Do You Know How Many Rape Kits Are Backlogged In Your City And State?

October 24, 2024 Looking for the Light13 Comments

Rape victims receiving closure is important to me and I hope to you too. Below is the background of Joyful Heart Foundation and how they started the initiative to End the Backlog. At the bottom, you will see why I’m flaming mad due to an unacceptable situation not far from where I live. Not to mention the atrociously high numbers of backlogged rape kits in Texas.

In 2015, the Joyful Heart Foundation played a fundamental role in the creation of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), an important federal initiative for rape kit reform with then Vice President Biden. This program provided grants to communities to inventory untested rape kits, analyze those kits, investigate the resulting cases, prosecute offenders, and support survivors. This federal program has allowed jurisdictions to inventory more than 183,000 untested kits and send 90,000 kits for testing, resulting in more than 15,700 CODIS hits, almost 8,200 to serial violent offenders and 2,200 to serial sex offenders.

In 2016, the Joyful Heart Foundation launched its six pillar campaign to improve the way rape kits are handled nationwide and end the backlog of untested rape kits. Since then, we have helped pass 130 bills in 46 states affecting more than 321 million people and more than 136,000 survivors of reported rapes every year. Our campaign is one of the most successful state-level campaigns in history.

What is Joyful Heart Foundation

The Joyful Heart Foundation was founded in 2004 by Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU) actress, director, and advocate, Mariska Hargitay. While playing Detective Olivia Benson on Law & Order SVU, Ms. Hargitay learned a tremendous amount about the crime of sexual assault. Letters from fans of the show poured in across the years; many were testimonies from survivors sharing their stories of abuse, isolation, fear, hope, and courage. As Hargitay became more informed about the topic, she was shocked and saddened by the prevalence of sexually-based crimes and how trauma impacts survivors, many for their entire lives. She felt she had to answer these survivor letters in a meaningful way. Her response was to create the Joyful Heart Foundation with the mission to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors, and end this violence forever. Ms. Hargitay wanted to help survivors heal and reclaim joy in their lives.

What is the Rape Kit Backlog?

“To me, the backlog is one of the clearest and most shocking demonstrations of how we regard these crimes in our society. Testing rape kits sends a fundamental and crucial message to victims of sexual violence: You matter. What happened to you matters. Your case matters. For that reason, the Joyful Heart Foundation, which I founded in 2004, has made ending the rape kit backlog our #1 advocacy priority.”

Mariska Hargitay, Founder of The Joyful Heart Foundation

While the number of untested rape kits has decreased over the last decade – the backlog was once deemed to be 400,000 – today, we estimate that there are still 100,000 untested rape kits yet to be discovered.

You can clearly see the states who have tackled the backlog and those who have not. I’m ashamed of Texas, my home state, and these numbers send a clear message that women are not valued in Texas. A message coming from Governor Greg Abbott.

Let me give you an example and you will see what set me off last night.

Fort Worth is a smaller sister city to Dallas but this week, there was improper behavior with the law enforcement. I question if the entire city is flying blind. Last light at a City Council meeting the Chief of Police admitted that the deadline for clearing rape kits had once again not been met. He took responsibility and committed to correct the situation. I won’t hold my breath on that commitment. What shocked me even more was how the City Council acted like this was the first time they had heard about it. Who is overseeing the police????

The information only came out because the local news station invested. Here’s one of the findings.

On Wednesday, an NBC 5 Investigates series, “Justice Shelved”, revealed that more than 760 times in five years, Fort Worth police were late to submit rape kits to a lab in the state required 30 days.

New state records provided by the Department of Public Safety show Fort Worth police currently have 901 untested kits that are already past the 90-day mark, leaving victims who reported sexual assaults waiting for answers.

This is unacceptable and I think many heads need to roll and many more fired.

What’s happening in your town and State?

Melinda

References:

Intro

Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Illness

ADHD Awareness Month

October 23, 2024 Looking for the Light4 Comments

My father had ADHD and being a teen in his days must have been horrible, the medication of choice was tranquilizers. He wasn’t diagnosed until he was a teen but the minute he moved out he stopped the medication and I can see why. The issue is he didn’t go back to the doctor as medication evolved and it affected his relationships.

I also believe that doctors are too fast to diagnose ADD & ADHD. One important factor is that Medical doctors don’t have the training to diagnose and are often the ones who diagnose first. To have a proper diagnosis, you need a Psychiatrist, and do the testing for an official diagnosis. My last Psychiatrist listed me as ADHD, with no testing, and no conversation, it just showed up on my chart. I would not be ashamed if that was a proper diagnosis but it wasn’t. My proir Psychiatrist of 32 years never once mentioned it. It’s one of the reasons I no longer see my last Psychiatrist.

—

Every October is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness Month, an occasion to raise awareness and support for those with ADHD.

In the United States, about 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults have ADHD, making it one of the most common mental health conditions. Symptoms of the condition include ongoing patterns of:

Inattention, which means a person may find it challenging to focus or follow directions, but usually, it may not occur due to rebellion or challenges with understanding something.

Hyperactivity, which is when a person may feel the need to move constantly, even when it may be inappropriate for the situation.

Impulsivity, which means the person may have difficulties managing impulsive behavior and considering the long-term consequences of those actions.

Many people may have occasional difficulties paying attention, sitting still, or managing impulsive behavior. But for someone with ADHD, these difficulties tend to occur more often, which may affect how they perform certain daily activities.

During ADHD Awareness Month, communities shed light on this condition and rally to support those who have received diagnoses.

This information from the National Institute of Health has great resources and there may be more that I didn’t read on another page.

Where can I learn more about ADHD?

Free brochures and shareable resources

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: What You Need to Know: This brochure provides information about ADHD in children, teens, and adults, including symptoms, diagnosis, causes, treatments, and resources to find help for you or your child (also available en español).
ADHD in Adults: 4 Things to Know: This fact sheet provides information about ADHD in adults, including symptoms, diagnosis, causes, treatments, and resources to find help for yourself or someone else.
Shareable Resources on ADHD: These digital resources, including graphics and messages, can be used to spread the word about ADHD and help promote awareness and education in your community.

