What If It Happened To You?

IMPORTANT: Please Read Alarming Statement. I was very fortunate to bear witness to an event that all but physically shattered my heart into a thousand pieces today. This event both motivated me and inspired me. Today Tausha had a conversation with her mother, Pat and in this conversation Tausha made a statement expressing that she was so very fortunate. To think so many people gathered and were so willing to do so much for me yesterday. The benefit looked amazing and I am so grateful. I feel awful even thinking this as everyone has been so very great; but do you think now that it has passed that everyone will forget about me, Mom? I still am going to need a great deal of platelets and I feel so selfish to even say any of this. All the supporters of Team Tausha won’t forget about me and the platelets will them?

Team Tausha: Donor Clincs

Having been witness to this selfless woman express guilt for using/needing so many platelets (as she has never asked for a thing in this world) and seeing her struck with fear that Team Tausha might forget about her…. I suddenly became possessed with such motivation and drive to wake up the world and MOTIVATE every single individual who has already donated platelets, thought about donating platelets, or thinking about donating platelets pick up the phone tomorrow and call 713-792-7777 tomorrow and schedule their Team Tausha: Platelet Apt for this week. I know that I ask a great deal of everyone, This Selfless Individual All of Us Know as Team Tausha’ s Very Own Tausha Bowser is so very deserving. If You Haven’t Already Joined The Revolution; We Save Lives Daily, We Make A Difference In A Very Special Person’s Life, & We’re Just Getting Warmed Up.

Please Click the “Share” Share Button Below this post, Please “Like” this Post Below, Please Leave A Comment Below Letting Our Very Own Tausha Bowser Know Just How Much We All Care And How Proud Of Her We Are. Team Tausha: We’re Just Getting Warmed Up! -GW

Garret S. Wilson

10 Cancer Symptoms Women Shouldn’t Ignore

Focused on Health - January 2012
by Laura Nathan-Garner
Gynecologic cancers may not be on your radar. But if you’re a woman, they should be. That’s true even if you’re relatively young and healthy.
Each year, more than 80,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, such as endometrial (also known as uterine), ovarian or cervical cancer . Most of these cancers occur in women after menopause. But gynecologic cancers can strike women before menopause, too.
And, here’s another problem: the signs of gynecologic cancers can be vague and similar to those of other conditions.
So, no matter how young or old you are, it’s important to know what to look for. That way, if these symptoms do appear, you can alert your doctor right away. After all, recognizing the symptoms may increase your odds of finding cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
Below are 10 gynecologic cancer symptoms that every woman should be on the lookout for.
1. Abnormal vaginal bleeding. More than 90% of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer experience irregular bleeding. If you have already undergone menopause, any bleeding — spotting included — should be evaluated. Haven’t gone through menopause yet? See your doctor if you experience bleeding between periods, heavy bleeding or bleeding during sex.
2. Unexplained weight loss. If you’re overweight or obese, losing weight by exercising and making healthier food choices can actually help curb your cancer risks . But if you suddenly lose more than 10 pounds without changing your diet or exercise habits, talk to your doctor.
3. Vaginal discharge colored with blood. Bloody, dark or smelly discharge is usually a sign of infection. But sometimes, it’s a sign of cervical or endometrial cancer.

4. Constant fatigue. A busy week can wear anyone out. But in most cases, a little rest should cure your fatigue. If fatigue is interfering with your work or leisure activities, stop blaming your hectic life and see your doctor.
5. Swollen leg. Does one of your legs look or feel swollen for no apparent reason? This may be a sign of cervical cancer. Typically, though, a swollen leg isn’t a sign of cancer unless you also have pain, discharge or other cervical cancer symptoms .
6. Loss of appetite or feeling full all the time. Never hungry anymore? Or constantly feeling full? These appetite changes may be symptoms of ovarian cancer.

7. Pain in the pelvis or abdominal area. Ongoing abdominal pain or discomfort — including gas, indigestion, pressure, bloating and cramps — can signal ovarian cancer. And, constant pelvic pain or pressure can be a sign of endometrial cancer.

8. A bloated belly. It’s common to feel bloated after eating or drinking a lot, especially during your menstrual cycle. But if you feel bloated for more than two weeks or after your period ends, this could be a sign of ovarian cancer.
9. Constantly needing bathroom breaks. Suddenly need to use the bathroom all the time or feel constant pressure on your bladder? Unless you’ve started drinking more liquids or you’re pregnant, this may be a sign of cancer. Take note if you also feel full, have abdominal pain and experience bloating.
10. Persistent indigestion or nausea. Occasionally, persistent indigestion or nausea can signal gynecologic cancers. Play it safe, and see your doctor if you feel queasy more often than usual.
Remember, having one or more of these symptoms doesn’t mean you have cancer. But if they last two weeks or longer, see your doctor to get yourself checked out. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Related LinksAge-Proof Your Health (MD Anderson) 
Women: Screening Exams by Age (MD Anderson)

Team Tausha: We're Just Getting Warmed Up

Clinical Manifestations of PNH

The Diverse and Common Symptomatology of PNH Can Delay Diagnosis,^1,2 Typically From 1 to More Than 10 Years³

The chart below visualizes the PNH symptom incidence rate and the percentage of patients who experience pulmonary hypertension, CKD, and thrombosis.

