Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

(https://healthbridgehc.com/blog/november-is-lung-cancer-awareness-month/)



Hey guys,

This month one of the awareness's is for Lung Cancer. I'm not too familiar with all of the statistics about Lung Cancer so I went to Google (of course) and learned some facts.  Here are some statistics:


  • Not counting Skin Cancer, Lung Cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women.
  • Prostate Cancer is more common in men and Breast Cancer is more common in women. 
  • All new Cancers amounts for 14% for Lung Cancer.
  • Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women; about 1 out of 4 cancer deaths are from lung cancer. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.
  • Lung cancer mainly occurs in older people. About 2 out of 3 people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older, while less than 2% are younger than 45. The average age at the time of diagnosis is about 70.

What really surprised me was this statistics, which was sad to read:

The American Cancer Society’s estimates for lung cancer in the United States for 2016 are:
  • About 224,390 new cases of lung cancer (117,920 in men and 106,470 in women)
  • About 158,080 deaths from lung cancer (85,920 in men and 72,160 in women)


    Reference:
    American Cancer society. (2016). Key statistics for lung cancer. Retrieved November 30, 2016, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/lungcancer-non-smallcell/detailedguide/non-small-cell-lung-cancer-key-statistics


    <3 Amanda 









    Friday, November 25, 2016

    Blogger Spotlight: My Life As A Chronically Ill Young Adult

    Hey guys,

    Sorry I haven't posted in awhile..oh the joys of having final assignments due. My next courses begin on the 7th,so I'm excited to have 2 weeks with no homework.  I have decided to change the name of the posts when I do interviews with other bloggers. Instead of Blogger Interview, I'm not naming those posts "Blogger Spotlight". My next blogger spotlight is on a blogger who I happened to come upon on and I immediately wanted to do a blogger spotlight on.  Her name is Becca and her blog is called "My Life As A Chronically Ill Young Adult". She is a young adult who was born with Tretralogy of Fallot, Pulmonary Atresia and Pulmonary Hypertension. I wanted to give her a blogger spotlight as I thought she is such a strong person and I wasn't aware of what Tretralogy of Fallot, Pulmonary Atresia and Pulmonary Hypertension, so I thought I would ask her if she could explain them to me and then write this post to bring awareness. If you would like to check out her blog, you definitely should. It is located here

    Q: Can you please explain what Tretralogy of Fallot, Pulmonary Atresia and Pulmonary Hypertension are?
    A: Tetralogy of Fallot is actually 4 different defects in the heart. One is a whole in the heart. (VSD) Second, pulmonary stenosis. Third, Right ventricular hypertrophy and fourth is an over-riding aorta.
    Pulmonary Atresia is the narrowing of the Pulmonary Arteries leading away from the heart and to the lungs. Mine are so tiny that they almost don't exist.
    Pulmonary Hypertension is actually a lung disease (mine is caused by the Pulmonary Atresia). PH is high blood pressure in the arteries of your lungs. Most people don't have any pressure in the arteries of their lungs, my pressures are at 90.

    Q:What made you start writing a blog?
    A: I have always loved writing. I couldn't do sports or be very active when I was young (still can't), so writing became a great coping mechanism for me. When I was in high school I realized that a lot of what I was feeling, I bet a lot of other chronically ill people felt too. I wanted them to know that they weren't alone.

    Q:What advice would you give to someone else who has Tretralogy of Fallot, Pulmonary Atresia, Pulmonary Hypertension or a different disease?
    A:On the medical side of advice, I'd tell them to listen to their doctors. Take your medicine. If you want to have a good quality of life (or as good as it can get), you have to work at it. On the more emotional side, I would tell you to join FB support groups for people who have your illness, find a camp for people who have your illness and if you're young enough, go as a camper and if you're too old; go as a counselor. The community for your illness is going to help you out so much. I went to camp at 7 years old and I have had friends for 17 years who have been there for me every step of the way.

    Q:Do you have any favorite quotes?
    A: "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is facing a battle in which you know nothing about." - T.H. Thompson and John Watson.

    Q:How long have you been blogging?
    A: Since my senior year of high school. This January it will be 6 years.

    Q:What do you like to do beside blogging? Any hobbies?
    A: I love reading. I also perform American Sign Language to music. I do a lot of arts and crafts as well. For Halloween I made all my own Halloween decorations (potion bottles, spell books) and since my whole family loves reading, I make a lot of bookmarks. I've sold a few of my things as well, but not enough to say I do it as a business. More just for fun. I also plan monthly event for local young adults who have Congenital Heart Disease like myself.


