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TrueBritt	You cannot discover new oceans until you have courage to lose sight of the shore

TrueBritt
read my profile sign my guestbook Interests: music, sports, tattoos, scuba diving, reading, running, and more. Expertise: I work in corporate radio Occupation: Marketing Industry: Entertainment Message: message me Member Since: 1/7/2004 True

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Saturday, November 07, 2009

Lung Cancer Awareness Month CONTINUES!

Keep the info going! Please rec my previous post!

Also, if you have lost a family member or friend to lung cancer, please post their name here. With more people dying every year from lung cancer than ALL other cancers combined, we should have a long list. I will make a memoriam post at the end of the month.

Would you like a homemade Awareness ribbon for FREE?!?!

Send me your address & I will make & mail! All you have to do is promise to wear it and tell people about Lung Cancer Awareness.

1:01 PM - 16 views - 6 eprops - 4 comments - email it

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Did you know that? Before I told you?

Did you know that lung cancer kills more people every year than ALL other cancers combined?

And yet you never hear about it, because it's largely considered a "smoker's disease," and that they "did it to themselves." While it may still be true that most lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking cigarettes, there's a few important things to remember:
1) Even if those that die are smokers, they deserve our empathy because no one wants to die- especially from their addiction.
I lost my mom to lung cancer, and she was only 56 years old. Yes, she was a smoker. And yes, her unhealthy choice cost her everything- but she didn't want to die. The damage had been done and was too late. By the time those diagnosed with lung cancer truly realize their mistake in smoking cigarettes, its too late. We must do everything we can to educate people on the dangers of inhaling poison into their bodies so that they can make the right decision and not smoke. Right before my mom died, she turned to me and said she was sorry. I knew what she meant, and I wish I could go back in time and help her quit.
2) The cases that are not smoking related are growing at an alarming rate.
Now everyone, even those that don't smoke, have a chance at getting this deadly form of cancer. You can blame asbestos, 2nd hand smoke, and other factors, but nothing is more of a carcinogen than the polluted cities we live in and breathe the air from. Everyday our cities get more crowded and there's more pollutants in the air that we breathe in, and they are doing us considerable damage. So its not just a smoker's disease anymore.
3) Lung cancer is just as preventable as breast cancer and other types of cancer.
First and most important thing you can do to prevent lung cancer? Don't smoke. It may not be just a smoker's disease anymore, but most of the cases are still cigarette related (87% of lung cancer cases come from those who have smoked or are considered smokers). Second most important thing you can do- as a smoker and non-smoker- is to get a complete health screening!!! Every year on her birthday, my mom got a physical. And every year, her doctor gave her a clean bill of health, regardless of the fact that he knew she smoked cigarettes. If even one year, he had given her a chest x-ray, she might have caught her cancer early, and she'd be here today. Even if you have quit smoking, the damage you did in the years you inhaled cigarette smoke may already have been done. Turns out approximately 50% of lung cancer occurs in people who have already quit. So just as you would give yourself a breast exam, or go for a colonoscopy, please ask your doctor for a chest x-ray. It's worth what you might find.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest form of cancers, almost 84% of those diagnosed die within 5 years (my mom didn't even make it to 2), and again, you almost never hear about it. To witness the discrepancy consider the research funding for lung cancer- $1,415 per death, breast cancer- $13,991 per death, and colon cancer- $4,952 per death. I'm not saying those other cancers aren't terrible and those deaths are considerable losses, I'm just trying to bring attention to a topic everyone keeps avoiding.
I refuse to sugar-coat it for anyone after watching my mom die. I'm a former smoker myself, and I can tell you it's not hard to quit. And once you see someone suffer for their "choice" to smoke, you start to open up the dialogue and not care if people don't want to hear it. So it starts with me.

There aren't white ribbons on cars, NFL games, and shirts for lung cancer the way pink ribbons abound. No one walks for 3 days to bring awareness to the cause. And when a celebrity dies of lung cancer, it's more of an "oh, that's what happened" response rather than the incredible mourning if one dies from another type of cancer (example: look at the sadness revolving around Patrick Swayze's pancreatic cancer death compared to Paul Newman, a former smoker's, lung cancer death). WE MUST SPREAD THE WORD. Lung cancer can no longer be a silent killer, allowing millions of us to mourn in it's destructive wake.

