Magnesium helps my HEART Palpitations!

Be Still my Palpitating Heart!

As an empath, I have a few health issues I have learned to recognize and take action to manage. One of them is my heart. Physically, and emotionally I take and feel other people and animal's feelings. That's what an empath is. Sometimes I absorb so much energy from my environment that my health gets adversely affected.

It took years to learn healthy boundaries I am still putting into practice, but the biggest lesson I learned, is to take care of myself so I can healthfully help others. 

Recently a sequence of events, including having to separate from people who were much too toxic for me, many of my work items broke including my computer, and most importantly feeling the pain that is happening to our planet, animal and people, caused my heart to feel it emotionally and physically.

My palpitations came back with a vengeance as did a sharp pain where my murmur developed in my early thirties. The palpitations get really bad when I lie down and try to rest. If feels like my heart is in my throat and it will turn into a heart attack. 

I had a choice, take some prescribed medication that barely works but sedates me, and I don't need that, or back to what has worked before, namely taking Magnesium. Yes, magnesium sedates me too but in a healthy way and I take it before bed. The supplement you choose is up to you. I purchase Doctor's Best from Amazon because I can subscribe and get them sent automatically, it's vegan and high absorption. 

I got a huge ole bottle, and take 1 a day along with meditation, quiet time, journaling until the storm passes. Which it always does. My only complaint is, why are the tablets so darn BIG!!! OK, that's a "small" price to pay for my heart easing down...and I go back to work. 

I would love to know if this works for other people. Does it help your palpitations? Do you feel relaxed? Is there a preferred, very effective brand?

My handy bottle from Amazon

So You Don't Think Self-Care is for You?? Think again...

I was shocked at the amount of work I had to do with my power self-care work. Not only practicing it but explaining to people what it is. 

Wow. Some people mistaken self-care is a fad or trendy act that is "for someone else". And my response is ,"Ah, no!" 

Self-care ranges from hygiene, (yes hygiene, I can't tell you how many people are not practicing basic proper hygiene) to managing your finances responsibly. It can be discovering how to deal with difficult people in your life, to decluttering your home, or examining why you are having that recurring nightmare. And sometimes it can even include a massage. 


Self-care most certainly is a way of purposely bringing health, balance and joy into your physical, emotional and spiritual life.

Self-care helps alleviate chronic physical, emotional and spiritual distress and pain. If you think you are exempt you will suffer needlessly. 

Don't wait for life force you to care for yourself by experiencing a crisis. Be and proactive, you'll thank yourself later.

Taking good care of you means the people in your life will receive the best of you rather than what is left of you. ~ Lorraine Cohen

Pink Diamond Limited Edition-Beauty Box

My Tribute to My Beloved Mother

I'm super excited I got this lovely (special edition) beauty box. It's for mother's day and this day is traditionally sad for me since I lost my beloved mom in 1999 when she was only 49, from a rare cancer.

I usually get sad and try to focus on the beautiful mothers out there who are still here loving their children. But in addition to that, I decided to do a tribute to my mom by buying this for myself. I am absolutely sure  she would have loved it.

I love all the items in this box and am enjoying using them...I know this will get me through this year. Happy Mother's day to all the moms out there.

Pink Diamond Limited Edition  take a peak here

~Diana Navarro, M.S.

Finding the Beautiful Things in LIfe--Including Manners

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Yoga for Beginners or Those Returning is Easier Than You Think

Beginning or Returning to Yoga

So you’ve been thinking about starting or returning a yoga routine but aren’t really sure where you should (re)start, what you’ll need or if you want to try it from home or go to the local yoga studio. Most anyone can do yoga and you don’t need much to get started.  It’s actually pretty easy to get started.

Sometimes the hardest part of yoga is to simply get started with it.  You have excuses, like not enough time, money, energy, motivation.. (fill in your excuse).  But, once you’ve made that decision you need to follow through on it.  Get a video that you can use at home, or look up some free ones on Youtube, because they are out there everywhere, and just start.  

