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Avoiding Chemo When Using MammaPrint?

Avoiding Chemo When Using MammaPrint?

Meet Robyn Stoller:

In March of 2000, my 37 year old husband Alan was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma.  We had his kidney removed and other than 3-4 follow up appointments and scans a year, that was it.  It was relatively simple.  We had such a beautiful life with three phenomenal, healthy, thriving children.  Life was perfect!

Then we came to the summer of 2009 and everything changed.  I can not remember how long Alan had this large lump on his right arm, but I think it was there ever since I had known him (15 years).  Many doctors, including his oncologist, looked at his arm and said, “Do nothing.  It’s a simple lipoma and unless it is changing, just leave it. It will require major surgery to remove and it’s not worth going through that for something that is nothing.”  How wrong all these medical professionals were.

In the summer of 2009, Alan decided for no apparent reason that it was time to get this lipoma removed.  And that is when our world changed. Hello pleomorphic rhabdomysarcoma, good bye happiness.  Nothing was as it appeared to be.  And it got worse and worse from there.  It was pure luck and an incredible support system that helped my husband and I better navigate this terrifying cancer journey.

As if fighting cancer wasn’t hard enough, we had to find treatment alternatives- both medical and non-medical; travel assistance to get from Houston to DC after Alan had brain surgery; trying to find what we felt was good, sound nutrition information; how to appeal insurance decisions; negotiating payments to doctors; etc.  This took tremendous time and energy that was desperately needed to fight the cancer and raise a family.

Fast forward to today….  Alan passed away on July 12, 2010.  So now, I am a 43-year old widow (ugh…I hate that word) raising our 3 amazing kids. Alan & I spent many hours talking about the wonderful things we were going to do after he overcame his cancer. It never occurred to me that the cancer would be the victor.

I’ve learned a lot along the way about cancer, about people, about life. I’ve learned about things I never even knew existed. When I ask myself what can I do with the lemons that have been thrown my way, I know what Alan would say. He’d say, “Make Lemonade.”

There are a ton of amazing resources available to help people fight cancer.  I hope to make it easier for others on this journey by making it easier to find what’s out there.  That’s what CancerHAWK is all about.  CancerHAWK is my lemonade.

By the way, today is the 16th year anniversary of mine and Alan’s first date.  We always celebrated this day.  It was the day that changed me for the rest of my life… for the better of course!!!  So it seems only apropos that today is the day I officially launch CancerHAWK.  I love you Alan, always and forever!

 

 

Study Shows 1/2 of Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients Can Safely Avoid Chemo When Using MammaPrint


If you have been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, talk to your doctor about The MammaPrint breast cancer test.  

According to the recently published RASTER Study, The MammaPrint breast cancer test (developed by Agendia) can accurately determine which early stage breast cancer patients are at low risk of breast cancer recurrence and can therefore safely choose not to undergo chemotherapy. Furthermore, the study suggests that half of early-stage breast cancer patients may be able to safely avoid chemotherapy.

Here’s the dealio (as my daughter always says)…

427 breast cancer patients were studied over 5 years. Of the 219 patients who were determined to be ‘low risk’ based on the MammaPrint test, 85% chose not to have chemotherapy. Of those patients, 97% were disease-free after 5 years. Of the 208 patients who were determined to be ‘high risk’, 81% chose chemotherapy and 91% were disease-free after 5 years.  This is the first breast cancer genomic study to include 5-year outcome data.

The MammaPrint test analyzes 70 critical genes identified in breast cancer metastasis (3x more genes than previous-generation testing); can be used on both hormone-receptor-positive or hormone-receptor-negative early stage breast cancers; and has been FDA-cleared in the US.

For more information, visit Agendia.com.  If you don’t have insurance or your insurance company doesn’t cover MammaPrint testing, contact the Agendia Cares Program as they may be able to help.  To compare MammaPrint against other genetic assay tests such as Oncotype DX or Mammostrat, speak with your doctor and visit BreastCancer.org.

(Sources:  Agendia PR ; BreastCancer.org, MedScape, European Cancer Organization)

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Senior Citizens Discounts

This information was passed along to us; we thought this would be interesting information to post on our website, since we all love a good deal!

In order to receive the Senior Citizen discounts listed below, you have to mention the discount prior to paying.

If you find that some of these locations do not offer the discount any longer, or if you come across a vendor that should be added to the list, please go the “Contact US” Tab on the homepage of the website.  Send us an email, for a vendor to be added or removed. Happy Shopping& Saving! ~ From the staff at Sallycares.com


RESTAURANTS:
Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)
Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddruckers: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)
Gaetti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)

Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off ( 55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations ( 55+)

McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Whataburger: 10% off (62+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)

RETAIL & APPAREL :
Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)
Big Lots: 30% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+)Modell's Sporting Goods: 30% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +)

GROCERY :
Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)

Food Lion: 60% off every Monday (60+)

Fry's Supermarket: free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50 +)
Publix: 15% off every Wednesday ( 55 +)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 15% off (62+)

TRAVEL :
Airlines:
Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 50% off non-peak periods. (Tuesdays - Thursdays) (62+)and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations.
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount).
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount).
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Rail:
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)

Bus:
Greyhound: 15% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

Car Rental:
Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Budget Rental Cars: 40% off; up to 50% off for AARP members ( 50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

Overnight Accommodations:
Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+)
Best Western: 40% off (55+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Waldorf Astoria - NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 40% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+)
Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday nights (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off ( 55 +)
Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT :
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +)
Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
Massage Envy - NYC 20% off all "Happy Endings" (62 +)
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 50% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +)
SeaWorld, Orlando , FL : $3 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)

CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS :
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).


MISCELLANEOUS:
Great Clips: $8 off haircuts (60+)
Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+)