The Day That Changed My Life - Cancer Documentary

Ooooh October........ How do I miss thee? What a busy and exciting month it was for us. October was the month that Breast Cancer Awareness ruled during the month. The focus was present and you could not miss on the enthusiasm of pinktober.
Pop & Bessie's Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

On the first day of October, the kick off to promote the documentary of The Day That Changed My Life began. The response was great as we reached out to social network sites, and the media. We were on Good Morning Westchester, the local channel television Community Events and shared with the local newspapers. It was a big deal :-)
We looked forward to sharing the journey of those who have been touched by cancer and what incredible journeys they were.

October 22, 2014 The Day That Changed My Life - Documentary was shown at the Showcase Cinema De Lux theater. It was the perfect day for the Nor'easter Storm. As we were getting closer to show time, the rain intensified. The question to God was 'why would you do this?' However, he showed us that the rain was there to prove that our message was important enough for people to actually brave the weather conditions.

After the documentary, we had a reception where we were able to meet and greet. The audience was a mix of people who came in from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey, as well as those from Westchester, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island. There were cancer survivors as well as those who were currently going through treatment. We had people coming up and saying Thank You for bringing this to the theater.


Guess what? This is only the beginning there's more to come from this documentary.......
While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.
Some members of the Cast

The Day That Changed My Life - Chemotherpay What To Expect?

Once the diagnosis has been given, the next phase is to begin the treatment process. Dr. Eric Mayer of Dana Farber Brigham and Women's Cancer Center discusses the chemotherapy treatment plan, the side effects and the details of what one may experience during the treatment. It's a delicate process and meeting with a team who walks you through the steps of treatment is essential.

The chemotherapy is quite common. However, there are options available. Some prefer to wear a wig, hat, scarf or nothing at all. We have also included some wonderful videos that may be helpful. Kelley Tuthill is a television reporter and a breast cancer survivor who was treated at Dana- Farber. She graciously shares her tips for headscarf tying and selecting wigs which will add to a really great look.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - Jill's Journey

Here we go once again with an outstanding journey to share with you. Jill Conley was diagnosed with breast cancer one day before her she was to celebrate her 32nd birthday. As newly weds, moving on with their lives cancer was certainly not even a thought. Determined to get through this journey, Jill endured the treatments and was in remission for about two and a half years. Sadly, the cancer returned - this time in her bones. Thankfully, Jill has a very supportive husband Bart who has stuck by her side as the journey continues.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.


More on Jills Journey at Jills Wish

The Day That Changed My Life - A Feel Good Moment

Don't you just love the shows where someone is receiving a gift/prize that brings great joy? Every now and then, we need to join in on a feel good moment. Here's a clip of a breast cancer survivor on Ellen.

The Day That Changed My Life - Nicole Faces Rare Breast Cancer

The journey of those facing cancer must be shared with others. How do we know this? Well, the countless emails have told us how it has helped them or others to cope with the process of cancer. In many ways, the stories offers hope and in some cases, it encourages, inspires and lift the spirits of those affected by the disease. No longer dealing with the stigma of cancer, it clears us to openly discuss and share the journeys of those who are willing to let us in. You are finding that the young, the old and the oldest people, to the professionals and the celebrities are all a part of the process - cancer is no respect of a persons position in life.

Finding Nicole's journey as shared on youtube: On June 30th, after 3 years of dating, Nicole and my younger brother Tom got engaged. On July 30th Nicole was diagnosed with a very rare and aggressive form of breast cancer called clear cell cancer. On August 20th she had a double mastectomy. On October 8th she starts her first of 8 chemotherapy treatments. She is 27 years old.

I want to give you an example of the type of person Nicole is. The day she was having her double mastectomy surgery, she was lying in bed waiting for the surgeon. Her mom was in the room with her. I came in to visit her. We were talking and she said to me "I'm sorry I'm a little grumpy today." and as she was being wheeled off to surgery, she was waving to my brother with a smile and saying I love you. She is just amazing.

I couldn't even imagine how I would deal with the magnitude of something like this. She is so brave and positive and so full of love. She is a light that makes this world a brighter place.

