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Dying Army Veteran Has One Final Wish – He Wants to Hear From You

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Lee Hernandez, an army veteran who has served 18 years, is dying. Despite this, he only has one final wish: he wants to talk to you.

Living on hospice care in his home in New Braunfels, Texas, 47-year old Lee Hernandez has come out on the other side of three separate brain surgeries and numerous strokes. It’s taken a while, but Lee’s wife, Ernestine Hernandez, has finally found a way to make her husband’s passing days a little bit happier.

Phone calls and text messages brightened Lee Hernandez’ day, something that Ernestine discovered after her husband became depressed one day when he asked her to hold his phone, just in case someone were to call. Lee Hernandez lamented, “I guess no one wants to talk to me.”

Because of his brain surgeries and strokes, Lee now has a difficult time speaking. People often have a hard time understanding what he’s saying, and Ernestine believes that many people don’t want to speak with him because of that.

Dying Army Veteran Has One Final Wish – He Wants to Hear From You

Determined to find someone who would put aside Lee’s speech problems and contact him to make his dying days better, Ernestine contacted Caregivers of Wounded Warriors, and made a plea out into the world for someone to contact her husband and keep him in high spirits and in good company. She was determined to find someone out there who would take the time out of their day to contact her husband, and make him see that there were still plenty of people who were interested in what he had to say, even if sometimes he had a hard time saying it.

The Arizona Veterans Forum advertised his wishes on Facebook, which immediately resulting in an outpouring of support towards the Hernandez family. Ever since then, Lee has been in no shortage of calls and text messages. Many of the people who call are doing so to pray for him, though others are just reaching out for a conversation to brighten his day. People are reaching out to let Lee know he isn’t alone, and that his service as a Veteran is appreciated. Ernestine reads him the text messages, while Lee takes the calls.

Lee Hernandez had served 18 ½ years as a soldier in the Army, which included a tour in Iraq. He had lived through those eighteen years, and is now battling a terminal illness. He has been struggling with his health for the last five years, something Ernestine has been by his side through the entire time.

Unfortunately, in the past year, Lee’s health has begun to plummet, and despite the many odds that he’s already beaten, he’s no longer winning the battle. In hospice care, Lee Hernandez knows he’s dying, and wants to simply live out the rest of his days in contact with the world outside his home. Reaching out to people, knowing he’s not alone, has been a tremendous help to him, and has kept Lee Hernandez in good spirits.

Ernestine is incredibly grateful for the show of support from everyone. She’s doing her best to give her husband the best care – both physically and emotionally – that she can while they both travel the end of this hard journey together.

LET’S HELP FULFILL THIS BRAVE VETERAN’S WISH

To contact Lee Hernandez and be a part of making this veteran’s final wish come to fruition, simply call or text: 210-632-6778.

Ernestine Hernandez has commented that those who wish to contact Lee can do so during the late afternoon or early evening, Central Daylight Time, between 2:00 pm and 6:00pm. This is when Lee is alert and awake.

For anyone who would like to send a postcard to Lee Hernandez please send to: PO BOX 10066, Glendale AZ 85308 C/O Salute Media

Ernestine Hernandez has warned that they may not pick up the phone every time, but that it’s not because they don’t want to hear from you. However, some days, Lee is in a lot of pain, which makes talking much harder and the medication he takes to manage the pain can make him less alert.

If you want to make sure your message reaches him, send a text. Any amount of support is welcomed by the Hernandez family.

All it takes is a simple text or a five minute to call to reach out and make someone feel a little less alone, and a little more connected to the world.

10 Incredible Traits of Truly Successful People

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Have you ever asked a successful person about how they surpassed their goals?

Many of the answers are the same.

  • “Work hard.”
  • “Study more.”
  • “Know the right people.”
  • “Follow your dreams.”

Of course, to achieve any modicum of success requires hard work. Hitting the books is necessary to accomplish for some. “Networking” may lead to the right opportunities. All of this is good advice, but it’s not extraordinary. Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, Edwin Hubble, Leonardo Da Vinci, and others didn’t get their names etched into the history books by following “good advice.”

“We don’t want to theorize about successful people. We went straight to the source, finding the most amazing people in all fields and asking them, ‘How do you do what you do?’” – Josh Gosfield

So, what is so special about these “super-achievers?”

What historically-great artists, entrepreneurs, scientists, political activists, and business leaders have that rare? In their book, co-authors (and married couple) Camille Sweeney and Josh Gosfield sought to answer this question.

Sweeney and Gosfield interviewed a total of 36 super-achievers and had this to say:

“In the beginning, our goal was to uncover what was unique about each one of the dozens of super achievers we interviewed. But after months of research and over 100 hours of conversations, we were often surprised to discover how much a tennis champion (and) a rock band think alike, or how a racecar driver and an extraterrestrial hunter share similar traits.”

In other words, there are common characteristics that great achievers embody.

Here are ten success rules that will change your life:

successfulThese then things can place you on the path to becoming more successful.

