As mothers, all we want is for our kids to be happy and healthy, right? And I think it’s safe to say that we’d do pretty much anything in the world to ensure their well being and safety, even if it means putting ourselves in harm’s way.

A woman in the U.K. named Sarah Brook was put to the ultimate test when she had to choose between possibly saving her own life or saving the life of her unborn baby. When she was six months pregnant with her daughter, she got the devastating news that she was battling bowel cancer. She’d been suffering from back aches and morning sickness, which are two symptoms that can typically be attributed to pregnancy — and she was no doubt shocked when she learned that she actually had a life threatening disease.

Sarah was faced with a gut wrenching dilemma when she had to choose whether to start chemotherapy and risk the life of her baby, or to delay treatment altogether in the hopes that her child might live.

Ultimately, she decided that the life of her baby was more important than her own, so she put off chemo and wound up delivering her baby girl, Polly Jean, premature at 27 weeks. 

The baby is now 4 weeks old, and her condition is improving — and odds are good that she will go on to lead a full and happy life. but sadly, 32-year-old Sarah is nearing the end of her fight. the cancer has spread to her lungs, pancreas, neck, and intestines. And this is a battle she knows she isn’t going to win. Doesn’t that make you want to break down and cry? This is seriously one of the most heartbreaking and unfair things I’ve ever heard of a mother having to go through.

Holding her tiny baby in her arms and knowing that she won’t live to see her grow up is beyond devastating. but at the same time, I can’t help but feel inspired by her selflessness and her incredible love and devotion for her child. I mean, the thought must have crossed her mind more than once that delaying her treatment may cost her the ultimate price, but she still chose to put the health of her child above her own survival. if that doesn’t speak volumes about the level of unconditional love in her heart, then I don’t know what does.

Knowing her time with her baby girl is running out, I’m sure she’s savoring every single second she has to cuddle her, smell her tiny, perfect little head, and tell her how much she loves her. This little girl may not remember her mother growing up, but hearing the story of the incredible sacrifice she made will remind her of just how much she loved and cherished her — even before she was born.

I only hope that Sarah can find some peace in the fact that she saved her baby’s life, and that her legacy will live on in her daughter forever.

What would you do if you were faced with a decision like Sarah’s?

Image via Family O’Abé/Flickr

Credit: Connie Carello

Canadian Football Offensive Lineman for the Edmonton Eskimos and former Sault Ste. Marie resident, Aaron Fiaconni is using his career as a football player to bring attention to a serious issue most men would often shy away from. It has only been within the last couple of years that Prostate Cancer has become a topic more widely discussed and promoted through a month-long event known as ?Movember.? Originating in Australia in 2003, the movement addressed men?s health issues including depression. the rules, according to the official movemeber website are as follows, once registered at movemeber.com each ?mo bro? from the beginning of the month must be clean shaven and must grow a moustache, the moustache may not adjoin side burns or the handlebars of the chin, and each member must conduct himself like a gentleman. You may ask, how does growing a moustache help serve the cause? It not only allows those suffering from Prostate Cancer to recognize your MOcontribution as a sign of social support and assistance in the promotion of awareness but enables social organizations to host fundraisers and events to donate proceeds to further fund research. Aaron, has formed a team on movember.com where in which people can pledge him or make online donations for the cause. he is currently the Captain of the Hairy Hogs and has raised nearly $1,200 dollars individually and $21,644 with members from the Eskimo Football team. His reason for putting in the time to do so was very emotionally impacting as Prostate Cancer has affected a close family relative, his father Ken, ?Prostate Cancer in particular is kind of dear to my family as my father has been dealing with the illness for over two years now, receiving radiation treatments at the new hospital. when something like this happens to someone in your family, you go through a lot, anytime you hear the word Cancer it has a negative spin. You tend to focus on the negative and forget that there is some good that does come from such horrible circumstance, and Movemeber is one of them. my father is a testament of the human spirit and a beacon of light and we need to keep battling on.? Speaking with Ken and having the opportunity to meet him allowed me to really understand how much strength combating an illness like this takes. he truly is an inspirational man who does not let his situation hinder his optimism. Currently on his 28th treatment and with only 5 more to go, Ken is in high spirits and openly discusses his diagnosis with the intention of helping others, ?I was diagnosed in December 2010 and received chemotherapy by February. I should have gone for a check up much earlier as I started to experience symptoms. It did not occur to me that it could be Prostate Cancer at the time, but when it affects you personally you are more willing to find out about symptoms, your awareness increases and you find yourself willing to learn.? According to Ken, education was the prominent message he wishes to offer others and encourages men to take a PST blood test (Prostate Specific Antigen Test) as it can detect issues early on. in addition to this, Ken could not be more proud of his son Aaron and of all the other MObro?s who helped join the cause through the growth of a moustache or through donations. ?The support is growing and it is nice to see people willing to look a little silly for a month and drop their macho bravado to draw attention to a cause very close to my heart,? Aaron states. to help Aaron or others raise some cash for the stash please visit the link below, ca.movember.com/mospace/1501154/#. Local2 could not be more proud of those who participated this year!