My mom as well as several family members are breast cancer survivors. The more people I talk with about this, the more I realize that just about everyone knows someone affected by breast cancer. Because Nicole's cancer was so aggressive and rare, had she waited, the diagnosis would have been terminal. Nicole's cancer was detected in the infancy stages. With her double mastectomy surgery and chemotherapy treatment, she now has an 86% chance of survival.

Whether it's a dollar or a hundred dollars, every donation counts and every donation is gratefully appreciated. What's equally important is to pass on the story. Spread the word. Share your story with Nicole. Offer your words of encouragement. Pass on Nicole's story. It may just help someone with early detection. Early detection saves lives. Early detection saved Nicole's life.

I'm trying to raise $5000. This amount will buy 2 wigs made of human hair. It will look the most realistic and feel the most comfortable. With all she has been thrown, she at least deserves to have a wig that makes her feel at ease.

We have 3 very personalized breast cancer awareness perks we are offering.

At the $25 contribution you will receive a pink band with "I Care for Nicole's Hair" inscribed.

At the $50 contribution you will receive a white t-shirt with my original designed girl drawing silk-screened on the front and "I Care for Nicole's Hair" on the back.

At the $100 contribution you will receive a custom made breast cancer awareness birch candle. These candles are all one of a kind, hand made by my mom. Trying to describe them does them no justice. They are beautiful.

Follow Nicole's progress on facebook. www.facebook.com/icarefornicoleshair

So this is my heartfelt fundraiser to provide Nicole with 2 fantastic wigs to allow her to feel a bit more normal and dignified during this awful chapter in her life.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - Follow Your Intuition

Melissa found a lump in her breast, she went to her doctor. Her doctor ordered an ultrasound. Upon reviewing the results of her ultrasound, Melissa's doctor determined that it was not suspicious. However, Melissa could not dismiss the lump which was a nuisance. She tried to have her doctor re-examine but her doctor assured her that it was nothing. After two years, the lump now protruding, prompted Melissa to consult with a different doctor where it was almost instantly diagnosed as breast cancer. The journey began..........

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - Breast Cancer Awareness Continues..... Till We Beat It!

As we come to the close of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we must continue to keep it going. Someone is hearing the news today that they have cancer and the new diagnosis continues daily. However, with people like you - the survivors, care givers, health care team and the current cancer patients all motivate others to be informed and get involved. Every day counts :-)

We just could not help but to share this fantastic poster with you.


Here's a fun Breast Cancer Awareness Lip Dub Video by the Seven Lakes Junior High - enjoy!!!

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - Surviving Through The Challenges

The journey is a process of ups and many downs. However, the support of loved ones is immeasurable in keeping the hope and courage through those uncertain moments. This week we feature a wonderful story that we found on the National Cancer Institute Cancer Topics channel. Melanie Nix found out that she had breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer which is known to have high mortality rates especially among African Americans. Ms. Nix shares a brief part of her journey, one that we hope will encourage and inspire others to know that survival is possible.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - Cancer an uncertain journey

The components of a cancer diagnosis goes beyond the fear of the unknown of survival, it also extends to the ability to have a child, job/career, body image, fitness activities and other financial concerns. We found a group - Young Survival Coalition who have explored some topics that will hopefully help you.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer cancer our lives forever

The Day That Changed My Life - Robin Roberts The Journey Continues

And the journey continues....... This morning, Robin Roberts of Good Morning America shared that she is facing a new health challenge.

In her words:

As many of you know, 5 years ago I beat breast cancer. I’ve always been a fighter, and with all of your prayers and support, a winner.

Sometimes the treatment for cancer can cause other serious medical problems. Today, I want to let you know that I’ve been diagnosed with MDS or myelodysplastic syndrome. It's a disease of the blood and bone marrow and was once known as preleukemia.

My doctors tell me I'm going to beat this -- and I know it's true.
If you Google MDS, you may find some scary stuff, including statistics that my doctors insist don’t apply to me. They say I’m younger and fitter than most people who confront this disease and will be cured.