Multimedia

Mental Health Minute: ADHD: Watch this short video to learn about ADHD.
NIMH Expert Discusses Managing ADHD: Learn the signs and symptoms of ADHD and how it is treated as well as tips for helping children and teens manage ADHD symptoms.

Federal resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) : The CDC offers fact sheets, infographics, and other resources about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of ADHD in children.
MedlinePlus : This resource from the National Library of Medicine provides information, research, and resources on ADHD and ways to learn more (also available en español ).

Research and statistics

Journal Articles : References and abstracts from the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed
Statistics—ADHD: Statistics on the prevalence and treatment of ADHD among children, teens, and adults

Last Reviewed: September 2024

There is so much information available so don’t put off learning about ADHD, it could help direct your child or yourself to the proper help.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd-awareness-month#history

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd#:~:text=Attention-deficit%2Fhyperactivity%20disorder%20%28ADHD%29%20is%20a%20developmental%20disorder%20marked,and%20impulsivity%20that%20interfere%20with%20functioning%20or%20development.

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-The Three Amigos

October 23, 2024 Looking for the Light9 Comments

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

I didn’t collect Beanie Baby’s when they came out but lately, they have provided me with comfort. From left to right, Ombre, Torty, and Chewy.

I’m not sure I’ll buy more but never say never!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health · Moving Forward · Self-Care · Trauma

Good Times On The Highway To Hell Part 6

October 22, 2024 Looking for the Light21 Comments

My Wild Journey

I always wanted everything my Gramps had, so when I was still in the bottle, he put a small amount of coffee in it. I slurped with joy and still do.

In high school, I was not interested in being popular or joining a sorority but somehow, I got talked into rushing for a sorority. During rush week we had to go a week without washing our hair. It nearly killed me, but one night we all spent the night at the so-called leader’s house and it was the last straw for me. They spent the night talking about their boyfriends, drinking, sex, and how they were popular at school. I couldn’t care less and left and turned the page on that experience.

I was naive in high school, thinking the cheerleaders were all goody-two-shoes and virgins. Not so much! One night while hanging out at the library, our hang spot, a cheerleader I only knew from class asked me if I would drive her around to smoke a joint. SURE! I hadn’t smoked a joint in years. We parked not far from the library and stoked away, the whole time she talked about how all her boyfriend wanted was sex. Sex and smoking a joint, wow my eyes were opened.

The high school football quarterback wouldn’t even speak to me, I was friends with almost everyone but not him. He was above mere mortals. At the 20-year high school reunion, I looked very different than in high school and all he wanted to do was dance and get me to leave with him. It was funny. I was there with my future husband. Men tend to think with the wrong head.

I’m keeping this post short since the other topics were too heavy for this one. You can look forward to topics like agoraphobia, dementia, driving my husband’s truck the size of an aircraft carrier, and forgetting how to drive.

Melinda

Good Times On The Highway To Hell Part 5

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Blogger Highlight-Essence of Me

October 21, 2024October 21, 2024 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series. I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their blog with you. This week, we highlight the blog Essence of Me. I only started following Jeiyanni in September and we struck up a conversation and I felt a connection to her. I think part of the reason is her personality, she’s positive but realistic, ambitious but knows she’s on the ground floor in her career and has big goals. She accomplished so much for her younger age and that tells me shows going straight up. She is a hard-working woman who graduated from Columbia and as she builds her career she works part-time at TJ Maxx and part-time teaching an after-school program.

Essence of Me

I write because I have an overwhelming desire to immortalize whatever happens, or could possibly happen, onto the page. The act of writing is like a release, a form of physical therapy. I realize that one of the most prominent themes in my work is the idea of complex human emotions, circumstances, words, and actions. With my writing I feel that it is my duty to express all the things that are interesting, confusing, and difficult. I use my point of view to display a unique perspective in my pieces and characters. Overall, I just want to showcase the realities of people and human-to-human connection. I want to focus in on specific point-of-views of different characters- who’s the current main character of the story, and why do we care about their particular situation?

In this blog, you can find any and everything that embodies the essence of who I am. That includes thoughts, beliefs, pictures, pieces of writing, analytical essays, etc. If you’re interested in who I am as a person and a writer, I hope you’ll embark on this wonderful journey with me.

Ta-ta for now!

-Jeiyanni

I asked Jeiyanni a couple of questions:

M. What made you pursue a career in writing and why Columbia?

J. I think I just believed that since writing was my passion, that was what I should be doing with my life. My wish was (and still is) to be an author. So I went to Columbia College Chicago because it was a liberal arts school that was geared towards what I wanted to do in life. Because I don’t want to necessarily just be an author, but I also want to do different types of writing as well.

M. You started writing a young age, what was the draw to writing and what did you write about?

J. Initially I was drawn to writing in the second grade when I was talking crap about some classmates I didn’t like in my Winnie the Pooh journal 😆 but Idk, I think I just enjoyed that medium of being able to express myself and thus my passion for writing stories blossomed as well. But when I was younger, I would write stories on whatever topics came to mind from my little elementary school world. For example, some short books I wrote as a young child were “Granny’s Burgers” and “How to Avoid Arguments” lol.

The first post we first connected over

Feeling Hopeless

We all feel hopeless at times throughout our lives, it is a natural part of growing but it’s a tad bit better if we have someone who understands and is in our corner. I think you will relate to her feelings on that day. Second-guessing ourselves is also a part of being young with so many directions and goals in front of us.

Be sure to stop by, say hello to Jeiyanni, pull up a chair, and stay awhile. Her personality will pull you in!

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

What Is Social Anxiety Disorder? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

October 21, 2024 Looking for the Light7 Comments

ByJoseph Bennington-Castro

Reviewed by Seth Gillihan, PhD

Updated on December 26, 2022

Social anxiety disorder — previously known as social phobia — is an anxiety disorder in which you experience persistent fear of social or performance situations, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (1) People who have social anxiety disorder worry that they will behave in a way that will be embarrassing and humiliating and that they will be judged by others, particularly people they do not know well.