Please join me in dedicating at least ONE xanga post this month to Lung Cancer Awareness.

You are the answer. We can prevent this. We can stop lung cancer. And maybe just one more girl will be able to grow up with her mom around because we stopped hiding and started talking.
(get details from the National Lung Cancer Partnership here)

thank you. (and thanks in advance to any 'recs' for this post)

Currently
Cross Road
By Bon Jovi
Livin On a Prayer
see related

12:42 AM - 44 views - 24 eprops - 14 comments - email it

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

superb!

Check out my friend dukebold's video! I love it!

Masters of Daring from Evolution Arts on Vimeo.

1:13 AM - 15 views - 6 eprops - 3 comments - email it

Monday, October 26, 2009

Feeling sick? Here are my remedies.

Ah yes. The cold/flu season. Despite getting a flu shot every year, I usually get sick. They are mostly colds, but last year I got the flu for 3 days and thought I was dying. It wasn't until I turned on the heat with some of my personal remedies that I started to feel better.
With everyone worried about swine flu (instead of just the regular flu which still kills more people each year), I thought I'd hand off a few of my remedies.
First, let's define the difference between "flu" and "cold." I've been kind of disappointed by a few people in my life who have gotten sick, and immediately said they had swine flu. It's not that common and most people are still suffering from colds and sinus infections brought on by allergies and other irritants.
There are differences to help you determine your illness:

Symptoms	Cold	Flu

Fever	Rare	Characteristic, high (100-102 degrees F); lasts 3-4 days

Headache	Rare	Prominent

General Aches, Pains	Slight	Usual; often severe

Fatigue, Weakness	Quite mild	Can last up to 2-3 weeks

Extreme Exhaustion	Never	Early and prominent

Stuffy Nose	Common	Sometimes

Sneezing	Usual	Sometimes

Sore Throat	Common	Sometimes

Chest Discomfort, Cough	Mild to moderate; hacking cough	Common; can become severe

Complications	Sinus congestion or earache	Bronchitis, pneumonia; can be life-threatening

Prevention	Good hygiene	Annual flu shot or FluMist

Treatment	Only temporary relief of symptoms	Antiviral drugs (oseltamivir or zanamavir) within 24-48 hours of onset

Chart courtesy of webmd.
Swine flu varies little from the regular flu. It is somewhat more dangerous to the young, old, and sick because it has a slightly different genetic makeup to regular flu and our bodies lack a resistance to it. A H1N1 flu shot could be very helpful in this way, allowing our bodies to make the antibodies to fight it that we didn't have. However, remember that a flu shot is injecting yourself with the actual virus- and since it's new, there have been few tests and we don't know what we are dealing with. The healthy should make it an option to receive this shot, while those who are young, old and sick, should heavily consider it.

What should you do if you get sick?
1) STAY HOME from work or school unless it's absolutely necessary for you to be there.
Are you a genuine rocket scientist? Maybe you're Barack Obama and the free world requires you to work everyday. But if you're a receptionist, work in a cubicle farm or any other form or lesser job- STAY HOME. Not only can you make other people sick, you can make yourself sicker with all the other pathogens you'll come into contact with. ick. So unless free trade will discontinue and wars will break out, stay home. You'll feel better in your bed than a desk anyway.

2) WASH YOUR HANDS, COVER YOUR MOUTH
its the best way to make sure you aren't spreading your germs to others. And if you're well, these are important as well. The germs that cause infections and flu live in your throat and nostril and are likely there even when you're well. But spread them to the outside world where they can flair and become contagious, and you're a walking disease pit.

3) DRINK FLUIDS
Duh. But a lot of people still continue to drink soda when sick. It can't be said enough- drink water! Lots of it! Whatever your normal h20 take in is, double it! Triple it! Don't let your body get dehydrated. Also good? Hot tea and juices (just watch the calories in the latter). Recently read an email from a friend that says hot beverages help keep you healthy because they wash down the bacteria and viruses that live in your throat to an environment (your stomach) where they cannot thrive. So, drink up.

