Carmine

Conventional therapies are of little use in Mesothelioma Treatment. The survival time after diagnosis is around 6 to 12 months. The spread of malignant cells to the underlying tissue and other organs in the pleural cavity, the pleural cavity encouraging local metastasis by exfoliated cells, the long inactive period between asbestos exposure and development of the disease are among the chief reasons for the malignancy not responding to treatments.

Surgery for mesothelioma may be performed to relieve pain and discomfort caused by the tumor or to cure the patient. Palliative surgery is typically done in cases where the tumor has already spread beyond the mesothelium and is difficult to completely remove or in cases where the patient is too ill to tolerate a more extensive operation. Curative surgery is offered when the patient is in good health and the tumor is thought to be localized and can be completely removed.

Mesothelioma is highly resistant to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. These treatments are mainly used relieve symptoms due to tumor metastasis. The Food and Drug Administration approved in February 2004 the use of pemetrexed, brand named Alimta, for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma has reacted positively to certain treatments using immunotherapy. The attempt to boost immune response using intrapleural inoculation of Bacillus Calmette-Gurin (BCG) had not effect in Mesothelioma treatment and the patients who underwent this treatment had several side effects. Immunotherapy involving interferon alpha has been able to reduce tumor by 50% in certain patients. The side effects of this treatment were minimal.

Heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy, a procedure developed by Paul Sugarbaker at the Washington Cancer Institute is a breakthrough in Mesothelioma treatment. He is able to remove a larger amount of tumor by the direct administration of a chemotherapy agent in the abdomen. In this treatment, high concentrations of selected drugs can be administrated into the abdominal and pelvic surfaces. The fluid used is perfused for 60 to 120 minutes and then drained out. When the drug is heated to 40 to 48 degree Celsius, it increases the penetration of drugs into tissues. The heating also damages the malignant cells.

New treatment approaches such as gene therapy are under clinical trials. Age, contributing health problems, or advanced state of disease may make aggressive treatment impossible. In these cases, palliative care which treats the symptoms is ideal.

Mesothelioma Treatment provides detailed information on Mesothelioma Treatment, Mesothelioma Treatment Options, Alternative Mesothelioma Treatment, New Mesothelioma Treatment and more. Mesothelioma Treatment is affiliated with Mesothelioma Doctors Info.

It is no longer impossible to watch satellite TV on PC. A group of software developers have designed and came up with a new state-of-the-art piece of software application that makes watching satellite TV on PC a piece of cake. This new way to watch TV is growing fast in popularity. Reports are coming in that more homes are now turning to satellite TV from cable as a result of this. If we compare watching satellite TV on PC to the original method of watching satellite TV using satellite dish systems, you would be amazed at the quantum leap in satellite TV technology. We will take a look at some of the benefits for anyone who intends to watch satellite TV on PC.

Instant PC Satellite TV Software Installation

You may not know but to set up the PC satellite TV software to watch satellite TV on PC is actually a simple task. In fact, anyone who knows how to surf can easily install the software on your computer. The instructions are clear and all it takes is a few clicks of the mouse and the software is ready to deliver quality TV programs for you to watch satellite TV on PC.

Entry Level PC Requirements

People always think that such software used to watch satellite TV on PC is so sophisticated that the requirements for installation must be stringent. On the contrary, it has surprised many TV viewers that the software requirements are pretty easy to comply. In fact, most computers in our homes are able to meet with the minimum requirements. Pentium 3 processor, a 512 MB RAM and internet connection are all it takes for the software to run smoothly. That said, to watch satellite TV on your PC can be a more enjoyable experience if you use a broadband connection. While a dial up is sufficient, the streaming of TV is slower.

Price of PC Satellite TV Software

It is natural to be questioning about the price of PC satellite TV software. We live in a society where good things tend to be expensive. You probably would think that such a nifty tool that allows us to watch satellite TV on PC must be priced in the range of hundreds to thousands. Be ready for a surprise! It does not even cost you more than a good meal at the local pizza restaurant for two. There are several brands of PC satellite TV software, but generally, it would not cost more than $60. This is also the main selling point of PC satellite TV and the clear advantage to watch satellite TV on PC over cable TV and the traditional satellite TV services where there could be equipment costs.

No Monthly Subscriptions or Expensive Pay-Per-View

Did I mention that once you own the software, you get to watch satellite TV on PC for free? The software actually receives Free-To-Air satellite TV broadcasts from worldwide channels. Such broadcasts are unencrypted and free. So you get to watch satellite TV on your PC without having to bother yourself with monthly payments or pay per views.

Huge List of Quality Worldwide Satellite TV Channels

The quality of TV programs does matter to most TV viewers whether they watch satellite TV on PC or not. Quality can be measured in terms of TV program selection and the picture and audio quality. In terms of quality, PC satellite TV has performed well. There are more than a thousand satellite TV programs provided and listed in the software. Anyone can tune into channels like LIVE sports games, world news, latest movies, videos and TV shows. Not only that, if you are keen to watch foreign programs in foreign languages, you can always tune to a TV station in Spain, Russia, Holland, Germany or any other developed countries.

TV viewers who are keen to discover more about this PC satellite TV technology can always find the required information through my free satellite TV guide.

Davion is a great fan of TV shows. Sign up for his Free Satellite TV Guide for instant quick tips on how to watch satellite TV on PC, tuning into hundreds of LIVE channels of sports, news, movies and kids program without monthly subscriptions. Also read his popular lens on how to watch satellite TV on PC instantly for pennies.

Coatings are the material used to apply on any surface with different shades and applicability. Coatings have come up with tremendous changes and it has wide applications and process for the customer. Coatings become the important and essential material for the people using it. Coating services are offered all over the world and it has come in different levels like metal coatings, leather coatings, pool coatings, trailer coatings and garage coatings. Coating services are provided in reasonable prices to satisfy and to meet the needs and requirements of the customers all over the world. Coatings find tremendous changes with the referral of installers, professionals and experts of this field.

