Redesigned Health Slideshow

Learning to Stand Up to Cancer

2008-08-26T21:03:38Z

http://i.ivillage.com/totalhealth/slideshows/cancerstories/woman2_325.jpg From food choices to family genes, it seems that possible causes of cancer are everywhere. But by being conscious of your body and its symptoms, and by making sure you always get your mammograms and checkups, you can take control of your own health. And thanks to advancements in cancer research, there are now more resources for testing for cancer—and for treating it—than ever before.

We found these stories on our message boards, posted by some courageous women who want you to know that there is hope—and that the money being dedicated to cancer research really is saving lives.

NEXT: Advice for every day >>

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Remember to Smile

2008-08-26T20:58:38Z

http://i.ivillage.com/totalhealth/slideshows/cancerstories/window1_325.jpg "Four years ago I was diagnosed with stage-4 ovarian cancer … None of [the stages] are any good, but 4 has everyone around you looking pretty darn sad. The doctors told me I had six months to live.

"After I-don’t-remember-how-many courses of chemo, CT and PET scans, ports, nausea, hair loss (the least of my worries), and running out of money because cancer is expensive, I’m still here and real happy about it!

"The good news is there’s hope for women with gynecologic cancers. Drugs that didn’t exist when I was first diagnosed have kicked back the cancer one more time, and my oncologist tells me more are available. Don’t ever give up hope, always remember to look out a window each day and smile, and be sure to tell those around you that they’re special—because they are."

—Judy

NEXT: Why you need a second opinion >>

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Listen to Your Body

2008-08-26T20:55:17Z

http://i.ivillage.com/totalhealth/slideshows/cancerstories/woman_hospital_325.jpg "I am post-menopausal. I had a fibroid that started bleeding constantly ... I had some signs that I ignored because I thought they were because I was bleeding a lot and was anemic.

"I had a continuous cough that my primary [doctor] just gave me cough medicine for, not realizing it was more, and I didn't insist on X-rays. The week before being diagnosed, I passed out and was very weak. By the time I went to the emergency room and the great doctor followed through on a hunch about my breathing, the cancer was already in my lungs. I bless this doctor every day.

"Keep your spirits up, follow through with any hunches you have, and listen to your body. If one doctor [says] it's nothing, go to another 'til they listen to you."

—mom-dena

NEXT: Heed this warning >>

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Skin Scare

2008-08-26T20:45:34Z

http://i.ivillage.com/totalhealth/slideshows/cancerstories/freckles_325.jpg "I had a small, itchy freckle on my hand near my wrist. It really did look like a freckle, one amongst many, and looked nothing like a mole. It would annoy me, I'd scratch it, it would peel and then heal. I'd be okay and the cycle would begin again. On a routine visit to the dermatologist, I casually showed it to her as I was walking out the door ... She stopped everything and biopsied it, which took all of five minutes and didn't hurt. Turned out to be basal cell carcinoma. Boy, was I shocked. I returned to her office and had it cauterized and stitched—two stitches!

"I was lucky, very lucky that this hadn't spread. I now have full body checks every year, and I'm sure to use sunscreen daily. Wish I could take back all those years of baking in the sun."

—greenmt2000

NEXT: Family heroes >>

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My Heroes

2008-08-26T20:37:03Z

http://i.ivillage.com/totalhealth/slideshows/cancerstories/woman_baby_325.jpg "I was 34 years old ... I had just had my third baby … I thought life was going to be a breeze with this fat, new baby boy. Well, it was, for a while—then I went for my six-week post-pregnancy checkup.

"The Pap came back abnormal … We repeated the Pap, abnormal again. The doctor decided to do a colposcopy, and he said if he saw 'anything funny' he would biopsy. Well, he did biopsy … He broke the news to me … I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the cervix stage 1B … I had a radical hysterectomy just 12 weeks after having my son ... The doctor finally called and said they got it all, nothing spread, and I would need no chemo or radiation!

"My mother and father, along with my husband, were my heroes all throughout … What would I have done without them?

"This Sept. 17, I will be 11 years cancer-free! Paps really do save lives."

