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Four-Year Survivor Finds Blessings in Cancer Battle

Article date: July 18, 2011

 

"I trust the lord and his plan for me is perfect, so whatever that will be, will be."
    

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer 4 years ago, Debbie Simpson, 51, says it seemed like “the worst thing, the big ‘C’.” But since then, she says, she’s had many amazing experiences and received many blessings. One of those has been the opportunity to help other women with breast cancer.
Simpson is a team captain for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Jackson, Mississippi. The 40 members of her team are associated with the Cancer Care Breast Services at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). She recruits and motivates volunteers, organizes the team and develops creative fundraising ideas like raffles and bake sales.
Team member Roy Duhé, a cancer researcher at UMMC, calls Simpson a hero because of her enthusiasm and commitment. He says, “It’s an honor to work with Debbie on a cause that’s so important to both of us.”

‘In Control’ During Treatment

Simpson has always been good about getting her annual mammogram. In 2006, she noticed changes in her breast and became concerned, but her checkup detected no cancer. Then, a year later, she learned she had been misdiagnosed. She had a stage 3 triple negative carcinoma, a kind of breast cancer that spreads and grows quickly.
Her treatment included chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Toward the end of her first round of chemo, she felt very tired. Another chemo drug made her feel like she had a bad case of flu. But Simpson says the most traumatic side effect was losing her hair. So, when it began to fall out, she decided to become proactive. She thought, “I’m going to be in control of this.” She and her husband went into the bathroom and shaved it completely. They had a good cry afterward, and then she says, “I discovered I have a real pretty head!”
Simpson also discovered the TLC catalog, which offers wigs, other hair-loss products, and mastectomy products to women dealing with cancer. Simpson says her favorite wig came from TLC and cost only $42, a lot less than another wig she bought.

Realizing What’s Important

But the biggest support she received, says Simpson, was from her sister, who is a 19-year breast cancer survivor, her entire family, community and church. Friends cooked meals for her family, a husband and teenage son and daughter who were still living at home. They asked her out to lunch and celebrated milestones, like the end of her treatment, with parties. Women from her church prayed for her and sent encouraging letters.
She says the experience has helped her realize what’s important, like slowing down and taking stock of things. “I didn’t get as bent out of shape when I came home and the laundry wasn’t done. I realized it was more important to sit outside on the swing and talk to my little girl than to clean the house.”
Simpson wanted to help other women with breast cancer and approached the UMMC about meeting with newly diagnosed patients. This eventually led to her current job as administrative assistant for University Cancer Care Breast Services at UMMC. And she plans to train for the American Cancer Society Reach To Recovery mentoring program, which pairs breast cancer survivors with patients who are newly diagnosed or in treatment.
August 2012 will be Simpson’s 5-year anniversary. She’s had no recurrence of the cancer. She says her experience has taught her to live for today. “I trust the lord and his plan for me is perfect,” she says. “So whatever that will be, will be.”

 

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The Allstate Foundation

Grantmaking Focus Areas

Since 1952, we have invested more than $275 million in funding in communities across the country to address key social issues. Our grantmaking priorities fall into three categories: Safe and Vital Communities, Economic Empowerment and Tolerance, Inclusion and Diversity.

Safe and Vital Communities

The Allstate Foundation is dedicated to fostering safe and vital communities where people live, work and raise families. We strive to foster communities that are economically strong, crime-free, and give residents a sense of belonging and commitment. Our Safe and Vital Communities funding priorities are:

• Teen Safe Driving: Helping to save young lives and instill a lifetime of safe driving attitudes and behaviors. Learn more about the Allstate Foundation's Teen Safe Driving signature program.
• Catastrophe response: Rebuilding lives after a natural disaster strikes.
• Neighborhood revitalization: Nurturing safe, strong, and healthy communities.

Economic Empowerment

The Foundation is committed to empowering Americans with the economic resources and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their financial future. Our Economic Empowerment funding priorities are:

• Domestic Violence : Helping survivors live free and stay free from violence by building their financial security. Learn more about The Allstate Foundation's Domestic Violence signature program.
• Financial and economic literacy: Building a more secure financial future for Americans.

Tolerance, Inclusion, and Diversity

We believe that in order for a community to be strong, it has to recognize and value all of its members. That's why we are committed to programs that bring tolerance, inclusion, and value to people of all backgrounds regardless of ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age or physical challenges. Our Tolerance, Inclusion, and Diversity funding priorities are:

• Teaching tolerance to youth: Fostering a generation free of bias and intolerance.
• Alleviating discrimination: Encouraging communities to be free of prejudice.

