Friday, November 10, 2006

Yes, sometimes we do need some stinkin' badges

Perhaps you noticed those pretty round badges toward the bottom of my sidebar - if you didn't, don't worry I'll wait for you to go take a look.

*whistling*



*humming "Girl from Ipanema"*



*Tall and tan and young and lovely...*



You're back? Good. Let me explain the meaning behind those beauties.

Those badges are American Cancer Society - Fight Cancer badges to help raise awareness about the fight against cancer. My blog is sporting the lovely blue Colon Cancer Awareness badge and the equally stunning purple Relay for Life badge, two causes that are very near and dear to my heart.

I lost my mother to colon cancer (or, colorectal cancer, as it is often referred to now) just over 2 and a half years ago. Unfortunately, at the age of 44 years old, no doctor thought that the cause of her sickness and pain was colon cancer and in the time spent ping-ponging between doctors to get a correct diagnosis the cancer had a chance to get into her lympnodes before it was removed. She was 51 when she died. My daughter will never know her grandmother.

From the ACS website: "Other than skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 106,680 new cases of colon cancer and 41,930 new cases of rectal cancer in 2006 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 55,170 deaths."

55,170 deaths.

The age that most people are urged to get checked is 50, and though my hope is that everyone gets a colonoscopy as soon as they reach that magical number I also hope that people will listen to their bodies and force their doctors to give them the test if they believe it is needed. Insurance companies are not too keen on giving colonoscopies before the age of 50 so you have to fight for it. And fight you should - early detection is key to beating colon cancer. Did I make that clear enough? The number of cases of colorectal cancer has been going down in the past 15 years, thanks in part to early detection. Early detection = increased likelihood of not dying from this horrible disease. And it is horrible so, please, get checked as soon as you can.

Through all of this I became part of the Relay for Life, which I talked about extensively here.

If you like those buttons and you'd like to spread the word about cancer awareness (they have others: Breast, Lung, Ovarian, Cancer Survivor, etc.) go here. So far we are 209 strong, which means 209 blogs/websites have these badges displayed proudly.

When it comes to cancer (and especially colon cancer. Let's face it, few people want to talk about their colon) the more we talk about it the more awareness we raise, and with awareness comes more survivors.

Get a badge. What's a few more buttons on your sidebar?

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*The title of this post refers to quotes from this movie and this one. It has nothing to do with colons or rectums. What are you, six? Stop giggling.

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To lighten the mood:
In case you were interested, no, a burrito is not a sandwich. I've never been so proud to live in this part of the state as I am right now.

I've been to that "restaurant" once. Personally, I don't think Panera has anything to worry about. Their burritos can not be classified as a sandwich, nor can they be called "tasty".

33 comments:

Major Bedhead said...

Yeah, I had one of those once. Horrid thing, dry, flavourless and mainly rice. Nasty.

Panera is so much better.

Scribbit said...

Sorry to hear about your mother passing, what a difficult loss for you. Good for you being involved in the solution to such a horrible disease.

motherbumper said...

Great post and thanks for the badge information. I'm sorry you lost your mom at such a young age. What you wrote about is important for everyone to read.

I don't think I understand this sandwich debate, must go read your link.

Mamacita Tina said...

I'm going to the cancer badge site, my father had bladder cancer and hopefully won the battle. You're absolutely right, early detection is KEY!

Binky said...

Thanks for the info on the badges. Awareness is what it's all about. I'm sorry it's something that you, your mom, and your family were forced to become aware of in such a devastating way.

Anonymous said...

I got some badges!!!! Thank you for the link...I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was 17 and I just recently lost my uncle to colon cancer...It is a sucky disease and every bit helps the fight!!!!

Radioactive Tori said...

I'm so glad you chose some badges. Sorry you need to know cancer and the yuckiness it brings, but happy you are helping to raise awareness! Did you know when I first put mine on my blog, there were only a little over 100? That's 100 less than there are now! Excellent!

carrie said...

Thank you Chicky, for raising awareness of a disease that is so near to everyone's hearts!

Carrie

ewe are here said...

Two years and three months ago, I lost my dad on the fourth to last day of his treatment for cancer; the chemo was too much for his heart. The sadly ironic part?: he'd beaten the cancer.

Thank you for the post and the information re badges.

Kristi said...

We are going through a cancer scare right now with my mom. Talk about the ping-pong game of diagnosis; it is absurd. We are hoping for some answers this week.

Thanks for the link to that site.

Amy said...

My badges are up, and I've written about this often. Thank you for this post, and for the kinship, dreadful though it may be.

