. It was the summer, and I finally came across a self-tanner that was for breast cancer survivors. I was like, "oh, my God". It's the little things like once your nose becomes aware of certain smells that you wouldn't think of this.
And these are the small things that she and I were talking about prior to the interview that I don't have the answer to cancer. She doesn't have the answer to cancer. We just have some things that we know to do that can help us decrease our odds of reoccurrence.
But there's something that can be in my environment that can cause cancer and that you didn't know and you're doing A, B and C, and then you end up with reoccurrence or you end up with cancer again. But it's not something to beat yourself up about. It's something that was out of your control that you didn't know. Right?
And and we talked about the storm, too. I think that it's important to talk about all those little things that come into our lives that create a perfect storm. It's not always in our control. And you're you're right about that. We still have to make it our responsibility to do our due diligence.
Right. Our control, like Olivia Newton-John. We were talking about how she had breast cancer 30 years ago and that she has a holistic clinic in Australia and everything. And then she came out and said she had a reoccurrence 30 years later and basically said I just need to go harder. But we still have to live our lives, you know?
And speaking of lives, this turned your life completely upside down, too, right?
Oh, my gosh.
You were an interior decorator prior to this.
Yes, yes, yes.
Talk about how God kind of works in your world.
Yeah. That brings us back to the book. It's like all the knowledge that I consume from my own journey. I felt like, "Oh my gosh. Wouldn't it be great to just be able to give it to other people? Everything that I've, I've learned."
So I wrote a book. It was the number one bestseller in Holistic Medicine on Amazon called "Cancer. We've Got This" by Juliet Mitchell, and it's basically 50 do's and 50 don'ts.
But there is also a section in the beginning where it talks about if you are just starting chemotherapy and radiation because there are certain things at that time that we shouldn't be doing.
For instance, we shouldn't be going into swimming pools. The small things that sometimes people don't think about because sometimes people will die in the in the time period after getting their treatment because they expose themselves to swimming in a lake that's still water and has a ton of bacteria. And then they have a cut and their immune system's down and they end up dying from a secondary issue wound, which they wouldn't have ever died from if they would have just been more conscious and aware of some things that they're supposed to do and not do.
Changing diapers is another big thing for grandparents who want to be around their grandkids who are newborns. You do not want to change diapers. You don't want to pick up dog poop, you don't want to do any of those things because there's bacteria and your immune system will be down (from the chemotherapy).
You don't think about that.
You don't think about it. I opened up a box a couple of years ago of some boots that I bought and they smelled hellacious. Have you ever bought a brand new pair of shoes and had this?
That chemical smell? Yes. Like when you get in a car. My dad always used to make us air up our car in a hot day because all those chemicals are just boiling up and you get into that car and that's what you're smelling. And that was before people even started talking about this. He already had a sense of those little problems.
Yes, because they put tons of formaldehyde all over the leather and the plastics so they don't crack. You want to remember this. But the dashboard used to crack because they didn't have formaldehyde. And then they figured out that we'll put formaldehyde on it.
So I researched why these boots want to make me throw up when I smelled them, and realized they come from China and the Chinese don't want you to get the shoes and open up the box to find a cockroach or a rat in there. They've killed everything. So they spray it with tons of pesticides and tons of chemicals so that it doesn't get mildewed and it doesn't have any bugs. That's why the smell is like a barrage of toxic cancer causing chemicals.
So one of the things I do is lay all of my brand new clothes, shoes, purses out on the sundeck. I let them air out for a couple of days, and it kills off the chemicals.
Yeah, great piece of advice.
Yeah. And anything that I can wash, I always wash. Yeah, but this is the thing. These little things don't cost anything.
No, just again, pure education.
But this is the sad thing. You're doing A, B and C, but you don't know about N or F. Right?
Yes. Yeah, you're right. But we've got to try. Right? We got to try. That's what you're doing. And thank you.
I have a little something for you. It's just a little something from Silver Lining. We do baskets for people to be able to give other people. Maybe we may not know how to comfort someone, but hopefully we've curated baskets that could give someone the kind of a comfort going through their cancer. So these are candles that have been curated for us from Soul Sparkle, with no chemicals. So I always say, why would you light a candle in your house that has chemicals for everybody just to have toxicity, right? So maybe just buy a candle with no chemicals. Yeah. Especially if you're putting it in your children's room.
It also has messaging, so all the messaging is appropriate, which I found was hard when I was going through my cancer. And I don't know if you found that, but not everybody knew what to say or said the right thing. Right. And it was a little bit hard on me to keep my spirits up when people couldn't say the right thing. So I got a little nervous. I decided to create the right messaging and make it easier for others.
Speaks to what we're talking about, finding that connection to the soul. Yeah.
Wow. Thanks so much.
Oh, no, thank you. I'm the thankful one. I get to sit here with you. I've got one other little tiny gift. Okay, so this is a bracelet that's very dear to me. It is made by one of our cancer patients. And it is made out of, of course, the porous stone, the pumice, which you can put your aromatherapy on it. So if you're going through a headache or a tummy ache, you can always select your aroma. So you add your aroma for whatever your ailment is and it absorbs it. But she pays for her infusions by making these for our boutique. Oh, for me, it has so much meaning in it too.
I am definitely putting this on my blog. I am just in awe.
But how wonderful would it be if people could also receive your book in one of our baskets? So tell us, how can we get your book?
Can I just add one more little?
I remember you did shared with me about (how friends and family reacted to my cancer). I had a lot of friends that abandoned me.