Start small and do a few poses for ten minutes, every day for seven days, and see what you think about it.  Anyone can commit to doing something for ten minutes a day for seven days.  Heck, we all waste much more than ten minutes a day so why not start a new habit.  The more you do it, the more you’ll like it.

To get started all you really need is a yoga mat.  If you have hardwood floors you should probably get one that is a little thicker because some of the poses require you to be on your knees during the practice.

As you progress you can see about getting some yoga blocks, a yoga bolster and any other accessories you might like to have.  It’s all up to you, but getting that mat and getting started right away is what is most important.  

Some Basic Poses

You will need to know the basic poses for yoga but you will learn more and more as you get further into practicing yoga.  The basic poses for yoga that you will see the most are:

The Mountain Pose

The Downward Dog

Warrior Post

Tree Pose

Boat Pose

Triangle Pose

Seated Twist

Cobra

Upward Facing Dog

Crow Pose

Child’s Pose

Standing Forward Bend

Getting a sequence together is also important for the beginner.  One of the easiest things to start with is the child’s pose.  Taking a few deep breaths and relaxing for a few minutes will help to get your relaxed so you can begin your routine.

Move into the downward dog pose and hold for about five breaths and move on to standing forward bend and hold for five breaths.  Next you can go into the upward facing dog pose and hold for five breaths. From there you will be able to easily move into Warrior pose and will hold for five breaths, then switch sides and hold for five more breaths.

From here move into triangle pose and hold for five breaths and switching sides to hold for five more breaths.   From the triangle pose you can move into the boat pose and hold for five breaths.  To end, lie flat on your back in the savasana pose.  Once you are comfortable and breathing easily enjoy this break for about ten to fifteen minutes.  

You now know the basics and what you can do to get started with yoga.  

This is just one of the things you can do to bring balance to your life. For information on books I've written please check here.

This is Diana Books

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Abundance Prayer for Everyone

Abundance for Everyone (for the highest good)

Unlike what we have been programmed to believe, I strongly feel we are in a world of abundance. The question is, how do we get to experience our own share of it. Perhaps we can start by thinking of abundance as infinite resources instead of just money, or a car, or a phone, etc. Then ask. Then receive and give freely, knowing there is more than enough.

First see the myth truth image

Now try the prayer and break past false beliefs

The Abundance Prayer

From The Light of Universe that I Am.
From The Love of Universe that I Am.
From The Power of Universe that I Am.
From The Heart of Universe that I Am.

I Decree-

I dwell in the midst of Infinite Abundance. The Abundance
of Universe is my Infinite Source.

The River of Life never stops flowing. It flows through me
into lavish expression. Good comes to me through unexpected
avenues and God works in a myriad of ways to bless me.

I now open my mind to receive my good. Nothing is too good
to be true. Nothing is too wonderful to have happen. With
the Universe as my Source, Nothing amazes me.

I am not burdened by thoughts of past or future. One is
gone. The other is yet to come.

By the power of my belief, coupled with my purposeful
fearless actions and my deep rapport with the Universe,
my future is created and my abundance made manifest.

I ask and accept that I am lifted in this and every moment
into Higher Truth. My mind is quiet.

From this day forward I give freely and fearlessly into
life and Life gives back to me with magnificent increase.
Blessings come in expected and unexpected ways. The Universe
provides for me in wondrous ways.

I AM indeed grateful. And I let it be so.

 Source: Unknown

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3 Tips to Try for Healthier Skin Even with Acne

3 Top Acne Skin Care Tips For A Healthier Skin

When dealing with acne skin care, most of the medical professionals commonly suggest that people affected with acne must practice certain acne skin care methods that will help improve the condition of their skin.

Acne, as you may already know, is a very severe skin disorder that affects thousands of people from all over the world. It not only affects the surface of the skin but also the inner layers of the skin. Acne usually occurs on the face, neck, chest and back, and it starts during the adolescence period. Many times people continue to get acne throughout most of their lives well into adulthood. 

