Headwear Etc Blog

MOTHER

For those lucky enough to still be blessed with your Mom,
this is beautiful. For those of us who aren’t, this is
even more beautiful. For those who are moms, you’ll love this.

The young mother set her foot on the path of life. “Is
this the long way?” she asked. And the guide said: “Yes! and the way is hard.
And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But
the end will be better than the beginning.”

But the young mother was happy, and she would not
believe that anything could be better than these years. So she
played with her children, and gathered flowers for
them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and
the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried,
“Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.”

Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was
dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother
drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said,
“Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come.”

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and
the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary.
But at all times she said to the children, “A little patience and we are there.”
So the children climbed, and when they reached the top
they said, ” Mother, we would not have done it without you.”

And the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up
at the stars and said, “This is a better day than the last, for my
children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage.
Today, I’ve given them strength.”

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened
the earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped
and stumbled, and the mother said, “Look up. Lift your eyes to the light.”
And the children looked and saw above the clouds
an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the
darkness. And that night the Mother said,
“This is the best day of all, for
I have shown my children God.”

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and
the years, and the mother grew old and became little and bent.
But her children were tall and strong and walked with
courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her,
for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill,
and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And
Mother said, “I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end
is better than the beginning, for my children can
walk alone, and their children after them.”

]And the children said, “You will always walk with us,
Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.”
And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates
closed after her. And they said: “We cannot see her
but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She
is a living presence…….”

Your Mother is always with you…. She’s the whisper
of the leaves as you walk down the street; she’s the smell of bleach
in your freshly laundered socks; she’s the cool hand
on your brow when you’re not well. Your Mother lives
inside your laughter. And she’s crystallized in every tear drop.
She’s the place you came from, your first home; and
she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love
and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can
separate you.

Not time, not space… not even death!
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“We help women with hair loss look and feel confident…with style, fit, and comfort.”

PASS THIS ON TO ALL THE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN YOU KNOW.
MAY WE NEVER TAKE OUR MOTHERS FOR GRANTED…

Pass it on to the men also because they have mothers too….

Home is where your story begins.

NEW YORK – Patents on genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are invalid, ruled a New York federal court today. The precedent-setting ruling marks the first time a court has found patents on genes unlawful and calls into question the validity of patents now held on approximately 2,000 human genes. The ruling follows a lawsuit brought by a group of patients and scientists represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT), a not-for-profit organization affiliated with Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

“Today’s ruling is a victory for the free flow of ideas in scientific research,” said Chris Hansen, a staff attorney with the ACLU First Amendment Working Group. “The human genome, like the structure of blood, air or water, was discovered, not created. There is an endless amount of information on genes that begs for further discovery, and gene patents put up unacceptable barriers to the free exchange of ideas.”

The ACLU’s and PUBPAT’s lawsuit against Myriad Genetics and the University of Utah Research Foundation, which hold the patents on the BRCA genes, as well the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), charged that the challenged patents are illegal and restrict both scientific research and patients’ access to medical care, and that patents on human genes violate the First Amendment and patent law because genes are “products of nature.”

The court today granted the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) request that it be released as a defendant in the lawsuit. The court found that it was unnecessary to reach the First Amendment claims against the USPTO because it had already ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.

The lawsuit, Association for Molecular Pathology, et al. v. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, et al., was filed on May 12 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of breast cancer and women’s health groups, individual women, geneticists and scientific associations representing approximately 150,000 researchers, pathologists and laboratory professionals.

Because the ACLU’s lawsuit challenges the whole notion of gene patenting, its outcome could have far-reaching effects beyond the patents on the BRCA genes. Approximately 20 percent of all human genes are patented, including genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, muscular dystrophy, colon cancer, asthma and many other illnesses.

The court recognized the far-reaching impact of the case on medical research and public health. The opinion stated, “…the resolution of the issues presented to this Court deeply concerns breast cancer patients, medical professionals, researchers, caregivers, advocacy groups, existing gene patent holders and their investors, and those seeking to advance public health.”
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Hats for Hairloss

If you are uninsured or your insurance does cover your prescriptions, getting the medications you need can be expensive. This is especially true if you have cancer.