Today, I will start what is known as pre-treatment -– chemotherapy in advance of a bone marrow transplant later this year. Bone marrow donors are scarce and particularly for African-American women. I am very fortunate to have a sister who is an excellent match, and this greatly improves my chances for a cure. As you know from my recent interview with Mark Zuckerberg, organ donation is vitally important. Many people don't realize they can be bone marrow donors. I encourage everyone to sign up on a donor registry like bethematch.org.

I received my MDS diagnosis on the very day that Good Morning America finally beat the Today Show for the first time in 16 years. Talk about your highs and lows! Then a few weeks ago, during a rather unpleasant procedure to extract bone marrow for testing, I received word that I would interview President Obama the next day. The combination of landing the biggest interview of my career and having a drill in my back reminds me that God only gives us what we can handle and that it helps to have a good sense of humor when we run smack into the absurdity of life.

Bottom line: I’ve been living with this diagnosis for awhile and will continue to anchor GMA. I love what I do and the people with whom I do it. Along with my faith, family and friends, all of you at ABC News give me the motivation and energy to face this challenge.

Going forward, it’s business as usual at GMA, which means I’ll be right here every day with George, Sam, Josh and Lara. When I miss a day here or there, I’m fortunate that some very talented friends at ABC News will fill-in. When I undergo the transplant later this year, I’ll miss a chunk of time.

When I faced breast cancer, your prayers and good wishes sustained me, gave me such hope and played a major role in my recovery. In facing this new challenge, I ask humbly for more of your prayers and love – as I will keep you in my mine and update you regularly on my condition.

Love and blessings,

Robin

Many of us followed Robin's journey through breast cancer and watched her face it head on. We stood by the sidelines cheering her on and now it's time to get the pom poms and prayers out. While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme cancer changes our lives forever.



Good Morning America/Yahoo News

The Day That Changed My Life - Farewell Donna Summer & Robin Gibb

This week was quite a week for the music world. We have lost two musical icons of the 70's Disco Era. The Disco era was an upbeat, fun, dancing era where the music is still popular to this day with samples being used by the number one musical entertainers. Both Donna Summer and Robin Gibb journeys included the fight of multiple cancers.

Donna Summer famous for her songs Bad Girl, Enough is Enough, Hot Stuff, On the Radio, Love to Love you Baby, I Feel Love, Dim All The Lights and many more. Miss Summer a breast cancer survivor lost her battle with lung cancer on May 17, 2012.

Keeping true to the era Donna Summer gives a fabulous fun rendition of Dim All The Lights


As a big fan of the BeeGees, it was tough hearing the sad news. The Gibb family deals with another loss of the Brothers Gibb. The BeeGees were a major part of the disco era, they had a distinctive sound that was embraced by all (if you are honest enough to admit it :-) We loved the BeeGees with their harmonious falseto hits. Robin Gibb passed away from colon and liver cancer. While news of his health seemed grim, Robin made a brief comeback from a coma to the delight of his family and fans.

While each journey is unique we all share a common theme, cancer changes our lives forever.

A special performance Robin Gibb performs How Deep Is Your Love


A bonus BeeGees - Too Much Heaven. We pray that they are all having a beautiful reunion in heaven :-)

The Day That Changed My Life - A Personal But Important Matter

Wanda Sykes shares her journey with breast cancer. The shocking diagnosis, the importance of knowing one's family health history and creating an awareness. However, it was all a blessing in disguise as it was discovered when she went in for a breast reduction.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.



Don't forget to share with others, you never know who may need to see this.

The Day That Changed My Life - Should This Be Happening To Me?

As we all know, cancer awareness months are great campaigns to highlight the various cancers, the need for funding for research and development of drugs, assistance for patients and promoting prevention, screenings/early detection. However, we are all too aware that cancer can become a part of a person's life all too suddenly, without warning and it certainly does not discriminate.

This week we feature the journeys of young women who were diagnosed with breast cancer. The awareness is to bring about the information that should be shared with everyone - especially young women. The controversy of mammograms and screenings for breast cancer continues as the age range was suggested for annual screenings women over 40 - now suggested to begin at 50 years old. Well, for Kristina Hernandez, Maimah Karmo and Mona Harris breast cancer did not wait for them to reach 50 years old. It came much sooner, even sooner than 40 years old.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - Dance!!