As I stated in an earlier post I am one of those adults. I have had acne since I was 14 years and I'm now 44. That's a long time to deal with something that for some reason with all the medical advances doesn't seem to have a cure. It's very frustrating and it is very easy to get depressed because of it. 

I believe dealing with acne requires a multi-prong approach. There is prevention as much as possible. treating, covering, healing and the cycle continues to preventing. The truth that as much as we seem to know about acne we don't seem to know to to cure it completely. Treating your biggest organ holistically is your best bet. In addition to taking care of yourself in various ways including eating healthy, getting enough rest, reducing stress, trying various treatments, there are action steps you can take to get healthier skin.

During the past several years, a good number of acne experts and skin care professionals have conducted many studies on how to prevent the formation of acne. And fortunately, these skin care specialists have come out with certain acne skin care tips that can be of great help for fighting acne. Here are three simpler yet most powerful acne skin care tips that you can follow in order to have a healthier skin. These are mentioned below:

Acne Skin Care Tip # 1: You Should Always Clean Your Skin Very Gently

First of all, personal hygiene is very necessary for fighting acne. So as what most experts usually suggest, you should gently clean your skin with a mild cleanser at least twice a day. This simple acne skin care step is deemed important for fighting acne since washing your face or the other affected areas will wipe away the acne-causing bacteria found on the skin. Also note that although you are sometimes told to scrub your face, scrubbing is not a good acne skin care move since it will just trigger the development of acne, worsening the condition. In addition to this acne skin care step, it is worth noting that astringents are not always suggested unless the skin is very oily. And, they must only be applied on the oily spots.

Acne Skin Care # 2: You Should Refrain from Frequently Holding Your Skin

Another helpful acne skin care tip is to avoid frequently handling of the skin. Don’t pinch, pick or squeeze your pimple since it will only worsen the condition. Many of the people have considered this acne skin care step as one of the most important acne skin care pointers knowing that it may only cause infection and scars formation. As this acne skin care tip holds, you should avoid rubbing and touching your skin lesions if possible.

Acne Skin Care # 3: Always Choose Cosmetics Carefully

This last acne skin care tip holds that people who are being treated for acne must change some of the cosmetics they use. Note that in order to avoid the onset or the development of acne, the cosmetics you plan on using like the foundation, blush, moisturizers, and eye shadow should be oil free. Aside from that, this acne skin care tip also holds that you must avoid oily hair products for they may cause closed comedones. Therefore, those products that are labeled as noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic should be applied.

It is a fact that many of us are very conscious of our skin condition. And as such, we are always wanting to have a fresh, good-looking skin as much as possible. Unfortunately, many of us also fail to come to the conclusion that simple steps are the best ways to accomplish this goal. We often are blind enough that we don’t see what’s really right or wrong for our skin. We often fall in so much frustration and desperation that make us go buy any high-priced beauty products that in the end just turn out to be a waste of time and money, and even worsen our acne. Hopefully, the above mentioned acne skin care tips will be a good start to help you enhance your skin condition.

If you would like more information on me and my quest please do contact me. I am of course on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, Google+, Pinterest, Blogger, and BlogTalkRadio and all can be accessed via my website: www.thisisdiana.com and http://ow.ly/AGmlA  Sign up to my email list and get a FREE E-Book!

~Always with Love, Light and Common Sense Manners~

Diana Navarro, M.S.

On a Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back!

Invisible Disability--The Sleep Disorder of Non-24

 

Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it don't hurt. ~This is Diana

Millions upon millions of people suffer every moment of every day from mental, physical, emotional and very real spiritual pain that is "invisible" or undiagnosed by the medical community and the common person. These are often called Invisible Disabilities. 

