The WELLalarm Blog

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Guest Post: Allison Stanley

It is funny how when you are first diagnosed with cancer people around you are quickly divided -   those who feel for you and those who feel the need to provide you with information. But cancer treatment is specific to each person, and each person has a different way to process what they’re going through.   

I came up with a regime that was easy to remember by letter and word associations. I have my PINK ANGELS REGIME: PINK because everything about breast cancer is saturated in shades of pink and ANGELS for the friends, families and organizations that continue to support me.    I hope you find my angels give you a renewed sense for living a healthy life.

• PRAY: I pray often for my health and the strength to continue a cancer-free life.
• IMAGINE: It is very important to put positive thoughts in your consciousness.  Imagining a cancer-free, healthy life is vital.
• NUTRITION: Having a balanced diet with all the right nutrients is so important.  Juicing with anti-oxidants and taking omega 3 are good additions after cancer.
• KNOWLEDGE: There is so much hype and misinformation on the Internet.  Keeping up with breast cancer information from trusted medical sources is key.
• ACCEPTANCE: I have had to learn to accept the changes in my body and accept them as a part of myself.
• NEEDS:  I have learned that it is very important to have my needs met. Neglecting your needs provides toxins in the body.
• GIRLFRIENDS:  Having a network of friends to support you any way you need: shopping, travel, gossip, etc.
• EXERCISE: After cancer your body is traumatized for some time.  Movement and muscle development is key to good health.
• LAUGHING: There’s no better medicine then laughing through this horrible experience.  “Live Laugh Love” - It’s true!
• SIMPLIFY: This is something I am still learning.  It is the only way to heal your body and your spirit through the trauma.

Allison Stanley is a breast cancer survivor and awareness advocate. Known for her role on the Emmy award winning NBC program, “Starting Over,” the country watched as Allison struggled to overcome lifelong self-esteem issues and adjust to her new body after breast cancer. Allison has since overcome this period in her life, and is now committed to providing hope, inspiration and empowerment to others who are undergoing cancer treatment or struggling through any obstacles in life. For more information on Allison or for resources on cancer, visit www.AllisonStanley.com.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Guest Post: Suzie Eller

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are participating by publishing guest posts by breast cancer survivors.

We are thrilled to welcome author and speaker T. Suzanne Eller. Suzanne has survived a segmented masectomy, radiation, hysterectomy, and chemotherapy. She loves life and celebrates growing older. You can connect with Suzie at TSuzanneEller.com.

I was a 31-year-old mother of three small children when my doctor told me I had breast cancer. My response was: "I don't have time for cancer."

I had a night class on Monday. I was scheduled to bring snacks to soccer on Tuesday. I worked full time. I volunteered at my church. I was a soaker hose, pouring out in a hundred different directions.

Overnight, cancer became a teacher, showing me what mattered and what didn't. Material things, like financial success and a beautiful house, didn't mean as much anymore. What did matter was people -— those I wanted to hold, to laugh with, to love, to grow old with.

I needed get off my hamster wheel so that I could do that. At first, saying "no" disappointed people, but the more that I said "no" the more room I opened to say "yes" to the people that I loved.

Battling cancer also taught me the power of today. Before cancer, I used to say "one day," as in "one day I'll pursue my passions..."

Receiving a 10-40% chance of surviving after five years of treatment turned "one day" into "today!"

This September 18th, I celebrated 17 years of survival. How am I doing? I still evaluate everything every 9 months to a year. It's a habit now, and a healthy one–for me. Cancer is still teaching me, as I ask:

• Am I pursuing my passion?
• Am I rested?
• Do I enjoy the small things?
• Did I laugh today? If not, why not?

Healthy tips for the fall

(Image via Cooking for Monkeys)

Are we really already looking at Labor Day Weekend? Where did the summer go? Here are some timely links I found that may ease your transition into fall.

Vital Juice reminds us that the warm weather isn't over yet with a list of workout tips to take into fall.

Next time stress has you reaching for the Häagen-Dazs, try these tension-taming foods instead.

For those of you heading off to college, here is some food and financial advice for college students.

Parents, you may be interested in Healthy Living's series, America's Healthiest Schools.

If you're looking for fun, healthy lunches to pack for your kids, check out the adorable bento lunches from Cooking for Monkeys.

For my pregnant friends, a conversation with ObGyn Sarah Maddison about what you can and cannot do while pregnant. I love that the writer quotes that Adam Ant song, "Don't Drink, Don't Smoke, What Do You Do?"

Are you worried about maintaining your health on a smaller budget? ABC News brings you Five Ways to Spend Less and Stay Well. (Via Fit Sugar)

Website review: The Date Safe Project

If you have a teenager you may have heard about Mike Domitrz. He is the Executive Director of The Date Safe Project, a program that uses lectures, books, DVDs, podcasts, newsletters, and posters to address healthy sexuality for young people. Domitrz is committed to "Changing America's Approach to Dating, Consent, & Sexual Assault." 

Mike Domitrz started the project after the 1989 rape of his sister. He was in college at the time and spent the next two years processing the event. He realized that "current dating practices were based on standards of disrespect" and that he needed to raise awareness and create dating practices that were based on mutual respect.

The "Can I Kiss You" program (part of the Date Safe Project) teaches teens to have a conversation before they engage in sexual activity. This sounds like a hard program to sell to teenagers. After all, part of the fun of sexual activity is the element of spontaneity. On the other hand, I think if you're not ready to talk about sex you're not ready to have sex!

The website for The Date Safe Project is a great resource for anyone wanting to raise awareness of sexual assault in their own community or for individuals like parents who are looking for ways to prepare their children to date responsibly.  There are links and resources including articles, tips, organizations dedicated to addressing sexual assault, and websites authored by sexual assault survivors. You can listen in on the bi-weekly podcast, sign the Pledge for Action, and sign up for the free newsletter (which comes with an excerpt from Domitrz's book, May I Kiss You).

There are two related blogs directed towards more specific audiences: Educators and Activists Share and Parenting Your Teen. Both are loaded with practical advice and ideas.   

I was thrilled to come across the Date Safe Project and am grateful to Mike Domitrz for leading such an important and effective mission. I love that someone, particularly a man, cares enough to dedicate his life to protecting the sexual and emotional health of young people.