I had a very interesting interview on a Detroit radio station for a program called God 321. I met the host Danny Hutchins at The Pink Fund Crazy Sexy Luncheon of all places! I am grateful to my friend Molly MacDonald, who leads this wonderful organization, for introducing us. I was apprehensive about being on a Christian program. As some of you know, I was raised a non-practicing Jew. As an adult, our little nuclear family attends Unity, which embraces all religions and has taught me about a loving and kind God.

When I was writing From Incurable to Incredible, I was overwhelmed from hearing stories of the people gracing the pages and how faith helped them through life’s most serious challenges. These stories and getting to know these amazing people I interviewed help me through. It gave me faith that I can do it, too.  My faith certainly helped me. I connected with God on a much deeper level. My faith was and is my lifeboat, which is always there to rescue me in my time of need.

Not everyone in my book were people of faith, but a comment from God 321′s host made me rethink that. Dan said that everyone has faith. After all, humanists have faith in themselves. That is certainly true of all the people I’ve interviewed. Some were very Christian, some were Jewish, and some just believed in the power of themselves and the people around them. Yet they all had faith.

I’m not a Bible reader but there are many truths in it, which have been a source of comfort to me since I was diagnosed with cancer. One is the meaning of faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1, KJV).” According to statistics, my chances for a long life are not great. But faith tells me that all things are possible, even if there is no (medical) evidence to back it up. I have faith that a power greater than myself will allow me to see my daughter grow up and dance at her wedding (if she chooses that path). I believe God has a purpose for me: sharing hope and encouragement with others.

But sometimes my faith is challenged. Recently, I attended my friend Cyndi’s visitation and saw her husband and two children standing there looking lost. Like us, they are an extremely close family and Cyndi held things together. Her beautiful young adult daughter Lauryn is a spitting image of her. Her husband Gary says that is a gift Cyndi gave to him. I’m angry that so many people are taken away in their prime by cancer. I don’t understand it, but it just is. I want to blame someone, something for it, but in the end, I have to just have faith that some good will evolve from tragedy.

As my mentor Bernie Siegel, MD, conveys in his children’s book, Smudge Bunny, sometimes good things happen from bad things. For me, cancer has been a transformative experience. As one of my friends said recently, “Would you have ever thought you’d write a book and be speaking to groups of people?” My world has opened up since my diagnosis. I take better care of myself and have more confidence and passion for what I believe is a God-given mission. There have been more gifts than I can count.

I just finished watching Monster’s Ball on TV (yes, I know it’s been out for 10 years). I could barely view the beginning; it was so full of painful images. Billy Bob Thornton’s character was a violent racist who transformed into a loving and generous man who falls in love with an African American woman (Halle Berry). This transformation happens after the suicide of his son and the death of her son. In the end, they are looking up at the stars, and Billy Bob’s character says to her, “I think everything’s going to be alright.”

That’s faith. That’s the demonstration of God’s love despite terrible circumstances. Bernie was right. Good things can come from bad things.

To listen to my God 321 interview, go to http://www.god321.net/podcast.html.

After more than 20 years working in health care public relations, Tami Boehmer was thrust into the world as a patient. In February 2008, she was diagnosed with a stage IV breast cancer recurrence–months after celebrating her five-year, cancer-free anniversary. Unwilling to accept a grim prognosis, she decided to interview survivors nationwide who have lived far beyond what the medical establishment predicted. Tami compiled these amazing stories into her book, and shares them along with valuable information on healing the body, mind and spirit on her Web site and blog, Miracle Survivors. Tami lives with her husband Mike, daughter Chrissy and furry feline AJ in Cincinnati, Ohio. She divides her time between caring for her family, blogging, fulfilling speaking engagements, and serving as a board member for Pink Ribbon Girls, a support group for young breast cancer survivors.

Grab a pen and paper, and time yourself for ten minutes as you brainstorm what good things could be in store for you this year. Maybe you’ll meet the man of your dreams, travel abroad with your family, find yourself working at your dream job, make a new best friend, lose those ten pounds, rescue a dog from the pound, or something even better. Set your mind free!

When we open our thinking up to new possibilities, we become inspired by potential and feel much more inclined to do those things that before would have felt like chores (such as going to the gym, learning something new, etc.)

What is possible for you in 2012? Tell us!