I had anorexia about 4 years ago, and I think I am still suffering from some of the effects of it. anyone that HAD anorexia is welcome to answer…

basiacally i work outside all day in the heat with no shade, and it was about 91 degrees f today (+32 C) and now i am fatigued,CONSTANTLY thirsty have a fever for some reason of 100.1, and feel like i should be sweating but am not..

You may be suffering from heat stroke… this site should enlighten you…
medicinenet.com/heat_stroke/a…

There are millions of people who have taken the medication Accutane over the years to treat their severe acne. Unfortunately, many of those people are now suffering from Accutane side effects that they were not properly warned about prior to taking the medication. among those side effects are two major inflammatory bowel diseases known as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

The ulcerative colitis and Crohns symptoms that these people must deal with on a regular basis as a result of their past Accutane use are uncomfortable at best and usually extremely painful. These ulcerative colitis and Crohns symptoms can include bloody stools, severe diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever skin complications and arthritis. it goes without saying that the lives of these people suffering from either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease as a result of taking Accutane to treat their acne problem has had a negative impact on their lives.

Dealing with the embarrassment of severe acne is much easier than the ongoing pain and suffering that comes with the Crohns symptoms. This is why these people seek the advice of an Accutane attorney to determine what options they have from a legal point of view. Most would agree that the makers of Accutane are at fault in this issue and should be held accountable. Speaking with an Accutane attorney about possible litigation can give you the insight you need to decide if you should move forward with any legal action. This action could lead to a settlement that can offset the costs of ulcerative colitis or Crohns treatment.

Can you begin to feel symptoms the first day after a sexual encounter?

It depends on

1) what STD are you suffering from?
2) Environmental conditions. etc weather, humidity
3) your body resistance

If you ever suspect you have STD, see a doctor and stop having sex till you are sure you don't have it.

you really don't feel the effects, they sort of just happen. just like aids. you don't know that somebody has it, unless you see somebody taking their aids medications! the effects really don't kick in until the next sexual encounter with your partner. make sure if you do have an std to let your partner know.

no most people don't even know that they have a disease until they go the doctors

no,a week maybe more

Hello, if you mean hiv probably 2-4 weeks for acute infection

depending on what std you would have contracted would determine how long you would expect to see anything if anything appears at all. more and more studies are showing that people have been contracting std's by a partner that had one but was never aware of having it. you would not be able to tell if you had contracted one the day after the infected intercourse. there have been cases where someone has been infected with the HIV virus but did not get diagnosed until strange symptoms started to appear…7 years later!!! by that time, it was too late and the man lost his battle but moral of the story, if you think you have an std, please please PLEASE get yourself checked. you don't even have to go to your family doctor…you can go to planned parenthood and they would be able to do it for free and under confidentiality. std's are a serious matter and if you don't know for sure that you are 100% clean, you can potentially hurt yourself and the rest of your partners for the rest of your life.

no, there is an incubation period

No I dont think so . studies say anywhere from 3 days to 6 months

some cases you would never know because you dont have any syptoms like Hpv the strains 18 + 20 of that virus that COULD lead to cervical cancer .

It depends upon the STD and what sex you are. In women, symptoms often appear much more quickly and severely than in men, and some STDs may have no symptoms at all.

