January: Thrills & Chills

January got off with a bang, didn't it?  No sooner did we start drafting resolutions about eating healthy foods, exercising and getting organized than an arctic wave the size of Mars covered a great deal of the US and Europe.


In Houston this brings schools to a close.  On a closer note the cold brings more suffering to the homeless and many women undergoing chemotherapy.  Weakened immune systems mean additional precautions (wash hands, wash hands, wash hands), extra rest and nutritious foods. Why is it that the simplest things to do (rest, drink fluids, s-l-o-w and take care) are sometimes the hardest to implement?  Look at this  way:  if you are undergoing treatment for cancer or know someone who is:  these simple measures can be life saving.
There are lots of things on my mind today but here are the top two:


1)  It's not about the bra, is it?


If battling cancer were as easy as calling out the color of our lingerie (a new meme on FB, where everyone else knows and you are the last to find out) then a lot of people wouldn't need to work has hard as they do.  It ain't about your bra color baby, for breast or any other kind of cancer......or am I just being crabby?  One of the greatest things about this community of women is the ease in which we state our opinions, agree, disagree, and go on about our business.


2)  January:  Cervical Cancer Awareness


We know cervical cancer screenings save lives. Now scientists also understand that  HPV -- the human papilloma virus -- is responsible for the majority of  the 9700 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed every year.  The new vaccine protects against four different strains of HPV.  The pap test though -- in and of itself -- has reduced cervical cancer rates in the United States by more than 70%.  That's something.  Below I've listed two excellent sources for you about cervical cancer:

• The National Cervical Cancer Coaltion  http://www.nccc-online.org 
• Tamika and Friends http://www.tamikaandfriends.org/ a grassroots effort by an incredible survivor and LiveStrong leader, Tamika Felder.  Both sources can help you get to where you need to go!

Next week I'll be talking about the big cancer stories of the last decade and a few resolutions we can all make to help unite ALL women with cancer. 


Love and blessings,
Jody


PS -- Loving the snow in Iowa over Christmas and having a blast.