Buffy's Ramblings

When I was nineteen, I got the uncomfortable news that I needed to go back to the doctor for a repeat pap smear.  I was informed that they both were abnormal and I should see a gynecologist.  Once there, a third one came up abnormal and I needed a colposcopy .  For the most part, it’s not much different than a pap, but maybe a little more uncomfortable.  I did end up needing a biopsy during the procedure and THAT part was the particularly uncomfortable part, but it’s over pretty quickly. I was very lucky.  When the third pap smear had come up abnormal, I was told that there were cells present that were potentially cancerous, but after the biopsy, I was deemed fine.  Potentially cancerous cells are not too uncommon and most often are caused by HPV which can in fact turn into cancer over time, but mostly go away without treatment of any kind.  However, there are the unlucky ones who do develop cancer.  It’s important for women over the ...

As an asthmatic, I’ve had my share of lung related difficulties.  Thankfully though, I’ve never had lung cancer or known anyone personally who has.  I am, however, that much more sympathetic to the plight.  So when Heather Von St. James emailed me and asked if I’d help spread awareness by sharing a little of her story and some helpful information, I agreed. Heather was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a highly aggressive cancer most commonly attacking the lining of the lungs, as an adult, but learned it was caused by wearing her dad’s jacket to do outdoor chores as a child.  How, you ask?  It was covered in asbestos fibers.  I was skeptical that a person would track the cause to something so specifically random, until I learned that Mesothelioma has exactly one known cause: exposure to asbestos.  Asbestos still isn’t banned in the US.  So while it’s not widely used anymore, it’s still important to know the risk factors and signs associated ...

Not only is this my birth month, but it's also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You see all the pink in the NFL (love it!), but there are also lots of events going on around the interwebs. I'm not hosting any, but it definitely means something to me. A distant family member passed due to complications during her treatment for Breast Cancer and the mother of one of my closest friends through school passed away after surviving Breast Cancer and later developing Liver Cancer. I am proud to support awareness, and happy to have Kallysten here today to share her thoughts and promote HER event, Shades of Pink. Welcome Kallysten! ***************************** Thank you for having me over, Buffy, and thank you for your interest into my Shades of Pink event. You had asked where the idea for it came from. The short story is, every year in October I try to do some kind of monthly event. It’s my birth month, and I like to have a special celebration with my readers. This year, a...