SIDS-Known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrom

SIDS-Known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Studies say that the rate of infant deaths are drastically down, but still around 4,000 sleep related deaths are still occurring each year. Research goes toward the study of possible medical conditions infants may have. The research for SIDS have come to a stand still because of the information needed to study the tissues of infants who have passed from SIDS. Without the studies there is no cure, the SIDS Institute are asking for donations so that more studies can be done to better understand the onset of SIDS. Many organizations are looking for hope and a cure to rid infants of this mystery, because without the proper funding and research we will not be able to know what really causes SIDS.

OC Trail Tales Foundation & Road Runner Sports as we get movin' to raise funds for SIDS Research!

Date: Thursday, June 19

Event Check-In: 5:30pm

Place: Road Runnder Sports Laguna Hills, Oakbrook Village, 24291 Avenida De La Carlota, Laguna Hills, CA 92653 

By Kimberly Claus

Reference

American SIDS Institute http://sids.org/ 

The Healing Process

The Healing Process

Some have gone the long rout of a full mastectomy, where others have done only a lumpectomy. Either way, both have their long routes to recovery. Any sort of surgery warrants pain from incisions, to tissue healing from stitches to the full removal of the breast. The body goes through different sensations in the healing process, that many are not sure of what they feel physically because of the unknowns after surgery. There is allot of confusion of what is a normal pain and what is something to be worried about post surgery.

Even through the pain and the uncertainty, there is much gratitude towards the surgeons and people who are part of the healing process afterwards. Many are happy to be here to take one day at a time and know that they are survivors of an illness that has not taken their all, they still have tons of life to live and for that they know each day is a gift. Without the large group of supporters and survivors out there that have traveled down the same road to recovery, many would be alone not knowing what to expect without other courageous stories being told. It’s the human spirit that gets us through hard times and its those who support us through those hard times that get us to the healing process.

By Kimberly Claus

Reference

Healing Post-Surgery-3 months later, November 16,2011 http://thebreastblog.wordpress.com/category/breast-health/healing-from-breast-surgery/ 

An Ounce of Prevention...Mammograms

They say every woman should start receiving Mammograms at the age of 40, but are they wrong when it comes to this information? There’s two sides to the story, first off early detection does save and has saved many lives. Along with a team of researchers led by Dr. Blake Cady of Massachusetts General Hospital researched women from 1990 to 1999 and tracked their cases until 2007, findings were 609 confirmed cancer deaths, and 71 percent never had a mammogram prior to their diagnosis. Half of the deaths were in women younger than 50 years of age.

Now, only recently in 2009 the United States Preventive Services Task Force, has released recommendation of women getting mammograms starting at the age of 50, and to get them every other year until age 74. The USPSTF states that too many young women are getting unnecessary testing and treatments. So what do we decide is the right information to go by, one has to decide for themselves, early detection if the best for prevention of breast cancer in any case.

One of our Co-Founders Corrinne Wallace, here at OC Trails Tales Foundation had recently battled her own courageous outcome to breast cancer. Her personal story is listed here on our blog. She endured a long recovery and now is cancer free!

Reference

Mammograms Before 50 Could Save Lives, Researchers Say By ABC News | ABC News Blogs – Mon, Sep 9, 2013 8:32 PM EDT

Latest Evidence Against Mammograms Adds To Women's Uncertainty by NANCY SHUTE

February 12, 2014

By Kimberly Claus

Life with Breast Cancer

‘Life with Breast Cancer’

There’s so much information out there on the topic of Breast Cancer these days, I came across an article that had a very special story about a very intelligent doctor who seen a need for a woman’s hospital where she founded the Pink Lotus Medical Center in Beverly Hills. A woman's medical center, run specifically by women. She also runs a campaign for breast cancer, ‘Save Lids to Save Lives’ raising awareness for early detection.

Join OC Trail Tales Foundation & Road Runner Sports as we get movin' to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research! Thursday, May 15  http://octrailtalesfoundation.org/events.html

Reference:

Dr. Kristi Funk: A True Soldier in the War Against Breast Cancer By Kathy-Ellen Kups, RN

by
Kimberly Claus

My Personal Story

I thought off and on about this subject and of letting everyone know or not know, and after talking to a dear friend of mine, she has encouraged me to write about and tell my story in hopes that it will encourage some or all of you to get tested!
In the summer of 2013, i was taking a shower and discovered a lump in my breast while doing a self check. Which by the way, i never do, it was just a thought i had to do it. I remember doing a long run with our students, and it happened to be some of their first long runs ever of 26 miles on the trail. I confided in my student/friend Rhoda on the long run of what i had found, and was encouraged by her to go get my mammogram. Well, i had known i had an appointment coming up, my yearly and i did not want to be a drama queen, so i was going to wait. It was just a couple months away.

Weeks went by and i still had not been checked, and Rhoda reminded me each time i saw her to have it checked. i finally did. They called me back that afternoon, (which is never a good call) and i went back for more testing and a biopsy. The biopsy led to my first surgery, a lumpectomy in October.

After recovery, the next step was to see an oncologyst, a cancer Dr. I did so, and my options after having A Typical Ductal Hyperplasia (thats what they found and removed), was either 1., do nothing. 2., Tomoxofin (a drug for 5 years). or 3., double mastectomy (which is to remove your breasts and breast tissue. I chose that day in the oncologysts office number 3. My mother has had breast cancer to this date 4 times, and i was going to just get rid of these things because i did not want to go through the pain she has for over 30 years. It is a tough decision for one to make, but for me was the only one.

I had my surgery Monday Feb 24, 2014. I have to say the most painful thing so far i have experienced. But i think the training of ultras has really helped me to endure and deal with the pain. I have also had the most supportive, loving, awesome group of friends and family, just oozing love, and i am totally overwhelmed and love you all, it is so awesome, and really helps me, you are seriously SO amazing and awesome!

So, i went in for one of my follow ups this past week, actually on Monday, and my surgeon gave me the good and bad news...Bad news, "your pathology showed you had DCIS in the same left breast, DCIS is a ductal stage 0 cancer, a new lump that had progressed since the A typical Hyperlasia". Good news..."we got it all and your cancer free!" "Its a good thing you removed them." It is amazing, because had i chose to take the tomoxofin, number 2, i would have started that day, and maybe had a check up in 6 months. By then who knows what stage the DCIS would have been.

I am relieved and recovering now. It is hard to sit a do nothing, but i know now i have plenty of time to live after i recover.

Thank you Keira for keeping me strong, and remembering why we are here. To encourage each other in every aspect of our lives. Please Please if you have never done so, please get a mamogram, give yourselves weekly breast exams, catch this early! Keira tells me that when i told her, she, our friend Pam, and our friend Molly all got checked! So awesome! Good girls! Remember, men also get breast cancer, please know your bodies, and your intuition, listen to yourselves.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful support. Thank you Pete for just being my rock, and being totally unselfish and taking care of me round the clock. I could not do this without you.

So know that if i have not been training hard with you guys, it is not because i did not want too, and i will be back as soon as i can, but it will be a long slow recovery, but i will be back with you. For now, it would be so awesome if you could all put your positive energy on your training, and train together. This weekend is daylight savings, and with that is more light! Take advantage of the light at night, and know i am thinking of you! Help each other, take photos, and keep me posted. Its going to be a great year!