You don’t have to have cancer to know its woeful effects. Few people know this better than my mother.
While my dad’s side of the family has been ravaged with cancer, my mother’s side has been impressively healthy. I know of no cancer in her genes. Some of her forbearers have threatened to reach the century mark. I can remember her grandmother kicking around when she was in her nineties, still spry and witty.
Come to think of it, I can’t remember my mother ever being sick. I’m sure it’s happened, but there certainly wasn’t much fanfare about it. I recall her mentioning a ruptured appendix when she was a child. Other than that, I think her only trips to the hospital have been to deliver her four children. Try to guess my mother’s age by her appearance, and I’ll just about guarantee you that you’ll be off by ten or fifteen years. She’s done that good a job of taking care of herself.
And yet, she hasn’t been able to avoid cancer’s heavy hand.
Imagine what it must be like to have a son and husband deal with prostate cancer, and a daughter who is now in the midst of her second fray with breast cancer. My mom was there to support her spouse as he buried his father, then one sister, then another, and then yet another as they all surrendered to cancer. What a challenge it has been for her to stay strong, supportive, and encouraging. It has to be exhausting. And yet, she is no worse for the wear.
My mother has always been my spiritual guide. She made it clear to all of her children early on that Sundays and Wednesday nights meant church, and it was best not to protest. Trips away from home didn’t mean a vacation from Sunday services. Even a sojourn to the beach meant packing a coat and tie beside the towels and the SPF 30. Temperate and firm, she laid a solid foundation built with the help of the Lord. I learned to admire her unwavering faith , just as I lionized the athletes I so wanted to emulate. There is a peace about her that nothing seems to rattle.
The strength that stirs from her walk with God has served her well lately. She has been a solid figure for my father to lean on in his moments of despair. She has been a constant presence for my sister during her treatments. She was a loving voice that kept me from bending when cancer tried to weigh me down.
Through it all, mom has not complained or worried. She’s been our lighthouse in a stormy, foggy sea, shining a large beam of love to guide us home. Cancer will, no doubt, send a few more choppy waves our way. Mom will keep us from capsizing.
I procrastinate badly. I suppose if I was a kid today, they'd say I have ADD. In any event, this extends to things that I'm "supposed" to do "for my own good."
Years ago, I walked everywhere. Living in Washington, DC at the time, that was an easy matter. I went to school at Howard University, and while I took the bus and subway everywhere, walking was the preferred form of transportation - so I walked. All the way down 16th Street from Carter Barron down to the White House. From Capitol Hill to Georgetown, and across the Key Bridge and well out into Arlington. Hither and yon.
I also ran a handful of 10K races - it was almost a requisite matter; I worked both for Nike and for sportswear company Moss Brown during school.
At that point in time, I weighed 150 pounds soaking wet. Hitting fast forward for 25 years puts me here, at about twice that size. Along with the procrastination, I have become a far bigger man than I ever would have wanted to.
A couple of years ago, I walked the US 10K in Cobb County, up US 41 with my son (that's the pic of me in that race above). After trudging up and down the hills on Cobb Parkway, I racked up a 1:55 time. Not spectacular, but at least I did it. I walked one or two 5K races shortly afterward, but backed off and languished, yet again.
Okay. So I've finally decided that I'm tired of looking at twice the man I once was in the mirror in the mornings, and am worried about my health. My younger brother suffered a massive stroke a couple of years ago, and is still recovering. While he was much larger than I am when he had that stroke, I don't want to go down that path. Talk about a rude wake up call.
Looking around for a decent program that I could use to get myself in gear, I stumbled upon a web-based program called "Couch to 5K." The gist of the idea is that you start from literally nothing and work your way up to being able to run a solid half-hour without stopping. I'm cautiously optimistic.
Here at 11Alive, we've got a gym, so I'm able to use the treadmill at lunchtime. I ran the first day last Wednesday, and thought I was going to drop on the spot. One knee and the other ankle were stiff afterward, and I started having second thoughts. Mind you week one is pretty simple - three days, 31 minutes each day - run a minute, walk for 90 seconds, alternating, with a five minute warm up and cooldown walk.
Day two was Friday, and it actually got a bit easier. I was still puffing quite a bit by the end, but I didn't feel as bad as I felt at the end of the first day. Tonight, I ran the third day, and the end of the first week. I'm feeling pretty good. Still puffing quite a bit, but feeling things in different sets of muscles than the first two days.
I've got an iPod app that keeps track of the time for me, and syncs up with the music and podcasts I've already got on my iPod, so I can listen while I walk and run.
Now comes the next hurdle - week two starts on Wednesday: same five minute warmup, but then the alternating is 90 seconds of running (or jogging as the case may be) with two minutes of walking over a 20 minute spread.