    Thank you Becca for letting me interview you and explaining to me what Tretralogy of Fallot, Pulmonary Atresia and Pulmonary Hypertension are and allowing me to help bring awareness to them if people aren't familiar with them. Also, if you would like to check out her blog, click here


    <3 Amanda 

    Wednesday, November 16, 2016

    Boxed.com Haul

    I wasn't familiar with Boxed. com but then I started reading about it and how people liked it,so I was like "I'll give it a try". I ended up liking it and I can see why many people like it. Here's my haul from Boxed.com :


    Food

    Swiss MissHot Cocoa Mix
    Milk Chocolate 60 x 0.73 oz$6.99(Wal-mart: $4.07 plus shipping)

    IZZESparkling Juice
    Variety Pack 24 x 8.4 oz$16.49(No variety pack at Wal-mart)

    Hershey'sMilk Chocolate Bars
    36 Count$22.99(Wal-mart: $29.95; with almonds; plus shipping)
    Kellogg'sPop-Tarts Toaster PastriesStrawberry + Brown Sugar Cinnamon 48 Count$9.99(At Wal-mart for $10.51 plus shipping)

    Kellogg'sRice Krispies Treats
    Variety Pack 54 Count$12.49(Couldn't find a 54pk at Wal-mart, but 40 pk is $21.24)
    Pop Secret
    Premium Popcorn
    Movie Theater Butter30 Count$11.99(At Wal-mart for $27.52 -free shipping)
    Trident
    Mint Variety
    16 Count$12.49(Couldn't find mint variety at Wal-mart)
    Kellogg's
    Frosted Mini Wheats
    70 oz$8.99(No available at Wal-mart)
     Heath/beauty 
    Clean & ClearOil Absorbing Sheets
    3 x 50 Count$13.99(At wal-mart: $17.59)

    ImodiumMulti-Symptom Relief
    Diarrhea Plus 60 Count$14.99($18.39 at Wal-mart)

    Band-AidAdhesive Bandages
    Variety Pack 280 Count$11.99($12.24 at Wal-mart)

    St. IvesApricot Scrub
    Fresh Skin 2 x 6 oz$6.49($3.48 plus shipping at Wal-mart)

    Prince & SpringLiquid Hand Soap
    Multi pack 4 x 7.5 oz$4.99(Not available at Wal-mart)

    USPS
    Forever Stamps
    100 Count$46.75
    Total spent:  $186.62 (including no shipping, $15 discount)Total saved: $64.99 PLUS $15=$79.99
    <3 Amanda 

    Jet.com Haul

    Since Christmas is arriving shortly, I thought I should begin my Christmas shopping and I've done a few different stores like Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Target,but I also ordered from two different companies that I have never ordered from and those were Jet.com and Boxed.com.  This is my Jet.com haul.

    Trident Sugar-Free Fruit Gum Variety Pack, 18 Piece Packs, 16 Ct
    • Item Subtotal $10.87
    • Extra Savings-$1.77
    • Estimated Tax $0.00
    • Item Total $9.10
    • Wal-mart has this item for $21.27 plus free shipping  but I saved $12.17

    Kirkland Signature Gourmet Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, 4 Lb Jar

    • Item Subtotal $22.00
    • Extra Savings -$3.98
    • Estimated Tax $0.00
    • Item Total $18.02 
    • Wal-mart has this item but it comes in a 2-pk for $49.17 plus free shipping so around $24.58 but I saved $6.56.

    Post Grape Nuts Cereal, 29 Oz

    • Item Subtotal $4.18
    • Extra Savings -$0.68
    • Estimated Tax $0.00
    • Item Total $3.50
    • Wal-mart has this item for $4.18 but not with free shipping. I saved $.068 so I didn't really save that much just besides I didn't have to pay $4.18 plus shipping 


    Total order:  $30.62

    • Starting Subtotal $37.05
    • Extra Savings-$1.02
    • 15 TODAY -$5.41
    • Subtotal $30.62
    • Shipping Fee $0.00
    • Estimated Tax $0.00

    (Boxed.com haul coming up shortly)

    <3 Amanda 

    Sunday, November 13, 2016

    National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week (November 12-20, 2016)



    (http://www.wineandglue.com/2013/05/spread-the-kindness.html)



    My father taught my brothers and I the act of helping others and paying it forward at an early age. When he got laid off in the winter months of 2004, he decided to start a charity that helped the homeless during the winter months. As he was driving home, he passed people living on the streets and knew he had to do something about that;he had to make a difference.  When he got home, he asked my second older brother if he wanted to help him with making a change and making a difference, and he quickly said "Yes".My dad then asked me and my other two brothers and we also quickly said "Yes". My dad and (second) older brother came up with the name ; "Operation Warmth". 