1 – Adaptability

According to a National Institutes of Health study, adaptability enables a person to be willing to change or develop a different task when necessary. People with a high adaptability rate have more psychological resources than people with a low level of adaptability. Successful people can adapt. Indeed, they do not allow problems or setbacks to dissuade them. They commit to the day-to-day struggle without wavering.

Although they will stick to their dedication to the project, they can do that without giving up if the project needs to change. Find ways to incorporate adaptability into your life. Be flexible at work or home. Find ways to do things in a new way or allow someone else to step forward to lead on a project. You’ll be surprised at how adaptability will give you a new fresh perspective in your life.

2 – Passion

Successful people have the drive to get things done. They do what they love and love what they do. Their passion doesn’t come and go according to their feelings. It remains solid and purposeful so that they can finish well. Many people suggest that grit or perseverance is the main ingredient for successful people’s accomplishments. Still, studies found that along with perseverance, a person must have the passion for having a higher level of performance and success.

It’s what separates highly successful people from other mediocre individuals. If you’re persevering in your dreams or projects, but the project doesn’t have meaning to you, then it’s a chore to you. You must care about what you’re doing and feel passionate about it for its worth and value.

If you have a passion for something, tap into it in the things you’re pursuing. Perhaps you’re passionate about teaching kids or finding a way to solve a problem. Allow your passion mixed with determination to guide you and help you stay on course to meet your long-term goals.

 3 – Persevering

Great artists are constantly working on their craft, the essential innovators are learning and tinkering, and the best journalists are constantly researching and editing. These individuals have to stick to their goals. Successful people are tenacious and drive themselves hard. Plus, they don’t sit back and wait for others to initiate.

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, perseverance is defined as “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.” These successful individuals weren’t born with perseverance. No doubt they learned it, growing from parents who cultivated tenacity and hope in them. They were allowing struggle and sometimes fail with the hope that they could succeed if they kept trying.

If you’re not great at persevering, you can begin to learn it through trial and error. When you start something, try to finish it. Find ways to persevere in your life, whether finishing household organizing or a project at work you need to complete. Start small and work up. Don’t give up when you face setbacks. Keep going.

4 – Patience

Highly successful people work patiently through their frustrations and failures without wavering. They are strategic in their ability to wait for their competitors to make a move. They wait until they know the time is right rather than getting irritated that things are moving faster. It’s thought that patience helps you control yourselves, which enables you to succeed. You aren’t given to responding to something out of impulse or urgency, but because you’ve thought it out and know when it’s time to react. You don’t get emotionally caught up in the moment but can step back and patiently choose when to respond. Patience can accept some trouble or delay without getting upset, angry, or frustrated. It can wait it out, knowing the right moment will come when you should act.

5 – Control your emotions

When successful people step out to make their dreams happen, they don’t allow their emotions to dictate. Feelings come and go depending upon the difficulty of the journey, but staying in control of your emotions keeps you from giving up or doing things you’ll regret. Whether it’s feelings of loneliness or frustration, it’s best not to get emotional about these feelings but deal with what you can deal with and let go of what you can’t.

Some suggest that those who are incredibly successful manage their emotions even when they’re stressed to be in control and calm. When you’re in the middle of a stressful circumstance, be sure to keep your emotions in control. Take a deep breath and remember, whatever is broken can be fixed or changed. Getting upset or angry never solves problems but creates more problems.

pop meme6 – Good listeners

Very successful people, like SOL Global Chairman Andrew Defrancesco, listen and show interest in others’ opinions. They realize that they can’t possibly know everything related to what they’re striving for, so they glean from other’s knowledge and experience. They want to hear what other people have to say. They’re curious to want to know as much as possible, and they know that people are great resources of information.

Plus, they want to be successful and know that happy employees mean listening to their complaints or ideas to make things better. Listening is a learned skill. It takes patience and humility to listen. It’s an important trait of a successful person. Being a good listener includes practicing these things:

  • Look at the person who is speaking.
  • Don’t get distracted while someone is speaking.
  • Do not try to think about what you’re going to say in response
  • Repeat back to the person what you think you heard
  • Ask questions to clarify, if needed
  • Engage with what they’re saying

7 – Give back to their community

Successful people know they are blessed and want to give back to their communities. Whether it’s donating money to build a park, or helping military families that are struggling, or creating a foundation for kids from poor neighborhoods, countless successful people find ways to help those around them. Those companies that gave back to their communities are more successful. Their generosity inspires their employees and makes them feel more loyal to the company. If you want to be successful, don’t forget to give back to others. Be generous and find ways to share with others who are in need. You’ll be surprised at how giving to others can be a blessing to you.

8 – Get up early

Believe it or not, being an early riser is a trait of many successful people. They know the value of sleep and getting an early start on their day. This habit of getting up early enables them to do things without distractions and maximize their day.

They say it helps with their organization, thinking, and planning. There’s a long list of well-known successful people who attribute getting up early to contribute to their success. There are good benefits to having a routine every day.

Routines keep you moving without trying to figure out what you’re supposed to do every day. A pattern of getting up early is a great habit to emulate in your life to be more productive no matter what you’re doing.