Coating services are offered with the help of this installer and professional to offer proper workmanship and installation to the customer who hires. Coatings are inclusive in both interior and exterior decorations for commercial and residential purposes. During the past days, coatings have not been used by most of the people, but now it provides wide services to the users and customer who wants it. Nowadays, with the advancement of technology coatings are used by most of the people in the world and it has been come up with different levels of coatings in residential and commercial buildings. Coatings like leather, swimming pool, garage and metal provides an extensive and exclusive beauty to the customer who installed.

Coatings are said to be the most durable, resistance and ever lasting beautiful material. Coatings find this development, because of its durability, resistance and everlasting beauty which attract more number of customers all over the world. Today, large number of customer is using these coatings in their different types as per their requirements. Coatings are offered in reasonable and competitive prices to facilitate the peoples of different states as per their needs and requirements. In coatings, there are different shades, colors, designs offered as per the specifications of the customer. After realizing the use and purpose of coatings only, it has been used as an important and essential requirement by the customer.

Coatings services are offered by more number of companies in competitive prices with an exclusive workmanship to facilitate the customers in the state. Since coatings are also inclusive in interior and exterior decoration, most of the garages, swimming pools, leathers and for metals, coatings are offered to these customers for a reasonable prices. When more and more customers are availing for the service, it shows the development of coatings among the customers around the world.

Ron victor is an expert SEO Copywriter of American specialty coatings, who has written many articles regarding Houston swimming pool Coatings, texas leather Coatings, texas garage floor coatings, Houston WaterBorne Trailer Coating, Houston metal coatings, texas Acrylic coatings. Ron has written many articles for asc-tx.com and to procure any information, contact him at ron.seocopywriter@gmail.com. Visit our site asc-tx.com for further information.

The Chess Game was invented thousands of years ago and right throughout its history it has become known as the king of board games. Such people as Napoleon, Charlie Chaplin, Einstein and Nikola Tesla where renowned for their chess skills.

Not only can the game of chess provide you with hours of pleasure it is great for exercising the intellect and the game is known to be able to improve someones analytical thinking their creativity and judgment.

Although during the past Chess was mainly played by those of a high standing such as courtiers etc., today you will find that the game attracts people of all ages and all works of life from around the world. Not only do many people find chess intriguing, but it also gives them a chance to pit their wits and skills against another.

All that anyone requires to be able to play chess is a chessboard and chess pieces, you can even play online if you want (all you need then is a computer). A normal chessboard is 8 x 8 with alternating black and white squares.

There are a total of 32 chess pieces, 16 white and 16 black. One player will play with the white pieces (WHITE player) and their opponent gets the black (BLACK player). The 16 pieces are made up of the King, Queen, 2 Rooks, 2 Bishops, 2 Knights and 8 Pawns.

At the start of any game the pieces are placed in their initial places as follows:

1. The player places each of his pieces along two rows of the board (ranks) closest to him.

2. The 8 pawns are placed in the front rank with the rest of the pieces placed behind them closest to the player.

3. Starting from the outside of the board and working into the middle the pieces closest to the player should be placed in the following order Rook, Knight, Bishop, Queen, King, Bishop, Knight, Rook. The order they are placed in for the WHITE player is from left to right on the board and for the BLACK player from right to left. Thus you end up with the opponents same piece in each column (file) facing each other on the board.

To help describe the chess positions an algebraic chess notation was invented and is easy to learn as it helps the players to identify squares and pieces that are on the board during a game. Below we describe how it works.

When viewing from the WHITE players point of view the left most file (column) is known as A and the next one B and so on until we reach the right most file (column) known as H. The rank (row) which is closest to the WHITE player is then called Rank 1 or the First Rank and then comes Rank 2 (Second Rank) and so on until we reach the 8th Rank which is the rank (row) closest to the BLACK players pieces.

The whole idea of the chess game is to trap your opponents King. Sounds simple doesnt it, but this will need to be explained at a later date.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://chess-moves.info where you can learn more about the art of playing chess.

Baby Boomers and Generation Xers are continuing to look for ways to look and feel younger. Those 55 to 64 year old Baby Boomers are particularly fast growing and set to surpass 80 million by 2012. As a result they are more likely to investigate new nutritional technology if it makes sense to them. When it comes to nutraceuticals, "Baby boomers drive the nutraceutical market in the sense that they are the generation who is most likely to demand control over the course of their medical care," stated a recent consumer trend article.

The term nutraceutical was coined by the Foundation for Innovation in Medicine in 1991 as any substance that may be considered a food or part of a food and provides medical or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease.

Glyconutrients fall within this definition. Glyconutrients are a class of new technological breakthroughs in the nutritional industry. Briefly, it is believed that the sugar strands attached to proteins and lipids in our body require 8 out of 200 known carbohydrates in nature, to enable the cells of our body to have the right structure to communicate with each other. Improper structure equals improper function. Its as simple as that.

Some of my colleagues in the medical profession would argue we get all the glyconutrients we need in our diet. WHO ARE YOU KIDDING? From green harvested fruits and vegetables? Grown in nutrient deficient soil? Using fertilizers and pesticides and being fed dirty water and breathing polluted air? Yes the liver is able to manufacture glyconutrients however it requires up to 32 or so enzymatic reactions and that is dependent on what? An ample diet of fresh fruits and vegetables! Glyconutrients are a food supplement and as such are not meant to cure, treat, or mitigate any disease or condition. Yet science has established in the literature that there is a direct link to poor nutrition and many disease conditions.

