Longview resident is a cancer “Pre-vivor” …. are you?

I’m called a previvor for a reason. Cancer has always surrounded me; my grandpa, aunts, cousins, my dad and so on. I don’t ever recall a time when I didn’t know about the dreaded disease. With my family history, I was bugging my doctors, even in my twenties and thirties.
“Shouldn’t I start having mammograms now?” I would ask.
I was always told that I was too young, and that I didn’t need to worry about it because it was on my “dad’s side”.
When I turned forty, it was time for my first mammogram.
I had a horrible feeling about the appointment. The technician asked if I would like to see what the images looked like. I immediately focused on the perfect white circle that stood out on my right breast.
My doctor contacted me right away and expressed that there were concerns I might have breast cancer.
Breast Cancer.
After five grueling weeks of mammograms, ultrasounds and a needle biopsy, I finally received word that the cyst was benign.
Benign!
I should have been thrilled. Instead, I felt as though I had received a warning sign.
Thankfully, my dad is a genealogy buff so we mapped out our family history of cancer.
It was shocking to see generations of family members who had been affected; breast cancer for the women and prostate cancer for the men. It started with my great, great grandmother and spread like wild fire through the family tree.
When I gave this information to my Ob/GYN, he strongly suggested that I consider genetic testing and he sent me a referral letter to get the ball rolling. In hindsight, he very well may have saved my life.
At first, I was in denial.
I was also angry.
I had heard a little bit about genetic cancer through the years; however I always felt the measures the women had taken seemed so extreme.
Why on earth would you have a mastectomy if you didn’t have cancer?
The thoughts kept nagging at me; yet I knew I had to face the inevitable.
After about a year of processing the information, I made my appointment to meet with a genetics counselor.
Ironically, around the same time my father received a letter from a distant cousin. She had written to inform us that she had gone through the genetic testing and the results were positive for BRCA2. She provided the lab results and encouraged family members to consider testing.
I felt it was another sign.
The day finally came to meet with the genetics counselor. My husband and I sat in her office, holding hands.
We discussed in detail my family history, and she went over the information for both of the gene mutations; BRCA1 and BRCA2. She also informed me that if I tested positive, I would never be able to take out a life insurance or long-term care insurance policy.
It was a simple blood test.
How odd it seemed to me that my life was potentially going to change just by filling a vial and sending it to a laboratory.
I also remember telling her that I wouldn’t be surprised at all if I tested positive.
After several weeks of anticipation, I received the phone call.
I had tested positive for the BRCA2 mutation. I was now placed into a pile of grim statistics; 85% risk for breast cancer, 30% risk for ovarian cancer, and an increased risk for melanoma and pancreatic cancer.
Becoming obsessed with my research, I spent countless hours reading books and researching information. I quickly realized I had multiple options and none of them was perfect.
I could do nothing.
I could just ignore it and go on living my life.
I could go with six month surveillance, alternating between mammograms, breast MRIs, ultrasounds and other tests.
That didn’t sound so bad, but then I read about people with BRCA mutations who had been diligent with their surveillance and were now dead because the cancer had taken over in between the six months.
Understanding dawned that I wasn’t your ‘average person’.
My 13th chromosome was altered and I didn’t have the ability to stop cancer from forming in my body.
Prevention was the key.
All I could think about were my family members who had died. They had lived during a time when they didn’t know that gene mutations existed and they had suffered.
I, on the other hand, was given the gift of knowledge and the ability to do something about it.
I now understood why those people, who I once considered crazy, had gone out and had mastectomies and hysterectomies.
They were previvors!
In honor of those who had suffered in my family, and in order to go on living my life, I decided to take charge and do everything humanly possible to fight it.
I was determined to get through it, and I was going to do it with a smile on my face.
I now had a surgical team; an entire team of doctors working together to get me through each step of the long process. I had to be patient.
It all started with the hysterectomy one and a half years ago, which dramatically reduced my chances for ovarian cancer and breast cancer risk. Six months later, I had a bi-lateral prophylactic mastectomy. I also figured that if I was going to go through this, I was going to come out looking better than ever; therefore I chose to go through breast reconstruction. This process involved painful chest expanders, breast implants, nipple reconstruction and even tattoos; all to simulate the look of natural breasts.
Years ago, women were basically mutilated when they had mastectomies. Today, there are so many great options for reconstruction. You can look amazing again if that’s the route you choose.
Today, I am thankful for my faith, my husband, family, friends, employer and co-workers. They supported me through the entire process. When I was angry and sad, they stood by my side and told me I was brave. While I could have remained very private about my experience, instead I have shared my story in order to help others.
I hope to save lives by encouraging those with a strong history of cancer in their family to be proactive and ask questions.
I am a previvor and I am proud.
*Please share this story with those around you, and help increase the awareness of the genetic gene mutations that contribute to cancer, and the genetic testing that is available today.
Together, we can create more previvors! To learn more about BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, visit
http://www.facingourrisk.org/

