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April 5, 2011 ·

Cancer – It happens every day

Our Cancer Stories

So, I’ve been meaning to write this article for awhile now.. but every time I go to start, I feel my chest tightening so I just stop. Partially I think because I’m afraid if I put it out into the universe I’m going to jinx myself and my family… and partially because I know there are so many other families out there still in the midst of battle. If you’ve read the About Us section then you already know why Angela and I started this blog… but this is part of my story.

Cancer. Who doesn’t know a family member, a friend, a friend of a friend, a perfect stranger with a bald head and a LiveStrong bracelet on, who is currently fighting or has lost someone to cancer. I hate sitting down to think about this because as I do all the names of people who are or have battled cancer start coming to mind.. one after another. The first time I really felt it’s impact was when I lost my grandmother in my early 20’s. I can still picture her in my head in her bright orange and purple outfit (Clemson colors) one day and then wearing leopard print the very next day. I only wish I was as bold as she was in life.

The next one would be my brother, Kit, who was diagnosed with cancer 4 years ago at the age of 28. His diagnosis to me was like being sucker punched. You never expect your younger sibling to get sick. Thankfully he’s pretty stubborn when he wants something, so he won that battle.

Kit

After my grandmother’s passing  and my brother’s battle.. you kind of think ok we’ve survived those the universe couldn’t possibly have anything more in store for us. Wrong. In May of last year my 14 year old son, Owen was a healthy and active teenager. He ran track for his school, sang in chorus, raced dirt bikes on the weekends, and spent plenty of time annoying his 2 younger brothers.

Owen pre-treatment

One day at school he was asked to throw a shot-putt, when he came home he casually mentioned that his arm was sore. We let it go for a few days figuring he had probably just pulled a muscle. A trip to the doctors confirmed what we suspected that he probably had just strained a muscle. They told us if it still hurt in a couple weeks to come back in. Well, a few weeks later it was still bothering him so we skipped the trip back to our doctors figuring they tell us to see an orthopedic for x-rays anyways. The x-rays revealed what none of us thought, our son had a tumor in the bone of his right arm. And thus began our journey into childhood cancer.

I won’t go into the ups and the downs of childhood cancer. I will say that while I wouldn’t wish this journey on anyone, I do wish that everyone in their lifetime could experience being completely surrounded by the amazing amount of love and support that my entire family was. Our experience had a positive outcome, on Monday of this week Owen’s final surgery was completed to remove his port. He is now well on his way to recovery and just enjoying being a teenager again. His journey is well documented on Caringbridge if anyone wants additional information.

(Shortly after this entry was posted – Owen’s cancer returned – this time to his lungs. Ongoing updates can be found on the Caringbridge link posted above).

Owen during treatment

Now for the statistics: Nearly 50 families in this country received the very same news today, that I received last year: Your child has cancer – the disease that kills more children in this country than any other. Tomorrow, about 50 more will get that same news, and in an instant those families will learn what is impossible to accept – cancer can impact any child. It happens every day.

This Saturday, April 9th, our charity will be holding it’s annual Help Fight Cancer & Celebrate Life golf tournament and silent auction. If you know anyone in the Northern VA/DC area that would enjoy a fun day out on the course for a good cause please ask them to visit www.westrashcharities.org (charity donations are also accepted ). Our charity is a IRS 501 (C) 3 tax exempt and is run completely by family members. Please join us in our vow to honor those courageously fighting, by continuing to provide funding for the advancement of cancer research and treatments.