—pcl-lisacap21

NEXT: Research saves lives >>

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Hope Is Here

2008-08-26T20:05:20Z

http://i.ivillage.com/totalhealth/slideshows/cancerstories/breast_check1_325.jpg "I'm a 13-year breast cancer survivor. The amazing advances in diagnostic tests and treatments have helped me [survive] FAR longer than they ever thought possible. I'm about to have a new blood test that hasn't been available before, to see about any circulating cancer cells, and another PET scan, to see if I need to keep taking my chemo drugs or if I am in remission.

"The cancer research is what helps us survive. I believe it is never wrong to give a patient hope. People can and do survive and beat the odds! … People need to know that the money they give to cancer research really is helping people survive."

—Joyce Zeiters, cl-joyoptomist

NEXT: Now it's your turn >>

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Take a Stand

2008-08-26T19:11:18Z

http://i.ivillage.com/totalhealth/slideshows/cancerstories/woman1_325.jpg More resources and support:

Share your story

From supermodel to cancer survivor

What's the most common cancer symptom?

5 steps for better breast health

iVillage stands up to cancer

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2008-08-25T21:04:19Z

http://i.ivillage.com/WB/slideshows/school_breakfasts/723_325.jpg

The kids are heading back to school, but it seems like their appetites never went on break! Egg sandwiches or oatmeal with fruit? Cereal or toast? Not sure what breakfast fuel will keep your child going 'til lunchtime? Read on to find out iVillage members' tricks for starting their children's mornings off right, then tell us your favorite filling breakfast combo.

NEXT: A dependable start >>

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Bagel and Egg Sandwich

2008-08-25T21:00:00Z

http://i.ivillage.com/WB/slideshows/school_breakfasts/sl2_325.jpg —bmcmommy

Would this breakfast fill up your child?

NEXT: Please with protein>>

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Protein Power

2008-08-25T20:58:00Z

http://i.ivillage.com/WB/slideshows/school_breakfasts/sl3_325.jpg —momof2inbe

What's your child's favorite source of breakfast protein?

NEXT: A lasting combo>>

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Whole Grains and Protein

2008-08-25T20:53:00Z

http://i.ivillage.com/WB/slideshows/school_breakfasts/cereal_sausage_325.jpg

Sprouted-grain English muffin with a slice of light cheese and one egg

Shredded wheat cereal and turkey sausage

Multigrain (whole-grain) pancakes and sausage, bacon or ham

Whole-wheat waffles with peanut butter and honey'' —tayhudson

What does your child think of these combos?

NEXT: Make-ahead burritos >>

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Breakfast Burritos

2008-08-25T20:41:08Z

http://i.ivillage.com/WB/slideshows/school_breakfasts/sl6_325.jpg —izzyandalexsmommy

What do you think of this breakfast?

NEXT: Satisfy until snack time >>

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Eggs and Toast

2008-08-25T20:36:31Z

http://i.ivillage.com/WB/slideshows/school_breakfasts/sl7_325.jpg —cookieandcupcake08

Would this breakfast keep your child going until lunchtime?

NEXT: A no-cook meal>>

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Overnight Oats

2008-08-25T20:30:55Z

http://i.ivillage.com/WB/slideshows/school_breakfasts/sl8-76_325.jpg

2 cups rolled oats (not quick!)

2 cups soy milk, plain or vanilla

2 tablespoons dried fruit, chopped

2 teaspoons grated orange peel

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

fresh fruit, chopped

chopped nuts In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients except fresh fruit and nuts. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Next morning, stir in fresh fruit. Top with nuts.'' —urabee

What's your child's favorite oatmeal topping?

NEXT: Mix it up>>

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Sweet and Salty

2008-08-25T20:24:21Z

http://i.ivillage.com/WB/slideshows/school_breakfasts/milk_bacon_325.jpg

2 tablespoons of cottage cheese with fresh pineapple

1 slice of cinnamon raisin toast with peanut butter

2 slices of turkey bacon

Chocolate milk This morning he had turkey bacon, yogurt with granola in it, and a chocolate-banana-peanut-butter smoothie.''
—cl-nathanielsmom110100

Do sweet and salty make a good breakfast combo?

NEXT: Share your own breakfast favorites>>

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