As more and more Boomers and Xers search the net for information, it becomes apparent who controls the disease industry. Big Pharmacy. Big Pharmacy is responsible for killing over 125,000 unsuspecting Americans each and every year according to the AMA. This being a fact, more and more people are searching for natural solutions to health challenges. Unfortunately the average lay person has never heard about glycobiology, glycomics, or glyconutrient technology.

Glycobiology is one of the newest and fastest growing fields in the science community. Notice how I said science and not medicine! Oxford University, Johns Hopkins, UC Scripps, UC Irvine, just to name a few utilizing a $34million grant by the National Institute of Health to study glycobiology. I dont see that in other fields of nutrition do you?

Glycomics, according to MIT Technology Review in 2003, WILL be one of the Top 10 technologies to change the world.

As a result of this breakthrough science, nutritional companies are using science to produce safe, non-toxic food supplements to counter Big Pharmacy attempting to synthesize, again, what is normally found in nature.

You see, every single drug ever manufactured by the pharmaceutical industry has a level, known as an LD-50 that will KILL 50% of a test group.

Food doesnt kill but there is no money in food for the drug companies. Or is there? Why then are many nutritional lines owned by drug companies? Come on folks, use some common sense! If drug companies wanted you healthy they would be broke and out of business.

While doing a search on Google you may find several companies listing glyconutrients, however to my knowledge only one company has been granted a Composition of Matter patent on the exclusive formula available for all established glyconutrients.

This becomes extremely important when researching companies.

Functional food supplements are supplements from food. When looking for supplements you need to look for supplements that are standardized. This means every pill or capsule contains exactly what the label says it does. Nothing more, nothing less.

A label should tell you everything. Whole food, Standardized, etc. When looking at vitamin and mineral supplements look to see if they contain either chealated or colloidal minerals. Then avoid them and keep looking!

Minerals are salts. Salts are rocks. Rocks are not readily or easily absorbed into the body as food with the exception of selenium. A rock is rock is a rock. Chealated minerals are rocks that are covered with an amino acid to attempt to psych out the stomach and intestinal tract that it is a food. Being intelligently designed, the body knows the difference.

Colloidal minerals are rocks crushed into liquid. So we go back to rocks.

Ever wonder why women with osteoporosis who consume calcium supplements usually continue to have poor bone density tests? The body needs calcium from FOOD!

These type of supplements are usually considered Second Generation.

First Generation supplements were synthetic derivatives, chemically altered with petroleum and coal tar products to produce a cheap product that could be mass produced. Any product that contains USP vitamins or minerals fall in this category and would probably be better off in your gas tank than in your stomach.

First and second generation vitamins and minerals are partly the reason many medical doctors say supplements only produce expensive urine.

So you need to look for Third Generation vitamin and mineral supplements.

While on the subject of medical doctors and nutrition, it blows me away when I talk with patients about supplements and they want to ask their doctor.

Naturopaths, homeopaths, and chiropractors are the experts! You would be better off asking a gas station attendant information on supplements than your average medical doctor. When researching some of our countrys most prestigious medical schools, I was shocked to learn that the average doctor in a residency program has only had up to 25 hours of total nutrition education! Most have never heard the term glycobiology. Yet every doctor graduating since 2002 has finally been introduced to this science. Harpers Biochemistry was completely rewritten in 1996 to incorporate and entire chapter on glycoproteins (sugar bound proteins). It was updated last year as well.

SO for all you Boomers and Xers just know that there is help available to heal, repair, restore, and regenerate cells within your body. When given the proper nutrient dense, safe, non-toxic, natural product, you body will finally be able to say thank you.

Then maybe, just maybe, youll be able to get off your toxic cocktails and begin to enjoy the golden years with optimal health. Then fire your health professional and find one who has your health as their only concern.

Dr. Tom has trained thousands in lifestyle improvements over the course of 9 years. As a Lifestyle Adjusting Coach Dr. Tom takes what you bring him and helps you to see the potential of your health and wealth.

Dr. Tom can be contacted at drtomt@verizon.net or 760-446-1088.

You are creating the person you will become by the way you envision that person, the goals you set, and the actions you take. By exercising your free will and consciously making choices, you become co-creator with the Maker of all things.

Do you want to go to graduate school or take fun courses? Do you get involved in social work or climb the social ladder? These are not right or wrong or even mutually exclusive decisions, but they do lead in different directions.

A lifeline exercise which is frequently used in career planning and management might be useful to "see" how your life looks, to gain insight into your world view, to chart relationship patterns, and to consider your future.

The usual lifeline is a line that extends from birth to death. However, in many cultures, more subtle perhaps in the western world, career is discussed, predicted and planned by family and community well before the birth of the child. Acknowledging this reality and addressing it will help us separate a personal vision from that of our family or community. This is not always an easy or comfortable task. We see this influence in some military families with several generations of military leaders. The first-born, particularly, senses some expectation that he or she will follow the family tradition.

Extending the lifeline to some years past our death challenges us to consider our "legacy." What do we hope to leave, what contribution do we wish to make, what are we REALLY working toward? Donna Holley has used this exercise with undergraduate and graduate business students. "It is a useful tool for students to 'see' what 'work life' has been for them and to chart their dreams and dreads about their career into the future."

Expand the scope of this exercise and consider life in general. (A model is provided in my book, Take charge of Your Life: Dare to Pursue Your Dreams.) Identify significant events of your life and note them. Events considered "positive" are usually written above the line and those considered difficult or "negative" below the line. Then consider the future by predicting significant events that will take place between now and some years (perhaps ten) after your death. Such events might involve aging parents, graduation, promotion, birth, death of a loved one, and so on.

The lifeline exercise will give you a snapshot of where you are now. It will show some of the events that have shaped who you are, and may encourage you to let go of things that are blocking your progress. Looking to the future, you can see some things that are likely to happen. Using the lifeline exercise will help making choices easier and more productive as you begin to develop a plan for your future.