"The term invisible disabilities refers to symptoms such as debilitating pain, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive dysfunctions, brain injuries, learning differences and mental health disorders, as well as hearing and vision impairments.  These are not always obvious to the onlooker, but can sometimes or always limit daily activities, range from mild challenges to severe limitations and vary from person to person." Source InvisibleDisablities.org

People with traditional visible disabilities face incredible social stigma in a addition to their health conditions. People look and see something wrong with certain individuals and can ascertain they have some limitations. They may see someone on a wheelchair, or a blind person with a assistance dog or cane, know someone is deaf from the physical expression a person may make or see that someone has Down's Syndrome from physical characteristics. There may be certain reactions to that person including empathy or compassion. Yes there are also negative reactions like fear, confusion and rudeness. The point is they can perceive the person has a limitation and make some conclusion from it.

Someone with an invisible disability as I have, will not show obvious outward signs. I often have to deal with having to explain to people over and over again what limitations I have. This includes physical, and emotional/mental conditions, and that is exhausting and frustrating.

Hence, in addition to the symptoms of ones condition, we have to deal with what bad-mannered, and ignorant family, colleagues and strangers are telling us which can include:

~just get help from a doctor or some other way (that clearly has not helped)
~you appear healthy, maybe you're just making it up or not as bad as you think
~for sleep disorders, try to keep a "normal" schedule, an impossibility for so many today
~(again sleep disorders) practice better sleep hygiene, a pet peeve of mine, assuming it's the sufferer's fault

I am writing about a series of these conditions because of first hand experience and experience of many of my intuitive coaching clients.The goal of these posts on invisible disabilities is to:

• educate 
• clarity and 
• provide support in various ways, including validation and links, to all those suffering from a myriad of an invisible but very real condition

Let's talk about Non-24 (Hyperbychethemeral) Syndrome as an Invisible Disability

One of the invisible disabilities is some type of sleeping disorder. People are quick to minimize this for others or even themselves calling it simple insomnia. Insomnia is usually a short term problem getting restful sleep. But when the problem is chronic and severe it crosses into other areas including the one I'm about to discuss here called "Non-24" or Hypernychthermeral Syndrome. This is what is identified as a free-running circadian rhythm disorder. 

To put it in simple words, this sleeping disorder occurs in many blind people but also in sighted people. For some reason, the regular 24 night/day rhythm is longer or not synchronized. I wrote another post on The Night Owl Syndrome, DSPS and ASPS. These are connected to a degree to which the rhythm is out of synch with normal 8 hour sleep schedules. You can refer to that for more details on that.

As awfully disruptive as this condition is, it is great relief and validating to find a name to what you are suffering from. Like this you can refer the well-meaning people in your life to the links, information, resources which are now available.  

Treatment
The question of treatment for non-24 is still out for the jury in my opinion. There is a new medication being marketed now for this condition. I am not a huge advocate of using medication for every human ill. With that said I do not know enough about it to discuss it here so I recommend you do your own search and see what you find. In addition to medication it is recommended for some to try light therapy for non -blind persons, and the use of Melatonin which is a natural hormone your body makes. It can be vegetarian based supplements. 

The importance of sleep cannot be emphasized enough. You need it for overall health and those who say "I'll sleep when I die" may just be closer to their goal by erroneously minimizing its importance. 

I personally believe that a therapist and spiritual coach who understands sleep disorders can be extremely helpful in addition to support groups. Something to consider...there are many conditions if not all, that originally stem from a spiritual source. Addressing this can lead to clarity, answers and pave the path to full healing.

For more on Invisible Disabilities in general check including a list of common conditions considered invisible check here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_disability
http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/invisible/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1560045964218018/1563585670530714

For information on Sleeping Disorders including Non-24
http://www.circadiansleepdisorders.org/index.php

If you would like more information, contact me. I am of course on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, Google+, Pinterest, Blogger, and BlogTalkRadio and all can be accessed via my website: www.thisisdiana.com and http://ow.ly/AGmlA  Sign up to my email list and get a FREE E-Book!

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Click Here

~Always with Love, Light and Common Sense Manners~

Diana Navarro, M.S.

On a Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back!

Domestic Violence, Why Won't this old Foe go Away?