I had a lot of friends that circled around me with support. But, I was devastated as well when I lost some of my really close friends. I thought, "how can you not call me anymore? How can you just ignore my phone calls?" I was devastated. Shouldn't you be really nice to me right now?
You're living their fears, right?
Exactly! I had my my best friend of so many years say that she was not into health or fitness or anything. And she was like, if you have cancer, what does that say about me?
And so through it all, I started to process why some of these people wouldn't return my phone calls or abandoned me or left. I started to realize that it didn't have anything to do with me. It had to do with their fears of not being able to handle someone having cancer.
I think it's really important that if you're listening to this message that this has nothing to do with you. It doesn't mean that you can't get through this. It has to do with their weakness, their own fear of possibly looking at death or looking at disease that they can't deal with. And I think it's really important to understand that it's not about you. You will find the people that will support you, and you surround yourself with them.
And then the one last quick story I'll tell you.
So, as you know, as my hair started to come out (from chemotherapy) and this one night, my daughter, who was five, had to brush her teeth. So I said, "Go upstairs and brush your teeth."
But as she ran upstairs, I realized that my hair was in clumps by the sink. I thought, "She's going to see my hair while brushing her teeth."
I wasn't yet prepared mentally to have that conversation with her. And I was like, "Oh crap, what do I do?" So I ran upstairs, and I heard her brushing her teeth on her stool, and she was like, "Oh, Mommy, you lost your hair. You're not going to be beautiful anymore. Mom, you're not going to be like a princess. You're not going to be like a mermaid."
She was going through this whole dialogue in her head, and I thought, "Here it is. What I do is how she's going to handle it."
So she came out of the bathroom and she looked at me and I said, "Come here, Katie. Mommy is losing your hair, but it's a good thing. It shows that the medicine for the Bad Boo-Boo guy (my cancer) that's in Mommy's tummy is killing it."
It's working. It's working. And you get new hair.
Yes. So it's actually a positive that mommy is losing her hair. And I said, "Katie, sometimes in life, some of the most beautiful women don't have hair."
And she said, "Well, then, mommy. You are the most beautiful. And she jumped down to play with her Barbie's.
So it's by the way you react that tells your kids or your grandkids that it's OK because it's the truth. Yeah. Mommy just feels sad about losing her hair, but it shows her that the medicine is working, and I'm getting better.
It's all positive. My daughter was about the same age, and she hated me like she hated me. And I was like, "Oh, my gosh, I never expected that reaction." But then she completely shut me out of her life completely. Time has healed our relationship. And I'm blessed that out of all this hard stuff, I ended up getting the best deal: The silver lining. So you're right. It is it is hard for us because we see the fear in everybody else.
Well, thank you so much for doing what you're doing. It's so needed. And it's it's it's. I'm just in awe of you.
Well, we're all surviving together. I'm blessed to be among these wonderful, strong women. So thank you for being an influencer in my life and in so many people's lives. And we're blessed to have your story.
Please keep sharing with us. Thank you.
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Be your own best friend. Learning to love yourself will create a feeling of being centered. Something that everyone deserves to experience. You’ll be happier in all areas of your life.
Set #relationshipgoals. How do you want your friendships to be maintained? Start small and come up with goals together.
Put as much effort into your relationships as you do into your everyday work. This is absolutely necessary. People matter the most in this world. Prioritize your people.
Give people the benefit of the doubt. If you make this an everyday practice, trust us … you’ll be happier. You won’t question others as much and you’ll find that you’ll become less judgmental.
Have “family” meetings. Whether it’s with your roommate or your partner. Discuss how things are going, including your personal goals, financial goals and anything else. It’s good to have a scheduled time to check-in with each other.
Call one friend or family member once a day. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the need to stay in touch, simply call one person you care about every day. Do it when you’re walking the dogs, while you’re on your way to work, or even on your lunch break. This way, over time, you’ll stay in touch with everyone.
Stop being a victim. Whatever your circumstances are, take ownership of every single one of them. Then, take action.
Learn to argue productively. Arguing is part of any healthy relationship. Learn how to do it constructively and respectfully. Don’t just argue for arguing’s sake.
Say sorry the right way. Don’t use “ifs” in your apologies (ex: “I’m sorry if I upset you). Address your apology head-on and take responsibility for your actions. Try “I understand how you feel and I’m sorry that I upset you.” Validation is also key.
Don’t put your partner down in public. This is one of the worst things you can do. It’s disrespectful and harms the relationship. How do you want to live and be perceived by others?
Stop negative thoughts about other people when you begin to think them. This practice can become an easy habit, and when it does, you’ll get out of a negative mindset. You’ll be happier overall and less judgmental in the long run.
Commit to playing with your kids and/or pets regularly. It’s not enough to provide for them financially. They need your time (and quality time at that). 🐶🐱
Prioritize your kids and/or over your work. This is hard for the workaholic of the family, but it’s worth it. Your regrets at the end of your life will be about the individuals in your life – not work. Prioritize your people and your pets.
A compliment a day … Makes people very happy! You never know when someone is feeling down or needs a little pick-me-up. Who knows, it could even open up a new relationship.
At Chia's Silver Lining, our focus is helping you fight cancer. We believe that the best way to fight cancer is through a healthy body. This article lists our first set of tips to help you build the right healthy habits and keep your body cancer free.
Create a meal plan before you go shopping. A meal plan will help you spend less money and make better food choices. Planning ahead on what to buy and what you're going to make means you're wasting less food and thinking more strategically about your nutrition al choices for the week.
