Wednesday, May 17, 2017

My Walk in the Fight Against Bladder Cancer

 Your wallet will never get bigger than your heart -- T.D. Jakes 
On Sunday, May 21, 2017 the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) will hold it's annual walk/run on behalf of the 500,000 people living with bladder cancer across the United States, and I can speak from experience -- because I was one of them. In August of 2016, I was diagnosed with stage 2 muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

Thankfully, after 4 rounds of chemotherapy, several hospital stays (one lasting as long as 24-days) and a few surgeries (including the removal of my bladder), I give praises to The Most High for I am cancer-free.  I still, however, have at least one surgery to go (due to complications) to repair my neo-bladder (which is a bladder reconstructed from the small intestine). These last 9 months have been a long road, but I am ever grateful and feel terrific.

Bladder cancer is the 5th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States.  It impacts both men and women of all ages and races. One in 42 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer during their lifetime. Bladder cancer also has a recurrence rate of 50-80 percent and because it requires life-long surveillance, it is the most expensive cancer to treat on a per patient basis.

Whatever you can give will help BCAN in providing education and resources for these bladder cancer patients.



I really appreciate your support. Please click here to learn how to get involved.

Grace + Peace + Success,
Lynn

Online Marketer & Home Business Coach
917-830-7440
Click here to find me on Facebook



Monday, May 1, 2017

May is Bladder Cancer Awareness Month


Some of you may know that I was diagnosed with #BladderCancer last August. What with multiple hospital stays (one for as long as 24 days!!!) and several procedures, I can happily say that I am "cancer-free" (praises to The Most High)!! But I still have to undergo at least one other surgery to repair my new bladder because of complications. That being said, May is "Bladder Cancer Awareness Month" and all month-long I'll be providing some education on risk-factors and symptoms of the disease. This is especially important information for women because many will pass off the symptoms as "something else."
Please be aware that the following symptom can be a sign of other conditions and does not mean that you have bladder cancer. However, you should DEFINITELY discuss it with your health care provider.
Let's begin. Symptom #1:
Blood in the urine (Hematuria). Hematuria may be visible or microscopic and is usually painless. The urine may have a slightly pink or orange hue, or it may be bright red with or without clots. I had blood in my urine, sometimes with clots, but I was fortunate that I took action right away. When I mentioned this to my doctor, she IMMEDIATELY scheduled an appointment with a urologist. That was PARAMOUNT!
Many other conditions may cause blood in the urine, but bladder cancer should be ruled out.
I'll be listing other symptoms in a later post. Thanks for reading. 😄 

Grace + Peace + Success,
Lynn


Online Marketer & Home Business Coach
917-830-7440
Click here to find me on Facebook
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