9 – Can inspire others by becoming an excellent storyteller

Elon Musk, a  visionary in the commercial spacecraft and clean energy industries, pursued turning his dreams into reality. Two of his companies, SpaceX and Tesla Motors, were nearly bankrupt when Musk sold investors (and saved his companies) using nothing other than good ole’ storytelling.

His ability to inspire investors was a powerful gift. Musk and others like him feel emotionally love passing their passion to others who can join them. They inspire other people by their life and character. They gain others’ trust and admiration because they possess a character worth following.

Learn the value of inspiring others, whether at home, at school, or work. People will follow you if you possess the energy to engage them with your excitement about what you’re doing.

10 – Test their ideas

Successful people are willing to take risks to test their ideas. They aren’t afraid of failure because they know that sometimes failing can lead to something better. The great inventors of the past failed and failed again but never gave up. These individuals do these six things:

  • Ask questions
  • Assess responses
  • Get feedback
  • Listen to advice
  • Think outside the box
  • Are open to learning from constructive criticism

Final thoughts on the ten shared traits of successful people

Successful people don’t worry about what people say about them because they’re busy pursuing their dreams. They refuse to bog themselves down when life gets hard but continue to push through. If they fail, they learn from it and continue on a new path if necessary.

They’re disciplined with good habits that often include getting up early. Generosity is another trait of most successful people because they know they are blessed. They see the importance of building up their communities and others.

If you are inspired to become a successful person, begin cooperating with some of these traits in your life.

Are You Still Friends With Your Ex? Researchers Explain 5 Reasons People Do It

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Are you deciding whether or not you should stay friends with your ex?  While some people swear off past loves for good, others manage to hang onto a friendship with relative ease.

Researchers Justin Mogiliski and Lisa Welling studied this–and they agree that it is possible for some.

“Our findings are consistent with previous research and suggest that (post-relationship friendship) may provide opportunity for ex partners to exchange desirable resources (e.g., love, status, information, money, sex) after romantic relationship dissolution. Staying friends with an ex: Sex and dark personality traits predict motivations for post-relationship friendship”

As this article is based on a scientific study, let’s clarify some jargon that you’ll come across.

  • PRF = post-relationship friendship: Maintaining a (real or apparent) friendship with an ex.
  • CSF = Cross-sexual friendship: Plutonic sex, or “friends with benefits.”
  • NOTE: When you read “rated” or “rate,” this means a weighted average. This distinction is essential, as some info [e.g., the male findings in the “Results” section] may seem contradictory.

Justin Mogilski and Lisa Welling, both psychology professors at Oakland University in Michigan, wanted to study the specific reasons for maintaining friendships with ex-partners. Some research had already been done, but much more on CSFs than PRFs (remember the key.) Further, Mogilski and Welling wanted to focus also on the post-relationship behaviors of people with “dark traits” – a bit more on this later.

The researchers had the participants brainstorm five reasons why someone would remain friends with their partner to accomplish their ends. Afterward, the participants took two personality tests.

Using this data, researchers analyzed each person’s “5 reasons,” ultimately grouping the 2000-plus responses into seven categories. We will focus on six: reliability/sentimentality, pragmatism, continued romantic attraction, children and shared resources, social relationship maintenance, and sexual access. The researchers also took gender into account.

Results of the Study on Friendship With an Ex

The two-part study revealed some fascinating stuff. To avoid overwhelm, here is a bulleted list of the interesting (if not predictable) findings:

Men value pragmatism (money, gifts, etc.) and sexual access as reasons for remaining friends more than women. Both sexes cited reliability and sentimental reasons (good listening, supportive behaviors, similar personalities, trust, etc.) for a PRF at about the same rate. Ex-partners who were friends before romantic involvement are more likely to maintain a PRF.
PRF outcomes are similar to CSFs in nearly every measure.

  • People with “honesty-humility” personality traits are less likely to continue a friendship for practical or sexual reasons. They’re also the least likely to have a PRF at all.
  • Extraversion (“outgoing, aggressive”) and agreeableness (“kind, warm, considerate”) personality traits are more likely to maintain a PRF for reliability/sentimentality reasons.
  • Extraversion “predicted” pragmatic motivations and sexual access – a trend observed among those with dark personalities.
  • This last observation leads us to the root of the study (and this article): 5 “secret” reasons that some people remain friends with their exes.

ex

Before we get to the list, here’s the study’s definition:

“Dark personality features are a collection of antagonistic behaviors and interpersonal styles that are associated with disagreeableness, manipulativeness and callousness, and exploitativeness.”

In short, dark characters are aggressive, abrasive, untruthful, shallow, and calculating. With these positive descriptors in mind, here’s what they mean for a post-relational friendship.

5 Secret Reasons People Remain Friends With Their Exes

Study participants stayed friendly for these five reasons.

1. They want perks

“This (research) suggests that some individuals maintain a friendship after a break-up for reasons that depart from what some might typically expect from a friendly ex,” says Mogilski. Whether it’s money, sex, or something else, these characters may be looking at some angle to exploit.