Food waste is a huge problem that a meal plan solves. Without a meal plan, you're more likely to return to the grocery store because you didn't purchase what you intended to buy. That's a waste of time. It's also a waste of money since more of what you buy may go to waste because you don't know how you're going to use it.
To create a meal plan, always sit down with a calendar and recipe guide. Then, look at what you have in the cupboards and choose recipes based on what you have and what you need to get. Always tweak your recipes to ensure you use up older food.
Then, head to the grocery store with your paired down list and buy only those items.
For a great guide on meal planning, visit the website: Stop Food Waste. They have valuable resources that can really help.
Fried foods taste wonderful. That's why we eat them. However, fried foods are one of the worst food choices for your body.
Why? Fats, Salts and Acrylamide
Definitely, fried foods are not worth eating.
For more information, see Healthline's article on fried foods here.
Consistent daily exercise, with days off for recovery, reduces stress, increases good cholesterol and improves mental performance. That means: you're going to feel better, act better and think better. Exercise is the right thing to do each day.
The CDC says that a moderate level of daily exercise also improves your mood. Imagine a pill that would make you feel better and be less anxious. You'd take it, right? Well, exercise is that pill. Taken daily, as a brisk walk, yoga, running or even just some house cleaning or gardening, will make you feel better about life.
"Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they worked on it every single day."
~Abraham Lincoln
The CDC also says that daily exercise improves your overall health. You will have less chance of a stroke or cancer because a daily workout has a higher chance of keeping you healthy than sitting at a desk all day.
To exercise every day, you don't need to be a world class Olympian. You only need 30 minutes to an hour of activity that lifts your heart rate into your "active" zone.
For more information, see the CDC's website about exercise.
If you have a sensitive stomach, consider cutting back on dairy. Humans only recently in our evolution adopted dairy as a part of our diet, so many people still don't fully process dairy. For nearly a third of the population, consuming dairy will make them feel sick.
Dairy substitutes can also be a problem, however, as many contain a high amount of sugar (like oat milk) or are very bad for the environment. Almond milk, for instance, requires an intensive amount of water to grow the almonds and then even more water to process the nuts into a milk. In water starved California, where most almonds are grown, this only makes that region's water shortage worse.
We suggest trying more traditional soy milks, but without sweetener. This is a taste that takes time to get accustomed to, so consider easing it into your diet until eventually, you don't even know that what you're drinking is soy.
Years ago, people used to say that drinking alcohol every day -- especially wine -- was good for you, as long as you didn't get drunk. Now, science is showing that any amount of alcohol can be a problem.
For instance, in the brain, alcohol disrupts the ability for neurons to communicate. Normal neural pathways are being interrupted by alcohol, creating short term problems for spatial awareness, the ability to talk, and other issues. Drinking alcohol long term, however, can even rewire the brain or increase a person's exposure to strokes.
Chia's Silver Lining is very concerned about cancer, and alcohol is serious trigger to many cancers, no matter how much a person drinks.
"Even those who have no more than one drink per day ... have a modestly increased risk of some cancers. Based on data from 2009, an estimated 3.5% of cancer deaths in the United States."
A good summary of the dangers alcohol poses can be found on the NIH's website.
Getting enough quality sleep each day is directly connected with healthier skin, better brain function and losing weight. In fact, a Sleep Foundation study found that people who don't get the minimum amount of sleep for their body type ended up gaining an extra 10% to 15% more weight.
What is your ideal level of sleep? That's up to you. It could be 8 hours or 5.5. Experiment with how much you sleep and then see how you feel during the day. If you feel tired, you need more sleep. And if you're getting too much sleep and feel groggy, that's a sign you need less.
Regardless of what your ideal sleep level is, always try to go to bed early, wake up early and refrain from drinking too much water before bed. A dark room that's cool is also helpful.
To feel your best and really lose weight, consider gaining muscle. This means, do strength training at least 3 times a week and strive to keep pushing you peak weights for different exercises.
An easy set of exercises might be to include the use of resistance bands. This ensures you don't get hurt, but also ensures that you also get the strength training that matches your fitness level. As you gain more strength, you change out a band that has more resistance.
You can also consider a membership at a local gym to be a really good investment in your body's overall health. You just have to go.
Going on a diet or working out can play havoc with your body. Suddenly, your body needs different nutrients than it needed when you were less active. Vitamins ensure you get those nutrients.
While not a replacement for good food, a daily multivitamin can ensure that you get the nutrients you need as you expose your body to higher levels of activity.
We strongly suggest using a multivitamin over specific, concentrated vitamins, like single capsules of vitamin C or D. Taking too much can be just as bad as not having enough.
You may also want to consider getting tested for your current vitamin needs. "Let's Get Checked" is a great online service that will check your needs for certain vitamins and will help direct you toward the best supplement for your body.
Drinking plenty of clean water each day is vital to your body's health.
Studies have shown that the average American is seriously dehydrated. Nothing can reduce the body's ability to function at high levels than dehydrations.
Dehydration can cause illness, fatigue and reduce your ability to think and remember clearly. Long term, it can even cause pressure on your kidneys, create kidney stones or cause other diseases because the body doesn't have the fluids to flush our toxins.
Should you have heart or lung disease, dehydration will worsen symptoms and could even lead to serious problems.
One trick? When you wake up, get the biggest glass in your house (30 ounces), add some lemon juice for flavor, and drink it all at once. That will energize your body each morning and give you a third of your day's worth of water right when you need it most.
If you're looking at stopping cancer early, regular doctor visits are one of the best things you can do.