That Old Violent Foe
One day I had a dream that men were beating up women n the street and urinating on them. That is a nightmare. I woke up puzzled, distressed, disgusted and thought to myself "why would anyone hit another person when we have a brain to reason with?" But on this planet, this existence violence does exist and women have always been a so very perfect target. but why? Is it something karmic? Ancient? Why is there so much anger and hatred towards women? And yes towards towards same-sex partners?

Why am I Discussing this?
I know the topic of domestic violence is very popular again, specifically on social media to the scandal that occurred recently with a football player. But domestic violence or what some are calling domestic terrorism is nothing new. It's been here since the dawn of time. And not only women have been targets but children, men and animals. It is the so-called perceived "weaker" one who becomes the target. By weaker I certainly don't mean it in the traditional way because it takes mental and spiritual weakness and cowardice to hurt another being. I mean weakness as in somehow emotionally, financially, socio-economically physically dependent on the attacker/aggressor. 

Back in college I wrote a paper titled "Domestic Violence: The Equal Opportunity Destroyer". It was for an honors program. I did a local study that showed that anyone (in this case a sample of women) form any age, race, background, etc., can be a subject domestic violence. Notice I didn't say victim. I believe we can go from recipient of abuse to victor of ones life. However for the sake of simplicity I will use the word victim because it is how most people identify the recipient of abuse. Working on this project led me to working with actual clients who were in violent relationships. These relationships included 

• physical, 
• emotional/psychological, 
• sexual (which includes physical, emotional / spiritual violence),  
• and economic abuse. 

The place where I worked included emergency services, crisis counseling, referrals, finding shelter, crucial information and even changing locks for clients. But why did I decide to do this kind of work? I noticed that many other co-workers were either former domestic violence survivors. And so was I.

My story
As a teenage I met a young man through my best friend's family. I would spend every weekend with them and they would take me to Pennsylvania a mini vacation from New York. It was the greatest thing in the world for me because it was the only family my mother trusted enough to have me stay with them. Everything was great. I was an honors student. I loved being with four girls since I didn't have sisters it was so much fun. When I was 15 it was already a few years I was doing my weekend stay-overs and on one of these I met my friend's cousin and thought I fell in love. Yes, at 15 when our brains and bodies are all over the place developmentally. 

I jump ahead and say we were quickly and item and he was so charming my mother took him right in to our family and we even stayed together. I was convinced I would marry him. Then he showed how jealous he was. Irrationally so. I never thought it was a sign of caring. It clearly was a controlling jealousy and I remember he even wanted me to quit school. I had no intentions of doing that. He became more controlling picking me up, following me, watching everything I did. He would argue with me all the time telling me what to do and when, often shoving me, pushing me around and holding me down. He also assaulted me sexually and I wanted at this point to break up with him but it seemed impossible with his relentless back and forth between loving and bullying me. One day while I was at his family's home in New York as usual, he looked in my journal and saw I was writing letters to an old boyfriend. Nothing romantic just a friendly corresponding. But he didn't see it that way. He accused me of cheating. I screamed to him "how dare you look at my journal, that's private!" He followed me into a room as I grabbed by journal and proceeded to pull me by the hair and pummel me to a pulp. 

He was in such a rage yelling how he was going to kill me and I am sure he was going to. He punched, kicked, smacked and knocked me to the floor kicking me in the head. He was trying to kill me. He said said so. The same old "if I can't have you and you won't respect me I'm gong to kill you". This lead to some serious permanent damage to my left eye and neck. For some reason no one from his family heard me scream at the top of my lungs. But one of his cousins was heading towards the restroom and heard me opened the door and called for the rest of the her family. It took 3 people to get him off me. Literally dragged off, as he was possessed screaming would kill me. I could barely move but dragged myself to their phone and called the police. 

I didn't know where he went but didn't care. I called 911 anyway. His cousin came in and said he drove off that I was safe. I waited for the police who drove me home. I didn't want to go to the hospital and could move. The obliged but with a stern warning. I will never, ever forget what the officer said to me. He looked right at me and said "don't go back with him. He did it once, he will do it again and he can kill you next time. Please don't go back," I heard him out but couldn't think clearly. I got home and my mother screamed with horror. I didn't know why until I saw myself in the mirror and was unrecognizable. 