Suma Chand, PhD, director of the cognitive behavior therapy program in the department of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at St. Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri, says people who have social anxiety often feel they need to behave perfectly in social situations because they tend to imagine that others are superior to them and critical of them. They also have a longing for acceptance, but their fear of others’ judgment can keep them from finding it.

Social anxiety disorder consists of much more than the shyness or nervousness that many people feel in common social situations, such as going on a first date or giving a presentation (“stage fright”).

The condition can interfere with daily activities and even cause people to completely avoid social interactions, even though they often realize their anxiety is irrational. “I have often had my clients tell me how they are exhausted by social situations,” says Dr. Chand.

“This is because when they look back at these events, they see how their need to be perfect in social situations has caused them to experience high levels of anxiety before and during social situations,” she explains. “As a result, they often avoid many social situations — even though they feel bad about doing so.”

But, adds Chand, those with the disorder can learn to change the distortions in their thinking that lead to avoidance.

Signs and Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

People who have social anxiety disorder tend to feel very anxious and self-conscious in common social situations. (2) Their fear that they will be judged by others can have a negative effect on school, work, and other daily activities, and can make it difficult for them to develop and sustain friendships.

When you have social anxiety disorder, common social fears include:

Attending parties and other social occasions
Eating, drinking, and writing in public
Meeting new people
Speaking in public
Using public restrooms

The anxiety of social anxiety disorder can also cause physical symptoms such as: (3,4)

Blushing
Profuse sweating
Nausea
Difficulty talking
Trembling
Rapid heart rate
Trouble catching your breath
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Muscle tension
According to the NIMH, when having to perform or be around other people, people who have social anxiety disorder tend to: (5)
Feel their “mind going blank”
Have a rigid body posture, make little eye contact, or speak with a very soft voice
Find it scary and challenging to be with other people, particularly strangers, and have a difficult time talking to them even though they want to communicate
Avoid places where there are other people

Signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder can also include: (4)

Fear of displaying physical symptoms of anxiety
Avoiding situations where you might be the center of attention
Having anxiety leading up to a feared activity or event
Spending time after a social situation reviewing your performance and finding flaws
Expecting the worst possible consequences from a negative social experience
Difficulty starting conversations, dating, entering a room in which people are already seated, returning items to a store, and other day-to-day experiences
Children may cry, have tantrums, cling to parents, or refuse to speak in social situations
Intense fear and anxiety only about speaking or performing in public (performance type of social anxiety disorder)

Causes and Risk Factors of Social Anxiety Disorder

There may be a genetic component to social anxiety disorder for some people. You’re more likely to develop the disorder if your biological parents or siblings have the condition. (4) However, scientists still don’t understand why some family members have the condition while others don’t. (5)

Research suggests that being raised by parents who engage in negative parental practices, such as being overprotective, overly anxious, or rejecting, may contribute to the development of social anxiety. (2)

Some researchers think misreading other people’s behavior may play a role in causing social anxiety or making it worse. For example, if you think people are staring or frowning at you when they are not. (5)

Underdeveloped social skills may also contribute to social anxiety disorder, although many people with the condition do not have a deficit in their social abilities.

Researchers are also investigating the roles that stress and environmental factors may play in causing social anxiety disorder.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase your chances of developing social anxiety disorder, including: (4)

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase your chances of developing social anxiety disorder, including: (4)

Negative life experiences Children who are teased, bullied, rejected, ridiculed, or humiliated may be more likely to develop social anxiety disorder. Family conflict, trauma, abuse, or other negative life events may also be linked to the condition.

New social or work demands Meeting new people, giving a speech, or having to make an important presentation at work may trigger social anxiety disorder symptoms.

Having an appearance or condition that attracts attention Facial disfigurement, stuttering, tremors due to Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions can make people feel self-conscious and may trigger social anxiety disorder.

Shy temperament Children who are shy, timid, withdrawn, or restrained when dealing with new situations or people may have an increased risk of developing the disorder. People who have social anxiety disorder commonly say they were extremely shy as children. (However, social anxiety disorder and shyness are not the same thing.) (3)

How Is Social Anxiety Disorder Diagnosed?

To diagnose social anxiety disorder, your doctor may: (4)

Conduct a physical exam to help determine whether any medical condition or medication may be triggering your symptoms
Discuss your symptoms, how frequently they occur, and in what situations
Ask you whether certain situations make you feel anxious
Have you fill out self-report questionnaires about symptoms of social anxiety

Your healthcare provider will determine whether you have the criteria for social anxiety disorder as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). These include:

Persistent, intense fear or anxiety about specific social situations because you fear you may be judged, embarrassed, or humiliated
Avoiding anxiety-provoking social situations or enduring them with intense fear or anxiety
Excessive anxiety that’s out of proportion to the situation
Anxiety or distress that interferes with your daily life
Fear or anxiety that is not due to a medical condition, medication, or substance abuse

Treatment and Medication Options for Social Anxiety Disorder

Treatment for social anxiety disorder is intended to help you function in your daily life. (2) The two most common types of treatment for social anxiety disorder are psychotherapy (psychological counseling or talk therapy), medications, or both. (4)

Psychotherapy helps most people with social anxiety disorder because it teaches you how to change negative thoughts about yourself. You also learn skills that help you gain confidence in social situations.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has the most research support among psychotherapies for anxiety, and it works just as well whether it’s conducted individually or in groups.

In exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy, you work up to facing the situations you fear most, little by little. This can help you develop the confidence you need to cope with anxiety-provoking social situations. You may also engage in social skills training or role-playing to practice your social skills.

CBT may even create positive changes in the brain. A study from 2017 found that when those with social anxiety disorder participated in 10 weeks of CBT group therapy, it led to changes in parts of the brain that process and regulate emotions. (6) The changes were more pronounced when the therapy was most successful.

To read the full article click here.

