University of Toronto Study

A study by the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and Dept. of Family and Community Medicine shows that people subjected to childhood physical abuse have higher odds of developing cancer in adulthood than those who have not been abused.  This 2009 controlled study showed a strong correlation despite confounding factors of childhood stress, socioeconomic status in adulthood and adverse adult health behaviors i.e. smoking, alcohol consumption and lack of physical exercise. 

One possible explanation may be a dysfunction in cortisol production.  Cortisol--aka the "fight or flight" hormone--is produced in the body's adrenal glands as a natural reaction to stress.  Prolonged childhood exposure to this hormone may contribute to the suppression of the immune system and the body's subsequent inability to fight disease. 

I live in a "Zits" cartoon

Being the parent of three young men--two post-puberty and one in the midst thereof--is never dull.  Or cheap.  These guys are reincarnated horses.  Open the refrigerator door and inhale.  Repeat until said fridge is empty.  That usually takes about a day.  Ditto for the pantry.  I've worn a groove in the road to the grocery store and am on a first name basis with most of the cashiers.  The guys at the deli counter laugh when they see me.  "What?" they ask, "Only three pounds of ham this time?"  I sigh and slowly wheel my wagon train to the checkout.  Unloading takes awhile.  "You MUST have kids," the lady behind me comments.  "No," I reply whilst rubbing my aching arms, "I have Clydesdales."  Cue weird look.

My guys do help me unload the family truckster....eagerly.   "Where's the Skittles?!" roars my youngest as he dives into one bag after another.  He has to fight off the other two looking for their own buried treasure.  I sigh as I watch the carnage and vow for the upteenth time to buy a horse trough and just dump the load of groceries...bags n' all...inside.   Then I smile.  These guys are big....and Budweiser just might be interested. 

"We are what we think.  All that we are arises with our thought.  With our thoughts we make our world."  Buddha

And with our thoughts, we CAN change it. :)

Fall colors

I know there are many who will disagree with me, but I sure miss my russet-colored October.  It's pink now, and while I'm all for breast cancer awareness, too much of a good thing is, well, too much.   Pink clothing, pink M&M's, pink ribbons, pink this and pink that.  I've even seen pink gardening tools.  Egads.  Don't know about the rest of you, but I "pink" I've had enough. 

Raising money and awareness are noble and necessary endeavors, but can I please, please see a wee bit less of spring hues and more of fall? The minute I see a pink jack-o-lantern I'm running for the hills...the russet-colored hills. :)

Making a link between child abuse and cancer

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I will be providing links to articles that discuss the possible correlation between childhood abuse and adult-onset cancer.  Here is the first:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.24372/pdf 

Forgiving the person who hurt us the most is a difficult--sometimes impossible--thing to do.  If you find yourself unable to forgive, first forgive yourself...then turn it over to God.   He will take care of it for you, and you can relax and find peace. :)

From Edgar Cayce:

"Be patient, all. For all will pass through, in material experience, the greatest bounty of all. When ye fail here or there, ye must learn thy lessons. Humility, patience, faith. These make for the proper relationships, of the MIND; that is the builder for the Body, for the Soul."  262-9