Ontario HPV Vaccine program expanded to include boys. #ONhpv Just one way we can protect our kids.

Protecting my kids is just part of the job. 

Since they were born keeping my kids safe and protecting them, while giving them the space and freedom to grow has been part of the parenting job. At times this has been as simple as making sure they had the right equipment, while at other times it's been more challenging, such as teaching them to use that equipment. I don't always get it right, but it's not for lack of trying. 

When my two boys were in middle-school the program to administer the HPV Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine to Grade 8 girls started. At the time I thought two things: 1) Isn't is great that there is a proactive way to protect against a virus linked to a variety of cancers. 2) Should my boys also get the HPV Vaccination? At the time my husband and I had several conversations about this, but life got in the way and the decision regarding this ended up being pushed to the bottom of the To Do list. 

Fast forward ten years and my kids are now young adults, one at university and the other at college. They are at an age where they'll be making (hopefully good) decisions about sex and relationships, and although I can no longer step in to protect them as I did when they were toddlers, I can have important conversations with them about how they can protect themselves. The topic of boys receiving the HPV Vaccine seems to be everywhere (on TV, the doctor's office, social media and in the news) and once again my husband and I are talking about our boys and the HPV vaccination. In the past I thought of vaccinating my boys because males can be carriers of HPV, and have a responsibility to protect their partner, but this time around I've learned HPV is also linked to cancer risks for males, so by vaccinating against HPV it would proactively protect against the most common types of HPV and these cancers. 

As of September 2016, the Ontario school-based program to administer the HPV Vaccine has been expanded to include both boys and girls in Grade 7, thereby making protection against HPV an easy one. 

• HPV is a common infectious disease, infecting approximately three out of four sexually active Canadians. 
• HPV can lead to cancer.
• Experts recommend vaccinating youth between 9 and 13 years of age when the vaccine is most effective.
• Infections caused by the most common types of HPV can be prevented with the vaccine. 

For those in Ontario with boys or girls in middle-school; the school-based clinics provide HPV vaccination free of charge making the process easy to cross off your To Do list. I wish this option had been available when my boys were in Grade 7, and regret not putting the HPV vaccination to the top of my To Do list earlier. Although I will need to purchase the vaccine, I'm still encouraging them to get vaccinated since it protects against several types of HPV, and they will still benefit from getting the HPV Vaccine. 

For more information about HPV, or the HPV Vaccination program in Ontario, please visit: http://www.ontario.ca/hpv

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the HPV Vaccine and protecting my kids. 

Disclosure: 

"This post was developed in association with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The opinions of the author are their own."

The Wait: Realizing My Entire Life Could Change in a Matter of 10 Minutes

There are many important and defining moments over a life time. Moments when something shifts or changes, and we know nothing will ever be the same.

A recent appointment and a ten minute wait had me reflecting on all the other women who have sat like me waiting to hear whether their entire life would change in a matter of 10 minutes.

It's unusual for me to discuss my age, my health or mammograms on social media or my blog. I'm a very private person so tend to "think out loud" in more general terms than personal specifics. When I stray from this policy is when I keep mulling over something and feel like "thinking out loud" about it is somehow more important than my desire for privacy. 

Recently I had a mammogram appointment. It was nothing to be alarmed about since it's standard at my age. Although I would never call it a barrel of laughs, it involves more discomfort than actual pain. The staff were thoughtful, friendly and knowledgeable. The appointment was quick lasting about 15 minutes, and digital imaging means results are quick.  

I was also told since it was my first mammogram it's not unusual to get a call back to help establish a baseline for what is normal for me, and if that was the case I should hear within a few days. So when the call came a few days later stating they would like to make an appointment to take a few more images I thought nothing of it. 

I arrived at my second appointment, although not looking forward to it (remember it's no barrel of laughs) pretty indifferent. I've never had any serious health issues or illnesses. So far so good. When the time came for the mammogram I was told they would only be taking images of one breast and they needed some magnified images, which would be taken to the radiologist while I waited to see if any further images or action was required. 

So knowing it was only one breast specifically and I would wait while the radiologist reviewed the images made me less indifferent. For the first time I began to think about what if something was wrong. I had not mentally prepared for the possibility of such news. We finished with the imaging, and sat to wait. 

In that 10 minutes my entire life could change. How many women like me have sat here alone waiting to hear if their worlds would be turned upside down. I have several friends who have survived breast cancer. They must have been here at one point, nervous but reassuring themselves it was nothing. I started to wonder how they felt in the 10 minute space of time just before everything changed. Were they nervous like I was. Were they playing multiple hypothetical scenarios in their head like I did? 

If they asked for a biopsy would it hurt? I'm a total suck, and don't like pain. Would I be able to handle chemo and treatment? Would treatment work? How would my family deal with this? My youngest is in his last year of high school, preparing for university. My husband was away for work. Would I wait till he got home to tell him? Would I be able to do that? Surely I would need someone to talk to.