Let’s say you have a prescription for chemotherapy, but it cause stomach upset, so you need a anti-nausea medication to go along with it, then the chemo has caused you to become anemic, so you need a prescription for an iron supplement. The list can go on and on. The bottom line is that the prescriptions costs for a cancer patient paying out of pocket can exceed a mortgage payment!
When You Need Help Paying for Your Medications
# The worst thing a person can do is to stop taking their medications. There are several programs available that offer free and reduced cost prescription drug assistance. Hospital Social Worker Every hospital has a social worker that can help you find grants and other programs aimed at assisting you with your healthcare needs. This should be your first stop in looking for help. Always inform your doctor if you cannot pay for drugs or care. He or she may know of a program firsthand to assist you, also.
# Partnership for Prescription Assistance The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is an organization aimed at helping those who can’t afford their medications. They have created a database of over 400 programs and over 5000 medications available for reduced or no cost assistance. They help in determining what you are eligible for and applying for the assistance. The service is free and available online. Pharmaceutical Companies A lot of people wouldn’t think prescription drug companies offer assistance, but most do. Find out who the manufacturer of your drugs is by asking your physician or pharmacist and checking their website for their prescription assistance programs.Some of the largest pharmaceutical company programs include:

# GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Prescription Drug Assistance
# Merck Patient Assistance Program
# Pfizer Patient Assistance
# Roche Patient Assistance Foundation
# Wyeth Patient Assistance Program
What NOT to Do When You Cannot Afford Your Medication
First, do not stop taking your medication. Contact your doctor/treatment center as soon as you realize you cannot afford the medication.

Second, do not try to skip doses or scale down the dosage to make it last. The medication will be ineffective.

Finally, be wary of Internet pharmacies. Online pharmacies do sell drugs at lower costs; however, you don’t know if the product you are receiving is a bootleg version of the drug you ordered. Ask your doctor to recommend an Internet pharmacy before ordering drugs online.
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Hairloss

Hair loss can be a devastating side effect of chemotherapy. It is often the most dreaded result of chemotherapy and can have a strong emotional impact on the patient.
Why Does Hair Loss Occur During Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy drugs work by eliminating cancer cells that rapidly multiply. There are other cells in the body, like hair follicle cells, that multiply just as quickly. Unfortunately, chemotherapy drugs may not be able to discern the two, attacking healthy cells, thus causing hair loss.
Can Hair Loss Be Prevented During Chemotherapy?
Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. There are a few methods that are currently being studied, such as scalp cooling and minoxidil (Rogaine).

Scalp cooling is thought to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy sessions by cooling the temperature of the scalp. Cooling is achieved by wearing a cooling cap, ice packs, or other cooling methods. Some scalp cooling studies have found some success, however, many patients found the caps gave them headaches and were uncomfortable.

Some patients turn to products like minoxidil to prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss, but find little success. Minoxidil has been found to have little effect on preventing hair loss during chemotherapy.
Preparing to Lose Your Hair to Chemotherapy

* Buy a wig. Purchasing a wig before hair loss is ideal because it allows you to choose a wig that matches your hair color best, and you will have it on hand right when hair loss starts. You may want to consider buying at least two wigs, so one can be worn while another is being washed or styled.

* Cut hair short. Many men and women opt to cut hair short or shave their heads before hair starts to fall out. It is much less shocking to have short clumps of hair fall out in the shower or in your hands than a handful of long strands. Plus, hair often comes out in uneven patches, and short hair can help temporarily mask this.

* Go hat shopping. Even if you buy a wig, you will need some type of head covering for when you are not wearing a wig, especially in cold weather. Your scalp may be sensitive when not covered, not to mention cold. Scarves and hats also provide excellent protection from the sun and wind.

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Screening and Diagnosis
I don’t have health insurance and can’t afford the cost of an annual mammogram. What should I do?