It usually takes longer than a day to feel any symptoms; however, if you have any questions, it's best to talk to your doctor.

Symptoms of Bladder Infections

In this post I want to cover some common symptoms of bladder infections. Sadly most of us will experience some sort of bladder infection, otherwise known as a urinary tract infection, at some stage in our lives. Most of these can be treated at home but some more chronic UTI’s will need further medical treatment.

If you have ever experienced any sort of bladder infection you will know how frustrating and debilitating they can be and how difficult to find a really good bladder infection treatment. there never seems to be a quick fix or instant relief from the pain.

If you are experiencing some discomfort at the moment but are not sure if you have a bladder infection symptom I have listed the most common ones below. For common causes of a bladder infection click here.

Here is a lists of some of the most common symptoms of a bladder infection:* burning sensation when you urinate* frequent or intense urge to urinate, but little urine comes out when you do* pressure or pain in your lower abdomen or back* cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling urine* feeling shaky and probably tired* fever or chills

If you are suffering from any of the above and think you might have a bladder infection then go and see your doctor. They will probably ask you for a urinary sample which will be sent of to be analysed for any bacteria which might be causing your bladder infection symptoms.

Bladder Infection TreatmentsDoctors will generally prescribe some sort of antibiotics to destroy the bacteria. Remember it’s really important you finish the whole cycle prescribed.

Drinking lots of water and cranberry juice will help as this will help flush your system and make it easier for the body to cope and get rid of the bacteria causing your infection. this is a well known urinary tract infection treatment. In fact what you eat and drink might be having a big effect on the symptoms of your bladder infection.

Chronic Urinary Tract Infections

About 1 in 5 women will experience a second urinary tract infection. this secondary infection is normally caused by a different stronger type of bacteria. These stronger bacteria are generally immune to antibiotics. these types of bacteria are much harder to treat and are known as chronic UTI’s or chronic cystitis.

If you are struggling to manage your bladder infection and looking for a more natural bladder infection treatment click the link below.

Click here for more bladder infection tretament info.

Vaginal cancer is uncommon but is severe type of cancer that forms in the tissues of the vagina. Primary vaginal cancer is quite rare in the common population of women, but a specific form of vaginal cancer is statistically significant in women. Vaginal cancer occurs more frequently in women when they cross the age of 50, but that is not précised, it can happen at any age, even in infancy and can be cured if diagnosed and treated in early stages. Surgery alone or surgery combined with pelvic radiation is typically used to treat vaginal cancer. According to some statistic it has been calculated that around 2,000 women are suffering from this rare type of gynecological cancer each year.

Vagina is a muscular canal from the cervix to the outside of the body. It has an average length of about six to seven inches. the walls of vagina are lined with mucus membrane.the vagina consists of vulva that includes labia majora, mons pubis, labia minora, clitoris, bulb of the vsttibules, vstibules of the vagina and the only part of the vagina that can be normally viewed without any instrument from outside is the vaginal opening.the PH balance of the vagina is normally acidic, and which controls and discourage the occurrence of infections in vagina. Normally-occurring bacteria create the acidic environment in vagina. When a vagina is healthy it produces secretions which regulates and cleanse the environment of vagina, just like the saliva regulates the cleanliness and environment of the mouth. these secretions from vagina are commonly termed as vaginal discharge. A vagina is healthy if the secretions from vagina is normal vaginal discharge.

There are mainly two types of vaginal cancer:

1. Vaginal Squamous cell carcinoma

2. Vaginal Adenocarcinoma

1. Vaginal squamous cell carcinoma

Vaginal squamous cell carcinoma is one the most widespread and common type of vaginal cancer which can be found in the women who are at the age of 60 or above 60, squamous cell carcinoma occurs from the thin, flat squamous cells that line the vagina. A malignant new growth made up of epithelial cells tending to infiltrate surrounding tissues and to give rise to metastases. an initially local carcinoma developed from squamous epithelium and characterized by cuboid cells and keratinization, it forms occurring in the skin, usually originating in sun-damaged areas or preexisting lesions.

2. Vaginal andenocarcinoma

Vaginal adenocarcinoma begins from the glandular cells in the inside layer of the vagina and this type of cancer is mostly found in women who are of 30 or younger.