All these thoughts and so many more running through my mind. 

I'm one of the lucky ones. My 10 minutes resulted in no life changing news. All appeared to be normal and fine. As I breathe a sigh of relief for myself I can't stop thinking about all those whose 10 minute wait ends differently. How scared and totally unprepared they must have felt, since how can one ever really be prepared for receiving the news that "we found something" after a mammogram. 

I have no solution, or advice or comforting thing to say. This experience has provided me no insight into how one might prepare or cope with a different outcome than the one I had. I can't say I know how you feel, because I don't. But in those 10 minutes as I sat there alone, before results determine if my world would change or stay the same, I felt two things; an overwhelming sense of connection and solidarity with others who have faced those 10 minutes of uncertainty, and incredible sadness for those whose 10 minutes ended in bad rather than good news. 

Yep, just me thinking out loud about how one's life can change in the matter of 10 minutes. 

Come Join the #SupportPrincessMargaret Twitter Party Nov 2, 2015

When I think about The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Welcome Home Sweepstakes this is what I see:

Me, at a beautiful cottage looking out at the lake. In the background I can hear my family talking about what's for dinner, or my youngest preparing for his next fishing adventure, while my husband tries to sneak off for an afternoon nap. I think of all the memories we will make. 

I picture my life if I won. 

I also think about the millions of dollars The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Welcome Home Sweepstakes raises for Cancer Research, and many lives and families touched by this research, new treatment therapies developed, and services provided.  

It's not news to anyone that I like to think out loud, so how better than to join in the #SupportPrincessMargaret Twitter Party on November 2nd at 7 pm ET. 

We'll be thinking out loud and chatting with The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (PMCF) about finding cures, the Welcome Home Sweepstakes, and all the incredible prizes. As a special bonus the oh so talented Brian Gluckstein will be thinking out loud about design and decor. Super excited about this! Big fan ... just saying. Brian Gluckstein and Christine Lasky will also be broadcasting "LIVE" on Periscope during the party so be sure to follow @PMLotto on Periscope.

Twitter Party: What, When, Who, How 

Monday November 2nd, 2015 

From 7:00 - 8:00 pm ET

Hosts:

@PMLotto and @HouseandHome

Guest:

@GlucksteinHome

Moderators:

@PMCF and @ChristineLasky

Hashtag:

#SupportPrincessMargaret

NO RSVP REQUIRED

Prizes:

10 x $100 each @HudsonsBay gift cards.

All welcome to join in conversation but only residents of Canada qualify for prizing. 

TWUBS link for #SupportPrincessMargaret party.

The Early Bird deadline of November 5th, 2015 is fast approaching so now is the time to order your ticket(s)!

 You definitely don't want to miss your chance to win this incredible Early Bird Prize! 

Muskoka Lakefront Cottage Early Bird Prize

This 2,456 sq. ft. Lakefront Muskoka Cottage comes fully furnished and landscaped 
including dock and a 2016 Campion 545i boat and trailer. PLUS $10,000 cash bonus!

What I like to call a Memory Maker Property!

There are loads of other incredible prizes to be won besides the Early Bird Prize such as a Luxury Show Home in Oakville, a 2016 Ferrari CaliforniaT, or a Kawarthas Lakefront Cottage to name a few. 

But you can't win without a sweepstakes ticket(s) so ORDER TICKET(S) NOW! Note: you must be 18+ years old to order tickets and they must be ordered and mailed in the Province of Ontario.

GOOD LUCK! 

FYI: I'll expect an invite if you win! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Welcome Home Sweepstakes.

The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Welcome Home Sweepstakes

Note: I was compensated for this post, but opinions are my own. Personally I think the opportunity to give and win at the same time makes it a win win for me.

Small #RandomActsofKindness add up to BIG #YouCaring: Jason's pancreatic-kidney #transplant

Yesterday, February 17th was Random Acts of Kindness Day.

I few years back I started chatting with a funny warm and engaging woman named Holly at a Team Buy twitter party. I can't remember what holiday theme it was about. In my mind I think Valentine's Day or Mother's Day. After the chat we followed each other on twitter. As it turned out she had recently started a blog Frugal Canadian Coupon Mom, and I shared and followed along on her posts there as well. 

Shortly after that I noticed an entertaining and engaging gentleman started to appear in conversations and at twitter parties. Turns out it was Holly's husband Jason. Individually they are great and as a couple they are outstanding. Jason writes for Holly's blog and as a blogaholic at PTPA.

I knew Jason had some health challenges including diabetes, but I was so sadden when I heard he would be starting dialysis twice a week because of chronic kidney disease. I knew this had to be tough and would put emotional and financial stress on the family, but in general I think both Holly and Jason have tried to stay positive and just deal with it one day at a time. 