Weeks later the boyfriend returned. I did go back with him. It took a few more violent encounters for me to realize the officer was right and I was going to end up dead. It took a few years but I left him for good. He did still follow and try to contact me for 10 years. But finally I stopped hearing from him directly and occasionally heard about him from his cousins who by this time I was no longer close to. From what I heard he was beating up whoever he ended up with. He was cruel and also hurt animals. Where is he now? He is dead. He died a few years ago quite young on the eve of my birthday. One of his cousins wished me a happy birthday and gave me the gift of peace of mind he would never stalk me again. What did he die of? I'm not too sure except it had something to do with an enlarged heart. I had no idea he had a heart at all. 

Working with domestic violence victims for years taught me a lot. Including some very unexpected and controversial realizations I will discuss in a future post. I also encountered victims of domestic violence doing other type of consulting, advising and coaching. I no longer provide crisis counseling though the training is instilled in me. When I do encounter this in my spiritual coaching, I deal with it one person at a time and refer them to a professional who has the resources a client needs. The point is, there is always help and options. 

What are the options for victims?
Not every story is like mine. Many victims do die. Many continue to be abused for decades and in turn often pass on the legacy of violence to their children and other generations. I know there is another way. There is help available. One has to want to want it more than air itself. I know some perpetrators are relentless and will continue to try to control their victim until the end. I also know there are incredibly complex factors that make leaving a violent partner or family member very difficult and all but impossible. 

The human spirit can rise above anything. I've seen people dispirited because they feel there are no options, choices or escape from their pain. In this post's case the pain of being victimized. But there is hope and there are options. 

• Ask for help-there are many, many resources available practically everywhere. Both traditional and non traditional. Traditional meaning hotlines, counselors, shelters, the police, and hospitals, non traditional, can be other family members, friends, spiritual centers, neighbors, and colleagues. Never let anyone convince you to try to work things out with a violent partner. There is nothing you can do to control the other's behavior and completely unfair for anyone to ask you.
• Do your research-there are many ways to prevent, avoid and leave abusive relationships. Arm yourself with knowledge. In this case knowledge truly is power. Very often you need a strategy to get away. Many abusers use all their resources to try to maintain control. So it is best to have a plan.
• Be willing to pick up and go
• Never go back
• Watch for your children and pets. They are the silent victims and need the adult to have the wherewithal to protect them.
• Some perpetrators have triggers some do not. If you do know their triggers and many victims do, know you are not responsible for his/her action but avoid escalating until you can get to safety. 
• Trust your gut above all. It is never wrong, while the heart and head working separately can falter 

Calling and doing an internet search when you are able to safely will give you so much information. Including identifying or confirming you are being abused. There could be so much confusion in some relationships including seeing in your own family, or friends lives it can seem it's okay or normal to have violence in ones life but it is not. Not at all. There are ways of living peacefully, joyfully, healthfully. Know that is your birthright. 

Start with a simple hotline search if you are not sure The National Domestic Violence Hotline can also refer you to a local service for more help.

Why won't domestic violence go away?

As I started this post, I repeat that domestic violence has existed since the beginning of our recorded history. Just think of the image of a caveman hitting a woman over the head and dragging her by the hair into the cave. This is seen as actually comical. It isn't. It's dead serious, literally. So why after all this time have we not conquered the human ill of domestic violence. Hitting, killing hurting the ones we so-call love? Here are some ideas:

-We still don't offer strong legal repercussions to perpetrators

-It still isn't taken as a serious in many parts of the world

-We aren't always educated as to what to look for and how to avoid potential perpetrators 

-We haven't had total spiritual awakening that shows the uselessness of violence.

Can you think of a few more? I'm sure you can. Please add them in the comments section if you wish. 

I send you the light of safety and happiness.

If you would like more information on me and my quest please do contact me. I am of course on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, Google+, Pinterest, Blogger, and BlogTalkRadio and all can be accessed via my website: www.thisisdiana.com and http://ow.ly/AGmlA  Sign up to my email list and get a FREE E-Book!

