June 2012

If you have ever been diagnosed with breast cancer or know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer the news that T-DM1 seems to delay the worsening of the disease in women with aggressive HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer is hopeful news. T-DM1(super Herceptin) is a powerful poison that targets tumors cells without the side effects of traditional treatments. Of course it's complicated -- basically the T-DM1 binds to HER2-positive breast cancer cells and blocks their growth.  T-DM1 is currently in clinical trials. But there is strong evidence that patients who are treated with T-DM1 have an increased survival rate. That’s big news for the 20% of breast cancer patients who have been told that they have HER-2 positive breast cancer. Could it be that we are getting closer to finding a cure for breast cancer? I really, really, really hope so.

The headlines read: Eat Your Way Slim and A Flat Belly at Any Age. I am pretty convinced that no matter what I do I am never going to look like Health magazine June 2012 cover girl and Olympic swimmer Dara Torres. Airbrushed? I can’t say for sure but she doesn’t appear to have an imperfection on her. It’s not just unfair it’s annoying. When you read the article you learn that Dara employees a team to keep her fit – naturopathic doctor, a cook, a nutritionist and a pair of therapists that stretch her for two hours post workout. Good for Dara. She looks fabulous and fit at 45 years old. But what kind of chance do the rest of us have? Those of us who are trying to stay fit by working with the me, myself and I team.



Don’t let your smartphone do all the work. Make time to be good to you and memorize three phone numbers and dial them yourself. It is a great way to flex your memory muscles.

 Good Health!

Terry

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.” 
~Audrey Hepburn

May 2012

Every year 425,000 women have a stroke. Symptoms of a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination and sudden severe headache with no known cause.  In women the first signs of stroke may have a few unique symptoms such as face and limb pain, sudden hiccups, sudden nausea, sudden general weakness, sudden chest pain, sudden shortness of breath and sudden palpitations.  Being able to recognize the warning signs of a stroke and receiving prompt medical attention may reduce the long term disabling effects of a stroke.  Every minute counts.  If you think that someone you know may be having a stroke the National Stoke Association wants you to act FAST.

F -- Face: Ask the person to smile.  Does the face droop?

A -- Arm: Ask the person to raise both arms.  Does one arm drift downward?

S -- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase.  Is speech slurred or strange?

T -- Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Risk factors for stoke include a family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, being overweight and not exercising.  Women are at higher risk while on birth control pills, pregnant, using Hormone Replacement Therapy, post-menopausal with a waist measurement larger that 35.2 inches and triglyceride levels higher than 128 milligrams or if they are a migraine headache sufferer.

It sounds like fewer women are saying “Sorry, not tonight. I have a headache.” Women around the world say they are experiencing a better, more fulfilling sex life after reading Fifty Shades of Grey.  You would think that Dr. Adam Ostrzenski’s recent claim that he found the elusive G-spot would be the hottest topic in women’s sexuality but it’s not.  It’s actually what some are calling “mommy porn” – a steamy trilogy written by E L James.  This wildly popular bestselling trilogy will never be considered a literary masterpiece.  But it's definitely page-turner. Personally I found it hard to believe that some of the action would be pleasurable for women or even physically possible. But it has been reported that reading can be raise our spirits and help us escape from the stress of everyday life.  It also helps us empathize with others and it keeps the brain in good working order.  We would all probably agree that losing yourself in a book is more fun than watching a presidential debate or the MN Twins lose another game.

Make the time to be good to you and read. Whether you are reading Fifty Shades of Grey or Gone With the Wind the overall health benefit is the same.

Happy Mother’s Day and Good Health!

Terry

“If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?” ~Milton Berle

April 2012

On April 11, 2002 I sent out my first Good Health! email message. It was a short reminder message sent to a small group of female friends and family members encouraging them to check themselves for signs of cancer. Fast-forward 10 years. Today I’m a middle aged, mid-western mother and housewife who writes a monthly blog about women’s health that is being read by women all over the world. It was my mother’s struggle with breast cancer that initially inspired me. With the encouragement of the men in my life I have written 120 Good Health! messages on a wide range of women’s health topics including cancer detection & prevention, childbirth, exercise, diet & nutrition and my personal favorite -- the health dangers of thong underwear. I have shared my personal health struggles with you and many of you have shared your stories with me. There have been a few typos over the years but no regrets. I am not doing this to increase my Klout Score. I am doing this with the sincere hope that the women who read Good Health! will be reminded to make the time to safe guard their health. To those of you who subscribe to Good Health! . . . Thank you for reading my ramblings. I am honored by your continued interest and motivated by your comments.

So this month, what would you think if I told you eating popcorn could help you prevent cancer, diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s? I know it sounds crazy but popcorn is packed with ferulic acid. Ferulic Acid is an antioxidant also found in beans, rice, corn, wheat, barley and many other grains. And the really crazy part, according to a study out of the University of Scranton, one serving of popcorn has more antioxidants than a day’s worth of fruits and vegetables. The hull is where you find all the good stuff, not in the fluffy white part. If you are looking for the perfect snack food it may just be popcorn. There are approximately 31 calories in one cup of air-popped popcorn. Of course popcorn should not replace broccoli and spinach in your diet but it should replace the potato chips. Just remember to consume responsibly -- air-popped, without added butter and of course in moderation.

Make the time to be good to you --- stop and smell the daffodils. Daffodils aren’t really known for their incredible aroma but researchers have discovered people who are grateful for the simple things in life are more satisfied with their lives. Not because they ignore the bad stuff. Grateful people are just better at appreciating the good stuff. This month I’m grateful for daffodils and you!

Good Health!

Terry

“I haven’t a clue how my story will end, but that’s all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, that’s when you discover the stars.”
-Nancy Willard