Physicians are required to suggest routine screenings for cancer, like colorectal screenings for men and mammograms for women. These routines save lives. In fact, the CDC estimates that for cancers found early through routine testing, the average person lives 5 years longer.
Early cancer screenings is the best thing you can do to protect yourself from cancer. Put a recurring reminder on your calendar for things like dental checkups, mole checks and physicals so you don’t miss these appointments. Take your preventative care seriously.
The level of fitness you need as you age changes. The way you move changes, how long you sit changes and your nutritional needs change. The problem is that most people don't know the "how" of adapting to those changes. So, if you fit in that category and don't know how to exercise for your age, hire a trainer and get some advice.
Hiring a personal training for even just a few sessions can be one of the best investments you make in your health. Personal trainers look at your form and workouts and help you keep injuries at bay while becoming more fit. Considering how much they can save you in hospital costs, hiring a personal trainer is a great investment in yourself.
But how do you hire a personal trainer? Here's some tips from Yahoo Finance:
Learn about healthy living as a lifestyle practice little by little every day. Some great blogs that we love:
Be joyful everyday and smile. If you smile even if you don't feel like it, the muscles in a smile help trigger your body's release of positive endorphins. You don't even need a reason to smile. Smiling just makes you feel good, even when you feel bad. And feeling good is something you deserve.
]]>Cancer has a very negative effect on skin. The harsh chemicals from chemotherapy, the drying effect of radiation treatment, and just the body's increased cortisol production because of stress can cause serious skin problems.
Patients can experience skin thinning, rashes and infection. These are serious complications that can make your cancer journey even more daunting.
At Chia's Silver Lining, we believe that skin care is vital to recovery. Not only does healthy skin ensure that you're less susceptible to infections, but good looking skins reduces stress. By feeling good and looking good even during chemotherapy and radiation treatments, you'll be on a road to recovery with fewer health issues.
Is this a cure all? No. But by focusing on all aspects of a healthy body, you'll put yourself into the mindset of being healthy and being in the driver's seat of your own health. And that focus is what you need to get over the really hard stuff.
So what are the secrets?
In the morning after you wake up, washing your face removes the dirt and bacteria that settles on your face when sleeping. There's also oil from your skin that builds up and debris from your pillow and sheets that transfer to your skin while sleeping. Morning grime closes your pores and makes your skin less flexible, so a morning face wash is a habit you'll want to add.
Before bed, you'll also want to remove all makeup and all the grime that builds up on your skin, such as smog, smoke, or dirt. Just like in the morning, your pores fill with dirt and grime attracted by your skin's natural oils. Ridding your skin of dirt before sleep relaxes your skin and body, just as you're getting ready to relax for sleep.
Washing your face after sweating is also smart. Sweating closes pores and attracts dirt by releasing natural oils from your skin. By washing those off during the day, your skin looks more relaxed and brighter all day long.
Washing your face with harsh cleansers and with a bit too much effort makes your face red and irritated. Washing gently acts more like a massage, opening pores, keeping your natural skin color and allowing the skin to breathe naturally.
We think that a gentle cleansing helps skin look its absolute best.
To gently cleanse your face, wet it with lukewarm water. Then, apply your cleanser of choice in a circular motion with your fingers throughout your cheeks, nose, forehead and neck. Complete your routine by rinsing off the cleanser and patting your skin dry with your favorite soft, clean towel.
There's no need to be rough. Being rough exfoliates too much and may even cause your skin to be puffy and red. Think of washing gently as a massage done by someone who loves you.... You!
Your best bet to reduce puffy eyes is to drop the morning latte and pick up some caffeinated eye cream. Caffeine from drinking coffee actually constricts the vessels beneath the eyes. This can cause them to appear darker and make you look more tired.
Instead, use an eye cream that includes caffeine in its ingredients. It increases blood flow without making you look like a raccoon, thus giving you a more youthful and awake look.
Gentle blood flow is key to giving you a more youthful appearance. And nothing does this better than a self massage on your own face.
A facial massage can boost circulation and help tone the muscles in your face and neck. Spending even just 5 minutes a night will help improve your skin's elasticity. Just like your body, the muscles in your face can become lazy with age. Adding this simple step to your routine will hugely improve the firmness of your skin.
To do a good facial massage, use kind, gentle movements. This is about loving your looks and your body, so there's no need to be rough or hurried. Just gentle, circular movements with the pads of your fingers for at least 5 minutes.
And consider playing some wonderful, relaxing music while you're massaging your face. It will put you in the mood to massage longer and to be even more relaxed. We love "Calmed by Nature" and bet that you'll love it too.
Full, natural looking lips are healthy looking lips. That's what makes them attractive: they're healthy. And healthy means that your lips are fully moisturized.
By applying lip butter before lipstick, your lips will be fully moisturized in spite of the lipstick. In fact, pairing your lipstick routine with lip butter ensures your lips are fully moisturized and then coated with a protective layer that guards against dehydration. It's the perfect pair.
Apply a lip butter of your choice and then choose a lipstick. Be sure to avoid a "matte" texture for your lip butter as this tends to dry out lips when paired with lipstick. Instead, try a crème or satin finish.
Gently scrubbing your lips helps get rid of dead skin cells and leftover makeup. It also helps your lip balm penetrate and re-balance the lipid layer that lies just under your lips.
There are two steps to effectively clean and renew your lips:
Using a damp cloth or soft-bristled toothbrush, gently rub off any leftover makeup residue, dead or dry skin. This technique will also boost the circulation to your lips, but go easy. You're not trying to pull off layers of skin or make your lips tender. You're just trying to give your lips a soft massage.