Melinda

Referencce:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/social-anxiety-disorder/guide/?utm_source=bphope&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ehnetwork-bphope&utm_content=bphope-newsletter-hhh-2024-10-10

Art · Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Travel

More Awesome Art From The Mayo

October 20, 2024 Looking for the Light15 Comments

One of the greatest things about The Mayo Clinic’s awesome artwork collection is that it’s all donated by families or artists. Every possible type of art you can imagine is on display, and unfortunately, I could only capture a few. My husband took a few photos and I hope to provide them as well. The architecture in Rochester is very diverse so walking is a great way to capture great photos. There are many skyscrapers in the downtown area so catching a glimpse of them from an adjacent building with windows you can access is the perfect way to get a great shoot.

Even the lighting looks like art.

Melinda

Blogging · Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward · Photography · Survivor

I’ve Tweeked My About Me Page, Please Have a Look And Let Me Know Your Thoughts

October 19, 2024October 21, 2024 Looking for the Light41 Comments

I get bored easily so I work hard at keeping my content fresh and up-to-date. Most of the changes are esthetic but I think they add some flair into who the person behind the words are. Please check out the updated page and share the good, bad, and ugly, I can take it.

About Me

I want to take one minute to thank all that have stopped by my blog over the years, left comments, the good conversations we’ve had, what we’ve learned from each other, and most importantly your friendship. The past 24 years of my life has been a learning journey, full of ups and downs but many of you have been there throughout the years and I send a special hug to you.

If you think something is missing in my description of my blog or about myself, please let me know that as well, that’s important information to have.

Thanks for coming along for the ride. What a ride it’s been.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Friday Quote

October 18, 2024 Looking for the Light14 Comments

Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.

Melinda

Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

National Bullying Prevention Month

October 17, 2024October 16, 2024 Looking for the Light16 Comments

Bullying is an issue that people of all ages deal with especially if they are on Social Media, bullying is not just for kids and teens anymore. Bullying when I was growing up was calling people names, starting rumors about you, and a few fist fights but nothing as life-altering as today. The worst that happened to me was I was hit in the back of the head with a coke bottle over someone starting a rumor that I was making fun of my best friend and neighbor about her cleft palate. Of course, the rumor wasn’t true but she took it personally, it wasn’t her that hit me in the back of the head with the Coke bottle it was one for her friends looking for trouble.

Nowadays are bullied at a very young age about everything from the clothes they wear, who their friends are, to whether or not they have a phone or an email, It can go as far as what car their parents drive, where they work and on and on, it there’s a hater out there, there is a bully. One of the biggest challenges is that kids and teens don’t often tell their parents before things get out of control. Nor do they talk to the school about it even if they know who is doing it. It’s the same pressure that’s always been there, being a tattle tale. We have to know how to stand up for ourselves and teach our children to do the same.

On Social Media, it is so much worse and more vicious, if they troll you they also troll your friends and their friends, start outrageous rumors, makeup conversations that never happened, manufacture photos that don’t exist, and send them to everyone you know even your employer. Some trolls make it their life obsession to ruin your life before they move on to the next person. They can make it look like a message comes from someone and not from that person.

One of the reasons I closed all my social accounts was the negativity. If you write about an accomplishment or good health news you can get bombarded with messages like “You aren’t sick”, “You’re Lying”, You just want sympathy” and the negative comments go on and on. The other issue I had is, that I only followed a short list but would still see all of Elon’s tweets about his views, overpopulating the world with children and other views I never asked to see, like him talking about sex or showing him grabbing a woman’s but. I’m no prude by any stretch of the imagination but that isn’t why I joined back in 2015. I also grew tired of the pushing of other sites I might want to follow, some may find that helpful but not me.

Of course, there is a more sinister side of Social Media but that’s for another post. What will say to parents is to monitor how much time their kids spend on Social Media, what they are looking at, who they are following, and check their Direct Messages. Teens have to earn the right to have a phone and to access these sites. They also need your guidance to know that they don’t know who is on the other end no matter what they think or what the other heart is telling them.

A scary way young adults and adults alike can be bullied is by a troll gathering info posted and piecing together your life, your photos, where you hang out, and even where you work. Now think of what a troll can do with that information and believe me this happens every day. Remember all the stories of kids being ostracized because their parents were Only Fans members?

What is National Bullying Month About?

October is National Bullying Awareness Month, a timely reminder for organizations to take action at the local level to foster safe and supportive environments. Workplace bullying—whether through hostile comments, discriminatory actions, or other forms of intimidation—should never be tolerated.

By promoting kindness, inclusivity, and respect, we can contribute to creating workplaces where everyone feels valued and respected. Together, we have the power to make bullying a thing of the past and build a better, more compassionate world.

The reason, I only included this information is everything I read was focused on kids and that’s not reality anymore.

I don’t see bullying going away but we can control it with protective measures and education.

Melinda

Art · Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Photography · Travel

Beautiful Art From The Mayo

October 17, 2024October 19, 2024 Looking for the Light18 Comments

Mind-blowing! I can’t even fathom the hours spent making the installation and the hours and people if took to install it. It’s breathtaking.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward · Self-Care · Survivor

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 16, 2024September 26, 2025 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a month that has received a great deal of attention over the years due to the tremendous donations to support new treatment options. That does not mean we should look the other way and think it has enough attention. The success rate of survival has increased but there is still so much to know about Breast Cancer.

The types of Brest Cancer

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)

Invasive Lobular Cancer (ILC)

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)

Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)

Breast Cancer During Pregnancy

Other Types

Breast Cancer Myths

Myth: Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer

Myth: Men do not get breast cancer; it affects women only

Myth: A mammogram can cause breast cancer or spread it

Myth: If you have a family history of breast cancer, you are likely to develop breast cancer, too

Myth: Breast cancer is contagious

Myth: If the gene mutation BRCA1 or BRCA2 is detected in your DNA, you will definitely develop breast cancer

Myth: Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer

Myth: A breast injury can cause breast cancer

Myth: Breast cancer is more common in women with bigger breasts

Myth: Breast cancer only affects middle-aged or older women

Myth: Breast pain is a definite sign of breast cancer

Myth: Consuming sugar causes breast cancer

Myth: Carrying a phone in your bra can cause breast cancer

Myth: All breast cancers are the same

Myth: Bras with underwire can cause breast cancer

Breast Cancer Resources

Free Educational Guides

NBCF is dedicated to delivering comprehensive, educational information on breast health and healthy living. From understanding the importance of early detection, to knowing how to prepare for a mammogram, NBCF’s online resources and guides aim to empower women and men with useful information. View guides. Click here to learn more about breast self-examination steps.