~Always with Love, Light and Common Sense Manners~

Diana Navarro, M.S.

On a Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back!

Check That Skin Spot; It May Save Your Life

Check your skin, I did.

In 2008, I noticed a spot on my left calf. It bothered me because it didn’t “feel” or look right. I had my primary physician look at it during my yearly check- up but he wasn’t worried about it. As the months passed I did note that my mark, this excrescence, was getting larger and changing in shape. I finally scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist. She didn’t like the way it looked so I agreed to do a biopsy. 

For three weeks I worried about the possibility this growth could be cancerous. Were my things in order? Was my Advanced Directive and Will updated? Was I living the life I wanted to live? Well the time came for me to get my biopsy results and I sat in the waiting room for nearly an hour with no word. I was asked several times if I was OK and offered water which was unusual for a follow-up medical exam.  I got really nervous.

A few minutes later, I was finally called by my doctor and she asked if I was ready for the procedure to have the growth removed? “What?” I asked. “Does that mean it’s CANC--?”

She cut me off and told me, “Breathe.  It is a benign growth, not cancer.” I was immediately relieved. However, the pathologist recommended the growth be completely removed as soon as possible, just to be sure. This growth which is technically called a dermatomyofibroma was unusually large and in an odd location of my body. Apparently, this kind of growth would appear on a person’s upper body. I agreed I wanted it to be removed. 

I realized no matter how uncomfortable it is to have things checked by doctors sometimes, it is necessary to save one’s life at most and have peace of mind at least. A complete excision of the growth was gone. The only temporary set back was having stitches, minor discomfort and orders to modify my exercise for a couple of weeks. This is when having a trainer really comes in handy. So while I’m healing I’m working out my upper body, doing push-ups, and yoga. Once I’m back to normal I will resume my combination of full body strength training, cardio and yoga.

What should you look for?

So do you have something you need checked out? A strange pain somewhere, an itch, an odd mark somewhere in your body, even if you don’t get much sun exposure? Do you have an ongoing cough, or headache that won’t go away? Or do you have a nagging feeling something may not be right in your body or mind like depression, or anxiety? Trust yourself and get it checked, especially if you are fortunate enough to have insurance. I know it’s not fun to get a colonoscopy, GYN exam, mammography, see a proctologist, or even getting a regular physical but the peace of mind and treatment possibilities may be worth it.

I have included some links for anything related to skin cancer in case you want to check some information. Also, WebMD.com is very popular for checking  many kinds symptoms and conditions. But most importantly, breathe and know you always have options. I’m not sure what I would be saying if my results were different, but I do know that the five years I got with my mother after her cancer diagnosis and treatment were cherished beyond words.

Links

www.skincancer.org

www.skincarephysicians.com

www.webmd.com

www.preventcancer.org

www.cancercare.org

Here is some more information on general skin care. Aside from using sunscreen to prevent sun damage, there are other steps to take to keep you minimize sun damage.

1.  Keep skin hydrated, both inside and out by drinking plenty of liquids (preferably water) and using proper skin moisturizers. 
2. Before heading out into the anywhere where you will have sun exposure, apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before.  
3. If you want a glow, try self-tanners that are made for a variety of skin types.  
4. Check any odd spots and remember that no matter what your skin color is, everyone is prone to getting sun damage. Additionally, other factors other than sun exposure can lead to skin growths, so check everywhere in your body, it’s better to be safe.
5. Get plenty of rest. The saying that says "I'll sleep when I die" is ironic because lack of sleep causes aging, and all sorts of health issues. 

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There is one more link for you to check www.skincancertakesfriends.org for information on how Olay had teamed up with the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery to sponsor free screenings with a dermatologic surgeon for a friend and you.

Want to know more? Schedule a coaching session on this and other issues at This is Diana. Sign up for my email list and receive a free e-book.

~Always with Love, Light and Common Sense Manners~

Diana Navarro, M.S.

On a Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back!