RDH Magazine wrote about previvorsandsurvivors.com
RDH magazine is a trade magazine for Registered Dental Hygienists. This month in their April 2012 (volume-32/ issue 4) issue, an article was written by: Lory Laughter, RDH, BS
Author Lori Laughter titled her article: Life outside of hygiene!
The article can be found by following this link:
The article hightlights a few dental hygienists who have lives “outside” the hygiene world. The article basically makes you think about how people assume and define you by what they see in front of them. We – hygienists think about things other than teeth!
I am honored to have been one of the hygienists RDH Magazine selected to write about and I wanted to share the particular paragraph that was written about me and our group previvorsandsurvivors.com with you all.
I am directly quoting from the article:
“Tobey, RDH, from Oceanside, NY, (who does not use her last name on the website) introduced me to
http://www.previvorsandsurvivors.com
Reading her experience on the “about” page was a moving and educational experience. Until visiting the site, I had never heard of a previvor. Spending some time here learning about the BRCA gene’s relationship to breast and ovarian cancers will help all women make informed decisions about their own health care regarding prevention and diagnostic testing. Previvors and Survivors is a nonprofit organization that provides support, skills, and resources for women who are dealing with the difficult decisions surrounding BRCA, hereditary breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. The pages are filled with critical information, touching and inspiring stories, and ways each of us can become involved in helping affected women and families. Please do not leave the site without reading Tobey’s story and sharing it with at least one other woman. It is information we cannot afford to overlook.”
Follow the link above to read about the other amazing hygienists and I agree with Lori Laughter – next time you meet someone in business, ask them about their life. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you find out.
Thank you again RDH magazine & Lori Laughter.
Thank you EASTMEADOWPATCH & Michael Ganci
Greatest Person: Sharon Stanley Teaches by Example
Despite undergoing multiple surgeries due to having the BRCA1 gene, she spends her time educating young people.
- By Michael Ganci
- September 14, 2011
Not even multiple surgeries could slow Sharon Stanley down.
Stanley, 53, and a Westbury resident whose son attends W.T. Clarke Middle School, has the BRCA1 gene, which gives women a higher than normal chance of having breast cancer.
After losing both her mother and grandmother to ovarian cancer, being tested was a "no-brainer."
"When my mother was dying, she told me to have my babies and then get tested," Stanley said.
Sure enough, doctors found the gene, which led to Stanley getting her ovaries removed in 2003. That wasn't all, though, as doctors found something on a mammogram in 2008. The doctor referred her to a surgeon, who recommended a bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction.
"I was blown away," Stanley said. "Suddenly my odds of getting breast cancer went from 30 percent to 60-80 percent. Normal women only have a 12 percent chance of getting breast cancer."
In June of 2009, Stanley had the initial procedure to have her breasts removed. Expanders were put in. Then, in October, Stanley had a second surgery to put in silicone implants.
"I don't regret having the surgery," Stanley said. "I regret that I had to have it."
Stanley says that she was often in pain throughout the process and several months after, but she found support groups that helped her get through the process. One such group, previvorsandsurvivors.com, is based on Long Island, and Stanley is now the second vice president.
Stanley works as an elementary school teacher in Queens. She helps children with learning disabilities and language difficulties "function in the regular education classroom setting."
Stanley's son is involved in the music programs at Clarke Middle School, and she's proud to be in the East Meadow School District.
"When my husband and I were researching school districts, we were looking at reading and mathematics scores," Stanley said. "It never occurred to us to investigate music programs! We feel like we lucked out in this district."
Stanley, who admits she loves Eisenhower Park, and especially the Carltun, says there is one way you know you're from East Meadow.
"You no longer can eat chicken from Boston Market or any other place," she said. "Now we have Zorns!"
September 2011
It is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month!
previvorsandsurvivors.com wants to support all the ovarian cancer previvors and suvivors out there. If you can, please wear “teal” every Friday this month!
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer are:
- Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating
- Pelvic discomfort or pain
- Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea
- Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
- Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate
- Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full
- Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist
- A persistent lack of energy
- Low back pain
There is also a test out there called CA125. Please ask your doctor’s about it.
Be well you all……
BRCA PREVIVORS AND SURVIVORS—-check this out!
I just finished reading a book from one of our BRCA previvors and survivors members and I wanted to recommend it to anyone facing the preemptive decision of having a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy and or oophorectomy.
The book is: BEYOND THE PINK MOON by Nicki Boscia Durlester. You can follow our link for all information. If you would like an autographed copy of the book, you can e-mail her directly at: nicki@beyondthepinkmoon.com. Shipping will also be free.
Please order her book, as it is a very inspiring account and honest look at the issues we face. Nicki, has also offered to give back to our previvor and survivor community, by donating 25% of the books sales if you mention previvorsandsurvivors.com.
It is her personal memoir of legacy, loss and survival. I found the story to be unbelievably riveting. No matter how many stories I hear from our members, it always moves me to hear someone’s journey and what brought them to our site. We, who are diagnosed positive with the BRCA gene mutation, all have the same fears for ourselves and our families, and somehow having this sisterhood here, brings us all together.
As always,
Be well you all…..
Tobey
Great New BRCA Documentary “IN THE FAMILY”
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
There is a new film coming October 1st to PBS on P.O.V. called “In The Family.”
It is a BRCA film about predicting breast & ovarian cancer, the consequences of knowing, and living with knowing. The question is “How much do you sacrifice to survive?”
Can’t wait to see it, thanks so much for bringing this BRCA issue into the public eye.
Good luck…Good health!
Great New BRCA Book To Read
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
Hello Everyone,
While I was getting busy developing this website, I went to the library to do research, and I came across this wonderfully written book by Jessica Queller called “Pretty Is What Changes.”
The book takes us through a journey of her life from watching her mom pass from breast cancer, to her discovering her BRCA status, to her prophylactic measures to save her own life.
This book was in my opinion so well written, and seemed to have told my story as well. If it told my story, I’m sure it will tell your BRCA story also!
I recommend this book for anyone facing BRCA choices…go take a look at it!
Thank you Jessica and book publishers!