Wednesday, April 30, 2008

SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER (even in the absence of Ovaries)

I received an email with the Subject "Sign of Ovarian Cancer (even in the absence of ovaries).

I found it informative and I think I should share this with everyone in the world including men.

Here is the extract of the email:


An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer

I hope you all take the time to read this and pass it on to all you can. Send this to the women in your life that you care about.

Years ago, Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. Her symptoms were inconclusive, and she was treated for everything under the sun until it was too late. This blood test finally identified her illness but alas, too late. She wrote a book to heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower.


KATHY'S STORY: this is the story of Kathy West


As all of you know, I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This cancer has only recently been identified as its OWN type of cancer, but it is essentially Ovarian Cancer.

Both types of cancer are diagnosed in the same way, with the 'tumor marker' CA-125 BLOOD TEST, and they are treated in the same way - surgery to remove the primary tumor and then chemotherapy with Taxol and Carboplatin.

Having gone through this ordeal, I want to save others from the same fate. That is why I am sending this message to you and hope you will print it and give it or send it via E-mail to everybody you know.

One thing I have learned is that each of us must take TOTAL responsibility for our own health care. I thought I had done that because I always had an annual physical and PAP smear, did a monthly Self-Breast Exam, went to the dentist at least twice a year, etc. I even insisted on a sigmoidoscopy and a bone density test last year. When I had a total hysterectomy in 1993, I thought that I did not have to worry about getting any of the female reproductive organ cancers.


LITTLE DID I KNOW. I don't have ovaries (and they were HEALTHY when they were removed), but I have what is essentially ovarian cancer. Strange, isn't it?

These are just SOME of the things our Doctors never tell us: ONE out of every 55 women will get OVARIAN or PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER.

The 'CLASSIC' symptoms are an ABDOMEN that rather SUDDENLY ENLARGES and CONSTIPATION and/or DIARRHEA.

I had these classic symptoms and went to the doctor. Because these symptoms seemed to be 'abdominal,' I went to a gastroenterologist. He ran tests that were designed to determine whether there was a bacteria infection; these tests were negative, and I was diagnosed with 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome.' I guess I would have accepted this diagnosis had it not been for my enlarged abdomen. I swear to you, it looked like I was 4-5 months pregnant! I therefore insisted on more tests

They took an X-ray of my abdomen; it was negative. I was again assured that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was encouraged to go on my scheduled month-long trip to Europe . I couldn't wear any of my slacks or shorts because I couldn't get them buttoned, and I KNEW something was radically wrong. I INSISTED on more tests, and they reluctantly) scheduled me for a CT-Scan (just to shut me up, I think). This is what I mean by 'taking charge of our own health care.'

The CT-Scan showed a lot of fluid in my abdomen (NOT normal). Needless to say, I had to cancel my trip and have FIVE POUNDS of fluid drawn off at the hospital (not a pleasant experience I assure you), but NOTHING compared to what was ahead of me.

Tests revealed cancer cells in the fluid. Finally, finally, finally, the doctor ran a CA- 125 blood test, and I was properly diagnosed.

I HAD THE CLASSIC SYMPTOMS FOR OVARIAN CANCER, AND YET THIS SIMPLE CA-125 BLOOD TEST HAD NEVER BEEN RUN ON ME, not as part of my annual physical exam and not when I was symptomatic. This is an inexpensive and simple blood test!

PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ALL YOUR FEMALE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO INSIST ON A CA-125 BLOOD TEST EVERY YEAR AS PART OF THEIR ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS.

Be forewarned that their doctors might try to talk them out of it, saying, 'IT ISN'T NECESSARY.' Believe me, had I known then what I know now, we would have caught my cancer much earlier (before it was a stage 3 cancer). Insist on the CA-125 BLOOD TEST. DO NOT take 'NO' for an answer!

The normal range for a CA-125 BLOOD TEST is between zero and 35. MINE WAS 754. (That's right, 754!). If the number is slightly above 35, you can have another done in three or six months and keep a close eye on it, just as women do when they have fibroid tumors or when men have a slightly elevated PSA test (Prostatic Specific Antigens) that helps diagnose prostate cancer.

Having the CA-125 test done annually can alert you early, and that's the goal in diagnosing any type of cancer - catching it early.

Do you know 55 women? If so, at least one of them will have this VERY AGGRESSIVE cancer. Please, go to your doctor and insist on a CA-125 test and have one EVERY YEAR for the rest of your life.


And forward this message to every woman you know, and tell all of your female family members and friends. Though the median age for this cancer is 56, (and, guess what, I'm exactly 56), women as young as 22 have it. Age is no factor.