In this video, Cynthia Manley, from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center talks about the benefits of social media for cancer patients, their caregivers, and friends and family. Click here to watch.

If you’d like to try for a chance to win From Incurable to Incredible for yourself or a friend, here’s what you need to do: Leave a comment by 6pm on Monday, January 2, 2011 and tell us why you’d love to have this book! If you have a story to share, tell us about that too!

Some technical details…
1. Only one entry will count.
2. Giveaway is open to legal residents of the continental United States who are at least 18 years of age.
3. The winner will be selected at random and notified via email.

After more than 20 years working in health care public relations, Tami Boehmer was thrust into the world as a patient. In February 2008, she was diagnosed with a stage IV breast cancer recurrence–months after celebrating her five-year, cancer-free anniversary. Unwilling to accept a grim prognosis, she decided to interview survivors nationwide who have lived far beyond what the medical establishment predicted. Tami compiled these amazing stories into her book, and shares them along with valuable information on healing the body, mind and spirit on her Web site and blog, Miracle Survivors. Tami lives with her husband Mike, daughter Chrissy and furry feline AJ in Cincinnati, Ohio. She divides her time between caring for her family, blogging, fulfilling speaking engagements, and serving as a board member for Pink Ribbon Girls, a support group for young breast cancer survivors.

I consider my experience with breast cancer more of a forced march than a journey.  “Journey” seems too kind and gentle a word for describing what breast cancer patients have to go through.  My breast cancer was discovered in early 2011, fourteen months after my 2010 mammogram.  I had had annual mammograms for the past 10 years, all normal.  Not this year’s.

So began my forced march into BC land.  No longer was I in control of my life or my body.  I opted for an aggressive approach, and obediently did as I was told through genetic testing, surgery, aggressive chemotherapy, and radiation.  When I was told to jump, my only response was “How high?”   For lack of better words, it was hell.

During my travels through hell, however, I was lifted by unexpected moments of joy and hope.  A young woman I have never met, but have corresponded with via email regarding business, sent me cute little cards containing messages of hope and encouragement.  Another woman, who lives in my city, whom I also had never met, had heard about my plight from a mutual friend, and began delivering meals to my door step and offering sage advice – she was a BC survivor herself.

Another moment of joy and hope was when I discovered Jean’s Cream.  I first heard about Jean’s Cream during my interview of a radiation oncologist.  I had asked her what she recommended for skin care during radiation, and she mentioned Jean’s Cream, among other products.

Well before my radiation treatments started, I ordered my first tube of Jean’s Cream, and found it to be much lighter than the usual product used by radiation patients, and, Jean’s Cream absorbed into the skin much quicker.  I used it three times a day during the weeks I underwent radiation.  Jean’s Cream is, in a word, FANTASTIC.

Jean’s Cream was and still is a source of joy and hope for me, and I share that joy and hope with others.  Even though radiation has ended for me, I continue to use Jean’s Cream.   I have since ordered Jean’s Cream for my mom, who experienced residual pain from shingles many years after the rash was gone.  Jean’s Cream has helped to alleviate her pain.  I also ordered a tube for my little nephew, who gets eczema in the wintertime, and I have also shared the “tubes of joy and hope” with other women undergoing radiation therapy.

I am thankful for Jean’s Cream, and Jean, the person who made it all possible.

Jennifer Lee Edmondson lives with her family in Wisconsin.  She and her husband practice law together, representing people who are injured or disabled, through their law firm, Edmondson Law Office.  Jennifer also writes as a community columnist for The Post Crescent.  Her most recent column, which encourages individuals to have annual health screenings, regardless of what recent studies recommend, can be found here.

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About the Medical Center, Keesler’s 81st Medical Group:
Keesler’s 81st Medical Group operates one of the largest Air Force medical facilities in the Air Force. Its primary mission is to maintain medical readiness for worldwide contingencies by providing quality, cost-effective health care for more than 27,000 enrollees, including almost 7,500 active-duty military personnel and/or family members. In addition, the 81st MDG commander oversees five military medical treatment facilities from Mobile, Ala., to New Orleans, coordinating care for 110,000 eligible beneficiaries along the Gulf Coast.

