Continuing Education

Well, it's been awhile since I've updated. Pure exhaustion is the culprit. Starting in October, I noticed a definite change in my energy levels along with a multitude of mysterious symptoms. One of them being consistent brain fog. I attempted to write many a time, but every time I would proofread my posts, they just didn't. make. sense. It ended up being a jumbled mess.

Fast forward to February 2nd, 2010. I was diagnosed with chronic Lyme Disease. Ironically, that was the same date that I was diagnosed with my breast cancer, 6 years ago.

So why am I sharing this? Life is a journey and a constant learning experience. Years ago, I joked that I would be content to be a life long student. Life is certainly giving me plenty of opportunities to learn, research, and grow. As I started this new journey, I realized that this diagnosis is just another opportunity to use my research skills and then share with people what I've learned.

After seeing 4 new doctors in 3 different states, I think I'm on the right track to treating this disease effectively. There is a long road ahead of healing, however, I am ready. I have read 6 books, watched 5 documentaries, chatted online with other Lyme Disease sufferers, talked on the phone with 2 other strangers (one of whom I can now call friend) and have read for countless hours on the internet. All of this in attempts to be as educated as possible about this next leg of this journey -- all for better health.

I have always encouraged people to take control of their own health. YOU will be the only person who knows your body best. You are the best advocate of your own health. It is up to you to speak up and keep searching for answers until you are satisfied. No one will be more concerned about your well being than you. I pray that you are healthy. If you are not at your optimum health, then I encourage you to take charge of your health!

In my quest for my own personal health, I have learned much. So feel free to ask. I would love to help.

Breast Cancer Awareness

It's only appropriate as we enter the month of October, that I remind all you women out there to check yourself and to remind all your friends. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I never thought I would be diagnosed at age 26, but there I was, a young mother of 2 toddlers, knee deep in dishes, diapers, laundry, nursing, cooking, cleaning. I didn’t have time to check myself for breast cancer. I have to admit that at the time I rarely ever did my monthly self checks.

However, my Breast Cancer presented itself not in a lump, but in the form of a cracked and bleeding, and eventually, VERY itchy, nipple. All too often, Paget’s Disease gets overlooked because it is so rare. It is actually just as rare as Male Breast Cancer. Paget’s Disease accounts for about 1% of all Breast Cancers, while Male Breast Cancer accounts for about 1% as well. About half the people who are diagnosed with Paget’s Disease feel a lump, while others do not. In my case, I did not have a lump.

The demographics for Paget’s Disease are usually women in their 60’s and also men in their 60’s. Also, there is a corollary factor with women who don’t have children or have them later in life and Paget’s. It is said for a woman to get it in her 20’s is extremely rare. I also had two children at the time too. I guess I’m a rare one! I knew it was very rare when I was at a doctors appointment the week I was diagnosed. I was getting a second opinion at a major teaching hospital in Chicago. The head breast surgeon there examined me, confirmed the diagnosis and then asked if her med students could come in and take a look. In the name of science and education, why not! So, in piled 15-20 med students in this little tiny room. I noticed that most of these students were my age. The surgeon, in all seriousness, began to explain to the students all the technical terms, symptoms, and things to look at when they filed by me. I felt a little like a lab rat, but hey, if by having these handful of people examine me and learn what to look for in other women, it could help save someone else's life someday, then it was all worth it! I did recall the doctor saying as they filed in and out in an assembly like fashion, “Take a good look at this and notice all the cracks, indentations, scabbing, and size. You won’t probably ever again in your career see another Paget’s case in a patient so young. Gina is currently 26. Remember that.”

So while I recognize that my experience with Breast Cancer was a very rare one, not every woman is as “lucky”. By lucky, I mean that my symptoms were very evident, albeit misdiagnosed for a year, obvious nonetheless. Lumps can go undetected. So get to know your body and check yourself every month! Tell the women in your life to check themselves and have anything suspicious checked out by a doctor. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. ONE in EIGHT! Those are high odds, but early detection really does make a difference in survival rate. Remember also, that most breast cancers are not related to family history at all.

For more information on Paget’s Disease please feel free to contact me.

To learn more and to get involved, see also:

• Paget’s Cancer Awareness Act HR 822. This is a current bill, introduced in the House. Please vote on this at www.govit.com and write to your legislators to let them know you want more awareness of Paget’s Disease.
• I am currently working on a book as it relates to my breast cancer experience. Coming soon!
• If you want to join me locally, we do the Breast Cancer Network of Strength (formerly Y-ME) every Mother’s Day. I am also a volunteer with this organization.
  

Learning Through My Children's Eyes

Not a day goes by that I don't enjoy seeing the "ah ha" moment in one of my child's eye. I love teaching them, but even more, I love seeing them "get it" and love to learn. Today was one of those days.

Isabelle was having a hard time with math and after several practice rounds of place value notation examples, she smiled a huge grin and said, "Mom, I know how to do this now! This makes sense and is so easy!" I love watching that light bulb moment and for them to get so excited that they have just learned something new!

Another one of those moments happened this morning as well. Two in one day! I was reading to them, "The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt" by G.A. Henty. We are about half way through the novel and in the heart of action! I read to them for about 45 minutes and when the chapter ended, I closed the book and said that we would read more tomorrow. All three kids groaned and were disappointed that I had stopped. Isabelle said, "You always stop at the good parts!" They wanted to hear more of this thrilling tale of life in Egypt, a sacred cat and wanted men out on the loose. I love that my "job" is to read thrilling educational novels to them "during school hours". We are all learning together and have great conversations about the historical fiction we read together.