A NOTE FRO M T HE RN:

Well, after reading this, I made some calls. I found that the CA-125 test is an ovarian screening test equivalent to a man's PSA test prostrate screen (which my husband's doctor automatically gives him in his physical l each year and insurance pays for it). I called the general practitioner's office about having the test done. The nurse had never heard of it. She told me that she doubted that insurance would pay for it. So I called Prudential Insurance Co., and got the same response. Never heard of it - it won't be covered.

I explained that it was the same as the PSA test they had paid for my husband for years. After conferring with whomever they confer with, she told me that the CA-125 would be covered.

It is $75 in a GP's office and $125 at the GYN's. This is a screening test that should be required just like a PAP s mear (a PAP smear cannot detect problems with your ovaries). And you must insist that your insurance company pay for it.

Gene Wilder and Pierce Brosnan (his wife had it, too) are lobbying for women's health issues, saying that this test should be required in our physicals, just like the PAP and the mammogram. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO SEND THIS OUT TO ALL THOSE YOU CAN. BE IT MALE OR FEMALE, IT SHOULD NOT MATTER, AS THEY CAN FORWARD IT ALSO TO THOSE LOVED ONES THEY KNOW.

Friday, April 25, 2008

How To Frustrate SMART People in Your Life

Test for Dementia
B
elow are four ( 4 ) questions and a bonus question. You have to answer them instantly. You can't take your time, answer all of them immediately . OK?


Let's find out just how clever you really are....




Ready? GO!!! (scroll down)













First Question:


Y
ou are participating in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in?





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~









Answer:
If you answered that you are first, then you are
absolutely wrong! If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are second!

Try not to screw up next time.
Now answer the second question,
but
don't take as much time as you took for the first question, OK ?

Second Question:

I
f you overtake the last person, then you are...?
(scroll down)









~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~









Answer:
If you answered that you are second to last, then you are wrong again. Tell me, how can you overtake the LAST Person?


You're not very good at this, are you?










Third Question:

V
ery tricky arithmetic! Note: This must be done in your head only .
Do NOT use paper and pencil or a calculator. Try it.




Take
1000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000 . Now add 30.
Add another
1000 . Now add 20 . Now add another 1000
Now add
10 . What is the total?


Scroll down for answer.....










~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Did you get
5000 ?

The correct answer is actually 4100.




If you don't believe it, check it with a calculator!
Today is definitely not your day, is it?
Maybe you'll get the last question right....
....Maybe.




Fourth Question:


Mary's father has five daughters: 1. Nana, 2. Nene, 3. Nini,
4. Nono. What is the name of the fifth daughter?








~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Did you Answer
Nunu?
NO!
Of course it isn't.
Her name is
Mary. Read the question again!



Okay, now the bonus round:


A
mute person goes into a shop and wants to buy a toothbrush. By
imitating the action of brushing his teeth he successfully
expresses himself to the shopkeeper and! the purchase is
done.

Next, a blind man comes into the shop who wants to buy a pair of
sunglasses; how does HE indicate what he wants?





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~








He just has to open his mouth and ask...
It's really very simple.... Like you!




My Diet Progress

I am now into the 4th week of my low-carb diet (or should I call it no-carb diet) since early April. Pretty happy and satisfy with the results, I have lost 1.5 kg within 3 weeks.

I feel good about this diet plan. The low-carb diet makes me feel more energetic and increase my sustaining power throughout the day. I don't easily feel exhausted now. On top of that, it does give me some unexpected improvement to my skin.

I used to have rashes on my body off & on, but it has become more serious recently especially on both of my legs. Guess what, since I have started the low-carb diet, these rashes seem to disappear by itself. I hardly feel itchiness on both my legs nor my body. This is no doubt a plus point for me by following through this diet. It motivates me to keep going.

I guess I will still continue with this diet, but I will slowly introduce back some grain food and fruits into my diet. Hope to achieve my desired weight soon ... another 1.5 kg

Wish me Good Luck !

Friday, April 11, 2008

3-day Diet

Have you heard of 3-Day Diet that can make you lose 2 - 5 kgs?

I myself tried this diet before, but sadly to say, I managed to lose only 1.5 kgs after the 3 days. But surprisingly, my colleague who was also on this diet at the same time, managed to lose 2.5 kgs. I guess it has very much to do with one's metabolism.

Here I would like to share with my fellow readers this 3-Day Diet plan, remember to drink plenty of water to flush out the toxin ya!

