I have now had two experiences with colonoscopies….I am only almost 32 but I have a very extensive family history of colon cancer and would like to stay healthy. My father died when he was 50, and he had a brother that died at 40 of colon cancer. His other brothers also had cancer and I believe a couple sisters that were diagnosed with different forms of cancer…I never knew this side of my family so I am not that well informed.

But I try to stay healthy by exercising, not smoking or drinking (too much) and eating….well a semi balanced diet. Colon cancer has always been a fear for me though. I had my first colonoscopy at 24 because of symptoms which I thought were concerning but it turned out normal. I remembered everything and could feel the scope inside of me. They said I fought terribly and was not a good patient. That experience was absolutely horrible though and I waited almost 8 more years to have another one done. This last one at 31 was much better. I remember nothing and everything turned out fine. I do wish there was a way to make the prep a bit more pleasant….

I was upset though that this time for my colonoscopy the insurance company didn’t want to pay for it because they do not pay for screening colonoscopies until the age of 50. I guess they would rather pay for colon surgery and chemo for me when I am 40 than a screening colonoscopy. My dad was dead at 50, and his brother had been for 10 years by that time…so I am thinking that 50 would probably be just a bit late for me….but the insurance companies do not care about such things. My doctor recommends I have another one in 3 years…and every 3 years…that is about 6 more by the time I am 50. Luckily I have a good job and can pay for procedures, but those that can’t like my father are just at the will of the insurance companies…

Before diving into yet another dry, overcooked holiday fowl this week, I am going to give thanks for getting to attend an old fashioned, rockstar-worthy, hotel-room-destroying party last Sunday night.

We arrived kind of late and the two other party goers with me kept staring out the car window pouting because they thought we’d arrive too late to join in the fun. But after pushing my mommy-mobile close to the speed of sound, we finally made it to the parking lot of the hotel. The girls composed themselves admirably as they walked past the front desk trying to affect a bored, nonchalant look. “Who us? No, we’re not yet another group going up to room 213. Please don’t call the police or the fire marshal……”

Through the hotel room door, I could hear muffled screams and giggles which were quickly squelched when we knocked. The door was slowly opened a crack as the hostess peeked out to see who was in the hall. She swung it open wide when she saw us saying, “oh, good it’s you guys! I thought it was the hotel manager, telling us to be quiet….again.”

We walked in to chaos. There were empty pizza boxes littering the tables, half eaten and abandoned pieces of pizza and drinks lying on every other available space in the two bedroom suite. TVs were blaring, ignored, while the guests ran around jumping on the furniture, acting like they were wired for sound.

Despite being late, we arrived just in time to catch the chauffeured car over to the hotel next door, where the management, in deference to the star of the gig, let our group swim in their heated indoor pool, since it was about 40F outside. After the pool takeover, the ensemble then headed back to the room, where the party continued late into the night with everybody eventually crashing on the floor.

You may well ask why I’m thankful for such a wild bacchanal at the almost rocking-chair worthy age of 41. Didn’t I get the memo that drugs and wild parties were sooooo 1980’s? Yeah, I did, but when the drug of choice is leftover Halloween candy and all the crazy party people in the house are under 4 feet tall, I’ll make an exception to the rule.

You see, this party was to celebrate my five year old daughter’s best friend finally being finished with treatment for a scary tumor her mom, a doctor just finishing her training, found accidentally back in February. Both of the girls had a little cold, but when our little friend had some nausea in addition to her headache, her mom took an x-ray of her stomach and found an advance-stage cancer in her four year old little girl. Nine months later her chemo/surgery/radiation are completed and her blonde hair’s just starting to grow back in. She describes her scalp as feeling like a horse’s nose, soft and a little fuzzy.

So this Thanksgiving I want to pause and appreciate the miracle of a little life saved by modern medicine. I am thankful for all the people who slave away doing unheralded bench-work in basement labs to create medications that heal us. I am thankful for specialized hospitals that have the knowledge and trained professionals to support us when the bottom falls out from under what we thought- just that morning!- was an otherwise normal life. I am thankful to have friends like the moms in our little group, who have never thought twice about doing many special things, big and small, for a family faced with the ultimate horror. And last, I am thankful for my two daughters and the reminder not to take them for granted. Every smile, every pout, every lost tooth, every trip to the principal’s office, every dance recital, all the trips to the overpriced doll store, the long car rides with 50 potty breaks, the weekday mornings filled with frantic searches for books and folders. I am thankful for each and every one.