Jo Condrill is a best-selling author, consultant, and professional speaker. Her book Take Charge of Your Life: Dare to Pursue Your Dreams presents a process for making life work the way you want it to. It's a great resource for developing your New Year's Resolutions and goal setting. http://www.goalminds.com/takecharge.html

Individuals who work in Dallas, Houston and other places in Texas, as well as throughout the rest of America, occasionally have a bad day or two at work; some more than others. It's estimated that work-related stress is responsible for millions of sick days annually, with stress linked to many minor and major illnesses.

Work stress is different for every individual. Some are affected more than others. It may depend on your personality type and on how you have learned to respond to pressure. These are just some of the issues associated with work-related stress:
-Lack of control over work
-Excessive time pressures
-Excessive or inflexible working hours
-Too much or too little work or responsibility
-Confusion about duties and responsibilities
-Lack of job variety and interest
-Inadequate training and possibilities for learning new skills
-Poor work/life balance
-Difficult relationships at work
-Lack of support and lack of contact with colleagues
-Organizational confusion, restructuring, job change
-Uncertainty over job prospects

Work-related stress symptoms
Work-related stress can manifest itself as both physical and emotional health problems, and it can alter behavior at work and home.

Physical symptoms
The physical manifestation of work-related stress can develop into some or many of these symptoms:
-Increased susceptibility to colds and other infections
-Headaches
-Muscular tension
-Backache and neck ache
-Excessive tiredness
-Difficulty sleeping
-Digestive problems
-Increased heart rate
-Increased sweating
-Reduced sex drive
-Skin rashes
-Blurred vision

Emotional and behavioral changes can include:
-Urge to cry
-Feeling like you can't cope
-Short temperedness at work and at home
-Feeling that you've achieved nothing at the end of the day
-Eating when you're not hungry
-Losing your appetite
-Smoking and drinking to get you through the day
-Inability to plan, concentrate and control work
-Getting less work done
-Poor relationships with colleagues or clients
-Loss of motivation and commitment

Changes at work
If work-related stress is affecting your health, you should try to deal with it as soon as possible. One of the more important factors in reducing stress levels is managing your time effectively. Prioritize tasks, delegate where necessary and don't take on more than you can handle. Completing one task before going on to the next one will help you feel more in control, while varying tasks can help to keep you interested.

Another suggestion: take time to relax at work by stretching and breathing deeply. This will help you keep focused and prevent tired muscles. By simply ensuring you get outside for a walk during your lunch break, you can really reduce stress dramatically.

It may seem hard to confront the causes of workplace stress and ask for help. But sometimes, support and advice from your company's management or human resources is necessary to help you deal with difficulties at work, whether it's to clarify your job role and responsibilities, or deal with workplace bullying.

Lifestyle changes
Folks in the larger Texas cities such as Dallas and Houston, and throughout the State, have found that regular activities outside of work also help them meet new people, take their minds away from work stress and remind them that there is more to life than the office. Creative hobbies, such as painting, or a new form of physical activity such as dancing or swimming, can really change your outlook on life.

There is also growing evidence that regular physical activity reduces stress levels. It provides valuable "time out" and can trigger brain chemicals that can improve your mood. A brisk daily walk is ideal, but the main thing is to choose an activity that you enjoy.

Learning to relax can improve sleep and relieve stress-related physical pains. In addition, confiding in trusted friends or relatives could help you articulate worries and negative feelings. It can give you a fresh perspective and help make stressful situations more manageable.

Stress is an inevitable but unavoidable companion in our working lives. The aim should be to manage stress by becoming aware of various ways to respond to it, and by making effective changes to your working lifestyle.

How you treat your body while youre young will certainly affect your health when you get older. Eventually, it will also affect your wallet as well. If you're a young individual who likes to maintain a healthy condition, you should take a look at the revolutionary, comprehensive and highly affordable individual health insurance solutions created by Precedent specifically for you. For more information, visit us at our website, www.precedent.com. We offer a unique and innovative suite of individual health insurance solutions, including highly competitive HSA-qualified plans and an unparalleled real-time application and acceptance experience.

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Ovarian Cancer: Process and Survival

Post Surgery

Read Part I for information regarding diagnosis and surgery...

The next few weeks after my discharge from the hospital, were very busy. My sister, Nance, and my mom decorated the house and Christmas tree. My sister Lauren visited from Washington and cleaned, cooked and lent invaluable support to all of us. There were visits to the surgeon for follow-up and the oncologist for the initial visit. John and my sisters accompanied me. It was so very helpful to have someone else ask questions and write down information. It can be an overwhelming experience, especially when you're a little "spaced out" on vicodin for pain management, as I was. I signed on to be part of a clinical study using different combinations of medications for eight instead of the normal six cycles. Laurie had brought a book with her that offered a lot of information on how to deal with an ovarian cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatments. One suggestion was to research clinical studies. There is a great deal of "cutting edge" research out there but you may have to hunt for it, do your homework, and bring the information to your doctor. My oncologist's office was conducting a trial, I was accepted, and I was scheduled to begin treatment on December 21.

Even though I was dreading the whole process, I knew I had to approach it in much the same way I did the surgery, almost like an athletic event or a race. I wanted to go in as strong and as prepared as possible and with a better "attitude."

Attitude is defined as a manner of acting, feeling or thinking that shows one's disposition, opinion and mental set. We may not be able to control a situation, but we can choose our attitude about that situation- victim or fighter; passive or aggressive; depressed or striving toward joy and happiness; caught in the "why me's" or searching for the "what can I learn from this." With the help of many people and through much reading and research, my "attitude-adjustment" process unfolded.

A booklet entitled "Preparing for Chemo" suggests several things that I immediately put into action.