2. They want to control

Here’s where the narcissistic factor comes into play. People who scored high on the narcissism part of the “pathological personality features” test are likely to coax their way into a PRF to seize control over someone. This is particularly true if they feel some sense of control was lost upon the relationship’s end.

3. They want to sabotage your relationships

Maintaining a friendship with a shady ex places any future relationship at risk. It doesn’t matter if the person is just a friend or something more. If they catch wind of any “potential” romantic interest of yours, they may attempt to disrupt severely – if not outright destroy – that relationship. Their actions may adversely impact other connections, from plutonic to professional.

4. They want to take advantage of your kindness

If their selfish nature didn’t rear its ugly head during your relationship (or if you didn’t notice it), you could almost be sure that it will during “friendship.” Notice the quotation marks around friendship. Aside from not sharing anything tangible, you can forget about them sharing genuine, mutual companionship. Anything perceived as otherwise is probably faked.

5. They want revenge

“Revenge is a dish best served cold” is a long-standing maxim – and it may explain why your ex is bothering to hang around. If you fell for the wrong person, only to realize it later and soon break it off, remain cautious about saying the “F” word (the other one.) Though rare, this study (and many others) have found a strong link between borderline and real sociopathic/narcissistic traits and exacting retribution.

Setting Ground Rules When Staying Friends with Your Ex

If you stay friends with an ex, you must set ground rules. These rules will make it so that both of you feel comfortable with the friendship and how things play out. Being friends with your previous lover can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be.

Give It Time

Before jumping into a friendship, you must take some time for yourself. If the breakup is fresh, you likely still have feelings for them, whether negative or positive. Not having contact for a while can give both of you time to heal, making friendship possible.

There’s no set timeline to follow in this situation. Give it as much time as you think is necessary, working to overcome your feelings before an encounter. Wait until you’ve moved on and can focus on being just friends instead of trying to get them back.

Making sure you’re both over each other is essential to a healthy friendship. Once you think enough time has passed and decide to spend time together, pay attention to how you feel. It might be too soon if the energy is tense or there’s still an attraction.

Forgive Your Ex

You can’t be friends with your former lover if you hold a grudge over something from the past. There was likely anger or heartache at the end of your romance, and you must forgive to move past it. If you can’t get over what they did, you’re better off not trying to be friends.

No Flirting

Avoid flirting with your ex if you want to be friends because it could make it harder for one of you to move on. Plus, it can rekindle feelings that you thought you were already past. Be careful to avoid inside jokes and romantic gestures that you were once comfortable with.

What you might think of as harmless flirting can interfere with your friendship. Instead, try to avoid it and treat your previous partner how you’d treat every other friend. It’s easy to fall back into your old habits, so be careful.

ex

Respect the New Situation

You aren’t a couple anymore, and you must respect that situation if you want to be friends. Please don’t treat them how you did before because the new friendship requires a change.

Respecting the situation means that you can’t expect them to text or call you daily. The other person doesn’t have to tell you everything about their life anymore. As friends, you must respect the new boundaries.

To respect the situation, it’s a good idea to avoid being friends with benefits. If you keep having a physical relationship, it’ll make it hard to have a healthy friendship.

Set Boundaries

When you become friends with your former lover, you can’t turn to the same habits as before. They might have been your go-to person for many things, but the situation is different now. Setting boundaries is essential to ensure neither of you reverts to old habits and expects things to be certain.

Avoid turning to your ex for emotional support, love, or affection. If you want the situation to work, you must have emotional boundaries and treat it like you would any other friendship.

Additionally, please don’t send them messages saying you still have feelings. It pushes the boundaries and shows that a friendship won’t work.

As you set boundaries, make it clear that neither should mention your past together. Bringing up old memories or romantic experiences makes it hard to focus on the new friendship. You must look at romantic relationships and friendships as individual situations.

Make Sure Things Are Different

Relabel your relationship to make sure that things are different. Instead of referring to them as your ex, consider calling them a friend. Since you’re friends now, there’s no reason to refer to them any other way.

Plus, switching to calling them a friend helps you make the shift in your mind. It makes the situation less complicated and prevents you from overthinking the relationship.

Many exes who become friends allow their friendship to resemble a romantic relationship. When this happens, it makes it nearly impossible to have a healthy relationship with both people happy.

Hang Out in Group Settings

Spending time together in a group can make it easier to merge into a friendship. Meeting one-on-one can be hard at first, so a group setting can ease the discomfort. Plus, it lets you see if the new arrangement is possible before putting yourself into a tense situation alone.

You might even decide to only hang out in group settings for the duration of your friendship. One-on-one experiences with a former lover can be uncomfortable no matter what the situation looks like now. Having other people around also makes enforcing boundaries easier.

Find Things to Bond Over and Create New Memories

Finding things to bond over is essential for any friendship, including one with your ex. Create new memories so that you aren’t always thinking back on the romantic experiences.

If you enjoyed certain activities together as a couple but didn’t have any romantic memories attached to them, you could continue enjoying those things together. All that matters is ensuring your bond over things without romantic attachments so that you can create new memories together.

Creating new memories gives you something to look back at and discuss when you’re together. You don’t want to continually bring up romantic memories because it will make things tense and uncomfortable. New memories make it easier to avoid bringing up bad experiences.

