Farewell October

Happy Halloween! Even though it is October 31st, please do not let this be the last day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month...breast cancer awareness is a year round activity! Take what you have learned and continue to share with those around you.

What can you do? Well, we received support from young and old this month. Soccer players sold pink socks, football players sold pink items, elementary school children collected coins. Children can participate all year too...my kids have a charity bank at home and put part of their allowance in there each week.

It doesn't end there. Have you considered the children who's moms are going through treatment and their families are struggling financially? We have and our Pink Ribbon Assistance program provides financial support and at holiday time, we provide a Christmas party complete with the man in red and presents for kids. In August, we have a Party in the Park and provide the kids with backpacks full of school supplies to take that burden off of the parents.

We cannot thank our community enough for their involvement. Something as simple but as profound as our Go Pink! program really makes a statement as you drive through town. Local business sell our pink ribbons for $1 and display them. All proceeds go to us, Michelle's Place Breast Cancer Resource Center, and the displays are beautiful and such a vision of support!

So much more went on this month and appreciate each and every action that everyone took to promote awareness this month because out of it came education. We were able to provide more than 80 free screening mammograms and we provided support to over 100 women diagnosed with breast cancer this month. That is what we are all about. Helping women get what they need and educating the community.

And I will close with a message from our Executive Director, Kim Goodnough:

October is leaving me speechless

I am very rarely at a loss for words. Just ask my husband, my father, my dear in-laws, my children, my friends. I want you all to know that I have not been neglecting this blog. I literally have not found words profound enough to express what I have been feeling over the last couple of months.  We start preparing for October months in advance so I have been in the zone for a while.

October is an especially busy (understatement of the year) for Michelle's Place and we do remind everyone that every month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month for us. Due to marketing and the pink revolution, we will never win the battle to even out the activities across the months so our staff, board and volunteers dive in head first and do not come up for air until the beginning of the fourth week of October. I am so proud to be associated with these people...their passion, support and dedication is beyond measure.

Today our Executive Director, Kim Goodnough, published her weekly message in the Michelle's Place weekly e-newsletter and I finally became inspired. Not inspired enough to write my own words, but inspired to share hers. Without further ado, here is a message from our Executive Director:


It is so important that we are reminded of the work MP does and how much it means to so many.  I am so proud to be part of this team.  When I was walking in the event yesterday (Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure) I felt emotionally overwhelmed a little as I looked around.  I think everyone feels that way when they participate in that event.  But, for me it was a little different this year.  It was a very introspective day. This is my 11th year.  It's so cool to see so many "Team Michelle's Place" shirts everywhere.  We started the walk with Paul who lost his wife this year and he comes to MP to feel part of her and share with us their love story, and as we crossed the starting line the announcer yelled out "GO team Michelle's Place, we love Michelle's Place", my heart swelled with pride.  And as I read all the names of those lost, loved and remembered on the backs of participants, I thought, we lost 4 women this week at MP.  And then, as we neared the finish line (we cheated) part of the Hawks soccer team ran past us in their pink socks that they sold to raise funds for Michelle's Place.  So MANY people are part of this amazing journey.  All of us, each one of us, makes an impact.  We are a support system for those who have lost loved ones, direction for those recently diagnosed, we provide hope and inspiration for young people and we carry on a legacy that I think Michelle would be proud of.  Thank you all for what you do.  It is awe-inspiring and so heart-warming.  I am blessed to be part of it.

Thank you, Kim. Michelle is not only proud, she is smiling and cheering you, and all of us, on.

Your Wife Has Breast Cancer and Your Powers have been Rendered Useless

I am going to apologize up front for offending anyone with the generalizations I apply in this post. I do so with the best of intentions. Obviously, there are always exceptions.

Men are from Mars. Women are from Venus.
This concept is crucial when you consider how a man feels when his significant other has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Often we focus on the woman and how she is feeling but the husband deserves some attention too. The journey can be long and men are typically not the primary focus when their partner is faced with a breast cancer diagnosis.  However, understanding their coping mechanisms and getting them the type of support they need is critical.

At Michelle's Place Breast Cancer Resource Center, we have never had success in establishing an ongoing husbands/partners support group. This is not surprising because most men do not want to sit and discuss their problems, especially with people that they do not know well. Many men say it makes them feel worse to discuss their problems and prefer to focus on actions to improve the situation or cope by participating in activities that will distract them such as exercising or spending time with friends.