1) Get your hair cut short so that when your hair starts falling out, it's less traumatic and won't clog the shower's drain. (This worked for the drains but I was still traumatized.)

2) If you plan to wear a wig, shop for it before starting chemo. My sisters and my dear friend and hairdresser Patty, helped with both of these steps. Watching my long hair fall to the floor was very hard and yet made me feel the tiniest bit more in control of what was happening to me. To my surprise, everyone loved my new hairdo. The compliments boosted my ego when I really needed it. Nance and Laurie accompanied me to the wig shop. Laughter is very good medicine-and we laughed a lot as we all played with the wigs before settling on two very nice ones. Four hundred dollars later I was armed with my hair prosthetics and a sore belly from laughing. At this writing, I am sporting my own very short hair after nine months of wigs and hats.

3) The booklet suggests having a dental check up and cleaning before starting chemo. Also important is giving your home a thorough cleaning and perhaps scheduling someone to come in once a week thereafter- a clean house can minimize exposure to infectious agents.

4) Building up strength through exercise and a good diet can help minimize some of the side effects of chemo. This booklet and other helpful literature, is available through oncology offices and offers good practical information. I also found the library and the internet to be good resources.

Shortly after my homecoming, from the hospital, I received a telephone call from Lindy, a volunteer with the Cancer Society (set up by my husband and the cancer support staff at the hospital.) She had been diagnosed and treated for Stage IIIc ovarian cancer seven years ago. Hearing from her gave me a real boost and some good tips for dealing with the upcoming chemo. She shared her experiences with surgery, hair loss and complete recovery! She is still cancer free! In addition to advice on make-up to camouflage the fact that one has no eyebrows or eyelashes, she told me how helpful acupuncture was for her. She felt that it really minimized some of the chemo side-effects and "rebalanced" her body's energy. I had had a few sessions of acupuncture many years ago, and I immediately knew that this would be right for me. I believe in its efficacy and definitely feel the sessions have been very beneficial.

My first acupuncture session was four days after the first chemo treatment. The meds they gave me to prevent nausea worked very well. I didn't have much of an appetite and felt a little achy and tired but the only real side effect I experienced was a terrible, hand-wringing itching and tingling in my hands and feet. Amy, my acupuncturist, has worked with several people undergoing chemo, is very knowledgeable, and had a good treatment plan in place for me. I scheduled to see her 2 days before and 4 days after every chemo session. After my first visit with her, I did feel better, more energized and the itching had definitely dissipated a good deal. She gave me some suggestions on supplements and some Chinese herbs to use.

The side effect of itching, burning and tingling is called neuropathy and is fairly common with the types of chemo protocol I was on. After my second and third sessions, the symptoms worsened! I turned to the internet to learn more about neuropathy and what, if anything, I could do about it. I found an article by Cindy H. Makencon, website: www.ovarian-news.org, entitled "coping-Tips for dealing with neuropathy." She offered a great deal of helpful information including reports of studies on the benefits of taking fairly large doses of L-Glutamine Sulfate and Chondroitin. I forwarded this information onto Carolyn, the research nurse in charge of my clinical study, and she shared the information with the oncologist. I had already started taking L-Glutamine when I met with him. He had further researched and developed a new treatment plan for me which included large doses of L-Glutamine, a change in one of the chemo meds, and the addition of a medication called neurontin. The combination of all these things worked! The neuropathy gradually subsided and I've had no further problems.

I believe a few other factors contributed to my being able to handle the chemo pretty well. I continued to increase my exercise regimen, progressing to walking everyday and then back to the gym for step-classes, albeit modified, and lifting light weights. Exercise builds muscle strength, increases oxygen and blood flow and for me, was and is a real physical and mental energy boost.

I came across a book entitled: "Herbal Therapy & Supplements- a Scientific and Traditional Approach" written by Merrily A. Kuhn, RN, Ph.D. and David Winston, a herbalist and ethnobiologist. The book was part of an at-home study course that I needed to complete for my RN Continuing Education Credits. The book offers a comprehensive guide to many common and some less common herbs and supplements, their uses, adverse effects, contraindications, and drug-herb interactions. After careful research, I started using several herbs and supplements designed to minimize chemo side effects and boost my immune system. I was careful to use things that do not stimulate estrogen in the body as my cancer was estrogen-receptor positive. I started taking these supplements one or two things at a time in smaller doses in order to monitor any unfavorable reactions, before adding more. Most importantly, I notified my doctor that I was taking supplements and having acupuncture.

At the end of this article, I will offer a complete list of the supplements and herbs that I have been using and some information regarding the rationale for each of these additions.

For several months, our kitchen counter resembled a drug and supplement store. I had to write up a daily schedule of what to take when. It was worth it! Once the neuropathy was under control, I tolerated the remainder of the chemo treatments pretty well. I was able to work full time and exercise, and my appetite and energy levels were good. Physically, acupuncture, exercise, diet, and supplements were, and still are, valuable tools which helped me deal with the chemo and recover from its serious effects.

On another level, the emotional and spiritual aids were an even more powerful part of the healing process. Previously, I mentioned my visualizations regarding pre and post operative healing and seeing myself healthy and cancer free. Now, it was time to take it a step further and include it as a powerful adjunct to the chemo medications. Rather than seeing the meds as a poison, I started to visualize it as "nectar from the gods," washing through me and being taken up by my immune cells as a potion to destroy cancer cells. A few weeks before my first treatment, I read an article about a young local girl who had battled cancer at age 16. She wrote a book about her experience and included her thoughts on seeing her chemo as "nectar from the gods." I admired her outlook and incorporated it into my work. My husband, John, created a special tape for me to listen to while receiving the infusion of chemo. This guided exercise included relaxation, healing messages, and suggestions for picturing my immune cells taking care of things and using the chemo effectively. Before each chemo session, even before they started the IV, he would do a relaxation exercise with me. This ritual became a very important part of the process. By working on my "attitude" towards the chemo and by connecting with these parts of myself that can be powerful self-healers, I felt I was taking back control of what was happening. Feeling that you are part of the healing process instead of a passive receiver of medications etc., is very empowering.