September News Flash

New Exhibit in Skamokawa
Redmen Hall in Skamokawa, Washington will be celebrating Labor Day Weekend with the opening of a new exhibit. For such a special weekend we will be showing two special artists renown in Wahkiakum County and indeed in all of Southwestern Washington. Both Mitzi Christensen and David Goodroe have prepared new work for this exhibit, “The Mitzi and David Show”.
Both are on loan from the new Tsuga gallery in Cathlamet and Mitzi has been showing in Longview at the summer ‘Art in the Park’. Both are exploring new directions in their art  – David working with pastel landscapes and Mitzi with vibrant new colors, and we are looking forward to 6 weeks of their best work. The Exhibit will be opening on Saturday, September 3rd at 12 noon with a late afternoon reception from 3 to 5 p.m.
There will be delicious food and drink provided and a chance to meet David and Mitzi.  The “Mitzi and David Show” will run from September 3rd to October 16th. See you there.     Redmen Hall is at 1397 S.R.4, Skamokawa. Washington and the hours are Thurs-Sunday 12 noon to 4 P.M.  Telephone during business hours  (360) 795 3007.

New Mural in Naselle
The Appelo Archives Center in Naselle now has a new mural showing historic sites from Naselle through Grays River, Washington. Painted by well known local artist, Debbie Littlefield, the mural was installed by contractor, Scott Baker, in the downstairs entry room at the Center along a beam under the ceiling. In the 14 foot long mural, historic sites are illustrated painted from photographs in the Archives Center’s collection. A few of the historic sites painted include the Naselle grade school, the Altoona cannery, the Deep River log dump and Lutheran Church, and the Covered Bridge and Meserve Store in Grays River.
Even chickens, dairy cows and calves are included. Littlefield, popular artist at the Finnish American Folk Festival, developed the mural with images moving from west to east and showing primarily structures now gone. Also new in the entry room are some original boards from the Grays River Covered Bridge. The boards are over 100 years old. They have been hung on one wall facing the entry door as a display of Grays River’s national historic site, the still used covered bridge, visited annually by thousands of visitors from all over the world.
The mural and covered bridge boards can be seen at the Center Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Good viewing will be available during the Center’s annual Swap Meet on Friday and Saturday of Labor Day weekend. More information is posted on the Center’s web site:
www.appeloarchives.org.
To reserve a table space at the Swap Meet, contact Anita Raistakka at (360) 484-3376.

Teagues Gallery Showcase:
Featuring Original Acarylic Paintings, Batiks and cards.. Glass Mosaics in the BOUTIQUE & Original Jewelry on the Main Floor.

Annual Montana Picnic!
The 21 Annual Montana Picnic on Saturday, August 27, 2011 is being held at Woodland Horseshow Park, west of I-5 on Goerig Rd about ¼ mile to the south. If you lived in Montana, were raised there, or just love to visit Montana, you’re welcome to bring potluck and join us with your family.
The picnic begins at 11 a.m. to dusk or around 7 p.m. Neighbors with the last name that begins with A-J will bring a main dish. Neighbors with the last name beginning with K-P will bring desserts of pies, cakes, cookies or custards. Neighbors with the last name of Q-Z will bring a salad or beverage. Bring a service for 8 in your dish. Please provide your own serving spoons and plastic knives, forks and spoons. Paper plates will be provided by the Montana Picnic committee. The Picnic Committee will provide free coffee, fried chicken and pop.
We will have an auction led by Auctioneer, Lynn Engdall, of Roundup, Montana, We can bid on Montana items such as labeled hats, clothing and chokecherry jelly, my favorite!
Come. Bring a dish and your own silverware. Bring the family. Enjoy a day by the lake.
www.MontanaPicnic.com
www.MontanaPicnic.org
11am to 7 pm, free & bring potluck
Horseshoe Park, Woodland, WA

2012 KWILTS FOR KIDS
At the Kelso Senior Center
Grand Opening August 27
The annual Kiwanis of Kelso Kwilts for Kids blanket drive for 2012 has begun.
You, or other associations you belong to, such as Church or benefit organizations, are invited to join in making a warm fleece blanket. The recipients are children at the local Emergency Support Shelter or the Community House on Broadway. The give away date is February 14, 2012.
A workshop to build blankets will be held at the Kelso Senior Center on August 27 at the Grand re-opening of the Center , beginning at 2PM. The center is located in the old Catlin Hall  (by the Spray Park) at 106 NW 8th in Kelso.
To maximize the number of blankets given, we need your help preparing blankets or through donations of money or material.
For more information on how you can help, contact Kathleen Johnson at 360-577-0860 or 360-431-4348.

