CELL DETECTORS and SOCIAL MEDIA, DAY 23

DAY 23 of #HAWMC, PART 1: Write about a device I wish existed to help me track my health. I'd invent a portable meter-like device (like the one diabetics use) ...

CRAZY FOR TWITTER, DAY 11

Day 11 of the Wego Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge asks us to write about our favorite social network. 

I'm crazy for Twitter! Which is completely crazy, because until two weeks ago I was a Twitter holdout. But I folded up my fear and finally completed my account. My impetus? To participate in the Monday night #BCSM Tweetchat (yes, I'm impressed I even knew what #BCSM meant too!). 

On Twitter, #BCSM stands for "The Intersection of Breast Cancer and Social Media." This online community was founded in 2011 by Jody Schoger and Alicia Staley (both breast cancer survivors), along with Dr. Deanna J. Attai, a board-certified breast surgeon. In April of 2013, they created a BCSM blog, and posted a terrific article entitled, "Respect the Hashtag." Check it out to learn more about the proper ways to post on Twitter and #BCSM.

The #BCSM’s mission: "To help support, empower and inform women about issues related to breast cancer." #BCSM is an awesome group of women and men who have cancer, had cancer or have an interest in cancer. However, #BCSM Twitterchats are not for the faint of heart! They move quickly, and I am slowly getting the hang of thinking of short but relevant things to tweet. Join us every Monday night at 9 PM Eastern Time, 8 PM Central Time and 6 PM Pacific Time.

I know now why I was afraid of Twitter: I didn't understand it. I thought it was something I could only access from my smart phone. (Which I didn't even own until last Christmas. Silly me.) My world has been widened: I've since figured out how to "follow" folks (475 and counting!), and it's been great fun to watch as people "follow" me (150 and counting).

To follow me on Twitter, click here. See you Monday night!

PINTEREST, SCHMINTEREST!

Day 16 of the WEGO Health Activist Writer's Month Challenge and I'm supposed to create a Pinterest board for my health focus. My instructions: Pin three things and write about them. Here's the thing: I don't do Pinterest. I cannot handle another online thing. Really, I can't. And oh I have tried.

I signed up for Pinterest after being invited (puleese) a couple months ago; poked around and said the same thing about Pinterest as I did about Facebook: Now this is a time vacuum! As in, it's gonna suck all the free time right outta me. I did eventually succumb to Facebook but never got around to pining for Pinterest. And I don't tweet either. Signed up for Twitter several years ago (so ahead of my time!) but didn't get it and don't own a smart phone and I'm pretty sure that means no tweeting. (Yes, I am part cavewoman.) So I'm gonna go all old-school on you and just post three things I like a lot.

#1 IS DENTAL WORK SAFE DURING CANCER TREATMENT? As in, should you postpone getting your teeth cleaned or having dental work done until after chemo or radiation or surgery? I found a great article by Robyn Stoller that answers these questions. Read "Dental Care and Cancer" on the awesome Cancer Support Community blog. They do great work. Check them out, spread the word.

#2 SISTERS NETWORK INC Did you know that the breast cancer mortality rate among Black women is a whopping 36% higher than for white women? Neither did I — until I discovered this wonderful nonprofit resource called  Sisters Network Inc. (SNI). It's the only national organization for African American breast cancer survivors in the U.S. They have more than 40 chapters across 22 states. SNI provides a variety of services such as free mammograms, information and support via their Breast Cancer Assistance Program (BCAP). SNI also created Stop the Silence® Walk, now in its third year, as well as Sister House — a sanctuary for breast cancer patients (and their families) who are receiving treatment at Texas Medical Center in Houston. They do great work. Check them out, spread the word.

 #3 If you are not yet registered with the Army of Women, I encourage you to do so now. It's quick, it's easy, it's free. Become an active part of the solution by participating directly in research that will move us closer to (and beyond) a cure. Sign up here. They do great work. Check them out, spread the word.

(Copyright © anonymous)

 #4 You are right, I am only supposed to list three ... but I can't help myself. I wish I could recall where I found this ingenious little illustration. It so perfectly depicts the solution to all of life's many challenges. Don't you love it?