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Early this morning, USA Today published an article about the continuing epidemic of AIDS. Did you know that “an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide live with HIV. In 2007, 2.5 million have become infected, and 2.1 million have died of AIDS, according to a United Nations report released last week.” And, that “the rate of HIV/AIDS diagnoses for black women is 20 times the rate for white women.”
W-O-W. Parents, talk to your teens. Put condoms in a bowl by the car keys. Don’t be naive. Single adults – wear condoms and be choosy about how many partners you have. Married adults – be faithful and if you aren’t WEAR CONDOMS.
Everyone – support World AIDS Day on Saturday, December 1. Fight the fight – it affects us all.
I’m happy to report that my father just got a clean bill of health after battling prostate cancer. It’s made me think – as these situations always do – that you just never know what’s coming. And as I get older – sadly – I’ve got to get smarter about my health. I’ve always been healthy, naturally thin and pretty good about not eating too much junk (although having children in the house definitely makes that harder), but I could be much, much better.
Self Magazine outlines a few tips on what to eat, do (and not do) to prevent cancer
Berries and fruits, fine. But damn if alcohol doesn’t increase just about every type of cancer there is! And of course we are all supposed to exercise more. Too bad lifting a glass of red wine doesn’t count.
One of my Twitter friends sent me this URL to The Despair Inc. blog and I couldn’t help but laugh – and post it – when I saw the tshirt featured today:
I recently read an excerpt from Amy Silverstein’s Sick Girl, a new book about the harsher realities of post-transplant life.
Just when you think you are having a bad day, a book like this comes along and smacks you right back into reality. Ms. Silverstein’s harrowing account of her experiences as a heart transplant patient – at the still-innocent age of 25 – is good reminder to count your blessings. She describes painful after painful procedure and what it feels like to walk around with someone else’s heart in your chest – most notably how the brain works with the never-to-be-connected again nerve endings. She brilliantly – and painfully – outlines her body’s reaction to “the war of chemicals” she must take like clockwork no matter what she’s doing – even the celebration of her wedding must be paused for consumption.
Ms. Silverstein talks about what it’s like to forever walk around with the label of “sick girl” and how her entire life is shaped around this experience. But perhaps most surprising – to those of us who would imagine being a transplant recipient is a good thing – is how she describes a life full of “sick-girl kind of exhaustion.” The kind of exhaustion that makes you want to take your own life:
“There is no point at which, statistically speaking, a heart-transplant patient is on safer ground, because from the moment a donor heart begins to beat in a foreign chest, the immune system begins to destroy it.”
I can’t imagine living life that way. But Amy, keep living it. Stay strong – we’re glad “you’ll try” and that you’re here to share your experiences.
For more, read more reviews, the excerpt from US News & World Report or buy the book.
Wicked smart women (and men) know that age is more than just candles on the birthday cake. Find out your Real Age!
US News & World Report has a special how-to-video for medical screenings at every age. Be smart and take care of yourself.
More specifically – THE BOSTON RED SOX!!!! Congratulations to the World Series Champs - sweeping the Colorado Rockies on their home field.
I love, love, love them – they were just so great to watch this season and specifically in this Series. I’m still waiting for Papelbon’s aforementioned “jig” promise. Apparently he says it won’t be until he gets back to Boston… so maybe I can skip work tomorrow and see it live (she says knowing that will never happen but wouldn’t it be nice?)!
Yes, Red Sox! Yes Rocktober! Yes Boston! Yeah Beckett, Ellsbuy, Papelbon, Varitek, Manny, Big Papi, Lowell, and all the rest!!
And props to Jordan’s Furniture for either having – or not having – faith in the team with their excellent marketing campaign. Brilliant! And congratulations to all the consumers who get free furniture because of this win, too!
Party safe and sleep tight Red Sox Nation.
Because I’m so busy during the week – extra busy now that I’ve made this blog my new hobby (like I needed one) – I have to catch up on my favorite TV shows on the weekend. Thank God for TiVo - one of the best gadgets of all time - so I can work my ass off all week and still be a TV junkie. (Yes even Wicked Smart Women watch the boob tube.)
Here’s what’s on deck:
Californication – As Hank, David Duchovny put himself in quite a role with all that sex he’s having. But hey, if you can write a part for yourself and be good at it – why not. I am way behind on these.
The Office – they’ve done a pretty good job of not “jumping the shark” too much with Jim and Pam’s romance. Okay the truth is I did watch this episode last night after Game 2 of the World Series with my beloved Red Sox winning. My favorite line of the episode, “I don’t’ like to be titillated.”
Damages - Because Glenn Close is an excellent Wicked Smart Woman. I’d love to have just a bit of her character’s bitchiness in me (not the psycho-dog-killing part, of course). Plus, the Doctor boyfriend is hot … when they’re not showing him dead in the bathtub, that is.
Survivor – don’t tell me; I’ve heard it’s gross and it has to do with eating and that the school lunch lady couldn’t even handle it. Huh; despite the warnings of friends, I intend to watch.
Can you tell I’m avoiding work?!
I know they’re out there – women who toil daily over work, children, husbands, parents, closets and more. You wish you had more time for the spa, reading or relaxing but you’re lucky if you get out of the house in the morning without oatmeal on your suit, or make it home in time to decompress and hang with the kids/hubby/dogs/cats/horses before bedtime. You miss the days when $1 pitcher night was a big deal even though you truly enjoy your “grown up” success.
Wicked Smart Women are always balancing. Email me at wickedsmartwoman@gmail.com or http://twitter.com/wickedsmartwoma and tell me if:
1) You are a Wicked Smart Woman – what are your best qualities?
2) You know a Wicked Smart Woman – why do you think she’s Wicked Smart? Is she gorgeous yet brilliant, funny but commanding, sexy but the boss?
3) You have opinions on what makes a Woman Wicked Smart - what attributes would make you look and say, “Wow, she’s Wicked Smart!”
Let me know and if you’d like to be featured in a Q&A on the site.
A lot of things – send me what you think a Wicked Smart Woman is made of and I will put them on my blog!
- Hates to say “no,” – but will
- Works because she wants to; not because she “has” to
- Takes care of herself first – it makes for a better caretaker for others
- Looks at the price tag…and buys it anyway
- Eats dessert
- Marries for love despite the divorce rate
- Isn’t afraid to be single
- Knows a lot of great wines for less than $10.00 a bottle
- Knows a good financial planner who’s not her spouse
- Brings home the bacon, fries it up in a pan and never lets you forget she’s a (working) woman
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