It seems to be the feeling of powerlessness that is the hardest for men. Many men cope by taking control of a challenging situation and focusing on a plan of action. It is truly a struggle to stand by and watch as their wife endures painful treatments and then have to deal with unknowns. All the while, their lives are turned upside down with changes in daily work life and household responsibilities. Add to this worries about children and changes in their relationships with their wives. Since most men like to fix problems, it is not surprising they rate their spouses cancer diagnosis as the worst thing that can ever happen to them - worse even than being diagnosed with cancer themselves.

If you know a man that is in this situation, I want to introduce you to a man that I admire and I only know him through his book. Mike Stalter has written a book called Still Have Faith. He wrote this book about about his experience with his wife's 17½-year battle with breast cancer. I admire Mike because he took the time to write this book with honesty. He does not romanticize the situation and turn it into a "made for tv" movie. He is candid...he readily admits he feels he could have done more. I am not going to spoil it for you though. I do recommend this book and I am donating 2 copies to our Michelle's Place library in hopes that it will help spouses/partners of our clients.

You can purchase the book on Mike's website at www.stillhavefaith.com or you can purchase the Kindle edition on Amazon. You can find him on Facebook too.

 

Announcing our Metastatic Breast Cancer Self Help Group

At Michelle's Place Breast Cancer Resource Center, it is a large part of our mission to provide emotional support to those with breast cancer.  Even if you are blessed with a personal support network (family, friends, church, coworkers, etc.), a breast cancer patient can still feel the need to connect with others going through similar experiences.
We offer support groups for women, Spanish-speaking women and their families and for children. This month we are adding a new group.

Metastatic breast disease is breast cancer that has not just come back, but has made its way through the bloodstream and spread to other organs of the body, such as the bones, liver, or brain. Cancer spread may be present at first diagnosis or after recurrence. Many women can live for years with metastatic cancer that is under control. For these women, living with a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer is like living with a chronic disease. However, their needs are much different than those of a woman recently diagnosed or her cancer is isolated to the breast.

Michelle’s Place is thrilled to announce the addition of a new support group specifically for these women.  Rachel Mason,  M.S., M.A., Director of Community Relations at Delta Hospice of Inland Valley has graciously agreed to facilitate this new group.  Rachel is a certified mental health professional, she has worked in the Hospice industry for the last 15 years and currently serves on the Michelle’s Place Advisory Board.  The Michelle’s Place Metastatic Breast Cancer Self Help Group will meet the 4th Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm at Michelle’s Place.  For more information visit www.michellesplace.org, email info@michellesplace.org or call 951-699-5455.

See our complete support group schedule.
Learn more about our Spanish-support group or Kids Konnected.

At Michelle's Place, we believe no woman should face breast cancer alone.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Just a quick post from my family vacation here on The Big Island of Hawaii ...
I LOVE Hawaii.
I love its beauty, history, culture and people. I especially love the sense of community you find everywhere you go. The spirit of Aloha and respect for faith, family and the land are values we get to experience simultaneously firsthand in the islands.
I am posting a photo of our 3 children who never got to meet their Aunt Michelle, the lady behind Michelle's Place, because we lost her way too early to breast cancer. Now her spirit helps women and their families as they battle breast cancer. 
Bill & Marilyn Watson, my children's grandparents and Michelle's parents, are also in the photo. They founded Michelle's Place during a time when they could have easily succumbed to the grief of losing their youngest daughter at 26 years old.
The other gentleman is my children's other grandfather, Carl Grassi, Jr., my dad. We lost my mom less than four months ago to MDS turned Leukemia brought on by chemotherapy from breast cancer.  I am so glad he joined us for this vacation.  He has been through so much for the past several years.
I am so glad they all found a rainbow together...they are my pot of gold.
Aloha.
Learn more about Michelle's Place at www.michellesplace.org

Thank you, Cathy & Bridget Regan

I want to use this post to share with you an email that we received this week. Bridget Regan did an admirable thing...she raised money to help women detect breast cancer early. Yes, people do that every day. As Michelle's sister-in-law who has watched Michelle's Place grow from Michelle's original idea as we brainstormed on her futon, I think it is pretty darn special when someone with the power of celebrity status takes the time to support us and propel us even further with not only money but exposure. Follow Bridget on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BridgetRegan

THANK YOU, Cathy and Bridget for your support. We are humbled and grateful. We appreciate your donation and helping us spread the word about Michelle's Place and our mission. We cannot wait to meet you!