There are both national and local programs that provide free or low-cost mammograms to women who are low-income or uninsured. Below is a list of some of the programs that you might qualify for:

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides mammography services for women who are low-income or uninsured through its National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). Learn more about their program and find a mammography provider in your area.

Your Local Susan G. Komen Foundation Affiliate
Komen affiliates raise money to help uninsured and low-income women in their area obtain breast health services. Locate your nearest affiliate.

Your Local Planned Parenthood Clinic
Planned Parenthood does not provide mammography services, but your local clinic can help you find a program in your area that provides free or low-cost mammography services. Find the Planned Parenthood Clinic nearest you.

YWCA Encore Plus Programs
The YWCA offers a national program called Encore Plus that provides mammography screening. Services are provided on a sliding scale. Not all local YWCAs have this program. To find out if yours does, call 1-800-953-7587.
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January is National Hot Tea Month and most of us have already contemplated or made resolutions of one sort or another. A press release circulated by the Tea Association of the USA dated 1/1/09 states that January is also the height of cold and flu season and that tea just may be a natural deterrent.

The CDC estimates that over 200,000 people will be affected by colds and flu this season. While a flu shot is highly recommended another natural preventative may be found in your tea cup.

According to a recent study conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard University theanine, a natural component found in tea, may help to support and strengthen the body’s immune system important to avoiding the sniffles or worse.

Even with an annual flu vaccination, healthy adults are 30% less likely to contract the infection. Tea is not a sterile bubble against colds and flu but can certainly aid to increase the strength of your immune system helping to keep you healthy and feeling great.

Resolutions that are simple to incorporate into our lives are the ones we are most likely to stick with past January. Adding a cup or two of tea to our daily routine seems like a simple, affordable way to improve the quality and taste of our lives in 09.

Besides great taste, tons of variety and the simplicity of specialty tea, this list of potential benefits is even more reason for adding tea to our diets;

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You’re beginning an exercise program, you’ll need a check up from your doctor if:

* You’ve been diagnosed with heart problems, high blood pressure or other medical conditions
* You’ve been sedentary for over a year
* If you’re over 65 and don’t currently exercise
* You’re pregnant
* You have diabetes
* You ever experience chest pains, dizziness or fainting spells
* You’re recovering from an injury or illness
* You have a diagnosed medical condition or illness

Use your best judgment and see your doctor if you have any questions about what you should be doing. Even if you don’t have any problems, you may want to get a full check up before you start exercising, especially if it’s been a long time since you’ve worked out.
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Hats for Hairloss

Going Up! 7 Pointers to Lift a Bad MoodBy Dr. Maoshing Ni -
A bad mood not only gives you a gloomy outlook, it also lowers your immune function, leading the way to illness. Here are some suggestions to lift your mood, your spirit, and your health.

1. A Laughing Matter
“Laugh Therapy,” pioneered by Norman Cousins, has turned out to have real substance. Research has discovered that laughter and joy boost immune functions, especially the production of the natural killer cells that help defend the body from illness and cancer.

Laughter also increases the release of endorphins - compounds that give you a sense of well-being - in your brain. Without a doubt, joyful people liver longer and healthier lives. So read your favorite comics, watch your favorite comedies, and laugh it up!

2. Amino Acid for Restored Mindset
When an imbalance or deficiency is creating a bad mood, the Europeans use supplements of a natural compound found in human cells to regulate mood and restore a healthy mindset. SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) is produced from methionine, an amino acid that plays a role in the production of uplifting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

One study indicated that SAMe worked on patients who had unsuccessful results with conventional antidepressants. To get a boost from SAMe, take a supplement combining it with vitamins B6 and B12.

3. Hands-On Healing
Human touch increases the production of endorphins, growth hormone, and DHEA, all of which lengthen your life span and lower the negative impact of stress. Studies have found that patients who are regularly touched recover faster than those who are not touched. So give someone a hug and feel both of your moods improve.