4) MUCINEX
I swear by this stuff!!!
The problem with Dayquil, Nyquil and all other Over The Counter medicines? They treat only your symptoms and not fix the problem. That's why people end up taking them for weeks- and still feel crappy.
Mucinex is guaifenesin- and it used to be available ONLY by prescription until a few years ago. It is an expectorant that will loosen the mucus in your head and chest, helping you to feel better. It will take 3-4 days to officially kick in. Whatever the max dosage is per day- TAKE that. If they say to take 1-2 tablets 2x a day, take 2 tablets 2x a day. And you have to take it until the whole bottle is gone! The best is Mucinex D- Mucinex with pseudoephedrine. It will dry up your mucus. It will work. You will feel better. Especially for colds, this will "fix" you. Yes, it's expensive, but I promise it works. Don't doubt Nurse Britties.

5) All other REMEDIES
For me, the worst thing when I'm sick is missing my mom. So I do all the things that she would do for me, to help feel better. Aside from drinking water, taking Mucinex and staying home, I eat popsicles like they're going out of style, eat chicken soup with Tabasco (YUM!) and if I'm hungry enough mac & cheese (the real stuff) with salsa, dose my nose with Afrin (to clear head fast) and Saline solution (to make sure nostrils don't dry out too much and cause an infection), and to make sure to sleep- an OTC sleep aid or Nyquil.

I hate being sick. Partially cause I'm all alone, I feel miserable, and when I'm off work I have to rest? boooo. But these help me feel better fast. I hope my remedies can help you too.

What are your remedies?

1:21 AM - 10 views - 4 eprops - 4 comments - email it

Saturday, October 24, 2009

stolen from suggestivetongue:

THREE WAYS I AM STILL A KID:

1. I LOVE the state fair! The games, rides, food....

2. I still own all my beanie babies and collect stuffed animal sharks from around the world

3. I cry for my mom when I'm sick

THREE WAYS I AM ALREADY OLD:

1. I don't like to go out drinking on the weeknights anymore. I'd rather come home from work, watch the news, cook dinner, play online, play my guitar, and go to bed!

2. Bon Jovi is considered classic rock?!? WTF?

3. I own my own house, pay a mortgage & bills, have taken a case to court, and have other responsibilities I didn't when I was younger.

THREE THINGS I WANT TO DO:

1. Travel the world

2. Get married and have a big family!

3. Today? Run (on my new treadmill), get a mani/pedi, buy my face soap, go to Nick's wedding!

THREE WAYS THAT I'M A STEREOTYPICAL "BOY":

1. I am obsessed with football. Seriously. Do not disturb me!

2. (Not so much anymore) But I used to hook up with guys, then not call them back. If I could leave while they were sleeping, even better.

3. I can drink beer and chug one down with the best of 'em!

THREE WAYS THAT I'M A STEREOTYPICAL "GIRL":

1. I'm a very proud sorority girl

2. I painted half my room pink! (the other half is brown. its super cool)

3. I won't leave the house without makeup.

THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:

1. my green eyes. yes they are that green, no i don't wear contacts.

2. Boobs! heh- since I paid for them!

3. My independence.

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:

1. Arachnids-- Spiders/scorpions

2. abandonment

3. MRSA

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:

1. exercise

2. music

3. internet!

THREE THINGS YOU JUST CAN'T DO:

1. a cartwheel- never could!

2. math. ugh.

3. be mean to an animal or child

THREE CAREERS YOU'RE CONSIDERING:

1. A&R rep for record company

2. Party Planner (esp weddings!)

3. Lung Cancer cure advocate

THREE places you feel at home:

1. Home

2. Puerto Penasco, Mexico

3. my grandma's kitchen- Independence, Iowa

FIVE ways to win your heart:

1. Make me laugh

2. have accountability for you & your life

3. Show you're caring to someone else

4. be opinionated and compassionate

5. play guitar (sorry! I'm a sucker for a boy with a guitar)

FOUR things that cross your mind a lot:

1. I wish he were different, that he could change (but know he's not and that I can move on now)

2. How to get the ultimate career in music

3. Food and exercise

4. my family

THREE things you do before you fall asleep:

1. Turn on the house alarm

2. turn on the tv

3. brush my teeth, wash my face, set my alarm clock

TWO songs that mean something to you

1. "Mean" Pink

2. "Arizona" Bomshel

ONE confession:

1. I still don't know who I am everyday

3:14 PM - 20 views - 10 eprops - 9 comments - email it

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