Alpaca Affaire Northwest
The annual “Alpaca Affaire Northwest”, at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds in Chehalis, WA, September 10-11.
The show is open to the public and free of charge, food bank donations gladly accepted. Jack Bruner at 360.864.2271 or to www.AROW.org

Hit and Giggle: Credit Unions join forces to raise money for Doernbecher

This July saw the 12th annual Hit and Giggle Golf Tournament swing its way to victory for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
On July 16, golf enthusiasts of every skill level braved the rain clouds to put their short game to the test. Hosted at the Tri Mountain Golf Course in Ridgefield, the day proved to stay dry as 108 players drove, chipped and putted their way around the course. The tournament’s signature holes, “Three Sheets to the Wind” and “A Pirate’s Life for Me” encouraged participants to shrug off the seriousness sometimes associated with the sport, and dress up in eye patches, feathered hats, and beer goggles while teeing off.
“Giving to a good cause is part of the credit union movement and philosophy.” states Dave Spaulding, CEO of Red Canoe Credit Union. “We’re proud to team up to benefit the families of SW Washington, so they can receive affordable, quality health care. Without support like this, Doernbecher wouldn’t be able to offer service to so many families. Without Doernbecher, many of these families wouldn’t be able to get the care they need.”
This year, the tournament raised over $22,000 in support of Doernbecher, which helps treat nearly 2,000 ill children from Cowlitz County each year. Says Larry Hoff, President and CEO of Fibre Federal Credit Union, “We do a lot of work with Doernbecher throughout the year, to raise funds for such a worthy cause. We get the chance to go to Doernbecher a few times a year and meet some of the kids in treatment there. When you see those kids, it just makes you want to do all that you can.”
The tournament is organized by Red Canoe Credit Union’s Credit Unions for Kids Committee, and Fibre Federal Credit Union’s Community Service Committee.

Adorable Adopt-ee for September

Need a lap-warmer and furry companion?
“Cessa” is your girl!

Cessa’s life was just about perfect. Until the baby arrived. Cessa wasn’t sure about this tiny creature that made funny noises and took up so much of the time that used to be spent on Cessa. What happened to her quiet environment? Cessa missed all the attention that she received before the baby arrived. And she wasn’t very patient with this two-legged creature that demanded so much attention.
Tearfully, Cessa’s guardian relinquished her to our rescue. She realized it was the best thing for Cessa, to be rehomed where there were not small children to stress her out. Cessa is a gentle little dog who could spend all day sitting on your lap.
Cessa is about 4 years old, is spayed and current on her vaccinations.
If interested in cats, dogs, or other pets available for adoption, please contact or visit us online, where an updated list of available rescues for adoption are available:

Rescued Paws
1105-D, 15thAve., #118
Longview, WA  98632
www.rpaws.petfinder.org
360-673-7373  also on FB

Good ole guffaws

Outdoor Man?
This morning I waded across a raging river, escaped from a bear in the woods, marched up and down a mountain, stood in a patch of poison ivy, crawled out of quicksand, and climbed up an enormous tree!
My friend said, “ You must be some outdoorsman!”
“No,” I replied, “I’m just a lousy golfer.”

Harry’s Diet
Harry and his friend Bill were exiting a drugstore and at the front door there was a scale.
“Look, a scale,” Harry said to his friend Bill. “Let’s see how my new diet is working out.”
Harry stepped on the scale.
“I can’t believe it!” he said as he read the result. “I’ve been on this diet for two weeks but the scale says I’m heaver than I was before! How can that be?”
Harry pondered this as he stepped off the scale, then had a thought.
He took off his jacket and handed it to Bill. “Here, hold my jacket,” he said.
Bill took the jacket as Harry stepped back on the scale.
Not much change.
“Here,” he said as he handed his purchase from the drugstore to Bill. “Hold my box of Twinkies too.”

Teaching right from wrong
The teacher was trying to impress upon her pupils the importance of doing right at all times, and to bring out the answer, “Bad habits,” she inquired: “What is it that we find so easy to get into and so hard to get out of?” There was silence for a moment and then one little fellow answered.
“Bed”.