Be Honest About Your Friendship

You will start dating again eventually, and you’ll want to be honest about your friendship. Please don’t lie to any new partners about your past with your previous lover, or it can complicate things. Explain early on that the friend is your ex and that you’ve developed a healthy friendship without romantic feelings.

Your new partner might be a little uncomfortable with the situation, but they’ll be more accepting if you’re honest. Don’t hesitate to detail how you keep things strictly friendly. When a new partner isn’t okay with the friendship, you’ll have to decide which is more important.

Being open about it will make you and your partner feel better about the experience. Plus, you won’t have to put your friend group in an awkward position of always keeping secrets for you. You also won’t have to worry about your new partner finding out from someone else.

Encourage Them to Start Dating Again

If you want to be friends with your previous partner, encourage them to get out there and start dating again. You might feel weird about it at first, but you’ll have to get through it eventually. It helps both of you take a step back from the idea of you two as a couple and focus on a friendship instead.

When you meet your ex’s new partner, please do whatever you can to make them feel comfortable. Make sure you don’t do anything to make it look like either of you still has romantic feelings.

Don’t Be Afraid to Say No.

Switching to a friendship requires that you speak up when you are uncomfortable. Don’t be afraid to tell your former lover when they’re crossing boundaries. If anything feels weird to you, say no and step back.

You don’t want to give in to these situations because it’ll make the friendship weird. Friendships should feel good, and you should be able to speak up. You don’t have to continue going along with things if it isn’t bringing happiness to your life.

Sometimes you’ll notice that you need more space, and that’s okay, too. Take a step back and spend less time around your ex to make sure a friendship is possible.

Don’t Hesitate to End the Friendship If Necessary.

If the friendship isn’t working, don’t hesitate to end it. Sometimes it’s impossible to be friends, and you must recognize it and walk away.

If either of you has feelings, a friendship won’t be beneficial. Additionally, if boundaries aren’t enforced or respected, it’s best to walk away. Please don’t put your ex’s feelings or thoughts before yours because it’s up to you to do what’s best for your life.

Be honest about why you don’t think a friendship will work. Then, eliminate contact so avoid falling back into old habits. You can still get along and be cordial even if you aren’t friends.

ex

Final Thoughts on Staying Friendly with an Ex

Many people decide to stay friends with an ex, and the situation can be a beneficial experience. However, it’s not always possible or easy. Consider why you want to stay friends and then determine if it would be good for you.

If you decide to be friends with your former lover, follow a few rules. Things are different now that you’re friends instead of lovers. Talk with your ex about what they want the friendship to be like, and see if you can create some boundaries.

You can be friends with an ex, but make sure you don’t fall back into old habits. Put your well-being first, but be considerate of the other person too. A friendship should be good for both of you, so make the best decision for your situation.

Researchers Reveal Foods That Can Stop Cancer From Spreading

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Cancer is on the rise today, including rectal cancer. However, a research team discovered a type of food that can help fight back.

“A study by the University of Aberdeen has found that a higher concentration of the molecules that breakdown omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a higher chance of survival from bowel cancer.” – The University of Aberdeen

A Cause for Concern?

(Just to avoid confusion, we’re going to refer to colorectal cancer and bowel cancer as rectal cancer. They are one and the same.)

Recent studies demonstrate that rates of rectal cancer are rising inversely; that is, the odds of acquiring the cancer are increasing in young people and decreasing in older people. Consider this finding.

“Compared to people born around 1950 – when (rectal) cancer risk was lowest – those born in 1990 have double the risk of colon cancer and quadruple the risk of rectal cancer,” a new study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) found.

Consider also the following two facts. First, 3 in 10 rectal cancer diagnoses are in people below the age of 55. Secondly, screening for this cancer isn’t recommended until age 50.

This presents an obvious problem.

For example, a 45-year-old person follows the recommended screening ages set forth by the ACS and other health organizations and subsequently contracts rectal cancer. However, the tumor would possibly have spread for 5-plus years until being discovered. Of course, five years is a long time (especially with cancer). Because the cells can spread rapidly, the individual is facing serious illness and even death.

The studies are limited in number. However, they are persuasive enough to prompt the American Cancer Society to review screening recommendations.

Omega-3’s may be the answer

For the first time in cancer research history, scientists found a link between the breakdown of omega-3 molecules and surviving rectal cancer.

Professor Graeme Murray, who led the study, explains the study’s origins: “There is a big variation in how people survive cancer of the large bowel and how they respond to treatment, and we don’t know what makes some people respond more favorably than others – this is what this research is trying to establish.”

Researchers from the University of Aberdeen analyzed a study published in the British Journal of Cancer, which “measured the proportion of the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in tumors found in (rectal) cancer patients, and compared it to the patient’s survival.”

The results of the study demonstrate that a higher number of omega-3 metabolizers to omega-6 metabolizers is linked to suppression of tumor growth and a higher chance of surviving rectal cancer. In other words, consuming sources of omega-3’s (which we’ll discuss later) is likely to decrease (or stop) tumor growth. Of course, this effect drastically improves the odds of surviving the disease.