Rituals and routines are very comforting, especially when you're experiencing stressful times. My "chemo ritual" evolved from the very first session. The night before, I meditated and did my healing visualizations at bedtime. John drove me to the oncology center. I selected my chair and we settled in with his relaxation exercise. My sister, Nance, arrived bearing muffins and silly magazines. After visiting and chatting, John left for work and Nance and I munched muffins and laughed at the National Enquirer stories. About an hour before the infusion was completed, my brother, Tom, would arrive for a visit and to take me home. Somewhere in the session, my sister, Laurie, would call from Washington to check in and often John would "pop in" in his travels. I always had company and felt lovingly supported. Sabrina included me in her meditation every morning and my mom would stop by the day after the session for tea and a chat. Every three weeks from December 21 through May 27, we followed this routine. The nurses and my family got to know one another and we became a real team!

Returning to work seven weeks after surgery was another normalizing routine that made me feel like I was taking back my life. Except for the day of chemo and the following day, I have worked full time, feeling productive, healthy and normal. My co-workers have been very supportive and caring. They even threw me a graduation party to celebrate the completion of chemo.

Even before my last chemo, I was researching what to do to prevent a recurrence of the disease. I found information on a clinical study for Ovarex, a vaccine designed to prevent a recurrence of ovarian cancer. After many phone calls, letters and haggling with my insurance company, I was accepted into a study being conducted at Stanford's Cancer Center in Palo Alto. It involved monthly infusions for the first three months and then every twelve weeks for the rest of the year, with routine labs and CT scans. I have experienced only mild side effects and feel fortunate to have access to one more tool.

This past year has been one of lessons for me. I would have preferred the "universe" had given me a gentle tap on the shoulder instead of this Giant Thump on the head to let me know I had things to learn about myself and how "I am" in the world. Here are some of the things I have learned from this experience:

1. Pay attention - perhaps if I had agitated more forcefully with my doctor that something was NOT right, she would have responded with more attention. LISTEN to your body and trust your intuition.

2. Don't take anything for granted - people, job, health, hair. When you face the loss of these things, you realize how special people are, how the day-to-day routine of a job is a gift, how precious good health is and even how much better a "bad hair" day is than NO HAIR!

3. There are a great many sources of invaluable information out there through people, libraries and the internet. Taking advantage of these resources allowed me to create a comprehensive plan to restore my health and fight the disease using a combination of Western and alternative therapies.

4. We do have choices in how we deal with a crisis - probably the best choice for me was to reach out and ask for help. The more people I told about my health issues, the more positive energy came my way. I felt empowered rather than vulnerable and armed with my helmet (a wig, which, by the way, I got complements on) and my armor (acupuncture, supplements, chemo, prayers and visualization) I was ready to do battle. I was "Warrior Princess" instead of cancer patient.

5. Laughter is GOOD MEDICINE!

At this writing, my labs and CT scans are completely normal. I am back to my normal routines of work and exercise. I am sporting a "Jamie Lee Curtis" hairdo. I am excited about decorating and shopping for Thanksgiving and when we all come together, we'll have a lot to be thankful for! Before we dig into our feast, I will be asking each person to write on a piece of paper, one thing that they are grateful for. Each of us will then withdraw one of these papers from the basket and try to guess who wrote the message. It will be easy to guess mine. I am grateful for all the love and support from my family and friends (with a special thanks to my son, Matt, and my husband for shaving their heads to support me and to my son, Mike, and his band for dedicating songs to me at concerts and their fund raising for the Cancer Society.) I am grateful for the prayers and best wishes that came my way from people I do not even know. I thank you!!! Well, of course, that's more than one thing on my piece of paper but so what! It's time to celebrate!

Happy Thanksgiving 2004 and celebrate every day of your life.

Barbara's Complete Ovarian Cancer Fighting Supplement List:

Three Imperial Mushroom Capsules - available through acupuncture office

A) Reishi- Immuno stimulant: enhances immune system; use is sanctioned by the Japanese Health Ministry as an adjunct treatment for cancer; Increases activity of chemotheraputic agents and reduces adverse effects such as nausea, decreased white blood cell counts; helps protect the liver against damage caused by viral, drug and environmental toxins.

B) Shitaki- strengthens immune system response; improves survival times of cancer patients when used concurrently with chemo.

C) Maitake- best known for cancer fighting properties; many doctors in Japan use it to lower blood pressure and blood lipids; effective as an anti-tumor agent and immune system modulator.

Echinacia- used in Germany along with chemo in the treatment of cancer. May enhance white blood cell counts in persons undergoing chemo.

Cat's Claw- reduces side effects of chemo; used in clinical practice in Europe for cancer & HIV; has important immune enhancing properties; helps increase the number of T-cells, the true soldiers of the immune system. In Austria, it is used together with conventional treatment (chemo, radiation &/or surgery) to treat hundreds of cancer patients per year.

Graviola- scientists have been studying this herb since the 1940's - four studies were published in 1998 re: significant anti-tumor properties and selective toxicity against various types of cancer cells (without harming healthy cells; Purdue University has conducted a great deal of research on the Annonaceous acetogenins family to which graviola belongs) much of which has been funded by the National Cancer Institute or the National Institute of Health.

Acidophyllis- rebalances intestinal flora (especially important when you're taking a lot of medications.)

Multivitamins with Vitamin E

Calcium Supplement

IP-6 with Insositol- has been studied extensively for over 20 years; has powerful effects on the immune system.

