Did you know that today, September 26, is the tenth annual Mesothelioma Awareness Day? I certainly was nut "aware" of it until Heather, fellow mom of a Lily and most of all mesothelioma survivor has contacted me to share vital information on this horrible disease.
Unlike breast cancer, prostate cancer (in recent years at least), or leukemia awareness, mesothelioma does not have a lobby that is being heard, even though the disease is extremely deadly and also very preventable.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an agressive soft tissue cancer that affects either the abdominal cavity (peritoneal m.), the heart (pericardial m.), or - in two thirds of all cases - the lung (pleural m.). In most cases, the life expectancy after diagnosis is less than a year. Among the patients under 45, about 37% survive for five years, among patients 45 - 54 years of age, the 5-year survival rate drops to about 20%. (source: Asbestos.com) In comparison, the 5-year survival rate of stage IV breast cancer (the most serious stage) is at 22%; stage II and III have a survival rate of 93% and 72%, respectively. (source: American Cancer Society)
What causes mesothelioma?
Asbestos, a group of naturally occurring minerals, which are used as an insulating material in buildings, ships, etc., is the only cause of mesothelioma. Even a very short exposure of less than three months can cause mesothelioma, which oftentimes lays dormant for 15 to 20 years or longer until the disease breaks out. (source: Wikipedia)
Who is affected by mesothelioma?
Besides asbestos miners and their family, military veterans are a group with above-average mesothelioma rates. With asbestos being used as insulating materials for ship pipes, military personnel working on ships or in shipyard were often exposed to asbestos for years. And even if they did not work with asbestos directly, secondary exposure from asbestos dust from clothes, hair, tools, etc. is nearly as dangerous as working with the material directly (source: Mesothelioma.com).
How can I protect myself from asbestos?
Unfortunately, the United States are one of the only Western nation that has not yet banned asbestos as a building material. Especially if you live in an older house, there is a good chance that it contains asbestos. While asbestos most likely does not pose an acute risk while being undisturbed, home improvement projects may disturb the asbestos layer and release dangerous asbestos dust into the air of your home. If you are building a home, inform yourself about the materials used and opt for asbestos-free building material. Should you need to renovate your home and asbestos is used in your home, invest in a specialist to remove and dispose of the abestos safely. It may be costly, but it may just save your or your family's lives.
Luckily, Heather, the daughter of an asbestos miner, is one of the 37% surviving mesothelioma, but it came with a price. In 2006, she had one of her lungs, the left side of her diaphragm and the lining of her heart removed. Ever since, she is working hard to raise awareness of this horrible disease. For more information, visit The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog and meet Heather and other survivors.
Please also share about Mesothelioma Awareness Day to draw attention to this disease and the fight against it. Thank you to Heather for sharing her information with me!
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Friday, September 26, 2014
Monday, November 11, 2013
Happy Veteran's Day!
Today, many countries in this world remember their veterans. Even though this day is not observed here in Germany (guess why!), I couldn't be prouder of my US Army Veteran.
The soldier who fell in love heads over heel with a little 6.5 lbs blue-eyed girl, knowing that he could never leave her side again.
The soldier who took on the most inportant job in the world: raising his children.
The soldier who was screwed over by the system but never complained.
The soldier who took the scrutiny for his decisions with a patience and calmness that moved me to tears.
Today, as always, I ca whole-heartedly say, I'm a proud Veteran's wife.
The soldier who fell in love heads over heel with a little 6.5 lbs blue-eyed girl, knowing that he could never leave her side again.
The soldier who took on the most inportant job in the world: raising his children.
The soldier who was screwed over by the system but never complained.
The soldier who took the scrutiny for his decisions with a patience and calmness that moved me to tears.
Today, as always, I ca whole-heartedly say, I'm a proud Veteran's wife.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Ready For Summer?
A major TGIF-shout out to all of you out there! I'm so glad it's weekend, read for some much-needed sleeping in and spending quality time with the family. I don't know why I'm so exhausted all the time lately, but I know I'm not the only one. Trying to get my energy back up by excercising regularly and getting fit again. I cannot believe that it's been 6 years since I've been running regularly. Today's run went great, I went further than last time, seems I'm getting back in the routine quickly. Only a little over 2 months until the day of the run!