Thank you, Dr. Rose! We appreciate your recommendation and your continued support.

Here is Cathy's email:

My name is Cathy Regan and in March 2012 I was diagnosed with stage 1
breast cancer, found through a routine mammogram. I feel so fortunate that
my cancer was caught at an early stage. My treatment was six weeks of
radiation and no chemo.

My daughter, Bridget Regan, is a television actress. She wanted to raise
some money to help other women detect their cancer early like I did. So
she decided to auction an item from her television series LEGEND OF THE
SEEKER on ebay. She raised nearly $2000 which she has sent Michelle'sPlace.

Bridget wanted me to choose the charity. My radiation oncologist, Dr. Mary Anne Rose, told me about Michelle's Place. After looking over your website
and reviewing your programs I chose Michelle's Place. I was very moved by
Michelle's story, the dedication of her parents and family, and the help
you are offering women with cancer and their families.

I live in Carlsbad and someday hope to head on up to Temecula to meet some
of the wonderful people at Michelle's Place . Thank you for all you do and
know my daughter's donation will be put to great use.

Sincerely,
Cathy Regan

Recipe: Delectable Onion Dip

At Michelle's Place, we schedule Educational Seminars throughout the year that are open to all and FREE. If you are local to the Temecula area (in California), watch our calendar of events. If not, we have an online video series of Educational Seminars for everyone.

Is there a better time for eating fresh food grown locally, even from your own garden, than summer? With the 4th of July just 2 days away, I have a delectable Onion Dip recipe with you that Tina and Shari from Crows Pass Farm shared with us at Michelle's Place. We were licking the sample cups clean!

Note: I know not everyone has access to Temecula Cane Onions so I tried green onions and this was tasty too!

Onion Dip
1 Cup Non-fat, Plain Greek style yogurt
1 bunch "Temecula Cane Onion"
½ Lemon
Salt to taste
Pepper (Regular or I like to use the smoked pepper from Old Town Spice Merchant)


Cut onions and sauté until soft and beginning to carmelize.
Juice the lemon and finely chop the lemon peel, add chopped lemon peel to the onions to cook a little.
Season with salt to taste.
Take off heat and let cool.
Put yogurt into a bowl; add juice of  ½ lemon, the cooked onions and lemon peel.
Pepper to taste.
You can also add some fresh chopped onions to add more flavor.
This recipe is flexible so adjust to your taste!

Happy 4th of July and Happy Birthday, America!!

Perception is Everything.

This week I (Michelle's Place on Twitter) received a tweet that read "what about pancreatic? We've nailed breast?"
This stopped me in my tracks. Do people really believe we have nailed breast cancer? Does the statistic of approximately 90% chance of 5-year survival when diagnosed in the early stages imply that we have it under control and there is no reason to worry?
I don't think so.

According to the American Cancer Society, your relative survival rate decreases if you are diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 40. Yes, it drops to 84%.
If you do not catch breast cancer early which can happen easily in today's down economy when not everyone is insured and can easily get the diagnostics they need, 5-year relative survival is 23% for distant stage disease and tumor size plays a part in this too. (Source: ACS Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2011-2012)
And remember, just a few weeks ago...Robin Roberts, announced she has a blood disorder called MDS,  myelodysplastic syndrome (preleukemia), resulting from chemotherapy from her breast cancer over 5 years ago. Here she was on a journey that had her believing she was cancer free and now she is facing more excruciating treatments. I lost my mother to Leukemia that started as MDS resulting from chemotherapy in March of this year and her doctors told her she was going to beat it too.  I want Robin Roberts to beat MDS because no one should have lose this battle. Ideally, no one should have to face this battle. I still have a lot of questions about the long-term consequences of the breast cancer treatments we are using and where that leaves women 5-10 years down the road. Especially if younger women are dealing with more aggressive breast cancers and chemotherapy gets stronger and more aggressive.
So have we really nailed breast cancer? My answer is no.

The statistics show we are heading in the right direction. Death rates have been decreasing since 1990 especially in younger women which means we are getting the education out there for early detection. We need to make sure women understand that just because breast cancer does not run in your family does not mean you are off the hook. 85% of breast cancers occur in women with no family history. My sister-in-law, Michelle, who we lost at age 26 had no family history. Educating the community is a large part of what we do at Michelle's Place. However, as long as we are seeing women walking through our doors misdiagnosed, the battle will be far from over. Get educated, ask questions, and be your own health advocate!
Are we fighting the battle like true warriors? Yes.
How are you waging war against breast cancer?