Wheat Grass Juice- increases hemoglobin; rebuilds the blood; improves body's ability to heal wounds; washes drug deposits from the body; neutralizes toxins and carcinogens in the body.

Green and White Tea- Chinese believe green tea is a cure for cancer and a longevity tonic; boosts immune system function; research being done all over the world and in the US by the National Cancer Institute re: anti-tumor activity. Both green and white tea are excellent antioxidants.

Website for researching herbs- Plant Database Raintree Nutrition

I used the guided relaxations/visualizations CD's from the Stress Education Center-Dstress.com
1. #209 Stress Management for Pre and Post-op Survival
2. #208 Stress Management for Healing

Reference:
Health Update from SELF Magazine by Jennifer Nelson November, 2004
Ovarian cancer: a not-so-silent killer

"Early diagnosis is crucial. When disease is caught before it spreads, 80 percent of women will survive."

by Barbara Ehlers-Mason, RN and L. John Mason, Ph.D.

Written in November, 2004, one year after the Surgery for Ovarian Cancer, in November, 2003

Stress Education Center (707) 795-2228 website: http://www.dstress.com

L. John Mason, Ph.D. is the author of the best selling "Guide to Stress Reduction." Since 1977, he has offered Executive Coaching and Training.

Please visit the Stress Education Center's website at Stress, Stress Management, Coaching, and Training for articles, free ezine signup, and learn about the new telecourses that are available. If you would like information or a targeted proposal for training or coaching, please contact us at (360) 593-3833.

If you are looking to promote your training or coaching career, please investigate the Professional Stress Management Training and Certification Program for a secondary source of income or as career path. Your training can be tailored for work with selected populations of clients including severely or chronically ill patients (and their care-givers) and for working with terminally ill patients and their care-givers.

Shed kits are wonderful for people that do not have time to build a shed from scratch or want the full investment of a pre-built structure. The kits are available at local stores and Internet stores to offer buyers a great option for having a new shed in their yards.

Typically shed kits come in standard sizes and styles. Make sure that you pre-measure the area that you will place the shed to order the correct size. The sheds style that you choose will determined by how well it compliments the landscape and purpose for the shed.

Fortunately you do not have to be a rocket scientist to use these kits. The instructions are very detailed and explain step by step how to put the structure together. Many of the sheds offer great easy pictures to follow. Do not be tempted to simply do it without following the sheds instructions or you could end up with a huge disaster on your hands!

Some companies go the extra mile and can create a marvelous design for you. You simply send them your sketches, dimensions and specifications. They will tailor to your needs and provide you with custom designed pre-cut shed kits. These are great for people that want something completely unique for their property that meets all their specific needs and desires. There is a wait for these since the company will have to create a plan and then pre-cut the materials to specifications before completing your kit. There is typically an additional charge for these custom kits but it is well worth the extra investment.

Whenever adding new additions to your home or your property make sure that you follow the guidelines of the homeowners association and the city building codes. You do not want to put up a structure that will later have to be removed because of violations.

An advantage to the pre-cut sheds is that you can put the structure together yourself. There is a great sense of accomplishment in doing this type of building and home improvement. In addition, the shed kits are typically lower cost then purchasing a completely built model. They take less time to put together then building completely from scratch. Following the directions you know that you will have a beautiful project when you are finished that is sure to be the envy of the neighborhood!

Whether you want a garden shed, cottage shed, playhouse or outdoor storage sheds there is sure to be shed kits available on the Internet and at local stores for you to select from. Pre-measure the area before purchasing and check with the homeowners association or local building codes to make sure your shed choice meets all the rules and regulations. Simply follow the instructions and you will have a beautiful new shed from the standard shed kits or a custom designed one.

BuyaShed specialize in sheds garages, carports, farm sheds, garden sheds and much more and we deliver FREE to 100 local depots australia wide.

Who hasn't dreamed of escaping to a deserted island? A palm tree drenched spit of sand surrounded by gleaming "too blue" to be real water and absolutely no one else around. I'm sure you probably have. But unlike Tom Hanks in Castaway you don't have to get shipwrecked or have your plane crash to find these deserted islands. You just need a few intrepid friends, a great sense of adventure and a bareboat charter.

A bareboat charter is basically the hiring of a boat, in my case a sailboat, where my friends and I would provide the crew and captain. Many island countries of the world have charter companies, which provide sailboats to clients who are certified captains and the rest become the crew. The charter companies stock the galley with a list of provisions of your choosing, including alcohol and you do all of the cooking.

It all started when a sailing friend of mine mentioned she was part a flotilla of 2 sailboats going to the Tongan Islands. I immediately said I wanted to go along. She said all we had to do was to get 6 more people, including one experienced skipper and we could add our boat to the adventure. Well, as luck would have it, a good friend of mine had been a captain for over 20 years, had owned her own sailboats and had her 100-ton license. We were all set, so off we all went to the Tongan Islands.

Tonga is comprised of 170 islands and about 1/3 of them are uninhabited and unless you have a boat or know someone who's got one there's not much chance of getting the experience of being on a real deserted island.

We booked our charter through a company called Moorings, who has bases all around the world where you can rent bareboat sailboats. We picked a 46-foot Beneteau which was quite roomy with 3 berths and 3 heads and a large main galley area. And then with minimal introduction to our new home away from home we packed up our supplies and headed off from the dock to our first uncharted island.

Hiring bareboats has become increasingly common as part time sailors are finding it easier and cheaper to vacation around the world on a rented boat and still get the experience of seeing the place they are visiting from the water. The unhurried pace of our floating hotel and restaurant made it easy to relax, cook, swim, scuba dive and visit with the locals. I found it was a more engaging way to visit a place. We became travelers rather then mere tourists. Wed pull up to their dock or take our dingy to their beach and walk in our bare feet to their huts or cafes nestled in the palm fronds and find places that you cant reach by roads. A girl could get used to this life.