To start this weekend, I'm once again linking up with Kate and Janine for Finish The Sentence Friday:
The best Fourth of July I had was... probably my first one. I'm German, so we obviously don't celebrate Independence Day. the first Fourth of July I celebrated was the year I married the hubby. It was only a few days before we were getting ready to move to our new duty station in Ft. Riley, KS. Since the hubby took the tour bus with the rest of the band from Bamberg to Wuerzburg, I took the last opportunity to spend some time with my best friend, who studied there. We were both excited to witness the first military Fourth of July celebration. And I can tell you, it was awesome. The band wore their dress blues; they were playing their music, the 50 flags were presented, the canons went off, and it all ended in a great firework.
Ever since we're not in the military any more, we didn't do much for 4th of July, especially not since we've been in Germany, but I'm planning a little something for him and the girls this year. Not quite sure yet if we can do the bbq, because the neighbors had to dig up their yard due to drainage issues. Maybe I just prepare a picknick after work at the playground. But there will be something today.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
No Non-Believers To Serve
A friend form the Atheist/Agnostic parent group we went to back when we lived in Washington recently posted this article on group's Facebook board. Colorado's Representative Jared Polis proposed legislation that would allow non-religious chaplains to serve the growing number of non-religious service members; the proposal was defeated 150 to 274.
Several of my friends shared their opinion on it, and while we agreed that indeed it was a step in the right direction to even bring up a bill like that, it is disheartening listening to the elected congressmen and –women explaining their decision to vote against the bill. Atheists, secular humanists, or ethical culturists would not be able to provide proper service as chaplains. They would call fallen comrades “worm food”(Texas Rep. Mike Conaway) and upset the wounded or dying soldiers; Louisiana's Rep. John Fleming went as far as calling the proposal "a mockery". Again, the same old prejudice. Again, the bias against a group of people that is ever-growing (the number of non-religious soldiers in the military may be as high as 25%, according to the article), but sill screamed down so often. I, myself, have faced prejudice and alienation by people for my non-belief. On the other hand, I have experienced people coming up to me with an open mind and sincere questions, which I always appreciate.
Something that has been lacking for a long time and must be engrained in society again is tolerance and acceptance. This is a country made of people from many countries, with different traditions, different skin colors, different customs, and also different faiths. So why is it so scary for many people to wrap their heads around non-believers? We are just another group in this big old melting pot. There are good people among us, those who strive to be as good as they can, those that only care for themselves, and bad ones, like in any other group of people. I have met so many deeply caring people, doctors, nurses, whole-hearted mothers who have raised amazing kids, teachers, artists, you name it, just like in any other group.
I have met others, too. But I have honestly never met someone cruel enough to do what we are accused to by these congressmen. Yes, an Atheist chaplain would probably not tell a soldier about heaven awaiting him, but he would be just as fit to accompany a soldier on his last path. He will be just as qualified to provide solace and support to family members and comrades. A Hindu or Buddhist chaplain probably do things different than a Christian chaplain, and so would an Atheist one. There are so many ways of providing chaplain services to those needing them, since there are people of many believes in this world.
As a question back to the people who claim an Atheist chaplain cannot serve a Christian soldier: if your claim is true, how can a Christian chaplain serve a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Atheist soldier? In that case, a chaplain of about every (non-) faith has to be attached to a unit, in order to ensure that every solder is provided with proper service. Near impossible, I dare to claim. It is a fact that the number of non-religious people - and soldiers - including those that are not attached to any church or unsure about their believes, is increasing, and there should be chaplains available to serve them.
As some of you may know, I have been an Army wife. Back when we were engaged and Richard needed the leave pass from his commander, he sent him to see a chaplain for pre-marital councelling. I was confused that this councelling would not include me, but found out shortly after why. Obviously, the chaplain briefed my husband that he should be assured that he did not have to marry me, even if I was pregnant (which I was not), that it was ok to just "have a little" fun without having to get married right away. And when Richard insisted that he had his heart set on marrying me, he gave him this book. Well, it was in the trash before the weekend was over.I wonder how this Protestant chaplain served my Atheist husband. Thinking about it, I wonder how this particular chaplain would have served any soldier. Maybe this person was just a total failure in his job, but it was a somewhat memorable experience with a Christian chaplain. He did not take the time to listen to Richard, to get to know him and learn about his motivations; he did not include me at all, even though I was a major part of this impending marriage. And when he had the impression that he couldn't change Richard's mind - and heart - he just gave him a book, which could only serve as to light the grill.