 

What if BYU's field goal went through the uprights?

 

 

 

SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah and BYU are familiar to dramatic endings, particularly with a field goal deciding the end of the game. Just two years ago, the Utes salvaged a win after Brandon Burton blocked a BYU field goal. And Saturday's game was no different, ending in dramatic fashion. Leading by 17 points going into the fourth quarter, the Utes allowed the Cougars to cut the lead to three points with just under four minutes left in the game. After stalling on offense, due in large part to the Cougars defense, Utah was forced to punt the ball with just more than a minute left in the game.   BYU senior quarterback Riley Nelson had impossible odds against him, down three, facing a 92-yard drive and no timeouts. After slowly moving the ball up field and taking a lot of time off the clock, Nelson faced a fourth-and-12 situation and the game on the line. Nelson found an open receiver Cody Hoffman for a 47-yard gain and good field position to tie the game.   The situation was reminiscent of the 2007 game where BYU quarterback Max Hall found receiver Austin Collie on fourth-and-18, which led to BYU defeating the Utes 17-10. However, a pass by Nelson was later deflected by the Utes, and the game appeared to be over. After the chaos of Utah fans rushing the field, the refs declared one second left in regulation, giving the Cougars one shot at a field goal attempt. The 51-yard field goal attempt was blocked, but was called back because fans prematurely rushed the field, giving the Cougars an extra 15 yards to work with.

It could have gone to overtime, but I've got a policy that I never complain about the refs. It's a fruitless, pointless way to operate. I just don't do that.

–Kyle Whittingham

 

"I guess the clock thing: okay. The blocked kick: in all my experience in football, that would have been a no-call," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said. "But then we lined up and did it again." With another "miracle" game hanging in the balance, BYU switched up placekickers, going with Riley Stephenson for a 36-yard field goal attempt. The kick, however, hit the left upright, ending the Cougars' many attempts. "The end result was what we wanted, but a little bit of drama at the end there," Whittingham added. But what would have happened if either field goal attempt went in? The obvious answer is a tie game, but who has the momentum going into overtime? Would Utah fall short in overtime two weeks in a row? "

Will the BYU-Utah game be the turning point for either team?

1. Yes, for BYU

2. Yes, for Utah

3. Yes, for both teams

4. No, it's just one game

5. Undecided

While the answer is speculative at best, Utah would have likely felt most of the pressure. After squandering a 17-point lead, the emotion of the game could have been the deciding factor in overtime.

"It really was an emotional swing after we thought we won the game the first time, and then putting the one second back on the clock," Utah corner Moe Lee said. "We just had to continue and fight through." While it's pointless to rehash the what-ifs of a game, both teams fought hard for a much-needed victory. As a No. 25-ranked BYU, the Cougars need every win possible for a chance to advance to a BCS bowl game at the end of the season. Utah needed a win after losing to in-state rival Utah State to help gain momentum as the team transitions to the Pac-12 schedule. "Riding high after a big rivalry win, you definitely have got to take momentum in there with us to Arizona State," Utah quarterback Jon Hays said. "That's what we've got to do." A made field goal from BYU could have been the deciding factor for both teams as the season progresses. While it's hard to put stock into a single game, momentum is a major key to the success of a team's season. BYU faces a difficult turn around, traveling to Boise State next Thursday, while the Utes begin their difficult Pac-12 schedule Saturday.

Autumn foliage may damage your vehicle

The fall season is many Americans' favorite time of year, as the leaves changing colors and falling makes for a beautiful scene in many areas of the country. But some drivers may not be aware that the accumulation of fallen leaves on their vehicles can lead to costly problems down the road.

To begin, leaves can cause damage to the exterior of your car if left in place for a long period of time. Paint damage and rust are commonly caused by accumulated leaves that have not been cleared off, according to the Washington Post. The acid in leaves, combined with dampness or rain in the air and sunlight can cause the shape and feature of leaves to burn into your car, which eventually results in paint damage, the Post reports. This type of paint damage is permanent.

In addition to paint damage, leaves that become trapped in the openings or crevices of your vehicle may absorb water over time, which causes them to attach to the metal of your car, the newspaper explains. As this buildup becomes more solid and combines with other bits of dirt and grime, rust may develop in your vehicle.