The biological mechanisms of omega-3 and omega-6 are very different. The former reduces inflammation while the latter fuels it, which may be the underpinning of Dr. Murray and his research team’s discoveries.

happiness quotes

Potential benefits to other cancer types

Inflammation, a physical response in which “the body’s white blood cells and substances they produce protect us from infection with foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses,” is a vital part of the immune system and serves an important role in keeping us healthy.

However, certain medical conditions can either intensify or redirect the inflammatory response. In the case of colon cancer, the inflammatory response is intensified. Hence, why Omega-3 – a natural anti-inflammatory – is supposedly effective in both counteracting an overactive inflammatory response and suppressing tumor growth.

Promisingly, this wonderful property of Omega-3 may not be limited to conditions such as autoimmune diseases and rectal cancer. Researchers from the Wake Forest University (WFU) School of Medicine state, “Epidemiological (disease control) studies suggest that diets rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce cancer incidence.”

WFU researchers, and many others, attest to the idea that adequate omega-3 intake helps ward off many (if not all) types of cancer. Researchers from WFU wanted to further test the benefits of omega-3’s by observing its effects on prostate tumor growth. Here’s what they found: “(Omega-3) fatty acids reduced prostate tumor growth, slowed (cancerous tissue) progression, and increased survival.” Similar to Aberdeen University’s study, the researchers discovered the opposite effect of omega-6 intake.

Sources of Omega-3

To accommodate for everyone, from fish eaters to vegans and vegetarians, here is an extensive list of excellent omega-3 sources:

– Fish (top source of o-3’s): halibut, herring, mackerel, oysters, salmon, sardines, trout, fresh tuna

– Dairy & Juices: fresh fruit juice, eggs, margarine, milk, soy milk, yogurt

– Grains & Nuts: bread, cereal, flaxseed, flour, pasta, peanut butter, oatmeal, pumpkin seeds, walnuts

– Produce: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, spinach

– Oils: canola oil, cod liver oil, flaxseed oil, mustard oil, soybean oil, walnut oil

– For babies: baby cereals, infant formula, jars of baby food

– Others: children and adult vitamins, meal replacement bars, protein powders, supplements

As a reference, here is a comprehensive list of medical conditions which may benefit from increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids:

– Rectal (colorectal/bowel) cancer

– Prostate cancer

– Heart disease

– Hypertension (high blood pressure)

– High cholesterol

– Diabetes

– Lupus

– Osteoporosis

Furthermore, omega-3 proves effective for certain psychological conditions, particularly depression. Additionally, mental health conditions that may benefit include bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia.

(For a full list of conditions that may benefit from increased omega-3 intake, please see the University of Maryland Medical Center’s study.)

7 Behaviors That Reveal A Child May Have Autism

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not as mysterious as it used to be ten or twenty years ago. Now, we better understand the spectrum, and with that understanding comes empathy and support. Children on the autism spectrum see and process the world differently than children who don’t.

They may also have a more challenging time socializing and understanding social cues than other children. Without knowing what autism is or how to stop the signs, these children can often end up with unfair expectations put on them by parents, teachers, and their classmates.

As the name suggests, autism spectrum disorder exists on a spectrum of different behaviors and things that a child can or may have a more challenging time doing than most, including auditory processing, speaking verbally, and communicating. How can you know when your child might have autism?

There are some classic signs, and once you get a diagnosis, you can help your child better interact safely and comfortably.

7 Frequent Behaviors That Can Reveal a Child on the Autism Spectrum

“Autism is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by social withdrawal, by repetitive behaviors and by some kind of focal attention in its classic form. Basically, it’s an inability to relate to others.” – Harvey V. Fineberg

sensory processing disorder

know the key signs of a sensory processing disorder.

1. A child on the autism spectrum often has difficulty responding appropriately

Children not on the autism spectrum often begin interacting with their parents and the world around them almost immediately. They respond to voices, and they track movement with their eyes. Babies that have autism, however, may have difficulty interacting and responding to interaction.

A child with autism may not respond to the sound of their parent’s voice or words and may avoid eye contact.

2. Verbal delays

Babies begin babbling before they start learning to speak. Before they hit the one-year mark, most children will begin to make noises with their mouths as a form of communication. Children with autism will tend to have delayed development when it comes to verbalizing and babbling.

If your child isn’t reaching the same milestones when it comes to babbling or even talking as the children around them, they may be considered for diagnosis with autism.

3. Difficulty socializing

As your children grow from a baby to a toddler, they may have difficulty socializing with the other kids or even socializing with their parents. Most children show an interest in interacting with other people. Children with autism will be disinterested or may find interacting with people, especially strangers, complex and overwhelming. Autism can affect how children understand socializing. It may not be that they don’t want to – they don’t know how.

Autism can affect how children understand socializing. It may not be that they don’t want to – they don’t know how.

autism4. Self-soothing behaviors

This behavior is called ‘stimming,’ and it’s not a bad thing and shouldn’t be discouraged as long as it is not self-destructive or harmful to the child or others. Children with autism have trouble verbalizing their feelings the way other children might be able to do. This results in self-soothing behavior. An upset child who needs to calm down may take to rocking back and forth.