Once you’re done rubbing your lips, apply a hydrating lip butter or conditioner to lock in moisture. When going outdoors, consider applying a lip butter that has an SPF to protect your lips from the harmful sun.
When using Aloe Vera, you can purchase a pure Aloe Vera gel or even crack a leaf from an aloe plant in your home for this remedy. Aloe Vera is a natural remedy against skin problems because it contains glycoproteins and polysaccharides. The glycoproteins speed the healing process in the skin by acting as an anti-inflammatory. The polysaccharides stimulate skin growth and repair. Together, they make a natural remedy for your lips that's hard to beat.
You can also use straight vitamin E on your lips as a powerful way to regenerate and heal. Vitamin E boosts circulation and may even help generate new skin cells to make your lips softer.
To use, simply cut open a liquid vitamin E capsule and apply to your lips.
Chia's Silver Lining sells a full line of lip butter in grapefruit, citrus and key lime flavors. All of our lip butters are protected with SPF 30. Click here for our full line of lip butters.
Why choose organic bamboo clothing when you have cancer?
First, bamboo clothing is soft against the most irritated skin. Clothes made from bamboo stay soft for patients healing from mastectomies, chemotherapy or radiation, ensuring that patients don't infect body areas while trying to stay active.
Second, bamboo clothing is fashionable (or at least the kind that we sell). Recovering from cancer surgeries and therapies mean you want to feel good about yourself. Fashionable clothes that feel good and work with a body that's experienced trauma promote better health. Cancer patients are more apt to go outside, be with people, and just move when they feel more comfortable. And the more a person moves and socializes, the faster their healing journey.
A great example of our line of bamboo clothing is our organic bamboo jumper:
Bamboo clothing that's organic also adds a new dimension to healthy clothing. If you already know the benefits of going organic for food, you know how important organic clothing can be as well.
Here's a few of the benefits adding organic bamboo clothing to the wardrobe of a person going through their cancer journey:
Anyone going through chemotherapy and radiation knows that adding harmful chemicals to your body only drags the body down. It's hard to feel good when your body doesn't feel good.
Most clothes are made from equally harsh chemicals that harm the planet. In fact, the clothing industry is responsible for nearly 10% of all greenhouse gasses (source) and contribute over 300 million tons of plastic trash each year. Many believe that this same environment is what helps cause cancer in many individuals. Trash and pollution are believed to account for nearly 10 percent of all cancers in Europe. This just isn't right.
Purchasing a simple loungewear set made from organic bamboo might not seem like much, but it is a small step that contributes to bettering the environment. It's also a mindset that separates you from the polluting practices that results in so much cancer throughout the world each year.
Why make that part of your healing journey?
Artificially treated fabrics require very specific cleaning practices to keep them flexible and clean. Have you ever ruined an outfit by not following the care directions carefully? This is a huge problem for fabric created from petroleum products. However, that's not the case with organic bamboo.
Organic bamboo clothing not only retains its shape and color after the wash, but it also retains its antibacterial qualities after more than 50 washes! This means organic bamboo doesn't need harsh chemicals to remain flexible and clean. You can use softer detergents knowing that you're clothes will still emerge from the wash clean, but without the chemical residue and without harming the core part of the fabric.
And keeping clothing fresh and feeling good is the real value for organic bamboo fabrics: they just last.
One of the key properties that come from organic bamboo is that it's naturally antimicrobial. Natural antimicrobial properties help reduce the bacteria that thrive on clothing and other materials as well as on the human skin. For people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, bamboo's antimicrobial properties mean they can be more active without having to worry as much about germ build up on their skin.
Bamboo's antimicrobial qualities come from the bamboo tree itself. The bamboo tree contains substances that protect itself against insects and fungus. Those attributes are part of the very fibers that make the clothes we sell.
Coupled with the fact that organic bamboo is softer than cotton, bamboo fabrics can offer real solutions for people suffering from skin irritation. If you've tried all the simple fixes without success, consider the fabric you're wearing. Much like with food, chemicals are used on the crops used to create non-organic clothing stays with the fabric and eventual reaches you.
A simple run through the washer doesn't remove chemicals from fabrics. The only thing that removes those chemicals is not putting them into the clothes in the first place.
If you prioritize quality and comfort, then organic clothing will be your go to time after time. Garments made from organically manufactured fabrics that lack the heavy chemical treatments of non-organic clothes tend to be softer and more breathable.
And that soft, clean feel stays with you as you as you go through your cancer journey.
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Judy Salinsky is a cancer survivor. Since she was first diagnosed nearly 25 years ago, she's faced cancer three times. Yet, even when first diagnosed at 39, she never stopped doing what was right for her body. She ate right. She's a marathon runner. And she has continued her work as an artist. Now at 64 she's recovering from cancer yet again, and yet again she's focused on life. Chia recently talked to her about her diagnosis and her life.
CHIA: I'm really excited to be here in beautiful Del Mar, California, with the ocean and with my guest today, Judy Salinsky. I think we share an unspoken bond that we were both diagnosed with cancer at the age of 39. Am I right? Was that your first diagnosis?
JUDY: The first thing that came to my mind was a total denial that I was too busy for this. I got to go to school. I have to go to work. I have too many things to do. But thank God to my wonderful husband. He made a call to the doctors and said, "There's something wrong."