Lucky Charms/Honey Nut Cheerios

Ok, even I was a bit shocked by this….but these two cereals are practically identical if you look at the nutritional information….seriously look for yourself!

All the vitamins and minerals were identical except that Honey Nut Cheerios has slightly more magnesium and phosphorus…but who needs those anyway?

I just thought this was unbelievable, that you might as well have a great bowl of Lucky Charms with all those nice colorful marshmallows instead of forcing down a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios (which I would add sugar to anyway….).

So here is my proof that just because there is an animated leprechaun on the box with magical lucky charms in the shapes of rainbows, stars, and horseshoes…it doesn’t meant they are bad for you!!!

And if you look real close…I think the Honey Nut Cheerios may be a bit harmful to your health…I’m just sayin 

As a nurse who has worked in the surgical field for 11 years I am baffled by the new recommendations from the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force. One of the new guidelines is women should not be taught to do self breast exams. Another is that mammograms are not recommended until age 50, instead of age 40; they are to be done every two years rather than yearly. Herein lies my confusion; the American Cancer Society does not agree with these new recommendations. I have assisted with hundreds of breast surgeries ranging from simple biopsies to full mastectomies.

My grandmother had breast cancer (key word here…HAD), her tumor was diagnosed early from a yearly mammogram. She quickly underwent surgery and a lumpectomy was performed. This is where they remove the tumor and surrounding tissues, instead of removing the whole breast. The removed lump is sent to the lab to be screened for cancerous cells around the margins of the tissue. Luckily my grandmother had clear margins and she did not have to undergo chemotherapy nor radiation. She has been cancer free for over 15 years now.

I realize I am no physician but, I do have common sense. Why as a woman, or man for that matter not continue self breast examinations? It’s a simple concept, whoa, there’s a new lump…what to do? Well, I guess now if you find a new lump, bump or abnormality it’s no big deal, after all most lumps are not cancerous if you are under 50. We sure know that young women or men never develop breast cancer…oh that’s right…YES THEY DO!! So I think I will stick with the advice of the American Cancer Society and go see my physician. I will let my Dr. decide along with the proper measures i.e. mammogram, needle aspiration, ultrasound rather my “lump” is benign or cancerous. I don’t know about you but I would much rather undergo a lumpectomy vs. a  mastectomy!! What do you think?

If you are wondering about this you are probably already anxious, nervous, and confused about what may or may not be happening to your body. I wanted to give a few clues to you that something more really might be going on.  As a registered nurse completing my Nurse Practitioner degree in Women’s Health I wanted to share with you a list of the early signs of pregnancy.

1. A missed period. This is the most obvious sign of pregnancy, but it is possible for some women to bleed lightly or spot during pregnancy. Of course a missed period can be due to stress, extreme weight gain or loss, and other hormonal changes.

2. Tender breasts. This is usually one of the first signs of pregnancy. It may feel a lot like the tenderness many women get before menstruation, but it will last and be even more uncomfortable than normal. The areolas around your nipple will also become darker, and you may notice more veins that are noticeable in your breasts.

3. Fatigue. You will notice you are a lot more tired, and really want to sleep or take naps during the day when you usually do not. This could also just be from a hectic schedule or added stress in your life.

4. Headaches/Backaches. Some women have more frequent headaches in early pregnancy, and many experience backaches throughout pregnancy, but also very noticeable in early pregnancy. Both of these signs can also be explained as premenstrual symptoms.

5. Frequent urination. This typically does not start until after your first missed period. This could happen with an increased fluid intake or urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection will often cause some burning with urination and very frequent urination with only limited output.

6. Morning sickness. Nausea with pregnancy can occur at most any time, but is more common in early pregnancy or the first trimester. Some report to have morning sickness for the duration of their pregnancy though. And just because it is called morning sickness does not mean it can’t occur and any and all times of the day or night. Another explanation could be a stomach virus.

If you feel that you may be pregnant it is important to get a pregnancy test as soon as possible so that you can start prenatal care.