National Mammography Program

NBCF provides grants to facilities across the United States that provide screening and diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, clinical breast exam, and patient navigation to underserved individuals who qualify. Find a facility.

Patient Navigator Program

The Patient Navigator Program is a proactive approach to helping patients overcome the barriers of cost, fear, and misinformation surrounding a disease and its prevention. Find a facility.

Other Resources

In addition to the breast care services that NBCF provides to women in need, the following resources offer financial assistance for breast cancer patients.

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides access to breast cancer screening services to underserved women in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 5 U.S. territories, and 12 tribal organizations.

National Cancer Institute

Information about free or low-cost mammogram screening programs is available through NCI’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-422-6237.

The American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society (ACS) provides resource lists for free or low-cost mammograms and financial assitance based on your location. When you go to their website, Cancer.org, look for the “About Us” tab in the top right corner. When you click on that, select your state in the “Where We Help” menu to be directed to a list of local resources.

Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP)

This state program is funded through Medicaid to provide underserved women free healthcare throughout treatment. The program is available in all 50 states. For the application process, contact your local hospital and ask to speak to a nurse or patient navigator regarding the program.

The Patient Access Network Foundation

The PAN Foundation provides assistance to remove financial barriers for medications, treatment, and travel expenses for patients.

Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition

The CFAC is a coalition of organizations that help patients reduce financial barriers during cancer treatment. When you visit their website, select the type of assistance needed and enter your zip code to find resources near your area.

Mammography Facility Database

The Mammography Facility Database is updated periodically based on information received from the three FDA-approved accreditation bodies: the American College of Radiology (ACR), and the states of Arkansas and Texas to provide a list of facilities where mammography services are available based on your location.

Breast Cancer needs to be taken seriously by all and it starts with self-exams and reaching out at the first sign of trouble. You also need to keep your doctor aware of your family history because it can play a big role in whether to not you have the DNA makers for Breast Cancer. Always air on the cautious side.

Melinda

References:

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/types-of-breast-cancer/

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/about-breast-cancer/early-detection/breast-cancer-resources/

Repost

Art · Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Dragon Flies

October 16, 2024 Looking for the Light8 Comments

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

This is a beautiful piece of handmade leaded glass of Dragon Flies. The first photo is hard to see becaue it mosted coved by a tree outside my office window but as you look to the sides of the galls the colors shine through. Seeing Dragon Flies always make me smile.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Survivor · Trauma · Travel

Media Corporations Have Crossed The Line By Sending Reporters Into Hurricanes

October 15, 2024 Looking for the Light8 Comments

I’ve always questioned the value of seeing a reporting out in the hailing winds and rain trying to stand up, what is the point. We know there is a storm, the news is covering it in the studio and we have better photos of what is happening than the few feet the reporters are in.

Hurricane Milton crossed the line for me, all the major channels were reporting and it was so bad that several had close calls and one was hit in the face with debris. Is this what it comes to? Put employees at risk for their lives to show this channel will go further than the next. I drew the line.

Anderson Cooper was reporting from Bradenton, Florida, and was barely able to stand, the rain was pouring down and he reached won to show how deep the water was a was hit in the face by flying debris. He sought safety after that. the situation could have been much worse.

The National Hurricane Center reported Milton reached Category 5 status twice and had maximum sustained winds of 120 mph when it hit Siesta Key, Florida, near where Anderson was reporting.

Anderson was working with Bill Weir who was in St Petersburg and was washed away. Why is this acceptable corporate behavior?

Social Media was blowing up with comments of concern for the safety of the reports but where were The corporations they work for? Do they feel this is dramatic television that people want to watch so they can make more money? Bullshit! This shows a total lack of care for human life!

Anderson was not the only reporter who put their life on the line, so did: Dylan Dryer and Ginger Zee and these are the ones I’ve heard of.

We have to stand up and say enough is enough! Let CNN, GMA, and The Today Show this cruel and unusual behavior by writing to the Media Corporations, taking to Social Media, and sending letters to your local media and your local political representative. Only we can make a difference because their employers will not.

Today The Testing Starts At The Mayo

October 15, 2024 Looking for the Light27 Comments

Yesterday we spent the day driving around in the countryside looking at farms and fields of solar panels. we went to his tiny lake, but the description did not match the actual place. It was a tiny man-made lake with a shoreline that kids swim in during the warmer months. We went to The Peace Center and watched a great program on Native American Indians, tribe members from all over the country participated. There were many different ceremonial dances by women and men, live tribal music, and singing. It was beautiful. Unfortunately, I left my phone behind and so far the photos my husband took are well….not so good.

We also checked out what building we needed to be at in the morning and where to park. We’re set. Tomorrow isn’t a long day. I will meet with an internal medicine doctor in the morning and pick up an oximeter machine on Tuesday night.

We have the late afternoon free if we don’t decide to take a nap. The weather is cold here and naps feel really good.

Wednesday starts early at 6:40 AM with blood work and closer to lunch a meeting with a Hematologist. I expect at least one diagnosis to come out of this meeting since most of the blood work being done is focused on the blood itself if that makes sense. One of the problems I currently have is that my hemoglobin is low which means it’s not carrying enough blood through my body.

Unless something is added to my program, I’m off on Thursday and back on Friday afternoon to meet with the Internal Medicine Doctor, I expect a diagnosis to come from this meeting.

Take good care of yourself and I’ll keep you posted if anything new comes up.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Survivor · Travel

Let’s Celebrate Columbus Day!