Day 1:

Breakfast
- black coffee / tea
- 1 grape fruit
- 1 slice of toast
- 2 tablespoon of peanut butter

Lunch
- black coffee / tea
- 4 oz of tune (in water)
- 1 slice of toast

Dinner
- 1 slice of cold meat (chicken / turkey)
- 1 cup of long bean / string beans
- 4 oz of beetroot
- 4 oz of vanilla-flavor ice cream
- 1 small apple


Day 2

Breakfast
- black coffee / tea
- 1 boiled / poached egg
- 1 slice of toast
- 1/2 a mid-sized banana

Lunch
- black coffee / tea
- 4 oz of cottage cheese
- 5 pcs Tuc / Rits biscuits

Dinner
- 2 pcs chicken sausages
- 4 oz broccoli
- 2 oz carrots
- 1/2 mid-sized banana
- 4 oz of vanilla-flavor ice cream


Day 3

Breakfast
- black coffee / tea
- 1 hard-boiled egg
- 1 slice of toast

Lunch
- black coffee / tea
- 1 slice of cheddar cheese
- 5 pcs Tuc / Rits biscuits
- 1 small apple

Dinner
- 4 oz tune (in water)
- 4 oz beetroot
- 4 oz cauliflower
- 1/2 melon (rock / honeydew)
- 4 oz of vanilla-flavor ice cream


In fact, this diet plan looks yummy, you can have ice-cream for dinner.

Take note that no seasoning is allowed except salt and pepper. The cooking style is by steam or boil.

Forgot to tell you guys that this diet plan though may help you lose some kgs, but you can't stick to this diet more than twice in a month. Meaning to say, your body needs to rest for at least 2 weeks before to start the diet again.

Wish you good luck and happy dieting... :)

Thursday, April 10, 2008

My Diet Plan


Today is the 8th day of my diet. I have been abstaining myself from carbohydrate for a WEEK.

I do not take any rice, cookies, biscuits, noodles or anything that has carbohydrate.

Below are the food to eat during my diet:

* lean cuts of beef or pork (tenderloin, sirloin)

* chicken (n0 skin)

* turkey (no skin)

* low carb vegetables - broccoli, pepper, mushroom, spinach

* low fat cheeses - cottage, cheddar, feta

* low fat yogurt

* eggs

* skimmed milk


* fish & shellfish

* handful of nuts - peanuts, pistachio



And listed here are the foods to avoid during my diet:

- fatty cuts of beef or lamb, pork sausages and liver

- all rice, bread & pasta

- duck, goose, chicken wings

- starchy vegetables (potatoes, corn, yam, beets, peas)

- high fat dairy (brie, edam, camembert)

- ice cream

- alcohol

- high calorie sodas

- fruits & fruit juices

- simple carbs (cakes, cereal, cookies, candy, chocolate)


After ONE week of diet following the above food guide, I can feel myself being more slender as compared to my previous bloated body. I wish to continue this diet for at least ONE month to shred a few KG!

Haha... wish me good luck..

Monday, April 7, 2008

Another Romantic Song that My Hubby and I Both Love

Heaven Knows by Rick Price.

This song is so romantic.. love it so much.

A very touching song from Japanese Songbird - Seiko Matsuda

My hubby was searching through YouTube and come across his favorite song by Japanese songbird - Seiko Matsuda "瑠璃色の地球"

I found it touching though I don't understand Japanese.

Here is the video of Seiko Matsuda's "瑠璃色の地球"

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Men Are Selfish

Sometimes, I wonder who is the real me. I admit that I don't really understand myself, I can even surprise myself by my own behavior or reaction. Sometimes those small petty things can trigger my huge reaction.

For example, hubby has agreed to fetch me for lunch and at the same time to do some banking this morning. I remembered to have reminded him about our appointment and told him to give me a call if he can't make it.

So, I waited and waited this afternoon thinking he might be having meeting with his boss. I tried to ring him after waited for 20 minutes, I hung up the phone after a while thinking that he's still in the meeting. He called back and asked was I calling him and followed by asking whether I have taken my lunch. When I asked him where was he now, he said he's having lunch with colleagues. Oh Gosh... he has forgotten our lunch appointment totally and worse he didn't even care to give me a call. If he wanted to have lunch with his colleagues, that's fine but at least he must let me know so I don't have to wait for him.

I don't know why guys like to behave like this. I am not bias, I have compared notes with my other female colleagues. They have the same experience with their spouse / boyfriend. Why must you guys behave so selfishly? Just a simple call, is it too much to ask for? I bet that if I am the girl that you are courting for, you definitely will not forget about the lunch appointment nor call up to inform.

ONE last word to say: MEN are SELFISH