4. Boost Your “Youth Hormones”
You don’t need pills to flood your body with a rejuvenating flood of growth hormones. Research has found that doing squats and leg presses will greatly increase your natural production of the “youth hormone”. Increased growth hormone translates to an elevated mood, among other physical benefits. Keep it up with weight training, knee bends, push-ups, and rowing.

5. Take a Bracing Breath
Breathing correctly is important for dispelling the toxins and wastes from your body; in fact, it is estimated that we expel only about 30 percent of toxins in our bodies through the bowels and bladder-the rest is all respiratory. Breathing is also a great way to clear your mind, boost your energy, and improve your mood. Practice deep, slow, rhythmic, breathing daily with mind-body disciplines such as tai chi, yoga, qigong, and meditation.

6. Smell the Joy
Research has shown that smell has a definite impact on our bodies and minds. When you stimulate the olfactory nerves inside your nose, you activate the limbic system of your brain, which is associated with moods and memory. This concept is instrumental to aromatherapy, a natural health tradition that makes use of the healing powers of plants with strong scents.

Aromatherapy recommends treating depression with jasmine, eucalyptus for exhilaration, and grapefruit to increase alertness and joy. Just put a dab of the essential oils from these plants on your temples, back of your neck, or acupressure points. Another option? Boil the herb in water and inhale the steam through your nose.

7. Feel Fine with Flowers
There is a reason that flowers are the traditional get-well gesture. Colorful flowers have a powerful influence on moods; they can uplift a patient’s mood and even combat stress. One study found that during a five-minute typing assignment, people sitting next to a flowering bouquet were more relaxed than those who sat near foliage-only plants.

I hope these tips help the good feelings flow! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
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Laboratory studies have reported evidence supporting the role of antioxidants in cancer prevention.
As clinical trials of antioxidant supplementation are inconsistent, and the efficacy during treatment is still being debated, we recommend obtaining antioxidants through food sources. Research suggests that diets containing antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of certain cancers

Some recommended antioxidant-rich foods:

Foods containing antioxidant-based vitamins and minerals
• Beta-carotene - typically found in orange-colored foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, squash and mangos. Spinach, kale, broccoli, and collard and turnip greens also are good sources.
• Selenium - brazil nuts and seafood such as tuna and cod.
• Vitamin A - leafy greens such as spinach and kale, carrots and cantaloupe.
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - citrus fruit such as oranges, grapefruit, red and green peppers, kiwifruit, broccoli and strawberries.
• Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) - wheat germ, sunflower seeds, almonds and cooked tomatoes (tomato paste, tomato products, etc.).
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Hairloss Solutions

Ward off stress with exercise and good nutrition

The holidays can play havoc with our health. In winter we tend to crave fats and sweets, but ironically, the more fat and sugar we eat, the less energy we have, and the more stressed and run down we feel.

Most people are surrounded by holiday sweets and treats. Reprogram your thinking. Don’t think if some is good, more is better.

Nutrition can play a big part in reducing stress. “When our bodies aren’t operating at peak efficiency, we feel stressed, and our immune systems aren’t operating at the level they should be,” comments Gilles-Khouri. Eat simple, she suggests–an apple instead of a piece of apple pie–for keeping the stress levels down. “Cut back on fat sources, make butter cookies with margarine instead of butter, and don’t forget to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.”

When you eat simple foods, Gilles-Khouri says you have a better chance of alleviating holiday stress. “Enjoy the people instead of the food,” she advises

Quick Tips for Stress Reduction

# Have a positive attitude.
# Try not to worry about things out of your control.
# Problem solve with people around you. Ask them to help you alleviate stress.
# Exercise. A few extra minutes of exercise a day can benefit your overall health.
# Eat Nutritional food. Decrease the amount of fat and sugar you eat.
# Meditate, or take a class in relaxation and stretching techniques –like Tai Chi or Yoga.
# Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages
# Rest. Try to get eight hours of sleep each day.
# Get a massage. A massage can be beneficial for the mind and body.
Happy Holidays!
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