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Production Notes
BCTV story: Carolyn White
Joy to Life Foundation co-founder Joy Blondheim interviewed Carolyn White for the Joy to Life newsletter. The interview was captured on tape in Carolyn's home and offers a glimpse into the day to day struggles of someone who is living with cancer. All the while during her treatment, Carolyn has been an inspiration to those around her, including Joy. As she puts it "Have you ever met someone and immediately bonded with that person? A stranger, but yet you know she is strong, loving and compassionate and ... struggling. A person that you know will remain connected to you whether you see each other again or not. Carolyn White is one of those people for me, and it is an honor for me to share her story with you."
Preventing Lymphedema:
Lymphedema is a much-feared complication of breast cancer treatment that can significantly affect a woman's quality of life. It occurs in up to 40% of breast cancer patients. However, with recent advancements in the detection of possible problem areas, lymphedema can now be spotted earlier than ever before. In the video "Preventing Lymphedema", Dr. Pam Strickland shared the advantages of sentinal node biopsy and details the new technology of bioimpedance (also called L-Dex) which offers hope of catching lymphedema early so that it is totally reversible.
BCTV story: Valerie Ball
Family and friends. They are often the people in our lives who make a huge difference--especially when times aren't that good. That's evident in the two stories here on BCTV from Valerie Ball and Pam Stewart.
After being diagnosed, Valerie's extended family rallied around her and helped her cope with finding out she had--and her treatment of - breast cancer. Pam Stewart's friends put their feelings for her down on paper in a very special book to help her through her battle. It still inspires her today. Interestingly enough, both of these women live by themselves, but as you'll see in their stories, neither one of them is really ever alone.
From a BCTV fan in North Carolina:
Good Morning,
I'm from North Carolina and on my way to New Orleans last week we drove through Montgomery and I saw your billboard. I immediately jotted down the website address and upon returning home looked at your web site. It is awesome! As a breast cancer survivor I would have loved to have had this type of resource to review before making my final decision. I had a mastectomy and an immediate Trans Flap reconstruction. I was able to share your site with a lady yesterday who is making decisions as to what type of surgery to do. I will share this site with other women.
Thank-you!!!
Sarah Whitmer
Oak Island, NC
Understanding the New 2009 Mammography Guidelines
In November of 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent, nongovernmental body, released its new recommendations regarding screening mammograms and self-breast exams--which are at odds with those of high-profile groups such as the American Cancer Society and many others.
To help make sense of these recommendations, we produced an informational video featuring Dr. Pam Strickland of Montgomery Surgical Specialists. Dr. Strickland explains exactly what the Task Force is suggesting and how it will affect you.
We knew that people were going to be looking for answers, so we were happy that we were able to get this information out quickly. It has been one of our most viewed videos to date.
Thanks to Dr. Strickland for coming up with the material for this video so quickly and special thanks to the Baptist Breast Health Center for letting us come in and shoot in front of one of their mammography machines on a cold, wet Sunday!