A happy child may express that feeling by wagging their hands or flapping their arms. Self-soothing helps children deal with their emotions at their own pace.

5. Lack of imitation

Most children learn through imitation. Children will repeat what their parents say and make the same kind of gestures that their parents do. They’re learning critical social skills through this act of imitation. A child with autism, on the other hand, may feel disconnected from their parents or other adults and children. They often do not respond to smiling by imitating the smile or waving back when waved to.

The autism spectrum affects how they understand and see the world. However, they may not know that you expect them to wave back.

6. Children with autism might not respond to their names

Children will often recognize and respond to their name by a year old. They’ll also understand the names of other household members, such as Mama and Dada. Children with autism may struggle to identify the name with themselves more. It may be a sign to be tested for autism if they’re not responding to their name when they reach a year old.

7. Disinterest in people

Generally, babies and children will look to adults for what to do. They’re interested in the people around them and take part in interacting with them – babbling, pulling hair, grabbing jewelry, responding to sounds and voices. Children with autism show a marked decreased interest in other people. They have very little interest in interacting with people around them and often avoid eye contact and nonverbal.

12 Self-Care Tips for Caregivers of Someone On The Autism Spectrum

You cannot take care of your child until you learn how to care for your own needs.

Self care tips

1. Move forward

When your child is diagnosed with autism, you might feel your world stops. Perhaps you knew something was going on but never expected autism. These are normal feelings. Your life will be different. Now that you understand what’s going on don’t stay in this stop mode too long. Now is the time to move forward. Get your child involved in autism therapies and activities right away. You’ll be managing your child’s appointments and treatment programs. Research to educate yourself so you can advocate for your child.  Once you move forward in all these things, you’ll build a team of people who care about your child and want them to succeed as much as you do.

2. Get help for your marriage

Research shows parents of a child with autism spectrum disorder have increased marital conflicts, resulting in a loss of marital love and higher stress levels in the union. This points to the need to get help for your marriage if you are a caregiver of a child with autism. As a couple, get together with a counselor to discuss marital conflicts you’re experiencing because of autism. Keep your marriage a priority. Schedule weekly dates for some time alone together. Talk about other things besides autism.

3. Write in a journal

Journaling gives you a way to express your feelings about life. Journaling improves both mental health and physical stamina. There’s something cathartic about writing your deepest thoughts. It is a natural outlet and helps you get perspective. Whether you use a paper journal or an online site is up to you. Find quiet time during your day, sit down, and write.

4. Trust your gut

As a parent, you know your child best. When you’re in the midst of your child’s treatments, trust your gut about what is and isn’t working. It would be best if you learned everything you can about autism treatments. Ask good questions about why your child is receiving specific treatment. Find ways to implement these same strategies at home. Trust your gut and speak up if you don’t feel like your child is getting the care they need. You are your child’s best advocate.

5. Don’t hesitate to ask for help

As a parent of a child with autism, don’t hesitate to ask for help. If the people around you offer to help you, accept their help. Perhaps they offer to take your other kids to a park, cook a meal or fold your laundry. Don’t feel guilty about getting help. Parenting a child with autism is time-consuming. Having the extra help from friends may be necessary for a few years until your child’s treatments work.

6. Find someone to talk to

Be sure to have a trusted friend to talk to. You need someone who knows how you feel and what you’re going through. They don’t need to have all the answers for you, but having them listen can be an essential source of strength for you. Perhaps you have great support from your family.

7. Train family caregivers

Perhaps a couple of your relatives are especially in tune with your autistic child. Train them on how to work with your child. Teach them about autism so they can cover for you if needed. You may want to schedule times for them to come over to play with your child. These regular times build trust for your child and help them learn about your child. Family members who understand your child and can be short-term caregivers are essential for your peace of mind.

8. Take breaks

Parenting an autistic child is exhausting emotionally and physically. Getting some time away every day would be best to refresh your mind and body. While your child is at school, take a walk or get coffee with a friend. You should never feel guilty about taking a break. Remind yourself that you will be a better parent when you get some rest.

9. Get some rest

One of your most significant needs right now could be to rest. As a parent of an autistic child, you’re always on the go, heading to doctor appointments, treatments, or other activities. At home, it’s up to you to oversee your child’s care and routine. You need to schedule your rest because your life doesn’t allow for rest periods. When your child is at school, it could be the best time for you to take a nap or read a book. These brief rest periods help recharge your mind and body.

10. Check out after-school programs

Ask your child’s teacher or your child’s autism treatment center workers about after-school programs for autistic children. Many groups provide parental respite care for those with disabilities. Some school systems provide supervised after-care programs for kids with autism. These groups are fun for kids and help them with their social skills, plus give you more time at work or home.

11. Join a support group

When you’re a parent of an autistic child, it’s helpful to talk or listen to other parents going through a similar experience. Support groups are fantastic resources for information about services or activities for kids with autism. A support group will give you the encouragement, support, and comfort you need to get through the most challenging days of parenting your child.