And while I was in the shower, the nurse called me back and says, "It seems like you're going to have to come in." And because I was in such denial, I got lost on the way to the doctor's office, even though I've lived in the area for 40 years. It's amazing how strong your mind can be, either completely negative or completely positive. And at that moment, it was total.
Denial and adrenaline. I think at that point it's your adrenaline just guiding your body.
Confusion. And the unknown. The unknown, the first thing we all think about is if you're going to die.
That's the first. Yes, the first thing.
And once you get educated and you learn the steps and you eliminate all negativity in your life, you turn off the bad news and you disassociate yourself from negative people. You surround yourself with things you love, people you love, a garden, the ocean. In my case, you keep yourself very busy and you take one day at a time.
Tell me a little bit about your cancer.
Mine was carcinoma. It was tumors in my rectum. It started off as one small one. And by the time they actually went in and did a scope, there were two, and I had the surgery to remove them.
The problem I had was that the surgeon didn't close me up properly, and a week later, I had severe hemorrhaging. And once again, my husband took care of me and took me to the E.R. and they thought they were going to examine me being awake. And I said, "No way!" because they were going to put something in my fanny as big as a baseball bat.
So I was put under and went into surgery and went through radiation, severe radiation.
I read I kept reading about Aloe Vera, and I took the Aloe Vera plant. I cut it very thin like filets, and I draped it on me for three days and three times a day in an area about this big (holds up her hands a foot wide). And when I go through my treatment, the doctors were questioning, "how come you don't have a radiation burn?"
I said, "Every day I'm putting this Aloe Vera plant on my body."
Note that you can't put the liquid gel in the bottle because it has point 0% alcohol. It has to be raw, the real thing.
The burn did finally show, but I delayed it.
Okay, very interesting. That's great for everybody to know because we're always looking for a solution to radiation burns.
I had to wear long, flowing dresses, but I couldn't wear it regular panties. I had to wear men's underwear: Calvin Klein.
Yes, the briefs with no elastic around the leg, because I was all burned and that protected me. Oh, my God. That's a secret.
No, but nobody knows all these little things we have to learn then later. And so as we go through this. But that wasn't just the first time. Then you had cancer a second time.
Actually I've had it three times.
Three times!
So, that was anal cancer and then 22 years later (I was diagnosed again).
I've never smoked. I've been an athlete my whole life, but I kept having a cough and I told my mom and she said, "Why are you coughing?" And I came up with excuses. It must be the milk. It must be the yogurt. Must be the ice cream. Too much dairy. And she said, "you need to talk to somebody about it."
I had a cold, so they kept saying, "oh, you probably got pneumonia." And then one fabulous doctor decided to do an entire scan of my lung. And she said, "The reason why you're not getting well is that you have first stage lung cancer."
Oh, and how old were you then when you got this diagnosis?
That was 64.
64. What really shocks me, though, is that you are an athlete. You're an athlete. And so it is so important for us to be aware of our bodies constantly.
I mean, right now with you just saying that you have to be aware of your body, I'm getting chills because if I wasn't paying attention to why the toilet is full of blood from the first one and why am I coughing (during the second). It's not a tickle.
And my mother, thank God and my husband -- both were saying that there's something going on. And you've taken three different antibiotics yet you're still sick, right?
Something is wrong, right? You have to face it. You need to face it head on.
Let's tackle this. Yes. I was determined.
So three time cancer survivor. But I love a story that you wrote that I wish you would tell me a little bit more about is after your surgery, you talk about how weak you were and then a year later, tell me what accomplishments you have come to from that day. I believe you said you could barely even walk across the room, right?
Yeah, 25 feet was a challenge. Yeah.
I posted this on Facebook because I grew up in this area, and I've had friends that have been on Facebook and have been in my life for over 50 years. A lot of them are going through depression or illness and they just sit back and they're accepting it.
I'd say, "Just put your shoes by the front door. You don't have to think about walking the first day. Just put the shoes by the front door the second day, open the door, put your shoes outside and sit there and look at your shoes. It may take a week, but all you have to do is make that one step. And within that first day on a walker, try to do 25 feet."
I was determined to start exercising again. So every day I did something. Just like you brush your teeth, right? Just like you brush your hair. You walk. You never go for distance. You go for time. Because once you go for distance, you're putting pressure on yourself.
Today, I only walked 100 yards. Oh, my God. I don't feel like it, so I'm not going to do it at all. You go for time. I'm going to walk 10 minutes. It doesn't matter if you're walking 20 feet or 20 yards or a half a mile. You have done your 10 minutes and every single day. you just do a tiny bit more.
I went from 20 feet -- and it was just last February that I finished my third bout of cancer -- now, I'm swimming two miles, three times a week in the swimming pool or the ocean. I'm hiking. I just came back from Catalina. I'm hiking five miles and going up 600 feet in elevation. I'm riding my bike 22 miles when I couldn't even walk around the block.
The thing I had to learn is "what is a head trip". You can't look back on the way you were before. Before, you accept what you have now, and you thank God that you're vertical and you're moving.
I love it. And it's true. Set a new path, a new goal, a new life. And I think that's a goal for anybody, because what you've accomplished, there's just no excuses for anybody. I think it's a wonderful message and words of wisdom. I think for anything that we're overcoming in any illness, I think those are the greatest words of wisdom.
I truly believe that people that have an issue with exercising is they haven't been taught that it's okay to do a little bit. And we're all unique. We're all different. I wouldn't expect everybody to do anything at my level, just like I met someone who inspired me after the second cancer, and he was a marine and they brought the equipment into his room in the hospital and he trained.