In more serious cases, leaf build-up may clog different drains in your vehicle, such as the heating or air conditioning units. Leaves can get sucked into these drains while you're driving and eventually develop into a thick sludge that becomes a plug in your drains, the Post reports.

Proper auto care

Leaf damage is not a topic many drivers think about frequently until it has caused damage to their cars. But keeping your vehicle free from debris is as important as other auto maintenance issues, such as changing your oils and checking your tire pressure.

During months when leaf accumulation is at its highest, make sure to hose off your vehicle habitually to wash away debris. You can also prevent damage to your car by keeping it covered or parked in a garage when you're not driving it. Lastly, when your car is covered with leaves after a rainy day, wipe them off immediately to avoid stains. Remember to pull them up delicately rather than brushing them off, the latter of which may scratch your paint.

Greatest Gift

http://www.lifehappens.org/portfolio/clara-bix-the-greatest-gift/

Jim Bix was a newlywed when he was diagnosed with an incurable lung disease. While his health remained stable for two decades, his condition finally began to deteriorate, leaving him unable to work. With a wife and two daughters, Jim and his family relied on disability insurance he had through work to help pay for their daily living expenses, as well as the added medical bills. When Jim died, it was his life insurance coverage through work that allowed his wife to pay off debts, keep their girls in private school and remain in the family’s home.

His health remained stable for two decades, so he was dismayed when his condition finally began to deteriorate. Now dependent on an oxygen tank to breathe, Jim was no longer able to work as an electronics technician at Honeywell. Fortunately, he had disability insurance through work, which helped the Bixes pay for day-to-day living expenses as well as the added medical bills.

Just as Jim’s condition turned critical, his wife, Clara, learned that she needed surgery to remove a cancerous kidney tumor. The operation was a success and Jim literally sang with joy, relieved that his children would still have their mother. The songs were short-lived. Jim died three weeks later.

It was the life insurance that Jim had through work that allowed Clara and the girls to carry on financially after his death. Jim had an employer-paid life insurance benefit and each year he paid extra to double the coverage amount. The life insurance proceeds allowed Clara to pay off debts, keep the girls in private school and remain in the family’s home.

Brittany, now 21, was so moved by the far-reaching power that life insurance had on her family, that she is pursuing a college degree in insurance and has become a licensed agent. “Life insurance was the greatest gift my dad could give us,” says Brittany. “It has allowed us to live life the same way as when he was here with us.”

 

Rules of the Road: Kids and Bicycle Safety

Post Type » Article

Bike riding is an annual rite of passage for kids in my neighborhood. For a 10-year-old, biking to a friend’s house or the park means summertime freedom. Unfortunately, a fun bike ride can also result in serious injury or even death if bike safety rules are ignored. Each year, 350,000 children under the age of 15 end up in hospital emergency rooms due to biking accidents. Follow these bicycle safety tips to help keep your kids safe on the road:

1. Always wear a helmet. This should go without saying – for both children and adults – but statistics show that more than half of all bike riders don’t wear a helmet every time they ride. Even worse, 40 percent of bike riders report that they don’t own a helmet. According to Emergency Medical Services Authority, more than 60 percent of childhood bike fatalities happen on neighborhood streets less than a single mile from home. Bruises and broken bones heal. A brain injury, however, can cause permanent damage and even death. Make bike helmets a regular bike safety habit for the whole family.

2. Wear a helmet that fits. Just like hats, helmets are available in a variety of sizes, styles and colors. Let your child pick out her favorite helmet so she’ll be excited to wear it while riding. Check for the perfect fit: Helmets should sit low on the forehead, approximately one to two finger widths above the eyebrows. The same finger rule applies to the chinstrap. The strap should be snug but not too tight, with one to two fingers fitting between the chin and the strap. Test the fit: Open your mouth wide to yawn and confirm that your helmet pulls down on your head. If it stays put, tighten the strap. According to NHTSA, a properly fitted helmet can reduce the risk of head and brain injury by up to 88 percent.

3. See and be seen. While you don’t need to cover your child in head-to-toe reflective material, wearing bright or fluorescent clothing does make it easier for drivers to spot children. Be sure that your child’s bike has a white front reflector and a red rear reflector, along with reflectors on the tires. Children should never ride at night without a reflective safety vest.