What is your opinion of non-religious chaplains in the military? I'd love to hear your opinion!
Several of my friends shared their opinion on it, and while we agreed that indeed it was a step in the right direction to even bring up a bill like that, it is disheartening listening to the elected congressmen and –women explaining their decision to vote against the bill. Atheists, secular humanists, or ethical culturists would not be able to provide proper service as chaplains. They would call fallen comrades “worm food”(Texas Rep. Mike Conaway) and upset the wounded or dying soldiers; Louisiana's Rep. John Fleming went as far as calling the proposal "a mockery". Again, the same old prejudice. Again, the bias against a group of people that is ever-growing (the number of non-religious soldiers in the military may be as high as 25%, according to the article), but sill screamed down so often. I, myself, have faced prejudice and alienation by people for my non-belief. On the other hand, I have experienced people coming up to me with an open mind and sincere questions, which I always appreciate.
Something that has been lacking for a long time and must be engrained in society again is tolerance and acceptance. This is a country made of people from many countries, with different traditions, different skin colors, different customs, and also different faiths. So why is it so scary for many people to wrap their heads around non-believers? We are just another group in this big old melting pot. There are good people among us, those who strive to be as good as they can, those that only care for themselves, and bad ones, like in any other group of people. I have met so many deeply caring people, doctors, nurses, whole-hearted mothers who have raised amazing kids, teachers, artists, you name it, just like in any other group.
I have met others, too. But I have honestly never met someone cruel enough to do what we are accused to by these congressmen. Yes, an Atheist chaplain would probably not tell a soldier about heaven awaiting him, but he would be just as fit to accompany a soldier on his last path. He will be just as qualified to provide solace and support to family members and comrades. A Hindu or Buddhist chaplain probably do things different than a Christian chaplain, and so would an Atheist one. There are so many ways of providing chaplain services to those needing them, since there are people of many believes in this world.
As a question back to the people who claim an Atheist chaplain cannot serve a Christian soldier: if your claim is true, how can a Christian chaplain serve a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Atheist soldier? In that case, a chaplain of about every (non-) faith has to be attached to a unit, in order to ensure that every solder is provided with proper service. Near impossible, I dare to claim. It is a fact that the number of non-religious people - and soldiers - including those that are not attached to any church or unsure about their believes, is increasing, and there should be chaplains available to serve them.
As some of you may know, I have been an Army wife. Back when we were engaged and Richard needed the leave pass from his commander, he sent him to see a chaplain for pre-marital councelling. I was confused that this councelling would not include me, but found out shortly after why. Obviously, the chaplain briefed my husband that he should be assured that he did not have to marry me, even if I was pregnant (which I was not), that it was ok to just "have a little" fun without having to get married right away. And when Richard insisted that he had his heart set on marrying me, he gave him this book. Well, it was in the trash before the weekend was over.I wonder how this Protestant chaplain served my Atheist husband. Thinking about it, I wonder how this particular chaplain would have served any soldier. Maybe this person was just a total failure in his job, but it was a somewhat memorable experience with a Christian chaplain. He did not take the time to listen to Richard, to get to know him and learn about his motivations; he did not include me at all, even though I was a major part of this impending marriage. And when he had the impression that he couldn't change Richard's mind - and heart - he just gave him a book, which could only serve as to light the grill.
What is your opinion of non-religious chaplains in the military? I'd love to hear your opinion!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
North Korea At War
I just came in the news and I'm still kind of shocked, even though I've kind of saw it coming. North Korea declared in their national TV program that they are actively at war again with the south.
Some of my readers are military wives. Some of my personal friends are military wives, and we even have one close friend set to start a tour in South Korea this summer. We are beyond relieved that one close friend has just returned from his tour there and is now safely back in the US.
