Testicular Cancer Awareness

Cancer attacks all parts of the body. Even our most intimate parts. Breast and cervical cancer are two of them. One common form of cancer in men is testicular cancer. However its not as common as you'd think. 

According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 of every 263 males will develop this type of cancer.It mostly affects young and middle-aged men. The average age is about 33 years old. However about 7% of cases have occurred in children and teens. Its the same percentage in men over 55.

Now even though testicular cancer is not common, this disease has been on the rise in the United States and other countries over the past few decades. So with that in mind, fellas, even though the risk of dying from this type of cancer is low, that doesn't mean that you can just ignore it. Like any type of medical issue, if left untreated, the consequences could be dire.

Any man can be at risk for this form of cancer. Some of the things that make you at risk for it are an undescended testicle, family history of testicular cancer, HIV infection, had cancer before, body size, ethnic origin, and carcinoma in situ of the testicles. There is some good new though. If detected early, this cancer is nearly 100% curable. Sometimes symptoms of testicular cancer can give you a clue that something isn't right. These symptoms include:

• -Painless lump or swelling of the testicle
• A change in how the testicle feels
• A dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen
• A build-up of fluid in the scrotum
• Pain or discomfort in the testicle or scrotum
• A scrotum that feels heavy or swollen
• Bigger or more tender breasts

I will be truthful, some who do develop testicular cancer have no symptoms. Usually this cancer is found during medical testing. Even doing self examinations help to detect this form of cancer. So gentlemen, if you know your body well enough and notice something isn't right with the 'family jewels', I implore you to go to the doctors and get it check out. Even if it turns out to be nothing, its better than the alternative.

If you would like to learn more about testicular cancer check out these websites. 
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/testicular-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
http://www.testicularcancersociety.org/
They are the websites that I found with the information I have given, and even more to offer.

Also as a reminder; The Lewis Support Foundation is still trying to get itself up and running. The dream is to not only help give support to those with cancer, but to help other local organizations such as CHAP and Doernbecher Children's Hospital.. To do that we need to obtain a business license and get our name out there in the Portland community. Even if you could donate a dollar, it gets us a step closer to achieving the dream that Nick had desired. You can donate at:
https://www.gofundme.com/the-lewis-support-foundation

Thank you, and fight the good fight.

CHAP; a charitable program with a creative heart

There are many wonderful local charities in the Portland area that do some excellent work. However, there is one that is personally near and dear to me. That is CHAP (Children's Healing Art Project). A wonderful organization that was started in 2006 by artist Frank Etxaniz. Partnering with philanthropist Charlie Swindells, Frank visited children individually at Doernbecher in hematology and oncology.

This artistic organization has brought many children the healing power of art for over ten years. But not only children, adults too. That's where our story begins...
During Nicks stay at the Kohler Pavilion at OHSU, we would only have two things to do; watch tv or play on our electronic devices. Feeling isolated from the world did not do much to ease either Nick's pain of being stuck in bed hooked up to medical devices and given pain meds, or the pain that his parents and I had of watching  him having to go through it. Even with the never ending cycle of nurses and doctors coming in, it didn't help to raise our spirits or make us feel even remotely human. If anything, it alienated both of us.

One day a young woman came in saying she was from CHAP. I was familiar with CHAP cause it wasn't the first time we were introduced to CHAP. After Nicks first surgery, I believe it was the same young lady who asked if we would like to have any art supplies to give us something to do. Both Nick and I, being artist, jumped at the chance. She told us what was available.  I got beads and

Nick working on his sculpture during his second hospital visit

memory wire, and Nick got a sketch book with pencils. On this second visit, Nick got some clay and a sculpture stand to model his up and coming creation, and I got a bunch of beads and memory wire. It was one of the few days in the hospital that Nick felt the urge to get up and do something other than walk or just sit up. That day he and I started our little creations, complimenting each others work as it came along.  That day, even surrounded by medical devices, hospital air, and illness, we felt like ourselves.

Art is a powerful tool. It allows people, especially with illness to either express their internal struggle, or to escape for a while and create something beautiful. CHAP understands this and thanks to their in-hospital programs, many children and even adults get a chance to forget their worries and create! CHAP doesn't just visit OHSU and Doernbecher. They also have art programs with Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center and the Pediatric Neurosurgery Clinic.  They even have an art club outside of the hospitals for children with medical challenges. And its free! If there is ever a local charitable orginization that knew the healing power of art, its CHAP. I hope and pray that they continue with their work, bringing joy and creativity to all who need it.

Nicks sculpture finished

If you would like to learn more about CHAP and help them with their artistic mission, go to their website at:
https://chappdx.org/

Also as a reminder; The Lewis Support Foundation is still trying to get themselves up and running. The dream is to not only help give support to those with cancer, but to help other orginizations like CHAP. To do that we need to obtain a business license and get our name out there in the Portland community. Even if you could donate a dollar, it gets us a step closer to achieving the dream that Nick had desired. You can donate at:
https://www.gofundme.com/the-lewis-support-foundation

Thank you, and fight the good fight.