Nutrition: The Nuts & Bolts of Eating Fresh Part 2

Hopefully since my last post, you have had a chance to integrate some new "Eating Fresh" habits into your life that are lasting. I find it so easy to do at this time of year as the weather gets warmer.

Now I want to dig deeper (ha, pun intended) into what can affect the nutritional value of your food. Since our stomachs have limited space, we want to put the most nutrient-dense food in our mouths, right? The first thing to consider is the growing conditions. Now, I know what you are thinking..."Seriously? I am standing there buying my veggies. How can I possibly know about the dirt it is was grown in."  And I am saying yes, you can can get to know your farmer. The soil can greatly impact the nutritional value of your food - it needs to be prepared and maintained to provide the highest nutrients to the soil-grown food.  Think about us...we need vitamins and minerals to keep our bodies in good working order to be able to fight off disease. Plants need nutrients to be able to fight off predators and disease and they get the nutrients from the soil. Then they pass the nutrients to us when we eat them.

The next thing to consider is plant variety. This one blew me away when Tina from Crows Pass Farm came to Michelle's Place and explained it using strawberries. Who hasn't ooooh'd and aaaaahhh'd over a ginormous strawberry? Well, I won't be doing that anymore after learning from a real farmer. The plants that produce fewer, smaller, brightly colored fruits and veggies have higher nutritional value (and they taste WAY better!). Period. End of Story.

Now for storage...this is complex because storage not only has a huge impact on nutritional value but there are many different types of storage to consider (dried, stored, frozen, canned). If you want the highest nutritional value possible, go for local-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Once the food is picked, the nutritional values start declining rapidly so eat and pick is best.

There is a lot of debate centered around raw food vs. cooked food. The link provided has good  information about this topic.

The way you choose to cook your food will also play a big part in how your food retains its nutritional value. Lightly cooking your organic fruits and vegetables can not only retain but increase antioxidant and nutritional values.


I did not make all of this up...my source is healthy-food-site.com

Bon appetit!

 

Nutrition: The Nuts & Bolts of Eating Fresh Part 1

Shari (left) and Tina (right) from Crows Pass Farm at Michelle's Place.

At Michelle's Place, we are fortunate to be located in Temecula, California, where we have local farms (and wineries, but this post is not about the benefits of red wine!) that provide local-grown produce year-round. Tina and Shari from Crows Pass Farm delivered another Educational Seminar chock full of information a few weeks ago and I want to share some of what I learned with you in a series of blog posts.

Why eat fresh, or even (gasp!) organic? 
Essentially, you want to get back to basics. Basic, natural ingredients. Avoid processed foods. Insert more fruits and vegetables into your diet - 5 servings a day are recommended but I have read that if you are at risk because of family history, increase that to 8-10. "More is better" is appropriate here!

Organic vs. non-organic is a decision you will have to come to your own but this statistic says it all for me. "According to estimates by the Environmental Working Group -- the agency that developed the "Dirty Dozen" list -- you can reduce your pesticide exposure by 80 percent simply by choosing organic versions of these 12 fruits and vegetables:

• peaches
• apples
• sweet bell peppers 
• celery
• nectarines
• strawberries
• cherries
• kale
• lettuce
• imported grapes
• carrots 
• pears." (Source: CBS News) 

The Clean 15 are also good to know since you do not have to be as strict when it comes to buying organic which can save you money. The Clean 15 list is made up of:

• Onions
• Sweet corn
• Pineapples
• Avocado
• Asparagus
• Sweet peas
• Mangoes
• Eggplant
• Cantaloupe (domestic)
• Kiwi
• Cabbage
• Watermelon
• Sweet potatoes
• Grapefruit
• Mushrooms

 When you think of what average Americans eat, a move to increase the amount of fresh food in the diet is going to be extremely beneficial health wise. Eating organic is a personal choice but the benefits are even more far-reaching than just decreasing the pesticides/toxins that you are putting into your body. This link at MayoClinic.com has the basics laid out nicely for you.

When you are going through treatment for cancer, eating raw fruits or vegetables may not be an option for you. Chemotherapy can also leave things tasting very different, even metallic-like. Sometimes using citrus can help with the flavor and you can cook veggies and still get the nutrients you need. Fruits can also be stewed or prepared so you do not have to eat them raw.

Until next time...Viva la veggies!