It’s the symptoms through which a doctor or a patient understand not much but little about the diseases which they sense and describe. some very common symptoms of vaginal cancer are:

• One can notice abnormal vaginal bleeding mostly happens after sexual intercourse.
• Prepubertal.
• Postmenopause. It is one of the main symptom that is experienced during vaginal cancer.
• Postcoital.
• Instrumental.
• Frequent urination.
• Pain during intercourse.
• Pain in pelvic area.
• Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

Often there are no symptoms and cancer is found through a routine gynecologic exam. Women who suspect exposure to DES should undergo a more careful gynecological exam on a regular basis because the normal procedure does not closely examine the areas of the vagina.

Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge is a common symptom in women. It is normal especially in child bearing age. Normal vaginal discharge is not of much concern but an abnormal vaginal discharge should be taken seriously as it can be a symptom of vaginal cancer. This care is rare and not as much of troublesome but one should consult and should diagnose the abnormal vaginal cancer by a doctor as a precautionary step.

Frequent Urination

Frequent urination can also be one of the main causes of vaginal cancer, therefore it should be taken seriously and one should consult doctor to know the root cause of urinating frequently. This can be correlated to an increase in fluid intake in your diet or due to some common urinary tract infection, but still best thing is to consult your doctor immediately.  One of the symptoms can be presence of blood in urine, not so easy to get noticed through naked eye, but pink spots in panties or any spot on toilet tissue ( while wiping and cleaning) shouldn’t be ignored.

Pelvic Pain

The pelvic pain which keep on continuing for about 3 months or more than it, used to be considered chronic while less than this duration is considered acute. It can be one of the symptoms of vaginal cancer. Pelvic pain usually happens when vaginal cancer starts to spread in vagina. in Pelvic pain a person feels pain or pressure in the abdomen areas. the pain may be constant or can occur after sometime. many women describe pelvic pain as dull and sharp pains.

The pain might be stable or it might be frequent, if the pelvic pain is severe, it might disturb your health badly and can come in the way of your daily routine. Most of the women describe pelvic pain as dull and sometimes very sharp. the character and beginning of pelvic pain or any factors that ease or make it worse are important and one should properly diagnose it.

A vaginal clump that is felt personally or by physician can also be a symptom of vaginal cancer. There can be several causes of vaginal clumps in the body including vaginal cysts, vaginal infections etc. A biopsy might be necessary to check whether the vaginal mass is cancerous or not.

Changes in the bowel functioning can also be a sign of vaginal cancer. Women may experience severe constipation or black stools as the indicators of vaginal cancer. they may feel the bowl is not completely finished after having a bowel movement.

The exact causes of vaginal cancer are still unknown but there are several risk factors for vaginal cancer. A risk factor is an activity or condition that is associated with another disease.

Risk factor for vaginal cancer includes women infected with the HPV virus and being 30 or younger or 60 or over of age.

Stretching of the pelvic ligaments may cause the uterus to sag into vagina or extend outside the vagina. This condition is known as prolapse. It can be treated by surgery or by wearing pessary where pessary is a device to keep the uterus in place. the use of vaginal pessary can lead to higher risk of vaginal cancer. the exposure to synthetic hormones DES while in the mother’s womb also increases the risk.

In a basic physical examination the patient discloses symptoms, medications and family medical history that may be useful for the doctor. During a pelvic test, the doctor use to check the  abnormalities. A colposcopy is done if the abnormalities are seen by the doctor.

Biopsy can be also done to check and diagnose more accurately. in biopsy, small tissue samples are taken and then examined by a pathologist. A biopsy is usually done during colposcopy. A local anesthetic is used to ease discomfort and pain of the patient.If vaginal cancer is confirmed then several more test are taken to check what stage the cancer is progressed to.

Everyone’s experiences differ when diagnosed with cancer. Coping with a new case can be difficult but learning early on how to cope with cancer will provide you with strength and determination to fight against cancer.

Vaginal cancer may spread to distant areas of body, such as lungs, liver and pelvic bones.

Treatment for vaginal cancer can have a significant emotional impact, particularly in women who have not yet reached the menopause and need to have radiotherapy. This treatment triggers an early menopause, which means women have to come to terms with the fact that they will never be able to have children.