Bareboat chartering offers the ultimate in freedom, independence and a different way of seeing a place. In the Tongan Islands for the most part we enjoyed line of sight cruising with only a few hidden reefs to worry about. Steady breezes, ample sunshine and palm-lined islands with white sand beaches beckoned us wherever we dropped our anchor. I had finally found my deserted islands and also a bareboat yachting paradise.

One morning on our voyage, a silver haired woman with large round sunglasses quietly breast stroked over to the stern of our sailboat where I was sitting writing in the early morning light. As I looked up to see her she called out to me, "Is this the bevy of beauties I've been hearing about?"

We were something of a spectacle and we made a grand entrance into every port we entered, so it seemed our reputation was spreading fast. You see were 3 sailboats of 6 women each all with a woman captain at the helm, and our ages ranged from 31 to 73. We were a sight to behold.

The local Tongans we met were very curious as well & the typical question from them was, "Where are your husbands and children?" They actually laughed along with us when we answered them; " Oh we forgot them at home!"

There is something magical the first time your sails fill with wind and you find yourself gliding through turquoise blue waters. There is nothing more peaceful, relaxing or more empowering than being in charge and at the helm of your very own sailboat.

Deborah Dennis is the author of Adventures of Women, a web site dedicated to making everyday a new adventure. She is also a writer, a travel photographer, a professional web designer and an adventurer.

She has tracked black rhinos, chased lions in the Okavango Delta, rafted down the Zambezi River, hiked up Machu Picchu, sailed a bareboat in Tonga, got lost in a rain forest in Thailand, dove the Great White Wall in Fiji, sea kayaked in Baja, & outrigger canoed in British Columbia to get her photographs and stories.

Choosing your mortgage payment plan can be quite confusing. Everyone wants the lowest mortgage rate but, don't know whether to choose a fixed or adjustable mortgage rate. Here's a tip: the Lowest Mortgage Rate would be an adjustable rate mortgage on one condition, you plan to take the loan for a short period.

How to Calculate an Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

Prior to calculating an ARM first understand whether you should use this type of plan. Due to the fact that ARM's are short term fixed rate loans, after the fixed rate term is over the rate becomes variable according to the interest rate at that time. Keep in mind that rates fluctuate based on the markets conditions and they may change every month for good or for bad.

ARM's typically run over a 30 year period. If you want to pay off the loan as quick as possible knowing you won't live in the home for a long period of time (up to 10 years) an ARM might be the solution you are looking for. The fixed, lower rate term you choose can be anywhere from one month to 10 years. Naturally, the shorter fixed rate period term you choose, the lower your interest rate will be. Remember to consider the fact that when the fixed term rate is over the rate you have to pay will fluctuate.

Does Good Credit Help Me Get a Better ARM?

When Lending money from any financial institution, your credit score always has an impact on the rate you are quoted. Credit score is however only one of the factors that determines the rate.

Benefiting From ARM

Due to the fact that ARM begins with a fixed lower rate and fluctuates you may benefit greatly from this behavior. First, you pay a lower fixed rate for the period you choose. For example you choose a 10 year ARM with a 5 year fixed rate. During the 5 years you enjoy a low fixed rate. Once the fixed rate term is over you find that the adjustable mortgage rate is actually lower than the rate you were to pay if you were to choose the fixed mortgage rate when applying for the mortgage. This may not stay permanently however; generally speaking, ARM is good for short term loans.

When signing a deal with home mortgage lenders, make sure that you are informed with all the necessary details.

Visit us for more mortgage refinance tips and information we have bad credit refinancing solutions as well.

Home is where we can truly rest well after a day of hard work, and who would not want to have the most comfortable and cozy place for the whole family. Knowing that there is always room for improvement, many would love to improve their house in any aspect as much as they can.

When it comes to home improvement project, the thing is most of us expect restaurant standard on a fast food budget. Your dream home improvement project would almost always fail to realize because of money issue. The thing is who would find their contractors quotation cheap or maybe affordable unless one is filthy rich!

For most of us, to achieve the dream home that we want, one of the ways is to do it yourself. By doing away with the labor cost factor in by contractor companies, your dream project can be reduced by up to 50%.

Everybody knows that DIY home improvement is cheaper, but the question is should you even do it yourself? Well, it really depends. There are some questions you should ask before you embarked on home improvement yourself:

1. Are you skilled enough or have the necessary expertise to do the job?
Home improvement jobs that are dangerous for layman should be avoided altogether. Some of the jobs include extensive electrical wiring work, roofing work on a steep or high roof, and plumbing work that require one to climb under the house.

These jobs more often than not either require specialize knowledge or safety tools and gears that most laymen lack. It is simply not worth taking the risk to save some money. These jobs are best left for skilled workers.

2. Do you have the extra time to complete the project?
You can work on your project either after work or over the weekend whenever you are free. The question to ask is whether you can use the time to more productive and valuable uses. For example, investing into your family or cooperate advancement. Understand that your spare time also has a value attach to it.

3. Skills, Experience and Tools
Some of the more complicated job would require some skills, experience and tools to do a good job. Unless you are willing to put in a considerable amount of time to learn the skills, especially where craftsmanship is concern, chances are high that you will end up with an unprofessional looking creation. This is especially true for jobs like raised-panel cabinets.

There is always extra pride when you are able to roll up your sleeves and finish a home improvement project from start to end. Nevertheless, you should also understand the practicality aspect of it so as to avoid disappointment in the end.

Moses Wright is the founder of Home and Family. He provides more useful information on DIY Home Improvement and Home Improvement Centers on his website. Webmasters are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.