IBC...What is it?

There are different types of breast cancer. One type of particularly aggressive breast cancer is Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). IBC does not look like what we think breast cancer should look like. IBC does not present itself as a lump and its symptoms tend to grow quickly, often mistaken for an infection like mastitis. Even worse, IBC is usually not detected on mammograms or ultrasounds.

Now are you paying attention?

At Michelle's Place, we had the pleasure of hosting an Educational Seminar on IBC by IBC Survivor Kommah "Koko" McDowell of the Kommah Seray Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation. She really spells it clearly and helps us understand what we need to know about IBC in this video.


Inflammatory Breast Cancer by michellesplace

We have other online Educational Seminars available for viewing.

Knowledge is power. Be informed. Be your own health advocate.

Beyond Breast Cancer Treatment...I am home from chemo, now what?

Yesterday at Michelle's Place, we had the pleasure of hosting a Breast Cancer Educational Seminar on Why Exercise & Nutrition are Key for Recovery. Anneke Marvin, Trainer and Owner of CrossFit Temecula South, where they train everyone from professional athletes to individuals with severe injuries and physical limitations discussed the physical effects of chemo and radiation and how exercise and nutrition are a key to recovering from breast cancer and having a solid quality of life going forward. I asked Anneke for her top 3 tips and she gave me GOLD! Thank you, Anneke!!!

Anneke's Top 3 Tips for Women Going Through Breast Cancer Treatment

1. Cut out as much sugar from your diet as possible. This includes processed foods, grain, and dairy. Cancer cells love sugar so don't give them any!

2. Sleep! Sleep enough and sleep enough consistently. Many studies show that sleep disturbances and/or inadequate sleep raise systemic stress which in turn increases your risk of cancer forming or returning.

3. Keep stress low. I know that we can't eliminate ALL stress but control the things one can. Learn to say "no." Meditation, yoga, and exercise are all good stress reducers. 

Healthy Steps class at Michelle's Place

Beyond these tips, I hope at least one person learns from this that trainers are out there to help you during treatment and beyond. You do not have to be getting "bikini ready" to hit the gym. It is about building and maintaining strength...doing what you can and feeling the best you can. Mentally, you can feel more in control of your journey through breast cancer. 

At Michelle's Place, we offer Healthy Steps classes twice weekly. This class is a series of gentle dance-like movements to done to music. Learn more including the benefits of Healthy Steps.

It is about balance. Taking care of the whole person. Listen to your body. 

Be your own health advocate.

Reality Rally

Along the journey, we get the honor of meeting people who give of themselves to help others. Today people from all over are in Temecula to be a part of an event that was sparked on the beaches of Gabon. When this Survivor contestant heard "Gillian, the tribe has spoken," she took her lot in
life seriously. This adventurous grandmother born and raised in South Africa who makes her home in Temecula knew she would do something with her 15 minutes and she has. Gillian Larson has realized her dream - Reality Rally. A weekend achock full of events all in the name of "Fun for Funds." Michelle's Place is honored to be the beneficiary of this spectacular event that has something for everyone.
With over 80 Reality Stars representing 27 shows, a golf tournament, 3 parties, 2 after parties, Surf Dogs, a Chopper Dog and 31 FREE things to do...oh, and did I mention there is a game called Reality Rally? It is easy to see that this weekend is an incredible undertaking.

 

Let the journey begin!

In our 10+ years of service, Michelle's Place Breast Cancer Center has evolved into more than we ever thought possible when we came together to start this organization. We are working to get more information to you than ever before. As Michelle's sister-in-law, I am so excited to be starting this blog. I want to share resources, helpful information, stories from breast cancer survivors and more. I welcome your comments and questions and would love to know what you are thinking about breast cancer support and services that we provide or that you see elsewhere. My vision is that this truly becomes what I named it...a Pink Ribbon Network.

For those of you that are not familiar with how Michelle's Place started, read Michelle's story and view our founders video below.

Michelle's Place wouldn't be what it is today without massive, unrelenting support from our community for which we are forever grateful. Now my goal is to broaden our scope and open that up even further...breast cancer impacts every part of our lives and it isn't over when treatment is over. Knowledge is power and information is at the heart of knowledge so we will start there. Our website has online resources available to you even if you are not local to Temecula Valley. Only great things can come from sharing...so let the journey begin.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

~Margaret Mead

Thank you for sharing this journey with me.


Amy Watson
Michelle's Sister-in-Law