October 14, 2024 Looking for the Light2 Comments

To think for one moment about what Christopher Columbus accomplished is mind-blowing. He shaped our world, taught us about countries we didn’t know existed, and built solid teams committed to the cause. I would love to feel what Christopher felt when he landed in America, what was the emotion?

Who was Christopher Columbus?

Christopher Columbus (born between August 26 and October 31?, 1451, Genoa [Italy]—died May 20, 1506, Valladolid, Spain) was a master navigator and admiral whose four transatlantic voyages (1492–93, 1493–96, 1498–1500, and 1502–04) opened the way for European exploration, exploitation, and colonization of the Americas. He has long been called the “discoverer” of the New World, although Vikings such as Leif Eriksson had visited North America five centuries earlier. Columbus made his transatlantic voyages under the sponsorship of Ferdinand II and Isabella I, the Catholic Monarchs of Aragon, Castile, and Leon in Spain. He was at first full of hope and ambition, an ambition partly gratified by his title “Admiral of the Ocean Sea,” awarded to him in April 1492, and by the grants enrolled in the Book of Privileges (a record of his titles and claims). However, he died a disappointed man.

Christopher’s world travels lived on with many new discoveries including the Mayflower heading to America.

Melinda

References:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christopher-Columbus

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Soldiers Field Memorial Rochester, Minnesota

October 14, 2024 Looking for the Light4 Comments

The memorial is very nice, it was opened in 1996 and Rochester is very proud of the soldiers who gave all.

The day was extremely windy so I was not able to get many photographs but I’m thrilled with the ones I did, The images itched into the granite are breathtakingly real.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Good Morning From Rochester, Minnesota

October 13, 2024 Looking for the Light15 Comments

We landed last night with just enough light to find our car and head to Trader Joe’s for some goodies. We grabbed some dinner there so all we had to do was bring half a ton of luggage into the room and eat. My husband was happy because a college football game was on. After watching for a few minutes, I laid down to rest after an exhausting day at airports, walking and pulling luggage.

It’s very chilly here compared to home so I’m glad I brought my extra warm clothes. We’ve slept in this morning and plan to head out to see a few sites. I don’t know everywhere we’re going but I have the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the top of my list. I like to pay my respect when I travel, that’s the very least I can do.

Tomorrow is Columbus Day and a holiday for many, I will write a post about it this afternoon. We have free days until Tuesday and then it’s off to The Mayo for meetings with doctors, getting blood work, testing, and leaving with a diagnosis.

Have a great day.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Holiday · Men & Womens Health

Celebrate Yom Kippur

October 11, 2024October 11, 2024 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a day-long fast, confession, and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.

Observances: Fasting, prayer, abstaining from physical pleasures, refraining from work
Observed by: Jews, Samaritans
Significance: Atonement for personal sins, the fate of each person is sealed for the upcoming year

I pray your celebration is filled with love among family and friends.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Friday Quote

October 11, 2024 Looking for the Light4 Comments

Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward · Self-Care

National Depression Education and Awareness Month

October 10, 2024September 26, 2025 Looking for the Light5 Comments

This awareness month is critical for all ages, even the youngest of children can feel depression and even though you may think they should blow it off, it’s not that easy and you can alienate them from talking to you again. Today life is so hard on kids, from an early age they are judged for the way they look, and who their friends are, for any reason because there are so many who don’t know who to communicate with and are haters. Kids also mimic their parents, if your child is having problems, look at your own behavior.

Young girls are fed to believe that these so-called influencers are real perfect-looking people who are pumping the greatest products they have to have. It never crosses their mind that the person is not an influencer, they are made up to look like the girls want to be and they are selling a product they make money on. They don’t get it or don’t want to. They are bullied for being a certain weight or not looking like someone else’s unrealistic standards.

Mix in real life as they get older and a deeper depression may present itself, it could be short-term term or it could be from unresolved issues, one you may not even know about. The key is to get your children the help they need at every step. As they age, professional help may be the answer. Don’t let stigma keep your child from getting the help they need.

As for adults, life can get messy, people can hurt you deeply, someone you trusted can betray you and family can hurt the worst. Some people may be more predisposed to depression whereas others may be situational driven. Adults have their own stigma and don’t seek out help, some men don’t think they need help and some just don’t know where to turn because the answer is not their parents. This is where a therapist comes in, therapy can be short-term just to get over a hump or more long-term because you have many buried issues that need to be addressed.

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October is recognized as Depression Awareness Month each year. The purpose is to increase understanding, decrease stereotypes, and help educate on how depression and other mental health issues impact people.

Awareness months give people affected by a specific condition a chance to share their stories. The goal is to help increase the overall understanding of depression or other conditions and help overcome stereotypes.

Depression is a common mental health concern in America and throughout the world. Far more than just “feeling sad,” depression negatively impacts how a person feels, thinks, and acts. It can cause disruption to school, work, and personal interests.

Misconceptions and misunderstandings of depression contribute to continuing stigmas about people living with the condition, the reasons it occurs, and their willingness to seek care.

In a 2018 study, researchers conducted a survey to assess the public’s knowledge of depression and the severity of the stigma surrounding it. Key findings included:

30% reported believing a “weak personality” causes depression
58.9% reported believing that pharmaceutical interventions or medications are not an effective treatment
over 70% reported understanding the importance of rest and that a person may appear happier than they actually are when living with depression

Depression can wear you out at the exact time you need all of your strength to fight. Trying to cope is extremely tiring — and it’s often difficult to know when others are suffering. That’s why, during October, we observe National Depression Education & Awareness Month. This important holiday helps teach us about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for depression. It also lets all of us know that seeking help — either from a counselor, a trusted friend, or your community — is a sign of hope and strength.

References:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/depression-awareness-month

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health · Photography

Wordless Wednesday-Vibrant Orange

October 9, 2024 Looking for the Light13 Comments

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

I shop at a store on Amazon and sometimes they run off-the-cuff crazy steals, I bought this ceramic vase for $5! The fake flowers cost more. I love the bright and dark orange color combination.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness · Moving Forward

NAMI Texas Advocacy Newsletter

October 9, 2024 Looking for the Light4 Comments

The newsletter talks about how to vote, the players in Texas who are up for election, and additional resources. Sometimes these newsletters publish a link, not sure why I can see the content but WordPress turns it to a link. Please click on the link or copy in paste on your computer to read. This message is important to all Texans.