Harry’s going to heaven
After finishing the sermon, the Pastor says, “Anyone who wants to go to Heaven, raise your hand.”
All hands go up except Bill’s friend Harry. The Pastor asks, “How about
you Harry Don’t you want to go to Heaven?”
Harry.: “Oh, but I do. I just thought you were getting a group together to go right now.”

Annual Pug Parade set to strut down Commerce Ave on Friday, July 22nd

It is an event that has received a lot of attention from pugs and their owners, as well as dedicated pug fans. Even pug wannabees attend because of the fun of it.
If you aren’t familiar with pugs, the short, fawn or black smooshed in nose dogs with the curly tails, let us fill you in a bit. Pugs are considered the clowns of the dog world. They are conniving, sneaky, and a laugh a minute. They each have their own personality, but they all are funny.
The Pug Parade originated almost seven years ago, under the careful eye of former Valley Bugler editor/publisher Candy Richey and her husband, Bill.
It has been well attended ever since. The annual trek begins on Commerce, and parades along Commerce during the Downtown LIVE evening.
Fun contests and super cool prizes await everybody once the parade is over. Sponsored this year by The Pet Works, Lynn’s Ice Cream Yogurt & More, and Natura Pet, everybody is sure to enjoy this family friendly event and activity.
We never know who will be reading this, or where they will ‘share’ it with friends on FaceBook or eMail, so it’s quite possible people may travel all day just to attend!
One year, we even had a FLOAT created by a family all the way up near Marysville, WA. Costumes are highly encouraged, and ‘themed’ pugs can proudly display their matching themed owners.
Don’t have a dog? That’s ok! You can come and watch this lively procession of four legged friends tugging their owners down the street during Downtown LIVE, happening Friday nights in Downtown Longview @ 6pm.
Whether you are a pug family, or just a pug fan, plan on enjoying the Pug Parade Friday evening at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to walk and talk as we watch these “lights of joy” strut their stuff!
You can sign up for the Pug Parade at the Pet Works, 1257 Commerce Ave in Longview, WA or at:
www.thePetworksinc.com
All breeds welcome!!

Rubik Cube Quote

‘Our
whole
life
is
solving
puzzles.’
~Erno Rubik

Sudoku

How to solve sudoku puzzles
To solve a sudoku, you only need logic and patience. No math is required.
Simply make sure that each 3×3 square region has a number 1 through 9 with only one occurrence of each number.  Each column and row of the large grid must have only one instance of the numbers 1 through 9. The difficulty rating on this puzzle is easy. Answer same page.

Actual Police Trooper Statements

These are actual comments made by South Carolina Troopers that were taken off their car videos:
1. “You know, stop lights don’t come any redder than the one you just went through.”
2. “Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they’re new. They’ll stretch after you wear them a while.”
3. “If you take your hands off the car, I’ll make your birth certificate a worthless document.”
4. “If you run, you’ll only go to jail tired.”
5. “Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? Because that’s the speed of the bullet that’ll be chasing you.”
6. “You don’t know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?”
7. “Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don’t think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I’m the shift supervisor?”
8. “Warning! You want a warning? O.K, I’m warning you not to do that again or I’ll give you another ticket.”
9. “The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?”
10. “Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey poop.”
11. “Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven.”
12. “In God we trust; all others we run through NCIC.” ( National Crime Information Center )
13. “Just how big were those ‘two beers’ you say you had?”
14. “No sir, we don’t have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we’re allowed to write as many tickets as we can.”
15. “I’m glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail.”
AND THE WINNER IS….
16. “You didn’t think we give pretty women tickets? You’re right, we don’t. Sign here.”

Post & Parcel relocated, not closed!

Post and Parcel was established 8 years in West Longview but recently moved to downtown Longview in early May. Their new info: 1508 12th Ave.
They are OPEN for business, and want to clear up some rumors that they closed shop and/or a new owner came on the scene. Tracie Schmidt, owner extraordinaire contacted the Bugler when she heard these rumors.
We’re glad to help put them to rest and provide correct information.
Mon-Fri 9/6 and Sat 10/3
Call 578-1700
Post and Parcel is authorized to ship FEDEX, UPS and USPS domestic or international.
Three sizes of Private Mailbox Rentals available, call to see if mail or parcels have come in before making that trip.
They also provide a Notary Public (most documents), Packaging Services, Greeting Cards/Gifts, Faxing/ B&W Copies, Custom Rubber Stamps and new to their offerings is Customer Computer Rental.

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