Women feel sense of loss and bereavement after treatment and this may trigger the start of depression.

Talking to other women who have similar treatment can give you emotional support and reassurance.

The hospital staff may be able to recommend a suitable local support group.

Cancer treatment can involve one or several different treatments.Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are standard methods of treating many types of cancer.

Before getting treated the patient should be aware of side effects, risk and benefits of the treatment. Woman who is more educated about cancer, she can better communicate to a physician and she can be proactive in treatment decisions.

Surgery is sometimes used to remove the cancer but most patients are treated with the radiation. If the tumor is cervical cancer that has spread to vagina, then radiation and chemotherapy both are given.

Sarcoma botryoides is a type of cancer in which grapelike structures appear in the vagina of infants. Sarcoma may be at times treated with a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.

Try to avoid being contaminated with HPV and sexually transmitted virus is a best way to reduce risk for developing vaginal cancer. HPV is a highly common virus. about 80% of women are infected with this virus by the age of 50.

HPV can cause many types of cancer like cervical cancer and there is a link seen between vaginal cancer and HPV.

Vaginal cancer is a disease that can be treated and cured but it’s better to take the preventive measures for this disease timely. Researches are taking place to reduce the causes of vaginal cancer. Vaginal cancer is as serious as the other cancers are. If any of these symptoms are noticed by you, don’t overlook it, take it seriously and rush to your doctor to consult. Right step taken at right time gives solution to any problem, but exceptions are there, where medical science is itself helpless.

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I've been reading up on all the symptoms of pancreatitis, both acute & chronic & am unsure if that's what I could be suffering from. I am going to see my Dr but in meantime, it's slightly tender in the upper left abdomen, just under ribcage, not spreading through to my back but I've woken up with tons of gas and bloating all in my lower abdomen, whether related or not, I don't know. I do drink alot of alcohol and I've had this tender pain before but it always goes away relatively quickly. just concerned now with the excessive amount of gas. Any thoughts appreciated.

Recognizing the symptoms of kidney stones is important, as you want to know about this problem as soon as possible so you can start treating it. People who have dealt with this problem before are usually familiar with the symptoms, but in some cases they can be hard to detect. This article will explore some of the more common symptoms of kidney stones, and all of these should be taken seriously.

Nausea and vomiting are one of the most common symptoms of kidney stones. Even if you experience these symptoms you could be suffering from some other condition with the same symptoms. however, if you also have pains in the lower back, abdominal area or groin, nausea or vomiting can be an indication of kidney stones. Symptoms of nausea can be treated with over the counter remedies, or natural ones such as ginger, but it’s essential to treat the kidney stone itself as well. if you are experiencing these symptoms you need to verify that it is kidney stones before you try to treat them since these stones can grow and cause even more serious conditions if not properly treated.

Don’t think that simply treating the symptoms is going to resolve your kidney stones, they are two different issues. if you have severe pains of any kind, you should seek medical help as soon as possible, though you can take aspirin or other pain medications to make you more comfortable.

Your doctor may recommend a course of treatment based on the severity of the symptoms but it’s also important to eat well and stay hydrated. although many symptoms are easily controlled with over the counter pain relievers your physician may recommend a prescription pain medication for the more severe symptoms.

There are many clues you can use to determine if your symptoms are kidney stones or some other condition since the symptoms often mimic other possibilities. if you have kidney stone symptoms you will notice that no matter what position your body is in no relief is present. This of course is not true for some other conditions like muscle spasms in the same regions of the body. This pain, if caused by kidney stones, can come in waves and is referred to by the medical society as renal colic. while these are some of the telltale signs of the type of pain kidney stones often cause, you may have to get medical tests to find out for sure if you have them.

For many, kidney stones are troublesome, you can experience many different symptoms that mimic other conditions in either case it’s important to seek medical attention. In conclusion, seek medical help for symptoms that seem to be severe and for those less severe consider diet changes and other natural remedies to help keep your kidneys healthy. if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above or are susceptible to kidney stones you should consider this information and seek medical attention to be sure.

Many prefer to reduce medicines cost by looking at Indian pharmacy. ED can be a side effect of kidney stones, you may want to look at levitra reviews and get valuable medical information.