October 2024

Let’s get out and vote!!!!!!! Our voice needs to be louder than ever if policy changes are going to happen.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health · Music

Just Because It’s Tuesday! Keb Mo.-Put A Woman In Charge

October 8, 2024October 8, 2024 Looking for the Light3 Comments

This request came from my husband, I was quite shocked considering he’s never sent a request. I can’t wait to see the video. Thanks, Honey.

This is a great song, and Keb Mo has a beautiful voice.

Keb Mo. Homer, NY. 7/29/24. Put A Woman In Charge

https://youtu.be/WR3rOuseC7k?si=1n4AzdkXPJRwAX_f

Keb’s personality shines through, and my husband says all of his music is like that. I’ll be checking out more of his music.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward · Trauma

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month

October 8, 2024 Looking for the Light12 Comments

Losing a baby is a very personal matter and one that we don’t often hear or talk about unless you’re close to someone who has experienced that loss. At 19 I had a miscarriage at 4-5 months along and my then-husband didn’t even acknowledge the child or the death, we never talked about the entire night it happened. Instead, he went out of town with the guys the next morning and there was no conversation when he returned. I was devastated, had no ride home, and didn’t have anyone to help me with the pain. I was in shock seeing the baby in the toilet at the hospital but I never grieved.

I can’t imagine the grief of carrying a baby close to term or full term and then watching them die, it has to be gutwrenching. There are many children born with diseases or a defect and they fight for their lives, but it was not to be. The overwhelming pain can only be felt by the parents who lost their baby. Think about the pain felt when the parents get home to see the baby’s nursery they planned so carefully without their baby.

These are my thoughts on what Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month is, let’s see the official meaning of the day.

When Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month was proclaimed.

In 1988, President Ronald Regan proclaimed October Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is observed on October 15th each year and includes the International Wave of Light.

In the United States, 1 out of every 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage and 1 and every 160 pregnancies end in stillbirth. These numbers do not include infant death from preterm labor, diagnosis of life-limiting conditions, or SIDS.

What is Pregnancy Loss and Infant Loss Awareness Month?

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, observed every October, is dedicated to raising awareness about the grief and challenges faced by families who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of an infant. The month provides a platform for breaking the silence surrounding these often stigmatized and unspoken losses. Through various events, campaigns, and remembrance activities, it seeks to honor the lives lost, offer support to grieving parents, and educate the public on the impact of pregnancy and infant loss. It also encourages open conversations and fosters a sense of community among those affected.

When is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day?

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is observed on October 15th each year. It is a day dedicated to honoring and remembering babies who have passed away due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. Many people participate in the global “Wave of Light” by lighting candles at 7 PM in their local time zone to create a continuous wave of light across the world.

If you’ve lost a baby or know someone who has and wants to share their memory, consider setting up a memorial website on Ever Loved. Memorial websites are free, simple to use, and a beautiful place to share your baby’s obituary, event information, collect memories, and more.

What a beautiful way to memorialize your baby.

Melinda

References:

https://everloved.com/articles/living-with-grief/how-to-recognize-pregnancy-and-infant-loss-awareness-month/

Pregnancy, Infant, and Child Loss Awareness Month – Because of You, My Child

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Sober October

October 7, 2024 Looking for the Light18 Comments

I think the timing of Sober October is perfect, it comes right before the holidays and there is plenty of alcohol flowing at that time of year. Being or getting sober is damn hard any time of the year but during the holidays your endurance can get tested. For me to remain sober, I made it known that I had stopped drinking, that didn’t mean that others needed to stop but I wanted it known that this was a commitment to me and it was serious. I stopped drinking close to 20 years ago, went cold turkey, and never attended a meeting and my husband still drinks. Actually, he’s an alcoholic but that’s his choice. I had the strength to do it so quickly because it was affecting the medications for my mental illness and it’s hard to live without stability of the mind.

Don’t convince yourself that you can only have fun while drinking and stand firm that you can hang out with family or friends without drinking. One line to draw is that no one badgers you or says something negative because you’re not drinking. Give them one chance, stop the conversation, and set a boundary. If they can’t respect that, they are not your friend nor do they care about you. Parents and family can be the worst, hold the line clearly and if they break your boundary again don’t be around them. The psychology behind what they are doing quite frankly is disrespecting you.

Alcohol is like a drug, and you become addicted to it, it’s also easy to see alcohol as a comfort that makes the day easier. I get that, I understand that and I know that when you are ready to quit drinking YOU CAN. Seek out all the support you need, just don’t turn to a replacement addiction. Everyone is different and how we move past an addiction is different, don’t compare yourself to others, or buy into that you have to recover a certain way. There is no certain way, you have to make your own, just don’t do it alone.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Cooking · DIY · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-A Day in the Life of a Latvian Mom

October 7, 2024October 8, 2024 Looking for the Light4 Comments

Pardon the mess WordPress made out of the alignment. It looks fine in Editor but when reviewed it’s a complete mess. No surprise. Let’s put the frustration aside and enjoy reading about Ilze’s blog.

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog A Day in the Life of a Latvian Mom. Ilze and I haven’t followed each other long but you would never know it. We became fast friends and now we talk almost every day. She is inspirational, logical with a touch of whimsy, and I can’t forget to say what a great photographer she is.

A Day in the Life of a Latvian Mom

by Ilze

Hello! I’m Ilze, a mom of three wonderful kids who arrived in quick succession. This beautiful chaos led me to step away from my IT career to embrace motherhood fully.

Before becoming a mom, I built a career in IT, earning degrees in Programming and Computer Science. Almost two years ago, I accepted a position at a dream company after months of consideration, and I haven’t looked back since!