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If you’ve been looking for an online health and If you’ve been looking for an online health and fitness training program that covers all topics to get you started with diet, tracking, workouts, mindset and accountability, you can stop searching. ☺️ I tried this 7-week program and wrote all about it on the blog. A session just started yesterday and I think you can still join. If not, she has upcoming ones in June as well. Read more by following the link in our profile @everydayroadtohealthy ($10 off code is there as well!). If you put in the work, you won’t regret it!
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#healthylifestyle #leanprogram #livingenergizedandnourished #amandanighbertrd
“Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes tha “Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay.”
~Barack Obama
#memorialday #rememberandhonor #neverforgotten
I drank celery juice every day for 30 days because I drank celery juice every day for 30 days because #celeryjuiceheals. Read more about it at https://everydayroadtohealthy.com/celery-juice-for-30-days/
#highlightreel #celeryjuicebenefits
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritag May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month so I thought I should probably share some Asian dishes before the month is over! 😊 And while I'm not Thai (I am half Vietnamese), this Thai Basil Chicken is an easy and tasty dish you are going to want to try. You can find the link to the recipe in our profile @everydayroadtohealthy or search “Thai Basil Chicken” at www.everydayroadtohealthy.com.
Enjoy!
#healthyeating #healthyrecipes #asianfood
I was telling some friends last night about my usu I was telling some friends last night about my usual  breakfast, why I make it every day (makes meal tracking easier) and how I boost the protein (1-2 egg whites depending on my mood), and it inspired me to make a reel. 🤷🏻‍♀️
✅Add steel cut quick oats & water, measured based on package directions, to a large bowl big enough to allow for expansion during cooking (I’ve made a very messy mistake before!)
✅Add 1 or 2 egg whites
✅Whisk to break up the egg whites, unless you REALLY like large chunks of eggs in your oatmeal 😬
✅Add a dash of salt, optional
✅Microwave according to directions
✅Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a splash of maple syrup
Other add-ins: berries, bananas, honey, protein powder

Made with 2 egg whites, this packs a ~13.5g protein punch. When I combine with my collagen protein powder in my coffee, I’m at ~30g protein for breakfast! 💪🏼

I use @myfitnesspal to track so I can either pre-fill my breakfast all week. Or just copy from day to day. Easy peasy!

#highproteinbreakfast #healthyeating #healthylifestyle
Happy Mother’s Day, Moms! 💐 Happy Mother’s Day, Moms! 💐
So I did this thing. I became a Beautycounter Bran So I did this thing. I became a Beautycounter Brand Advocate. Mainly I did it because I was already finding a lot of products I liked, and becoming a consultant offered some perks to support my habit! 🤷🏻‍♀️ But also the more I dug into the brand, the more I realized how in line it was with the lifestyle I’m trying to live. The clean ratings for the Beautycounter line is always high (check out EWG) so I feel good about using it on my skin. BUT I’m not a salesperson, I don’t ever want my friends to feel pressured to buy anything I’m “selling”, and I really don’t have time to wear another hat in my life 😜. So if you happen to discover the line on your own and are interested in buying a product or 2 to try, send me a message or go to my page at beautycounter.com/angelafuentes. But otherwise, my plan is to not do much promoting. I’ll just be here if you need me ☺️. 
#beautycounter #cleanskincare #sustainableskincare
Happy Cinco de Mayo! 🪅 Here’s the mocktail mi Happy Cinco de Mayo! 🪅 Here’s the mocktail mix I made tonight to boost my festive taco dinner. 🌮 The mix definitely needs a little tartness, so don’t forget the splash of lime juice and club soda in each glass before serving. Salud! 🪅
#cincodemayo #mocktails #healthylifestyle
Even though skin cancer is the most common cancer Even though skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., it is also one of the most preventable. Take these steps to lower your risk:
☀️Seek shade, especially during the hours of 10am-4pm when the sun is the strongest.
☀️Use physical barriers to protect your skin (clothing, hats, umbrellas, sunglasses).
☀️Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 15 or more, every day. Apply 1 ounce to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.
☀️Swipe to see 2 of my favorite sunscreen brands, @supergoop and @beautycounter . Supergoop has an EWG rating of 2 ✅ and Beautycounter is EWG Verified (highest rating)✅. 

☀️Stay healthy! 🕶️
#skincancerawarenessmonth #healthylifestyle #healthandwellness
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