The hospital offers almost 60 services and education programs with a staff of more than 1,600 military and civilian members and partnerships with Tricare, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System medical center and Gulfport Memorial Hospital. The hospital has seven newly-renovated surgery suites and a myriad of improvements throughout the ground floor including flood barriers on external doors and a re-alignment of high-dollar assets to floors above the basement level. Construction of their new $50+ million inpatient tower began in late 2009 and the new $10 million Radiation Oncology Center was completed in October 2009 and began treating patients in March 2010.

So, here are 3 simple ways you can get some leverage on the fear and restore yourself to calm:

1. Get a Leg Up. You don’t need to wait for the fear to become overwhelming. Plan to take 3, 5, 10, or 20-minute breaks every couple of hours for the purpose of calming your mind and centering your heart. You can take several deep breaths, meditate, walk outside, or listen to your favorite song. These short intermissions from your life will help you stay connected to yourself and make it less likely for you to spin out in fear. You may wish to set a few alarms in advance to help you remember.

2. Avoid Fear Inducers. If you’re with someone who starts telling you negative stories about how bad someone else’s similar situation turned out, or if they look at you with pitying eyes and speak with an implied “poor you” in their voice, WALK AWAY – FAST. Do not force yourself to hear them out just to be polite. You have enough on your plate without having to make someone else feel better about their negativity. Instead, engage with people who remind you of your strength, your great support system, and the possibility of Grace filling your life.

3. Take Control. Health challenges can have us feeling panicked with a lost sense of control. So what can you still control, even now? It may be the doctors and specialists you go to, or the people you choose to spend time with, what to focus your mind on, or even little things like how you are cleaning your house or cooking your food. If you can put yourself in the driver’s seat in some areas, it can decrease feelings of helplessness.

And here’s a bonus tip that no one really wants to hear, but it’s so important: Lay Off the Sugar, Caffeine and Junk Food! As hard as it is, these things tax the system and will keep you in a cycle of highs and lows. Unfortunately, these are usually the easiest things to grab when you don’t feel liking eating or cooking healthy meals for yourself. But see if you can reach for something a bit healthier next time. It really will help you stay more in charge of yourself and your ability to manage fear.

Panama City

Radiating Hope is an inspiring nonprofit organization founded by radiation oncologists and mountain climbers that provides and updates radiation equipment to developing countries. Last spring, they embarked on their first ever resident-organized international mission. A team of five residents, Luqman Dad, Brandon Fisher, Arthur Iglesias, Robert Mutter, and Jeff Olsen went on a self-funded visit to Panama City, Panama. We were honored to participate by donating tubes of Jeans Cream to help cancer patients there.

Brandon, the Founder and President of Radiating Hope, recently sent us the following letter about their trip and the situation regarding cancer treatment in Panama:

We visited the Instituto Oncologico Nacional (ION), the largest cancer facility in Panama and one of only two radiation sites in the country. ION is an essential hospital for cancer care in Panama, and the only one where people without social security or from rural parts of Panama can go for cancer treatment. The hospital is underfunded and doctors are overworked. Cancer patients often have to wait months for care, and supplies to combat side effects are limited. Panama faces an imminent crisis similar to that which exists for cancer care in many developing countries. Panama has a recorded cancer incidence of 4,600 cases per year and the mortality rate from cancer is 2,982 per year. Cancer currently kills more people than any other disease in Panama.

ION & Radiating Hope staff with donated tubes of Jeans Cream

Radiating Hope, with the help of Jeans Cream, was able to donate and deliver medical supplies, such as brachytherapy equipment and skin care products. Jeans Cream donated many tubes of skin products which were received with wide open arms and much appreciation.

All the best,

Brandon

President Radiating Hope

Cancer patients at the Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan can now conveniently purchase Jeans Cream at the Lobby Gift Shop to help their skin cope with radiation side effects. At Hurley, they combine state-of-the-art treatment efforts with educational and support services to achieve faster recovery rates and positive long-term outcomes. Their team of trained oncology specialists is involved in every aspect of screening, diagnosis, treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. Their board-certified physicians and nurses certified by the Oncology Nursing Society develop individual, comprehensive treatment plans for each patient.

Hurley’s cancer program has received continuous approval from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) since 1956 and meets the qualifications for a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program. This means that Hurley accessions over 650 newly diagnosed cancer cases each year and in addition to having board-certified experts on staff, the Center provides a full range of diagnostic and treatment services that are available on site or by referral. The Center is also required to participate in clinical research.