And he ended up doing a marathon. He ended up doing the Ironman.
And he he talked to me all the time when I was going through treatment. "You can do this, you can do this." And he became my mentor.
And this moment I can't think of his name, but he's very famous because he went from a situation worse than mine. He was fighting two and three types of cancer, and he was determined. He went on experimental drugs and he ended up doing the Ironman.
That is an amazing accomplishment just for anybody in the world. But yet, I mean, given the whole situation of cancer, that is amazing. It's amazing how strong the mind is.
Today, of course, one year later, we're not just celebrating your running and hiking and swimming accomplishments, but we're also celebrating your launch of your sculptures. And so I'm sitting here with a famous artist, too, that lives and breathes art and creativity. And so tell us a little bit about that whole life that you have, because we're celebrating today.
Yes, we are. I was able to get into a very fun gallery in Avalon, Catalina, 26 miles off the coast of California. And the woman who owns the gallery is very supportive and loving. And that's the kind of people we have to surround ourselves with. It took me five years with doors shutting.
People say, "no, your art's beautiful, but no thank you."
I was in a gallery in our very famous town of Laguna Beach, and I was taken advantage of and I pulled my sculptures out of there. I was in another gallery and they had no respect for my pieces. They actually put a painting in front of my sculpture and my girlfriend told me about this, and I was like, "Pull my sculpture out of there!"
Yes. Because they're beautiful sculptures. They are so beautiful. I want to hold one.
I also had the amazing privilege of being accepted in the first California art show with the National Sculpture Society in New York City. Oh, my goodness. And my big stingrays were in the gallery at the National Sculpture Society in New York.
And so never giving up.
Never, never, never giving up. And I learned that by reading about movie stars. Don't accept no. A professional person never accepts no. And I keep saying that. And finally it's true.
It's a yes.
It's a yes.
Yes. Yesterday, you attended your kind of grand opening of your art in Avalon. And that's so exciting that we could be here today to celebrate with you. So this is amazing. Now, tell me about your support group. Tell me about your husband, your parents and oh, a little bit about that journey as well.
Oh, being an artist. A lot of people know that our imagination is extremely powerful. And the words, "what if?" That's not good because it's uncertainty.
"I'm going to cook. I'm going to have a bowl of ice cream. I'm going to eat pepperoni pizza, because I'm going through treatment, and I want to do everything that makes me feel good."
I went through oncology counseling. That helped me realize that there's a triangle we go through in our brain. And if you follow the triangle and stay away from the what ifs and only think of now, "what are you going to do now?"
The other point of the triangle is what makes you happy right now. I'm going to garden. I'm going to paint. I'm going to cook. I'm going to have a bowl of ice cream. I'm going to eat pepperoni pizza, because I'm going through treatment, and I want to do everything that makes me feel good.
Yes. And eating pepperoni pizza was my security. So everything positive was on the other side of the triangle. So you learn to stay on that side of the triangle.
As far as my husband, he's grounded. He's supported. He's loving. He's caring. And he's my guardian angel. He's also my art director.
Oh, my gosh. I love it. He's he's an amazing man.
He's an amazing man. And you need to surround yourself with that and divorce yourself from negative people. I had a girlfriend asked me if it was contagious.
It scares me how some people just don't really know what to say or do, but because they're also facing their own fears. And I see that, like, I call it the black eye. That's kind of my thing. When people would look at me, they had these black, deep, like, fear eyes. Because they're facing their own.
The support my mother is we're Sicilian, very emotional. There's times when my mom will go off crazy and and be extremely emotional over things. But when it came to me, the strength that my mother showed was rock hard.
My mother gave me strength, strength and happiness, and we only talked about happy things when we went to for walks together. My mom never drove, so we would walk on the beach. She'd ask me how I was today, and she would only talk happy things. And we turned off the news.
Oh, turn the news off.
That is a really important point. When you're speaking to somebody, don't talk about the negative or drag out the problems. I think it is important to say "keep a positive conversation, keep a forward thinking conversation." I think that's more helpful to someone who's going through.
That's important.
One phrase that I've learned in helping others is I never said, "How are you doing?"
I said, "How are you feeling today?" Because "how are you feeling today?" is letting them either tell them or tell me the good that they're feeling or that they're not feeling so good. It opens them up to talk about their pain because we all go through it or talk about how many times you threw up or what homeopathic you're taking to help yourself or whatever.
So how are you feeling? I feel like that's the magic word.
You talk about it as if it were a miracle, that certain signs were put into your life and that you think you sensed God.
I don't go to an organized church. I don't have an organized religion, but I'm extremely spiritual. And I became even more spiritual.
I'm not going to say I had a wow experience. I'm going to say everything I believed just got really, really strong at the age of 39.
I was working, and I was in school, and I had things to do. Then, all of a sudden, I got up to get ready for school, go to the bathroom, and I think I'm having diarrhea. And I look, and I am covered in blood everywhere. The toilet was all blood.
I once worked in the grocery store and read that if you have a hemorrhoid, you may bleed slightly. So I called my husband in the bathroom and said I think I have a little hemorrhoid.
And he saw it, and he said, "I really believe it's not a little hemorrhoid. I think we need to call the doctor."
He was so grounded. He wasn't hysterically crazy. And I said, "I don't have time for this. I'm getting a shower because I have to."
He then calls the doctor and the nurse calls me back and tells me to come in right away.
I feel like that's an angel story. You have to listen to that little voice.