One of my desires for them is that they love to learn. I hope that my excitement for the love of learning continues to rub off on them.

Teaching them can be a tough job, but it can be tremendously rewarding as well. Like when my three year old uses the name Methuselah in a sentence (correctly I might add) like it's an everyday part of his language, I just grin and hope this love affair with learning continues.

It is days like this that remind me in part of why I'm homeschooling them!

Bit My Tongue!

There are some lessons I need to learn over and over before they "stick". One of these lessons is biting my tongue when I'm tempted to just say what's on my mind or the first thought that pops into my head. I'm learning that just because it pops into my head, doesn't mean it needs to come out of my mouth. I don't think I was born with a natural filter that evaluates these thoughts. :)

Although I still have a hard time with filtering my thoughts, I have seen some improvements lately. Because I know this is an area of weakness for me, I am conscious of the progress I am making. I had an opportunity this week to reflect on that.

Awhile back, I made a commitment to get rid of all the 'negative talk' both in my head and what left my lips. It has improved, but I can still get sucked in to negative conversations once in awhile. I was at a meeting where people were complaining about their spouses. I think it's easy to fall into the typical stereotypical images that our society portrays as it pertains to our roles in our marriages or just as men and women. I noticed that this group of people was no different. Normally, I would nod and agree and maybe be involved with the conversation. What surprised me was that it was EASY for me NOT to get into the conversation. I was not even tempted. It was easy to bite my tongue after many months of practice. The 'negative talk' has diminished over the years. I am now focusing on being a more positive person.

It was refreshing to realize that I CAN change! I've learned that your thoughts really do shape your character. What do your thoughts portray to people? Think about that for a minute....Because what you are thinking, will become your character.

Change

Change. I don't like it. However, it seems that's what keeps me going on this roller coaster called life.

Some of our dear friends just moved out of state.

We found out about 2 weeks before the move, that they would be relocating. The news was certainly a shock, that was also mixed with "selfish sadness" as I like to call it. I'm sad because they have had such an impact on our lives and I am sad for myself and my family that we will be losing the physical closeness of this part of our family. They have been there for us for the past 4 and half years through some pretty rough spots....cancer, kids, surgeries, marriage problems, family struggles, and much more. They have also been here for some really fun times too!

God has a plan. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Though sad, I've been able to reflect back on just how much I've seen God's fingerprint on all they have brought to our lives. They have changed my life for the better. I've had to go through (and am still going through) some pretty difficult transformations with their help, love, and support. It's amazing to me to see just how awesome His plan has been and to be forever grateful for the time we've had together these past 4 1/2 years.

I've realized that change is inevitable. Nothing stays the same. It can be a catalyst to grow. It gets me out of my comfort zone and forces me to rely solely on God and trust in Him. I may not like the journey sometimes, but I can hold on tight, trust in Him, and enjoy the ride!

The Heart of the Matter

I sat down with a new friend today. We quickly learned we had much in common and many common friendships throughout the community. It's such a small world! Well, I suppose when you live in a small community, it's bound to happen.

As we chatted, the subject turned to homeschooling and how I enjoy it. She asked how I did it all; meaning how I educate them and run the house and a home business. I pondered for a second, and then said to her:

"If I don't have my child's heart, I won't have their mind. I can't teach them anything academic if I their character is lacking and if they don't obey. They won't obey if their attitude is not right. For example, if I get them to obey me out of fear of punishment, but their attitude is rotten inside, then I've just created an angry, resentful child who will keep their emotions bottled up. So getting them to just change behavior is not enough. I'm looking for them to change their heart (their attitude). If Jack Henry hits Gabriel, it's not enough to get him to stop hitting. I have to talk to him to understand WHY he's hitting him and the emotions and feelings that led him to do the behavior. Then he can work on the core character that led him to his actions. Once we can establish the character, which is a constant process, we can then move on to academics. Academics at this point are secondary and a natural progression to the character training we've been doing for years."

This important piece I have learned in various arenas, including messages as church, speakers at homeschooling conferences, the Bible, and other great books and resources.

For more information visit:

www.voddiebaucham.org
Listen to his talk on "Centrality of the Home"

www.doorposts.com
Good information on Character building for our children

There is so much to share with you! This is my first post on my NEW blog. I hope you find this informative and fun.

My first post will be a little background about me if you are not familiar with me and my stories.

Someone once told me that I am "living in a soap opera world". That was 17 years ago. If foreshadowing was ever so true, then that comment and the events that have transpired since then, prove it.

Just a few bullet points to highlight my life and the roller coaster I've been on:

• I'll be married 10 years next month.
• I have 3 kids.
• I have one stepchild.
• I've had a rare form of breast cancer at the age of 26.
• I've had a lot of health problems which has inspired me to educate others about cancer, nutrition and breastfeeding.
  
• I am not exempt from the trials and tribulations of marriage.
• In the midst of kids and cancer, I found God.
• I home educate my 3 kids and support and inspire others who want to do the same.

So what does disciple mean?

The textbook definition is:

dis·ci·ple (d-spl)

n.

1.

a. One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.

b. An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy.

2. often Disciple One of the original followers of Jesus.

3. Disciple A member of the Disciples of Christ.

My goal is to help teach others from my life experiences and have fun doing it!

So come back, bring a cup of tea and enjoy!