The Domesticator said...

Awareness and early detection are the key. I remember your posts about your mom and the Relay For Life. Again, I am sorry for your loss. It must be painful, especially having a child of your own :(

My husband, who is 40, has already been for a colonoscopy, as his father and grandfather both had colon cancer. His GF died from it. His Dad was given a 5% survival chance of five years(Grade 4 invasive colon cancer with metastasis to various sites)
That was fifteen years ago, and he is cancer free.

PunditMom said...

Thanks for the info on this. My best friend of 25+ years died this past August from breast cancer and I lost my mother-in-law to ovarian several years ago. I am proud to display these buttons on my site, especially to honor my friend Marjorie (who I've blogged about a few times since she died).

Also, thanks for the nudge about the colonoscopy. I'm not 50 year, but the M.D.s have been suggesting I get one and I've been putting it off ... I will listen to you and them and get off my arse and get it scheduled.

Anonymous said...

Great post. Great badges. Great you.

Yep...I'm six, still giggling at title.

Anonymous said...

I already know skin cancer (3 different kinds! including the deadliest!) runs in my family (mum's in remission) and have been doing the terry fox run for cancer research since I was 7. Great way to support a great cause

So sorry to hear about your mum. I can't imagine a world without mine (though I've had to try). a

PunditMom said...

And thanks for the Blazing Saddles reference!

Girlplustwo said...

ah. good for you. thank you for reminding me of the obvious - that others are struggling with detectable illnesses every single day, and we can be part of the solution.

Anonymous said...

Good reminders, thank you. We should all strive to be more informed about our health. At the very least, go get an annual checkup. Choose a primary care provider and see him/her regularly. Pay attention to your body and any changes you notice.

Prevention and/or early detection. We pay through the nose for our health care coverage - we should use it. Same goes for our neighbors up north - it may be administered differently, but it still costs us. Get our money's worth!

Unknown said...

Great post on a worthwhile cause. My hubby had cancer a while back and sometimes gets frustrated when the only cure we focus on is for breast cancer. Sad to say there are many other forms out there....

SUEB0B said...

Avoiding the difficult subjects and getting right to the trivial, that's me - I ate at Qdoba once when they moved in to the area and gave us free burrito coupons. Yuck! They steam their tortillas until they are gummy and then serve the taste-free burritos with cilantro-lime rice that borders on being sour. Ick.

If they are going to give away free coupons, they should make sure the food is edible first.

Blog Antagonist said...

A good friend of ours was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer, at age 37. He is fighting hard, and his prognosis is as good as it can be under the circumstances. I'm going to get a badge for my blog too. Thanks for telling me about it.

I'm so, so sorry about your Mom. I can't imagine losing mine. My mom is still alive, but she suffered significant heart damage because her disease was not diagnosed even though she presented classic symptoms of her disease. Her life expectancy has been drastically shortened because of it, and I have a lot of anger about it.

Anonymous said...

This is a great idea. I've lost many relatives to many types of cancer. It is a good idea to be aware!

Unknown said...

Wow. I can't believe these big companies would sink so low- actually I take that back. I do believe it- but over a burrito??? COME ON!

Lisa said...

My dad's side of the family has alot of cancer... Scarey... So it is a cause that means alot to me...

Very cool that you got those buttons. Yeay!

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother.

Such an important post.

Ruth Dynamite said...

My grandfather died of colon cancer.

Thanks for the important message!

Pendullum said...

Sorry for your entire family's loss.
And thank you for the insight and the information!

Mom101 said...

You are the next Katie Couric! Good for you lady. I'm impressed that you can turn grieving into something so altruistic and positive.

Lawyer Mama said...

I'm so sorry about your mother, but thank you for the information. I had no idea.

And can you imagine a burrito at Panera? Ewwwww.

ms blue said...

The buttons are snazzy. Helping raise awareness is so important because early detection is vital. It's good to see since you've added them, even more people got to it!

Sandra said...

You inspire me lady. Awareness is one of the most important thing that you can do to help issues like this. So often with the publicty surrounding the pink ribbon campaign we forget the other critical issues out there that need our support. Big hugs to the amazing Mrs. Chicky!

mod*mom said...

i just found y0ur blog + i love it!
as a mom with cancer, i've met so many nice people at chemotherapy + radiation that said they felt fine until the doctor told them they had cancer. it's really stealthy until it's too late.
awareness + surveillance is key!

SJINCO said...

I just posted a few cancer awareness badges on my blog! My father is a survivor, and so is an aunt of mine. Thanks for the link to do this, and for the information. Awareness is key!