12. Do not neglect self-care

It’s easy to allow autism to loom so largely. You barely take time for yourself. Self-care is crucial for you to stay healthy with so many demands. Don’t forget to schedule regular check-ups with your dentist or family doctor. Have a weekly spa treatment, get a massage to reduce stress, or have a weekly lunch appointment with friends. As a parent of a child with autism, you need to stay focused on your physical and mental health.
autism

Final Thoughts on Raising a Child on the Autism Spectrum

If you suspect your child has autism, reading up and learning everything you can is best. Your child is just as intelligent and capable as any of the other kids – they need a little more help figuring out how to navigate the world around them! Getting them tested is a good plan, just in case any of the symptoms of autism could also be caused by something else.

Children with autism don’t always present the same way. Autism may present with more behaviors than others. Eith r way, your child looks to you for love, guidance, and support.

7 Signs of A UTI (And How to Prevent It)

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Urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when germs penetrate the urinary system – bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureters. Bladder infections, including UTI, are quite common and are treatable. Without medical intervention, the infection may spread to the kidneys and further compromise health.

Women have about a 50 percent chance of developing UTI at some point in their life – a significantly higher percentage than men. Treatment of UTI commonly involves prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotics. However, steps can be taken to reduce your chances of getting UTI, which we will discuss later on.

First, we’re going to talk about the most common symptoms of UTI.

The seven most common symptoms of UTI are:

– Burning sensation while urinating

– A persistent, strong urge to urinate

– Urine that is red, bright-pink or dark

– Frequently passing small amounts of urine

– Urine that smells pungent

– Urine that appears opaque, cloudy

– (In women) pelvic pain, particularly in the center pelvic area around the pubic bone

Types of UTI

Now that you have the 7 most common symptoms of UTI, we’re going to break the illness down by type. The reason is simple, in that each type’s symptoms and treatments can vary widely.

1. Kidney infection (acute pyelonephritis)

Acute pyelonephritis (pie-lone-eh-fry-tis) is a kidney infection both sudden and severe in nature. The infection causes the kidneys to swell, which carries the risk of permanent damage. Pregnant women have a higher risk of developing the condition, which may be life-threatening.

Less common is chronic (long-term) pyelonephritis, which causes “repeated or persistent attacks.” The chronic form of pyelonephritis is more common in children, or those with a history of urinary tract problems.

In addition to the seven common symptoms of UTI listed above, pyelonephritis may cause:

– a fever at or above 102° F (about 39° C)

– pus or blood in the urine

– a fishy smell when urinating

2. Bladder infection (cystitis)

Cystitis is considered a more common form of UTI, especially in women. This condition is less severe than a kidney infection, but still requires medical intervention if symptoms should persist.

Cystitis typically encompasses the seven common symptoms of UTI, but also may include:

– a fever at or above 100.4°F (38°C)

– flu-like symptoms (aches, fatigue, malaise)

Medical intervention is necessary if:

– you’re unsure whether you have cystitis

– worsening or non-improvement of symptoms

– severe symptoms arise (blood in urine, fever, or flanking pains)

– you’re pregnant and have similar symptoms

– your child has like symptoms

Treatment generally involves antibiotics, which begin to have a noticeable effect after one or two days. OTC medications include ibuprofen or paracetamol, and may negate the need to see a medical professional if ineffective. All at-risk demographics mentioned above should see a physician.

3. Urethra infection (urethritis)

Urethritis (yur-eth-rye-tis) is the inflammation of the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside of the body. The predominant symptom of urethritis is pain during urination.

Urethritis differs from the preceding two UTI conditions in that it is caused by bacteria which penetrates the skin. Additionally, urethritis can be acquired through sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2), gonorrhea, and chlamydia are three STDs that may cause urethritis.

Symptoms of urethritis, some of which are gender-specific, include:

– discharge from urethra opening or vagina

– blood in semen or urine (men)

– pain during intercourse

– the urgent need to urinate

– difficulty starting urination

Treatment of urethritis depends on the way in which the condition was acquired. Bacteria-induced urethritis is generally treated through prescription drugs (no OTCs.) Treatment of STD-induced urethritis involves special types of antibiotics and occasional checkups (usually every three months) to ensure the condition has been eliminated.

Preventing Urethritis

“Prevention is the best cure,” and UTI infections are certainly no different. Per the Mayo Clinic, the following precautions sharply reduce the risk of developing UTI:

– Drink plenty of water.

Water dilutes the urine and encourages frequent urination. This allows bacteria exit from the urinary tract before any infection takes over.

– Wipe from front to back (women).

Wiping from front to back after using the toilet helps prevent bacteria around the anal cavity from entering the urethra or vagina.

– Empty the bladder soon after intercourse.

This flushes any acquired bacteria. Drink a glass of water to help with urination, if necessary.

– Avoid potentially irritating feminine products.

Certain feminine products, such as deodorant sprays or douches, can irritate the urethral area.

– Change your birth control method.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Diaphragms, or unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms, can all contribute to bacterial growth.”

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