The Day That Changed My Life is looking forward to 2012 and we are working on our return to the stage. We are so excited we could all dance. This week we present a flash mob dance which celebrated survivors of breast cancer.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.

The Day That Changed My Life - Breast Cancer the Survivors

Did you know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Well, if you don't now you know. To find out about the low cost or free screenings are in your area, contact information for local programs is available on the CDC’s Web site or by calling the CDC at 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636). Although we focus on all things cancer, we salute those who have survived and shared their journeys with us. This week we hear from six women who have all been diagnosed with cancer and are now survivors. We use their journey with the hopes of inspiring and encouraging others as they take this familiar path.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever



Diagnosis



Treatment



Monitoring



Now don't forget to share this with everyone you know. Someone of someone that you know may need to hear this.

The Day That Changed My Life - How I Found Out....

The journey comes after diagnosis. However, there is that moment where one finds out that they have cancer. We will hear these patients from the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance share their journeys. Once diagnosed with cancer, the need to hear from others never gets tired. You want to know you're not alone or at least how did others handle their diagnosis.

While each journey is unique, we all share a common theme - cancer changes our lives forever.







Be sure to share with others, you never know who may need to hear this :-)

The Day That Changed My Life - How Do You Cope?

This year the 24th National Cancer Survivors Day was on June 5, 2011. As many gathered to celebrate, there are those who are still facing their journey with uncertainty. Will you survive? How long will it take? How do you cope?
The questions can go on and on. However, cancer survivors love to share their journeys as they want to encourage others to face it and take it head on. Brace yourself, it wont be easy. Listen to the survivors as they share how they coped with their journeys. Each journey is different.........Cancer changes lives forever....

Mark Colter


Martha Anderson


Joyce Gant

The Day That Changed My Life - The Real Deal

Early detection is very important - get screened. No family history? Get screened.

Check out Coralee's Journey:





In the final video, you may need to sign in to YouTube to view as Coralee shares the reality of her mastectomy.

The Day That Changed My Life - Colon Cancer

Colon and rectal cancer is known collectively as colorectal cancer. In many cases, it begins with a small polyp in the colon. Colorectal cancer may be caused by high fat diets as well as low fiber intake. The recommendation for those who have no identified risk factors (other than age) should begin regular screening at age 50. However, if you who have a family history or other risk factors for colorectal polyps or cancer, you should talk with your health care practitioner on screening at a younger age as well as getting screened more frequently. Furthermore research studies show that there is a specific population who may have an increased risk of having colorectal cancer:

• Women who have a history of ovarian cancer
• If one was diagnosed with Uterine cancer
• Breast cancer patients or survivors
• Reoccurrence of colorectal cancer may develop a second time
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Diabetics have a 30 – 40% chance to develop colorectal cancer

Alissa Murphy was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at the age of 36. The diagnosis came as a surprise to her as there were no warning signs. Listen to her journey...

The Day That Changed My Life - Cancer & Pregnancy

The excitement of having a baby comes with it's own share of anxieties, hoping for a smooth pregnancy, safe delivery and a healthy baby. So the last thing anyone expects to hear is "you also have cancer." Each journey shared is different with ages/stages of life, yet the common theme shared is that there is still hope.

Crying, crazy thoughts, decisions, crippling fears, overwhelmed, depressed, uncertainty and so much more........ Normal emotions.

Anya Silver was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, an uncommon and particularly aggressive type of cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, inflammatory breast cancer accounts for 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States. It tends to be diagnosed in younger women compared to non-IBC breast cancer. It occurs more frequently and at a younger age in African Americans than in Whites. Like other types of breast cancer, IBC can occur in men, but usually at an older age than in women. The symptoms include, redness, swelling, and warmth in the breast, often without a distinct lump in the breast. The redness and warmth are caused by cancer cells blocking the lymph vessels in the skin. The skin of the breast may also appear pink, reddish purple, or bruised.

Listen to Anya's journey:



Here's forty something year old Joan Dymand-Hintz's journey:



Lisa Peterson Bender & Ryan Bender share how the diagnosis affected their lives - their journey:

We're praying for a safe delivery for the Benders whose due date is on March 17th!!!