Not surprisingly it was pretty exciting news when Jason started the screening process for a transplant. Unfortunately the transplant and appointments are not in the town where they live. The cost of travel to and from dialysis and the transplant appointments are adding up faster than Jason and Holly can pay them, and there will be additional costs for travel to Montreal for the actual transplants. Seems to me, at a time like this, stressing out about how to pay for the gas and expenses during the transplant period should be the last thing they should have to worry about. 

Jason has started a YouCaring page where you can donate to help him with these costs and expenses. Remember no donation is too small and all the small random acts of kindness can add up to a BIG difference. Please donate if you can, and then spread the word so other can too! 

Link: Jason's YouCaring  

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about my friend Jason and Random Acts of Kindness. 

Meet my new pal @myfitnesspal ... Makes me very APP-y! #FreeApp #FitnessTracker

With the new year and my 2015 word being: SELF my focus can't help but include goals to help with healthier lifestyle choices. This includes taking inventory of where I am, where I want to be and how I plan to get there.

In my head I like to believe I am active and my diet is reasonably healthy, and that I exercise more and eat less than I actually do. Simply by tracking both of these I can get an accurate picture of what I am eating and my activity level, and how I might adjust them to reach my goals. More importantly without knowing the reality rather than the guess-timates I will continue to sabotage my own efforts and success. And that my friends, does not make me feel good about mySELF.

At the beginning of this year I started to use a free App called myfitnesspal in combination with a Jawbone Up to track my meals, activity, and sleep patterns. Initially this process was an "exercise" in frustration trying to use the Up App to enter and track my meals and diet. In an effort not to give up before I even got started I found the My Fitness Pal App. 

I personally have no desire to publicly share my weight, the inches I have lost or selfies of myself working out. I do however like the idea of a community where I can find information, resources and support. My fitness Pal is more than an App, it is as much or as little as you want it to be. The App itself is easy to install, and easy to use. In fact much easier than using the Jawbone Up App on it's own, and it easily syncs to the Up App. Personally I give it a 4/5 stars. 

The My Fitness Pal App works with a variety of fitness trackers other than Jawbone Up, including Fitbit, Garmin Connect, and Misfit. 

In addition to the mobile App, there's an entire community available to you, including a blog called Hello Healthy with resources, recipes, links and support, facebook, and twitter to name a few. 

You can find the calorie counter My Fitness Pal App at:

iTunes Store

Google Play for Andriod

Windows Store

Here's to a Healthy and APP-y 2015!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about my App-y SELF! 

Note: I was not compensated for this post. The purpose of this post is merely to share information I thought might be of interest to my readers.

Staying Hydrated with @BritaCA The #Gift That Keeps On Giving - #BetterBringYourBrita

Brita: For a happy, healthy and hydrated holiday season.

The holiday season is here and we're busier than ever, shopping, baking, and visiting! 

We're so busy we often skip meals, and forget to drink enough water to keep us healthy and hydrated. To make sure you stay hydrated this holiday season you better bring your Brita!

H2O: 2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen atoms = Water 

One small molecule essential to life.

Water has a multitude of functions and responsibilities both in our bodies and the environment. So not surprizingly the health benefits of staying hydrated and drinking enough water are many. 

Water & Wellness

"Amount of water a grown person should drink daily - usually 8-12 240 ml/(8oz) glasses"

Did I mention we are busy? So convenience is a priority. But convenience with a complete disregard for our Earth is not acceptable. Clearly there must be a way to have the convenience of hydration without adding millions of  plastic bottles to landfills. 

My demands of products I buy either for myself or others are as follows:

Convenience.

Adherence to the principles of: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Good price point, and value.

WAIT ... I'm not done! 

I also want the functional to be fashionable!

I love that Brita has pitchers and bottles in a plethora of colours, sizes and styles to suit everyone's hydration management plan for the holiday and all year long.

In my opinion they make fantastic gifts and truly are gifts that keep on giving! 

The bottles and filters make perfect stocking stuffers! Grab a pitcher for the college or university students in your life, or as a house warming gift for a first apartment or home. The 18 cup capacity dispenser sits on the counter top and is perfect for a cottage or chalet owner.

Both Brita bottles and pitchers are convenient, easy to use and come in a variety of price points. Brita's bottles and pitchers are BPA free, and the bottles are dishwasher safe (top rack). You'll find the pitchers available in multiple shapes and styles ranging from 5 - 10 cups capacity.

Using refillable bottles drastically reduces the number of disposable bottles going into landfills. Also, you can opt to participate in BRITA'S Filter For Good - Recycle Your Brita Filters Program. 

Each Brita you gift to someone is a gift of better health, for that person and our earth. 

Be sure to follow Brita Canada on Facebook and Brita Canada on Twitter for all their updates and news! Brita Canada - Where to Buy

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about staying hydrated this busy holiday season.

Note: I receive Brita product for the purpose of a review. All opinions are my own and reflect my personal experience with the brand and product.