4. Know the rules of the road. Sadly, many bikers die each year because they ignore basic traffic rules. Teach your child that a bike is a vehicle and your child is the driver – he must obey all traffic signs, including stop signs and red lights. Bikers must look before turning left or right and indicate the turn’s direction by signaling with an extended arm. Ride in a predictable straight line and never weave in or out of traffic. If your neighborhood has a bike lane, always ride in this lane. Finally, always ride with the flow of traffic rather than against it.

What bicycle safety tips do you teach your children?

Monday, August, 13th, 2012 at 6:00 am

Wildfire Prevention: Preparing Your Home

Wildfire can damage homes in a variety of ways. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take and building materials you can use to help mitigate the damage.

Let’s face it: We love the mountains and we love the woods. Each year, more people move deeper into America’s wild places, carving out spaces for their dream homes amid scenes of breathtaking natural beauty. In the process, they’re unwittingly creating something else: an expansion in the wildland-urban interface.
The biggest problem with WUI expansion is that it interferes with the natural cycle of wildfires, which keeps our forested areas healthy in the long term. Instead, we have an unnatural and dangerous buildup of old vegetation. This can fuel catastrophic, uncontrollable wildfires that threaten property and lives.
Fires can damage a home three ways: through radiated heat, firebrands (burning materials that can be carried up to a mile by convection forces and/or wind) and the convection column itself. When we talk about wildfire mitigation, we’re referring to steps you can take around your home and on your property that may help prevent or reduce damage from any or all of the three.
Whether you’re building a new house or planning to retrofit your existing one, there are many things you can keep in mind to mitigate wildfire damage.

Use Fire-Resistant Materials

Incorporate fire-resistant building materials wherever possible. This means using metal, tile or asphalt  composite shingles for the roofing and nonflammable exterior wall materials such as stucco, brick, plaster, cement or concrete masonry. A cautionary note about aluminum and vinyl siding: Although they are not technically flammable materials, they can lose their integrity at high heat.
Many people aren’t aware that radiated heat can ignite combustible materials from more than 100 feet away. Replace single- and even dual-pane windows and skylights with dual- or multi-pane, tempered-glass versions (especially large windows and sliding-glass doors that face the wildland). Add screens as an extra buffer.
Additionally, if you have a wood fence attached to your home, replace it with a noncombustible version such as metal, concrete or stone — and keep it free of climbing vines, weeds and other vegetation.

Check for Gaps

If your siding is combustible or not fire rated, make sure there are no spaces for embers to accumulate. Add caulk to all trim-to-siding locations where it has failed or is missing, and establish up to 5 feet of defensible, noncombustible space around your home.
After the roof, the eaves, soffits, windows and vents are the weakest links in the event of a fire. Consider open-eave framing or a soffited-eave design… and constructing those eaves and soffits with noncombustible materials. Again, avoid materials that will melt, such as vinyl or PVC.
Add metal mesh screens to all vents — such as attic, subfloor, foundation and dryer — to keep sparks out. Consider screening all decks and porches, as well. You’ll also want to weather-seal the perimeter of your garage doors, protecting any flammable materials stored inside.

Check Your Grading

Make sure your decks and porches extend over a flat grade. A fire can move upslope many times faster than on level ground. If you must have a deck that extends over a slope, use noncombustible decking such as Trex. Also, consider building a noncombustible wall across the slope approximately 15 to 20 feet from your deck.
Make sure your chimney extends above the roofline, and have a chimney spark arrestor, also known as a chimney guard or chimney screen, in place. These steps will help ensure that you don’t cause the next wildfire by accidentally igniting your roof or nearby trees and vegetation, particularly when dry conditions have made them vulnerable.

Keep Up on Regular Home Maintenance

Keep your roof, gutters and vents clear of debris; firebrands can quickly ignite dried-out organic matter and spread to vulnerable areas such as vents, eaves and your roof. Have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on every floor of your home. Know how to use the extinguishers.

Ensure Your Access to Water

Can you maintain your water supply with uninterrupted electricity? Consider purchasing a generator to operate your pump in the event of a power failure, and make sure you have a connected, functioning garden hose.
Many folks who live in the WUI accept that wildfire risk is the price they pay for living in such beautiful places. They also try to do everything they can to mitigate that risk, for themselves and for the sakes of the firefighters who might have to defend their homes one day. There are no guarantees that these measures will save your home in the event of a large wildfire, but they may improve your chances of minimizing the damage.