Next: PNH Case Studies

1. Rosse WF. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Shattil SJ, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2000:331-342. 2. Parker C, Omine M, Richards S, et al; for the International PNH Interest Group. Blood. 2005;106:3699-3709. 3. Dacie JV, Lewis SM. Ser Haematol. 1972;5:3-23. 4. Meyers G, Weitz I, Lamy T, et al. Blood. 2007;110:Abstract 3683. 5. Hill A, Rother R, Wang X, et al. Br J Haematol. 2010;149:414-425. 6. Hillmen P, Elebute M, Kelly R, et al. Am J Hematol. 2010;85:553-559. 7. Hillmen P, Lewis SM, Bessler M, Luzzatto L, Dacie JV. N Engl J Med. 1995;333:1253-1259. 8. Nishimura J-I, Kanakura Y, Ware RE, et al. Medicine. 2004;83:193-207.

Team Tausha: The Consequences of Hemoysis and PNH

Consequences of Hemolysis and the Sequelae of PNH

Chronic Hemolysis Is the Underlying Cause of Morbidity and Mortality Associated With PNH1

The consequences of hemolysis in PNH can be sudden and potentially fatal.2-4

The consequences include1:

• Venous thrombosis, resulting in pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT); cerebral, dermal, or hepatic/portal thrombosis; and abdominal ischemia
• Arterial thrombosis, resulting in stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or myocardial infarction (MI)
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) resulting in renal insufficiency, need for dialysis, or anemia
• End-organ damage to the brain, liver, gastrointestinal tract, or lungs
• Pulmonary hypertension, resulting in dyspnea or cardiac dysfunction
• Fatigue or impaired quality of life, including abdominal pain, dysphagia, poor physical functioning, or erectile dysfunction
• Anemia, resulting in hemosiderosis or the need for transfusions
• Although symptoms vary in manifestation and severity from one patient to another, the underlying cause of all symptoms is chronic hemolysis.3

1. Brodsky RA. Blood Rev. 2008;22:65-74. 2. Hill A, Richards S, Hillmen P. Br J Haematol. 2007;137:181-192. 3. Rachidi S, Musallam KM, Taher AT. Eur J Intern Med. 2010;21:260-267. 4. Rother RP, Bell L, Hillmen P, Gladwin MT. JAMA. 2005;293:1653-1662. 5. Hillmen P, Muus P, Dührsen U, et al. Blood. 2007;110:4123-4128. 6. Adams T, Fleischer D, Marino G, Rusnock E, Li L. Dig Dis Sci. 2002;47:58-64. 7. Hillmen P, Elebute M, Kelly R, et al. Am J Hematol. 2010;85:553-559. 8. Kelly R, Richards S, Hillmen P, Hill A. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2009;5:911-921

Team Tausha: A Life Threatening Disease

PNH—A Life-Threatening Disease

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a progressive and destructive disease that can cause thrombosis, end-organ damage, and, ultimately, increased mortality.1-3

Moving Forward On this Blog, you can learn more about the pathophysiology of PNH and the signs and symptoms of the disease, examine a series of case studies, read about diagnosis and testing for PNH, and more.

Healthcare providers interested in learning about PNH pathophysiology or diagnosis and testing can get started with the facts about PNH.  Has your doctor diagnosed you with PNH? For information about your condition, a guide to discussing the disease with your doctor, and more, visit the home page for patients with PNH.

Facts About PNH

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a progressive and destructive disease that can cause thrombosis, end-organ damage, and, ultimately, increased mortality.

PNH Can Be Life Threatening

PNH is a complex disease that presents uniquely in each patient.1-3 The symptoms of PNH include abdominal pain, dyspnea, and fatigue. Because these symptoms are common to many diseases, a diagnosis of PNH is often overlooked. In the meantime, the patient's chance of experiencing serious sequelae of PNH — including thrombosis, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal failure, and pulmonary hypertension — grows.

Pathophysiology

PNH is an acquired hematopoietic stem cell disorder in which blood cells lack key, naturally occurring terminal complement inhibitors on the cell surface, rendering them vulnerable to lysis by the membrane attack complex (MAC).4-6

Consequences of Hemolysis

The consequences of hemolysis in PNH can be sudden and potentially fatal.7,8The most common, thromboembolism, can present in typical or atypical sites, can be venous or arterial, and can affect patients young and old.2 Other consequences include CKD, pulmonary hypertension, and end-organ damage.9

Signs & Symptoms

A patient may present with any of the common symptoms of PNH, including abdominal pain, anemia, fatigue, or impaired quality of life (QoL). These symptoms, however, may be indicative of more serious underlying consequences of the disease.