    Our first year was December 2005, the Saturday morning before Christmas. We collect winter clothing and items throughout the year. We go downtown with all of the donations and set up all of the banana boxes full of clothing on the sidewalk and items and the homeless come and get what they need. You might think they would be pushing each other and grabbing everything that they could hold, but no they are really polite and pretty much stand in a line. Every year,we collect between 300-500 (depend on the year) banana boxes full of donations plus many blankets, pillows, bottles of water, and more. One year we had the local elementary school make Christmas cards for the homeless, we made ornaments out of paper, we provided them with candy canes, sandwiches and also one year we let the homeless decorate their own sugar cookie. 


    How did we get all of these donations?  We let our friends and family know on Facebook where to drop off their donations, we post about the charity on online garage sales groups, we make boxes and place them around the community (at schools,businesses, churches,etc.). We also go to garage sales throughout the summer and purchase items that way as well.

    It is sad that homelessness and hunger is a big problem in the world today. Nobody should be homeless or not able to have some food.  Nobody knows what someone is going through or why they are on the streets. We all need to spread kindness because that is what we would want if we were in their shoes.


    <3 Amanda 

    Thankful For Blogger!

    (http://everything.typepad.com/blog/2009/02/i-love-blogging.html)


    Today I am thankful that I'm able to have a blog and post on there for others to read. It sincerely surprises me how many people all over the world read my blog. My total amount of page views as of right now is 4,937,and that just blows my mind as I didn't think so many people would actually read my blog posts. It allows me to interact with people who I would have never have met. Blogging is one of my favorite hobbies! 

    Thank you who everyone to reads my blog!

    <3 Amanda 







    Saturday, November 12, 2016

    November 12th, 2016- Thankful For My Past (and present) Educators

    (http://quotesgram.com/dance-teacher-thank-you-quotes/)


    Today I’m thankful for all of my past (and present) educators and those who have been a mentor in my eyes as I go through schooling to be in the education field. Some of these teachers have known me since I was a little shy girl but I have come a long ways. Some of these teachers pushed me because even though I didn’t believe in myself all of the time, they still did and knew I could achieve my goals and be successful. You all have impacted my life and inspired me and I wish to impact and inspire the future generation. Thank you! Oh, and it’s really fun to be birthday twins with one of your favorite teachers! :)


    Do you (or did) you have a favorite teacher?


    <3 Amanda

    Friday, November 11, 2016

    Veterans Day 2016



    (http://quoteaddicts.com/topic/thank-you-veterans-day-poems/)


    Today is a day that everyone should take a moment of silence in dedication of our Veterans and those who are currently serving for our country. Some didn’t get selected, they felt in their heart that they were needed and wanted to go serve and fight, and help keep our country free. Thank you to my Uncles, Grandpa, boyfriend and friends who all served and currently serving. I want to also thank all of my friends who have loved ones serving or served because they themselves served/serving for our country as well and keeping our country free.

    If you are reading this and you served, serving or have loved ones who have served or currently serving, thank you!

    <3 Amanda 




    Thursday, November 10, 2016

    Updated What's In My Shower

    I decided to do an updated what's in my shower as I use different products now.  Before I show you what products I use, does anyone have any favorite face wash as I'm looking for a new brand?  Please leave the brand now below in the comments.


    I have been going back and fourth between these two brands (Yes, I used all of the Herbal Essences conditioner). 



    Garnier Fruitis: Fortifying Shampoo, Triple Nutrition  (for dry and/or damaged hair)
    Garnier Fruitis: Fortifying Conditioner, Triple Nutrition  (for dry and/or damaged hair)


    Herbal Essence: Hello Hydration Shampoo

    Olay: Ultra Moisture in Vanilla Indulgence (Used with a luffa)



    I still use the same brand of razor and shaving cream. I don't remember the brand of the razor but the shaving cream is EOS shave cream: Pomegranate Raspberry.



    Before putting hair detangler in my hair, I sometimes put a little of  Suave Moroccan Infusion Styling Oil as it makes it easier to brush my hair.



    I know these are for kids but they have always worked for my hair. The top picture is Kids Spray-On Detangler in Watermelon but I'm running out of it so I had to get another bottle which is kind of the same thing but called Fresh Monster Kids Hair Detangler,also in Watermelon.  The only difference is that the Fresh Monster is Toxic Free, and I' not sure if that is the reason why I sneeze mostly every time I spray it in my hair.

    You,of course, have to put deodorant after you get out of the shower and the brand that I use is called Lady Speed Stick:Invisible Dry.


    The brand of hair bush that I use is Conair ( You can barely read the brand)..

    And then lastly, some of the times after I take a shower I put lotion on and I go back and fourth with these two brands: Jergen's Original Scent and EOS Hand and Body Lotion.

    Again, if you have any recommendations for a face wash, please comment below.


    <3 Amanda