What I am asking myself is: what is necessary on top of what already happened for someone to step in? I am calling on the US, the UN, the NATO. Yes, I am specifically not mentioning Germany here, because our military is forbidden by our constitution to start a war. That is why our military was not involved in the Iraq war. It was clearly an attack without clear provocation. We were, however, involved in Afghanistan, since it was considered a defensive mission after the Taliban had attacked the USA. We currently have some defensive missiles stationed in Turkey after the government has called for help since Syrian attacks had hit targets in Turkey and have caused casualties among the civilians there. Therefore, without a clear UN or NATO mission, we cannot attack.
But why hasn't the US military done anything? They and South Korea are the first targets, as this madman Kim Jong Un has declared on several occasions (as I recall, Saddam Hussein has not made threads that clear). He most likely has nuclear bombs and missiles that can carry them (Saddam Hussein did not; indeed, in order to justify the mission there, explosives where re-classified as weapons of mass destruction). Why is no-one coming to help the people, who are starving to death and are put away in labor/death camps by the tens of thousands? Didn't the US claim Saddam Husseins acts against the population as another reason to invade? Well, Hussein was definitely no innocent when it came to acts agains human rights. However, the North Korean regime is above and beyond that!
I know the reason why the US has not invaded North Korea, but that's not up to discussion here. What's important now is that world leaders work together beyond primary interests and politics to de-escalate a situation that is probably one of the greatest dangers to world peace and might just develop into the first nuclear conflict after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War 2.
I am scared. I am scared for this world and I am scared for our friends and their spouses. Something has to be done, and quickly.
What is your opinion on the current situation? Are you concerned or do you think Kim Jong Un just rattles his sabers a little louder than usual?
UPDATE: This is the witness statement Ms. Soon Ok Lee, a former inmate of one of North Korea's notorious interment camps has made during a hearing at a US Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titles "Examining The Plight Of Refugees: The Case of North Korea". It is a very difficult read describing in great detail the inhumane cruelties the inmates face every single day. I was in tears and had to stop several times, but I would still recommend the read just to know why I feel so strongly about this case.
Some of my readers are military wives. Some of my personal friends are military wives, and we even have one close friend set to start a tour in South Korea this summer. We are beyond relieved that one close friend has just returned from his tour there and is now safely back in the US.
What I am asking myself is: what is necessary on top of what already happened for someone to step in? I am calling on the US, the UN, the NATO. Yes, I am specifically not mentioning Germany here, because our military is forbidden by our constitution to start a war. That is why our military was not involved in the Iraq war. It was clearly an attack without clear provocation. We were, however, involved in Afghanistan, since it was considered a defensive mission after the Taliban had attacked the USA. We currently have some defensive missiles stationed in Turkey after the government has called for help since Syrian attacks had hit targets in Turkey and have caused casualties among the civilians there. Therefore, without a clear UN or NATO mission, we cannot attack.
But why hasn't the US military done anything? They and South Korea are the first targets, as this madman Kim Jong Un has declared on several occasions (as I recall, Saddam Hussein has not made threads that clear). He most likely has nuclear bombs and missiles that can carry them (Saddam Hussein did not; indeed, in order to justify the mission there, explosives where re-classified as weapons of mass destruction). Why is no-one coming to help the people, who are starving to death and are put away in labor/death camps by the tens of thousands? Didn't the US claim Saddam Husseins acts against the population as another reason to invade? Well, Hussein was definitely no innocent when it came to acts agains human rights. However, the North Korean regime is above and beyond that!
I know the reason why the US has not invaded North Korea, but that's not up to discussion here. What's important now is that world leaders work together beyond primary interests and politics to de-escalate a situation that is probably one of the greatest dangers to world peace and might just develop into the first nuclear conflict after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War 2.
I am scared. I am scared for this world and I am scared for our friends and their spouses. Something has to be done, and quickly.
What is your opinion on the current situation? Are you concerned or do you think Kim Jong Un just rattles his sabers a little louder than usual?
UPDATE: This is the witness statement Ms. Soon Ok Lee, a former inmate of one of North Korea's notorious interment camps has made during a hearing at a US Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titles "Examining The Plight Of Refugees: The Case of North Korea". It is a very difficult read describing in great detail the inhumane cruelties the inmates face every single day. I was in tears and had to stop several times, but I would still recommend the read just to know why I feel so strongly about this case.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)