Experts say that anything practiced for two weeks becomes a habit. I'm half-way home. I'll keep everyone up to speed on what I'm doing here.
There have been three major developments in the Carnes vs. Cancer No Holds Barred Cage Match. Scoring the competition is a little difficult. My family has notched at least one point against our underhanded opponent. The officials are still reviewing the other two developments, but it appears the Carnes may be close to slamming the bad guy to the mat.
The first development concerns my most recent six-month checkup. A blood test told me exactly what I was expecting to hear, that there is still no trace of cancer in my body. The news is so good that while I’ll still have to have blood tests every six months, I don’t have to see the doctor again for a full year.
Score: Carnes Family 1, Cancer 0.
My sister just finished a consultation with the doctor who will aide her in her second confrontation with breast cancer. Nancy was nervous that she might have to endure more of the chemotherapy that smacked her about so much the first time around. As it turns out, she won’t even have to deal with radiation. She’s going to take a medicine called Femara. The little I’ve read about it so far is that it has been largely effective in slowing the growth of breast cancer, and does not have the violent side effects of chemo.
Score: I’m tempted to take a point on this one, but I want to see how Nancy reacts after she starts taking the treatment. Oh, what the heck. Carnes Family 2, Cancer 0.
My father had a bone scan earlier this week. He is, quite naturally, anxious to know the result. His most recent blood tests indicate that his cancer could be active and spreading. The results of his bone scan will go to M.D. Anderson hospital in Texas, where his doctors will recommend a new course of action. Quite honestly, I feel that my father’s oncologist will find a way to do what they’ve done before, which is corral the cancer and keep it at bay.
Score: We’re going to call this one a draw at this point. Still Carnes Family 2, Cancer 0. Momentum is definitely riding with the good guys.
I’m planning a trip to Florida to visit my dad and sister later this month. We’re going to draw up some mean moves to put cancer in its place. I can perform a nasty spin-and-toe-hold that will have poor widdle cancer crying for its mommy. Nancy will be ready with a frying pan that will go right between the demon’s eyes. My dad hasn’t told us yet what he’s got planned, but I hear it has something to do with barbed wire and a can of mace.
Send the kids from the room. I just might be penalized for excessive celebration.
I bet you didn't know Breast Cancer Awareness Month was started by a drug company back in 1985. AstraZenica ...which makes Armidex and Tamoxifen founded the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It was an effort to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer.
Alot has changed in 24 years..we now know breast self exams are a great tool for early detection...and we know when done regularly..once a month..breast self exams can save lives. There are all types of opportunities out there for you to promote breast health...and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. You can walk or volunteer with Susan B Komen as they walk 3 days for a cure..or the American Cancer Society as they raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. Both events take place the weekend of October 24th. There are also so many pink products out there to purchase with proceeds going to breast cancer causes...just make sure you know where your money is going and how much of your purchase goes to help.
Office of the Press Secretary ___________________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release September 30, 2009
NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, 2009 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
In 2009, more than 190,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 40,000 women are expected to die from this disease. It is the most common non-skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the United States. As we observe National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we salute the brave Americans who are fighting this disease, including families and friends, advocates, researchers, and health care providers. We also pause to remember and pray for those we have lost to breast cancer.
Many Americans know someone who survived breast cancer due to early detection or improved treatment, and we must continue to discover ways to prevent, detect, and treat this disease. For us to better understand how breast cancer develops, to prevent recurrence, and to enhance the quality of life for survivors, we must support critical research programs. The National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will invest over $1 billion in research this year. Strengthening our knowledge of breast cancer development can lead to improvements in prevention and treatment.
Screening and early detection are essential to our Nation's fight against breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute recommends that women age 40 and older have mammograms every 1 to 2 years. Women who are at greater risk should talk with their health care providers about whether to have mammograms before age 40 and how often to have them. My Administration is committed to requiring insurance companies to cover mammograms with no extra charges, and prohibiting the denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, including breast cancer.
Breast cancer health disparities also present a serious challenge. White women have the highest breast cancer incidence rates, and African American women have higher mortality rates than other racial or ethnic groups in the United States. There is also evidence lesbian women are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer than heterosexual women. Every day, we are improving programs that address the issues women encounter in obtaining appropriate and timely treatment. As a Nation, we will overcome the financial and physical restraints of underserved populations and ensure access to quality health care.
Our Nation has made significant progress in the fight against breast cancer, and we remain firm in our commitment to do more. This month, we reaffirm our commitment to reduce the burden of breast cancer and our support for those who are living with this devastating disease. By raising awareness of this disease and supporting research, we can usher in a new era in our struggle against breast cancer.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2009, as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I encourage citizens, Government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other interested groups to join in activities that will help Americans understand what they can do to prevent and control breast cancer.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