How strong is our mind. I got lost driving to the doctor because your mind can get lost. It was the first time I realized how strong the mind is.
I've lived in the area for 40 years, and I got lost going to the doctor. It was denial.
So I go to the doctor, and right away they call. And that's the other thing. If something is wrong, they don't wait three days to call you. They'll call you that night. Yes. That was so how we started to move toward surgery and radiation.
That was the sign, even though it wasn't really technically related to your cancer, it was a sign to get in and you were able to start treatment and really. Yes, get going.
And that that's the first thing I said is, "was that blood related to the cancer? And they said, "no, we have no idea where that came from."
I feel like that's an angel story.
You have to listen to that little voice.
Now, tell me about your good friend and how she came into your life as an angel as well from Harvard.
When I was in college, she was my roommate. She studied to be a doctor. She's an MD, PhD. Her name is Ramona. She is a very guiding angel in my life.
She came in my life when I was 60. It was three years ago. So, at 64, I was the first lung cancer she saw where the person never smoked. So she came into my life, but more importantly, she went back to another doctor and got that full X-ray of my lung and saw the white puffiness where they thought it was pneumonia.
And it was actually a star representing the type of cancer I had.
And she told me, "You have cancer. That's not pneumonia." And then she took care of me there.
And then there are trains and flights, and even in my neighborhood. She took care of me there as well.
The third time was when I called Ramona to tell her it came back less than three years later. I had to have my second lobe on the right side removed, and only a year ago, it came back, and it was in my third lobe. I was very upset and saying, "Okay. You took my second lobe out. How come you didn't give me radiation? How come you didn't give me chemo?"
And they said it wasn't in your protocol. So what I'm learning is, depending upon what type of cancer you have, there is a protocol they follow and they don't deviate from that. So that's why they just took the lobe out. And that was the end of it. They figured it was small, it's gone. And that was a little upsetting.
Because they didn't really radiate around to make sure all the margins had really, truly come to an end. Correct, or did they?
Didn't give me chemo to make sure it wasn't traveling. Even though you do a CAT scan and full body scan, they can't see it. But, it could be there.
The margins could always be there. Correct?
Correct. So. Unfortunately, less than three years, it did come back to the lower lobe, which is a third lobe on the right side. And the surgeon says were taken it out. And I says no. And this is where mama taught me. You always go for a second opinion.
I called to advocate for your own health. I have to scream that out real quick. You've got to advocate for your own.
Health, no matter what.
You have to fight, and you have to believe. Because as my husband taught me (he's in medicine): They are practicing medicine. They are not God. They don't know everything. There could be deviation from what's going on and there may be an alternative.
And thank God I went for the alternative. I called Ramona. She connected me with the people at Dana-Farber and they asked for my medical records. She taught me what to say and what to ask. She was my big sister, helping me, supporting me, giving me love and support, calling me every day. How am I doing? And Dana-Farber set me up with a patient advocate. They guided me and they counseled me. And because of COVID, we were right in the middle of COVID.
Oh, my God. We did a Zoom meeting. And thank you, Dana Farber. You saved me from having my third lobe removed.
I went through chemo. It was very difficult, but that was another angel. I was supposed to go on one type of chemo. And the night before I started,....
The oncologist, the killer chemo. Right? You were really about to enter the gamut.
Yes, they were going to douse me. But because of my situation, a day before, they called me, and said, "we are going to give you a lighter treatment, and change your protocol so it won't be so difficult for you."
So, yes, the treatment was survivable.
And another friend who studied homeopathic medicine helped me, and said, "All these angels coming and helping me."
So my cancer path maybe was not what I had envisioned in my life. But it has been the greatest blessing of my life. In a weird kind of way, it has been a blessing because it has opened my life to people like you.
All the positive people that said, if you're nauseous, you don't have to take the nausea medication. Because the first time, when I was 39, they tried to give it to me, and I hallucinated. They had given me an IV for the nausea. And I was in the hospital and the walls were melting. You could see the walls and the cupboards were melting. And I was yelling, Tell him to stop.
And my husband was right there. Pull the needle, get rid of that stuff. And they tried to charge me for the drug.
Like, no, thank you. That was a free ride.
So I went on homeopathic. Oh, wow.
I took the nerve pain drug while I was in the hospital. But then when I got out, my girlfriend told me there's a homeopathic remedy for nerve pain. Took that, and it worked.
Wow. That's interesting. I really, really think that's important for people to be able to just read and keep an open mind.
You have to have an open mind. And you have to educate yourself. Be an advocate for yourself. Have hope. You've got to have hope. Positive surrounding great care. Caregivers. Family. Friends. It supports you.
So my cancer path maybe was not what I had envisioned in my life. But it has been the greatest blessing of my life. In a weird kind of way, it has been a blessing because it has opened my life to people like you.
Yes. This is the path I was given. It's the most beautiful path.
As your closing words, what would you want to say to somebody going through cancer. What are your words of encouragement?
What positive words and encouragement would you give to somebody going through this?
It's very difficult, but you have to get rid of all the negativity in your life, whether it's what you're thinking or the people that surrounding you. You have to believe in yourself, your positive heart, your passion when you're going through this.
You have to dig deep. Think of the passion and what makes you happy? Bring it out and use it to your fullest ability. And that begins the healing process. If you can believe in yourself and do things that make you happy, that's what's going to help you get through this.
So the power of the mind and the power of love and I can't. For meeting me on this gorgeous Sunday morning, the day after your grand opening. I feel special that I get to celebrate a little bit of your life today.
Once again, the angels brought you into my life.
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