Cancer 0, Katherine 1.

As many people know i'm a Nurse and Health Educator. I take prevention very seriously and can't help but want everyone to know how they can be the healthiest possible.

By doing this, I feel compelled to create awareness whenever I can.

I was contacted by a reader to tell the story of Katherine, a fellow Texan.

Katherine was diagnosed at age 49 with Stage 1 Pleural Mesothelioma and was told she had TWO years to live. Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, which for Katherine came from doing wiring work for the Texas Power and Light company in her hometown.

So she didn't give up.

Katherine stayed positive and had her right lung removed - which is a major surgery that requires months of radiation afterward to prevent spread of any cancer.

However, she was in the best hands cancer victims can go to M.D. Anderson Cancer center, which is top rated in the state of Texas for treatment of any type of cancer.

Katherine beat cancer and is 9 years cancer-free against all odds. She gives hope to other mesothelioma victims that can seek help for their condition by reaching out to Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma Lawyer Center. They provided Katherine support and helped her through out her fight against cancer.

According to OSHA: Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber. It was used in numerous building materials and vehicle products for its strength and ability to resist heat and corrosion before its dangerous health effects were discovered. Individual asbestos fibers cannot be seen by the naked eye, which puts workers at an increased risk. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has regulations to protect workers from the hazards of asbestos.

If you know anyone suffering from Mesothelioma, which in most cases directly related to asbestos exposure, which is illegal in any conditions from any work environment, please reach out to this organization.

BTHO Cancer! (If you're not from Aggieland, BTHO = Beat The Hell Outta Cancer!)


Until the next post!

Life as a new mom and other rants.

Hello. Geez time is flying off the handle these days.

Clearly a whole summer has gone by since i've been on here. Don't worry i'm still alive and so is everyone else.

Life as a new mom is really amazing. I still don't think it's hit me that i'm someone's mom, or that this sweet child will call me Mama.

I'm strange I know. 

My brain is still trying to get re-wired to this new normal for life. I will say that I most days look like this: 

This is the most sleep deprived I've ever been. Ever. Even in nursing school. Nothing compares. You sleep when the baby sleeps and nothing else matters. This little piece of advice is GOLD, ASHLEIGH RUTLAND, YOU'RE AMAZING. 

The first 1-3 weeks were the absolute hardest. I couldn't figure out Allie's cries at first and getting up every 2 hours to nurse was so difficult. After about 2.5 weeks I started to get down a pattern of how we were doing things, I don't dare say a schedule at this point to jinx myself! I think my body just got used to not sleeping as long or as deeply. I will say that every bit of this is worth it as crazy as that sounds. I have always been a planner and I had to tell myself that we couldn't plan for the next day, just taking one day at a time was good enough. 

New Mamas: I started sleep training at about 6 weeks, and it's helped me immensely, I literally get about 8-10 hours of sleep every night. 

I feel like my nipples are going to fall off sometimes. I have been exclusively pumping. My nips proved to be flat and we never got a good latch and when we would get semi-latched it was super painful. So after a lot of crying and disappointment in myself, I came to the realization that I was being ridiculous and the goal is to have a FED baby. She was still getting all my breastmilk, just in a to-go cup.  Let me just tell you, you are NOT less of a mother because you didn't happen to breastfeed the traditional route or at all for that reason. Formula is OK too. I live in hippy-crunchy mom central and have no remorse for my decision at all. 

Going back to work scares me. So I'm about 10 weeks postpartum (how the hell did that happen?!) and the very thought of leaving Allie, makes me so nervous. I have never been attached to anything or anyone like I am to this girl. Now it makes sense why so many Moms stay at home. I FINALLY GET IT. However, I do love what I do, being a nurse fulfills me, so I will go back to work, but I know I will feel guilty leaving that sweet little face. 

I've learned Kellymom.com is a God send. This website is amazing. I utilize this every single day. New moms check it out, you won't regret it! 

Showering is a thing of the past. Just kidding, uh most days. 

My child spit up on me the other day and didn't even bother changing my shirt. #alltimelow #momstatus

I feel productive brushing my hair/teeth and the first time I put on make up was a month after Allie was born. That was a gold star day for me!

I already have a BIG ol' long list of pet peeves but here are the top three: 

• People asking me if my baby is a girl with a bow in her hair. Yes, she is a girl. Just frustrating. But then I think about where I live.. So i guess i'll be dealing with that a little while longer. 

• People creeping up in my stroller to peek at my child. I literally turn my head two centimeters and there is a crazy lady's face in the stroller. UHHHHH. Maybe i'm just a mama bear already, don't like creepers looking at my kid at all, but I don't ever recall doing that to anyone else's kid when I didn't have one. This is one of the biggest reasons I choose to wear my kid in a sling/wrap in public. 

• So my baby started cooing at the doctor's office, very very loudly. Which I was like OMG this is the most adorable thing ever! Another lady shot me a dirty look that basically said, "shut up".    I couldn't even contain what my face was doing when I looked up at her. 

Life with a baby has really been awesome. As you can see Gizmo has finally gotten used to the idea that this little human isn't leaving. He's been really sweet with her and only comes near her when I'm around. 

Bath time has been so fun. Allie's personality has really come out and she just loves the water. I can't wait to see how her personality continues to unfold. **don't you love our california bathroom?! That green tile is fabulous, stop being jealous***

Mostly our weekends consistent of Netflix binges and hanging out at the house. I am completely and utterly content with these decisions. 

Until the next post y'all.