My blogging journey began with greeting card making, which eventually led to opening a photo studio to spend more time with my family. However, I soon realized I needed a change and discovered my love for making beeswax candles, experimenting with sweet aromas like green tea and lemon.

A couple of recent posts I particularly enjoyed:

Sunday: Finding the Light in One of Many Tunnels

One thing I admire about Ilze is she can multitask until bone tired and still find humor in the day. What a blessing. The greatest lesson I took away from the posts is there is Physics to everything and life is how we look at it. This is a photo of her husband on a Zoom call with colleagues in Canada while he’s holding the water over the outdoor shower so Ilze can take her shower. Life can’t get much funnier!

2023 Physics plays a role in everyday life!

Ilze is a devoted cook and has an archive full of delicious recipes to try your hand at. I saw this post and had to stop, drool, and think of how good it tasted. As my backing skills improve I will definitely try this cake. She has the ingredients and instructions laid out nicely so it is easy to follow.

I asked Ilze two questions:

What type of music she likes, why, and how has it changed her life? Her reply.

A song that’s close to me is “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin. There’s something so powerful and soulful about the way she sings it. The song reminds me of the importance of authenticity and emotional connection, both in my personal life and in my work. It’s uplifting and grounding at the same time, and it always inspires me to embrace who I am and what I do. What a great song of liberty!

Aretha Franklin – (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

The second question:

Tell me about your favorite job and what she learned from it, here’s her reply.

My favorite job is the one I’m currently in, which I started almost two years ago in client support. I enjoy it because it challenges me to think creatively and come up with solutions that aren’t always straightforward. I work with managers and stakeholders, helping them use the report-managing app eazyBI, which is a rewarding experience. What I’ve learned most from this job is how to assist with different management questions and how to build reports that are valuable for decision-making. Even when the work becomes overwhelming, I’m fortunate to have a great mentor and a supportive team, which has taught me the importance of collaboration and asking for guidance when needed.

Ilze is a multitasker to the nth degree, and she does it effortlessly, always with a good sense of humor, grounded in nature, and good manners, and being kind to all is not act! In her career, she’s been a professional photographer, had her own studio, and loves working in IT.

You are short-changing yourself if you don’t stop by and say hello, you’ll make a fast friend and her archives are a walk through nature, life, cooking, foraging, and remodeling an 1880 derelict house by hand.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Travel

Sending A Special Thank You To Fiji, Latvia, Samoa, Peru, China and Ukraine

October 6, 2024 Looking for the Light5 Comments

Thank you for visiting my blog and allowing me into your life, your time here makes me smile. I set a goal to travel the world when I was a child and get the chance through your visit. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to read a post or two and hope you’ve found something that resonates with you. I have not had a chance to visit your home country yet but it’s on my bucket list.

I’ve recently struck up a friendship with a woman in Latvia, and she has shared incredible photos of the countryside which gives me a taste of where she lives. You can find Ilze at A Day in the Life of a Latvian Mom. Yesterday I wrote a special post of support for Ukraine, you can find it here.

I look forward to seeing you again soon and please take good care of yourself in the meantime.

Melinda

Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

Feeling Invisible With A Stoma By Guest Blogger And Friend Invisibly Me

October 5, 2024 Looking for the Light5 Comments

Thanks to the incredible efforts of campaign groups, individuals, healthcare companies and charities, the world knows more about stomas. With that increased awareness comes a lot of good things, but unfortunately there’s still many ways in which those with an ostomy can feel ignored, misunderstood or sidelined. Here are just 5 ways in which we can be left feeling invisible with a stoma.

[ This post is in honour of 5th October Stoma Awareness Day 2024, the theme of which is “Do You See Me?”]

A photo of me standing up with hands on hips with a black top, jeans and long red hair. The top is pulled up slightly to show a red and white Hello Kitty themed stoma bag cover.

https://invisiblyme.com/feeling-invisible-with-a-stoma/embed/#?secret=KskeE0b8gb#?secret=8sm2aw2gcr

A close up photo of a purple sticker on a wooden door that reads "not all disabilities are visible", with the hashtag "stoma friendly".

Make to to spend time searching Caz’s archives, she has written on so many topics and has often shared how she’s battled her chronic illnesses.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward · Survivor · Trauma

Sending My Love & Support To Ukraine

October 5, 2024 Looking for the Light16 Comments

I had only heard of Ukraine a couple of times before Putin attacked Ukraine and knew nothing about Russia stealing Crimea away years prior. Since the war began, I think of Ukraine multiple times a day. The Ukrainian people are an example of community, love your neighbor, help one, help all, and they are strong to the core.

I’ve heard Ukrainians talk to reporters and talk about what happened to their house or how a family member was killed but one thing I DON”T hear is complaining. I believe in my heart that someone would share their last meal, true humanity.

I admire President Zelenski, he’s on the ground with the soldiers, and he talks about reality, he appears to be a humble man but with the strength of a million bulls. His determination and commitment to his country is why so many soldiers from other countries, including America came to fight in the war. He doesn’t put on airs, blow smoke, or play games. I love how he dresses the same regardless of who he meets, that tells me so much about him. He’s focused on the war, winning, and building a better life for all Ukrainians.

I have seen many interviews since the war started and I’m always struck by the resilience of the Ukrainian people. I see the sadness in their eyes yet I see hope. They have faith in a brighter day and make the best of every moment, and no doubt it’s much worse than what I see on television. To see neighbors taking care of a child who lost his mother while his father is on the front line is overwhelming heartbreaking and joyful, the child is not left aside, it’s loved and cared for. It’s a miracle.

I’ve gone out of my way to purchase items from Ukraine to help the few who can work continue to make a living. Etsy.com has a large community of Ukrainian sellers and they truly appreciate your business. The homemade wool items I’ve purchased from Woven Wool Art are high-quality and the seller will take custom orders. The extra cost of postage is nothing compared to helping someone who needs to work. Check Etsy out, if you order fast enough your items will get here by the holidays.

I’m sending hugs to all the Ukrainian people. :)

America would be a great place to live if we had leadership like President Zelenski.

Melinda